Learn How To Play Banjo
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Banjo Tablature And Videos
Whether you want to learn to play the banjo or you already play the banjo but you want to improve your playing style tablature and instructional videos are the way to go.
The best banjo tablature includes the songs and lessons on CD so you can hear what you are learning to play. Instructional videos allow you to see how the peice is played.
With tablature you can learn on your own time and at your own pace and much cheaper than hiring a tutor. On this page you will find free banjo tablature, free banjo lessons on video, information about recommended banjo tablature books and even information on brand new banjos if you are looking to buy one.
Bluegrass is great music, but it aint bluegrass without that banjo sound!
The best banjo tablature includes the songs and lessons on CD so you can hear what you are learning to play. Instructional videos allow you to see how the peice is played.
With tablature you can learn on your own time and at your own pace and much cheaper than hiring a tutor. On this page you will find free banjo tablature, free banjo lessons on video, information about recommended banjo tablature books and even information on brand new banjos if you are looking to buy one.
Bluegrass is great music, but it aint bluegrass without that banjo sound!
How To Play The Banjo With Tablature
Tablature is a great tool to help you learn how to play the banjo. With tablature you don't need to know how to read sheet music. The strings are represented by 5 horizontal lines on which fret numbers and fingering notations are added.The top line is the first string (the thinnest one), which may seem upside down until you get use to it.
Most banjo tablature books include a CD so you can hear what the excercises and songs sound like. Practice with the tablature and listen to the songs, soon you will be playing right along with them!
Notations Commonly Seen In Tablature:
h - hammer on
p - pull off
b - bend string up
r - release bend
/ - slide up
\ - slide down
Below is a detail of how banjo tablature works. The letters at the bottom tell you which fingers to use on the right hand.
How To Read Banjo Tablature
Alabama Gals Banjo Tablature
Banjo For Dummies
Banjo For Dummies is your complete guide to the five-string banjo. Whether you are a beginner or a more experienced player you will find plenty of fun stuff to improve your banjo playing in this book.
Banjo For Dummies has everything you need to know to start on your way as a banjo player. Complete instructions in clawhammer, bluegrass, melodic, single-string, minstrel and classic styles.
CD with all songs and exercises included - You can hear and play along.
Banjo For Dummies has everything you need to know to start on your way as a banjo player. Complete instructions in clawhammer, bluegrass, melodic, single-string, minstrel and classic styles.
CD with all songs and exercises included - You can hear and play along.
Banjo For Dummies
Amazon Price: $13.59 (as of 02/15/2012)
List Price: $24.99
Used Price: $10.98
Tuning and Care information and tips
More than 120 photos and 130 musical examples
Release Date: 12/31/1969
Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Banjo Chords
Below is a chart that shows the basic banjo chords in tablature.
The small numbers at the top of each grid are the fingers used to get that particular note. "0" means open string, of course.
The small numbers at the top of each grid are the fingers used to get that particular note. "0" means open string, of course.
Banjo Basic Chord Chart
More Banjo Tablature
Video Banjo Lessons
Another good way to learn about playing the banjo is with instructional videos. Here are some banjo video lessons that will help you learn more banjo tunes.
Most of these banjo lessons are presented in a very informal and personable way where the instructor goes through each lesson step by step. You can sit in front of your computer monitor and watch the video, play along, hit rewind, repeat - and in a few minutes you are starting to play!
Most of these banjo lessons are presented in a very informal and personable way where the instructor goes through each lesson step by step. You can sit in front of your computer monitor and watch the video, play along, hit rewind, repeat - and in a few minutes you are starting to play!
Banjo Lesson - How To Play Cripple Creek
This guy plays Cripple Creek a little slower than most, but that is good for anyone who wants to learn how to play it.
The instructor goes through each lick and roll step by step. Most anyone should be playing this tune easily with practice.
The instructor goes through each lick and roll step by step. Most anyone should be playing this tune easily with practice.
curated content from YouTube
Banjo Lesson - Shuckin' The Corn
This banjo player seems really young, but he is pretty darn good on the 5 string!
This guy plays each part of the tune at slow speed and explains what he is doing at each step.
This one is worth a view just to hear this young man play.
This guy plays each part of the tune at slow speed and explains what he is doing at each step.
