Customer Reviews

The Ultimate Plectrum Banjo Player's Guide, Compact Disc Companion to Vol.1 & Vol.2 (Set of 2)

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If you are like me, living in the middle of plectrum nowhere, you only have a vague idea of how a plectrum banjo should sound. We've heard a lot of Bluegrass, as well tenor banjos tucked away in the background of a Dixieland band, and maybe some Harry Reser or Eddie Peabody virtuoso recordings. Just enough to whet our appetite for the greater range and melody breaks possible on a plectrum banjo.

The typical sound of a 4-string ringing away is a difficult sound to get out of a banjo, however, and the necessary slow beginning steps sound nothing like the real thing. The trouble with most instruction books is that you can't hear them. Playing triplets, for example, is the key to the 4-string banjo sound but a slow triplet sounds nothing at all like a triplet played at the hyper velocity of a professional player.

The Volume I CD takes you through each and every exercise in the book. Not only can you see the exercise, you can hear it played properly at the level of speed compatible with the exercise.

The Volume II CD has a recording of David Frey playing every tune exactly as it is written in the Volume II book. With the CD, you can play along with David as you follow; (a) the standard "lead sheet" notation, (b) the chord chart showing only the chord(s) in each measure so you can chunk along with the backup, or (c) play the chord melody as represented by the chord diagrams for every note in the tune.

The CDs and the books present a fabulous way to learn to play this instrument. I heartily recommend the whole set to anyone with the slightest interest in playing the plectrum banjo.

I'm not a bad banjo player,but i'm not a good one either! As plectrum banjo books go I have had them all, but this is by far theee most clear and well written banjo instruction book ever presented. I know this book will help anyone improve their banjo ability and musical knowledge,because it sure has helped me.

I was waiting for this book to come out for the last ten years... and I didn't even know it! It is very complete and well organized. The two volume arrangement works quite well. The first volume consists of lessons and techniques. The second volume is filled with songs and sheet music showing you every single note and chord position! What usually slows me down is not knowing a good transition chord fingering... but Dave and Susanne solve that by listing every single note for every song. Wow... just like having a teacher available at all hours of the day or night... and as any dedicated banjo player knows... that's when you practice! Buy it, you won't be sorry. I've been using it for 4 weeks and I'm only seriously up to chapter three so far. It is loaded with good information! Another good feature is that you can scan ahead and pick some items that move you at your own pace. Be sure to get the two CD set that goes with this... now you can practice with the music playing at the proper speed. What'll they think of next?