Mel Bay's You Can Teach Yourself Banjo Book [Paperback]

Janet Davis (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 8, 1991

This is the ideal beginner's book, presenting the basics of playing the 5-string banjo is a way that is both fun and produces quick results. Janet Davis takes you on an extensive tour of this instrument's fundamental techniques as well as some intermediate possibilities including rolls, chords, bluegrass banjo techniques, playing up the neck, licks, endings, and other basic information needed to play bluegrass and melodic-style banjo. Thorough performance notes are provided from beginning to end revealing the secrets of this versatile traditional instrument.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Janet Rice Davis was born and raised in Houston, Texas, where music has always been an integral part of her family life. Although Janet's formal musical training was primarily in the classical field, she was fascinated with the stringed instruments, particularly those involved with folk and bluegrass music. In college she played the guitar and sang as a folk and blues musician in many of the Austin clubs, learning from such greats as Lightning Hopkins, Janis Joplin, and other well-known musicians, who played the same clubs. Today, Janet is primarily known as a bluegrass and five-string banjo specialist.

Product Details

• Paperback: 116 pages
• Publisher: Mel Bay Publications, Inc. (January 8, 1991)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1562220012
• ISBN-13: 978-1562220013
• Product Dimensions: 11.8 x 8.8 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #274,932 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A very fine book indeed, March 29, 2005

By 

Janice M. Hamilton (Bfookhaven, Pa) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Mel Bay's You Can Teach Yourself Banjo Book (Paperback)

This is a book that should be in every begining bluegrass players hands. The book is easy to understand and can help you easily learn the bluegrass banjo. Janet teaches various methods you can use on the 5 string banjo, including rolls, licks, hammer ons, pull offs, slides etc, but she also starts teaching melodic and up the neck-so that when you are finished this book you should be fairly comfortable with many different styles to playing the bluegrass banjo. I found that you really have to listen to the cd over and over again to really capture the point she is teaching. You have to train your ear to listen for the melody notes (very important in bluegrass) while looking at the text and the tab. Overall a great book to get started with. I also use Wayne Erbson (?) newer book of bluegrass for the complete ignoramus (published 2004 or so and not the early one put out in the early 90's). Waynes NEW book along with Janets will have you playing right along in no time at all. If you want to get 2 books to start learning to pick bluegrass make it these 2.

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars You actually can teach yourself., March 2, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Mel Bay's You Can Teach Yourself Banjo Book (Paperback)

I have bought many banjo methods and this one has me statisfied. Janet does a great job in building up technique for bluegrass style banjo. You might skip this book if you see it in the store, since it has a goofy cover and is part of a series, but it is really good.

A CD with the book would make it 5 star, but I would definitely not pass this up just for that reason.

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Best Beginning Banjo Course, September 14, 2001

By 

Jim Dee (Texas) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Mel Bay's You Can Teach Yourself Banjo Book (Paperback)

This is an outstanding course for beginning players to learn the 5-string banjo. You will be playing songs right from the start, and understanding the techniques used for the 5-string. It is written in easy to follow lesson format, with each lesson building upon the previous lessons. Each lesson includes a song to demonstrate the new techniques. A CD is available which plays all of the music in the book, both slow and fast. A video is also available which puts the teacher right in the room with you.