Table of Contents
Introduction 1
Part I: 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 19
Chapter 3: Hitting the Ground Running: Tuning, Reading Music, and Making Chords 35
Chapter 4: Fretting and Picking 49
Part II: Let's Roll! ScruggsStyle 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 ScruggsStyle Solos 137
Part III: Playing in the Band: Backup Essentials 167
Chapter 9: Getting Started: Playing DowntheNeck Backup 169
Chapter 10: Taking It Higher: Playing UptheNeck Backup 183
Part IV: Progressive Banjo: Melodic and Single-String Styles 207
Chapter 11: MelodicStyle Banjo 209
Chapter 12: SingleString Banjo 229
Part V: Keeping Your Banjo in Top Shape 245
Chapter 13: Setup Essentials: Getting the Best Sound from Your Banjo 247
Chapter 14: All Strings Considered: Choosing and Changing Strings 259
Part VI: The Part of Tens 273
Chapter 15: Ten (Or So) Groundbreaking Bluegrass Banjo Players 275
Chapter 16: Ten Strategies to Make You a Better Player (Right Now!) 281
Part VII: Appendixes 287
Appendix A: A Guide to Chords, Notes, and Major Scales 289
Appendix B: Audio Tracks and Video Clips 299
Index 311