Mel Bays Complete Bluegrass Banjo Method [Spiral-bound]

N. Griffin (Author)

Book Description

Series: Complete | Publication Date: May 1974

One of the very best G tuning five-string bluegrass banjo methods available! The book teaches how to pick out tunes single-string style (one note at a time), how to play chord accompaniment, and how to play solos in the full three-finger, bluegrass style. Topics include note and tab reading, chord background styles, traditional bluegrass techniques, fills and endings, use of the capo, rolls, slides, hammers, pull-offs, choking, harmonics, and up-the-neck playing. In notation and tablature.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Neil Griffin was born and still resides in Charlotte, North Carolina. Music has always been his prime interest, starting wtih clarinet instruction in the fifth grade and learning guitar on his own. He performed as a member of the Charlotte Symphony Orchestra at age 15 playing bass clarinet. He also began performing with area dance bands on saxophone, clarinet, and guitar.

He studied music at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, playing First Chair Alto Sax as a freshman in the UNC Concert Band. Neil taught as Band Director at three county schools for several years and at the same time privately for Kidd-Frix Music Co. in their Charlotte accordion school. When the School was purchased by Music Inc. Neil went into management and retail music sales for them. At the same time, Neil played regularly with his own band for wedding receptions, office parties, etc., and gained valuable experience from playing summer theater for many well-known stars as well as being called on a regular basis to play banjo, guitar, and clarinet for traveling Broadway shows appearing in the area.

Neil was very active in the Charlotte Musicians Association and served as president for approximately 13 years as well as holding other executive offices.

Some of the first professional jobs Neil played were good old southern square dances, which at that time weren't as fancy as they are today but provided him with an appreciation for country and bluegrass music that was never forgotten. He enjoyed doing 5 radio shows and two TV shows per week at WBT and WBTV in Charlotte for over a year.

In the early 60's Neil was hired to manage Tillman Music Co. in Charlotte. There he helped in starting the Aria Pro II line of instruments. Neil and his brother Steve, who also writes for Mel Bay Publications, went into the music-school business together in the 70's and later expanded as a retail music store. During this period Neil met Mel Bay and began to write material for 5-string banjo which was pretty scarce at the time. He has thoroughly enjoyed writing and teaching.

Currently, Neil is a performing musician, band leader and co-owner of the Neil Griffin Studios of Music in Charlotte, North Carolina where his instructional books are field tested and proven effective with students of all ages. He has authored or co-authored several books for Mel Bay Publications on the subjects of 5-string banjo, rock guitar, and accordion.

Product Details

• Spiral-bound: 244 pages
• Publisher: Mel Bay Publications (May 1974)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0871668793
• ISBN-13: 978-0871668790
• Product Dimensions: 11.5 x 8.8 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #399,197 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Thank you, thank you!, May 10, 2004

By 

Donna Cash (Dexter, MI United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Mel Bays Complete Bluegrass Banjo Method (Spiral-bound)

After reading some of the previous reviews of this book, I bought it. I have used another teach-yourself-banjo book for the past year, but this one fills in so many gaps in understanding. It teaches you "why", not just "how". The book also urges the player to learn to read music, not just tablature. Being a piano player, this opens many more doors. I spent 6 continuous hours practicing with this book the first day I received it. I would urge any beginner, whether teaching yourself or having an instructor, to buy this book. Sometimes you don't know what you don't know, and also don't know how to ask!

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A good place to begin and improve with a banjo., August 24, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Mel Bays Complete Bluegrass Banjo Method (Spiral-bound)

This book starts at the beginning and describes tuning and techniques and is interspersed with advice on what to practice. It explains both tabulature and normal music notation and has a variety of songs progressing from easy to difficult. There are many exercises on various rolls and accompaniment techniques. This is a good first book and will also challenge a banjo player for a long time.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A great first book on the banjo, April 23, 2004

By 

Brendan "brendan077" (Washington, DC) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Mel Bays Complete Bluegrass Banjo Method (Spiral-bound)

This is the first book I bought when I started to teach myself to play the banjo. I find it to be extremely helpful to beginners and will also be challenging as the pupil progresses. It teaches setup and simple lesson plans for beginners. There is also a fun section on roll patterns and fills and endings. The book has solos of bluegrass songs for the more advanced, and the solos are challenging. Having the accompanying CD was very important to me so I could hear how the roll patterns and solos are supposed to sound. I would encourage others who are teaching themselves to buy the CD along with the book. This is a great book for anyone learning to play the banjo.