Customer Reviews

Melodic Banjo

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(2)
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1 star:		(1)

 

 

If you are graduating from the "Set in stone" three (3) fingered Scruggs style picking this is THE book to have! Worth its weight in gold, Trischka gives an in depth view of the melodic/chromatic technique. Integrated with the straight forward approach of Earl Scruggs picking adds a dash of spice that is enjoyable and easy to listen to. Alan Munde is a MASTER of combining the two techniques. If you are ready to "Kick it up another notch" Tony Trischka's "Melodic Banjo" will surely take you there! I bought my copy in 1976 and it remains a constant reference to this intriguing style of my banjo playing.

When I began playing banjo 25 years ago I got two books: The Scruggs Book, and this one. The Scruggs Book taught me 3-finger Scruggs-style play, and this one taught me melodic style. Combining the two creates a great style. This book forces you to "get control" of your left hand, as well as teaches you a huge amount about navigating the fingerboard. And it's all fun because you're playing fiddle tunes that sound nice. It's a must if you're serious about banjo pickin'. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED! P.S.: I also lost mine over the years and just replaced it through Amazon.com. Didn't think I'd ever see it again!

I had a copy of this book when I first picked up the banjo many years ago. I lost it somewhere in a series of moves. I am now looking to replace the original copy.

As far as content goes, the book has a lot of examples of melodic/chromatic licks and how to work them into songs as well as some fully fleshed out songs in tablature. I found the book very helpful in giving me some groundwork for expanding my playing style and sound. It interjected a new element of fun into my playing.

I had some training in the Scruggs' type and wanted to learn melodic banjo. My teacher uses this book, and I'm not sure why. I'm somewhat of a beginner and this is not for beginners. I have to work out the fingerings myself. There is a lot of history written about the various artists. Sometimes I go to youtube to try to see what the song I'm working on is supposed to sound like and usually it is nothing like the arrangements in this book. But I am learning with it and there are some nice melodies here.

This is an interesting book for people jumping into melodic style. Definately NOT FOR BEGINNERS. This stuff is unique , but HARD!!!

What a great book!! I've had to borrow it from a friend because my order has taken over 4 weeks to arrive (w/overnight shipping already paid!)My order is STILL not here...what a lousy distributing company. Tony Trischka is outstanding, and the materiel he covers opens up a whole new aspect of playing.

I have been playing banjo for only 3 years, so I still consider myself to be a "beginner". I started with a Janet Davis book and DVD and was on my way. After a while I decided to push ahead with a different style, and Tony Trischka's book was recommended to me by the guy at the guitar store. I bought it but should have looked through it better first. It came with a cd and there is very little instruction in the cd at all. It is nearly impossible to figure out what he's talking about. If someone who has been playing for a while is having a hard time figuring out what he's talking about, a true beginner would be totally and completely lost and frustrated. I'm ready to ditch this book. He may be a great banjo player, but just being a great player does not make one a good teacher. One cannot assume that the audience is trained musically if one is putting out a book for beginners. This guy assumes way too much.