Bluegrass Banjo For Dummies

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