Get insight on playing as part of a bluegrass
Table of Contents
Introduction 1
Part 1: Getting Started with Bluegrass Banjo 5
Chapter 1: Bluegrass Music and the Banjo 7
Chapter 2: Finding the Perfect Bluegrass Banjo and Getting the Gear You Need 21
Chapter 3: Hitting the Ground Running: Tuning, Reading Music, and Making Chords 37
Chapter 4: Fretting and Picking 51
Part 2: Let’s Roll! Scruggs-Style Banjo Essentials 69
Chapter 5: Picking Techniques: Roll Patterns 71
Chapter 6: Fretting Techniques and Putting the Hands Together 89
Chapter 7: Getting Bona Fide: Playing Licks and Classic Tunes 109
Chapter 8: Working Up Your Own Scruggs-Style Solos 135
Part 3: Playing in the Band: Backup Essentials 165
Chapter 9: Getting Started: Playing Down-the-Neck Backup 167
Chapter 10: Taking It Higher: Playing Up-the-Neck Backup 181
Part 4: Progressive Banjo: Melodic and Single-String Styles 205
Chapter 11: Melodic-Style Banjo 207
Chapter 12: Single-String Banjo 227
Part 5: Keeping Your Banjo in Top Shape 243
Chapter 13: Setup Essentials and Live Performance: Getting the Best Sound from Your Banjo 245
Chapter 14: All Strings Considered: Choosing and Changing Strings 261
Part 6: The Part of Tens 275
Chapter 15: Ten (or So) Groundbreaking Bluegrass Banjo Players 277
Chapter 16: Ten Strategies to Make You a Better Player (Right Now!) 285
Part 7: Appendixes 291
Appendix A: A Guide to Chords, Notes, and Major Scales 293
Appendix B: Audio Tracks and Video Clips 301
Index 311