This one is worth a view just to hear this young man play.
curated content from YouTube
Music Moose Video Lessons
Recently I found this website Music Moose that has a lot of really good resources for banjo players as well as mandolin, guitar, harmonica and more. The website features lots of free video lessons and a forum among other things.
Visit Music Moose
Below is a lesson on the forward roll for banjo:
Visit Music Moose
Below is a lesson on the forward roll for banjo:
powered by Youtube
More Banjo Lesson Videos
I was surprised at how many YouTube videos there are that deal with Banjo lessons. Here are just a few that I selected.
curated content from YouTube
J Reynolds 5 String Banjo
Free shipping on this item, enter code AWFTQFJ6 at checkout
J Reynolds 5 String Banjo 24 Bracket Model
Amazon Price: $263.97 (as of 02/15/2012)
List Price:
Mahogany resonator
Rosewood fingerboard
coated head
chrome armrest
djustable truss rod
30 brackets and tension 5th string peg
Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Rogue 6-String Banjo
The 6-string banjo is tuned like a guitar, and features a short scale length and jumbo frets for very easy playability.
Rogue 6-String Banjo Natural
Amazon Price: $199.99 (as of 02/15/2012)
List Price: $247.99
Mahogany Resonator with Thumb Screws
Mahogany Neck
3-Ply Maple Rim
24 Brackets
Individual Geared Tuners
Adjustable Truss Rod
Epiphone MB-100 Banjo
With mahogany neck, traditional mahogany body, and remo head, the Epiphone MB-100 First Pick Banjo generates a warm, plucky resonance that will be an inspiration as you learn to play.
Epiphone MB-100 Banjo, Vintage Satin Brown, Chrome Hardware
Amazon Price: $179.00 (as of 02/15/2012)
Mahogany Body
Rosewood Fingerboard
22 Medium Frets
Chrome Hardware
Traditional Neck Joint
Saga 5 String Banjo
Saga Appalachian Full Size Five String Resonator Banjo
Amazon Price: $246.23 (as of 02/15/2012)
List Price: $295.00
Includes instructional dvd, adjustable strap, fingerpicks, and pitch pipe tuner
Full Size Five String Resonator Banjo
Solid Wood Neck
Bound Rosewood Fret Board
Vintage style nickel plated hardware
Usually ships in 4-5 business days
More Banjos To Consider
Banjos Currently On eBay
Learn To Play Mandolin
More Cool Bluegrass Stuff
Visitor Comments
What do you think about playing the banjo and/or this lens?
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linkpub
Dec 17, 2011 @ 11:28 am | delete
- Love this lens! I'm currently working my way through Banjo For Dummies book.
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waldenthree.net
Nov 12, 2011 @ 7:41 am | delete
- Thanks for a wonderful lens. I have just published a banjo related topic. Yours is a wonderful compliment. Thanks so much !
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Timelapselove
Oct 16, 2011 @ 9:26 pm | delete
- The banjo is such a wonderful instrument! Thumbs up for this cool lens!
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efriedman
Jul 18, 2011 @ 3:01 am | delete
- Good presentation of banjo playing. But I am still more of a fan of guitar and mandolin. Enjoyed this lens.
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kougar
Jul 4, 2011 @ 12:23 pm | delete
- Great lens. One day I will play the banjo, my dream for many years. Thanks for the awesome information.
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sousababy
Jun 30, 2011 @ 10:53 pm | delete
- Dear Brian, I am featuring this on my Canada Day lens. I'll send you the link asap. Hope it helps my handsome, modest Canadian friend.
Fondly, Rose
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elyria
May 8, 2011 @ 1:12 am | delete
- Great Lens, would love to learn it someday!
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rhonney
May 5, 2011 @ 11:25 pm | delete
- great one..!!very nice
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awelldressedbullet
Mar 17, 2011 @ 10:33 am | delete
- Kiss Me, I'm Irish! Lucky Leprechaun Blessings by a Squidoo Angel
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Deeringboy
Feb 9, 2011 @ 10:23 pm | delete
- Hello one more time! I came back for another look and also lensrolled this lens to my banjo lessons lens. Keep up the good work!
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sponias
Dec 25, 2010 @ 1:38 pm | delete
- I love the sound of a banjo! It makes me happy. I visited this lens because I love the banjo music. I play a little bit of piano, guitar, and flute. My son is a better musician. He plays the same instruments I do, and he is a composer. He is an excellent pianist.
I think you should add to this lens a video with the wonderful banjo music played in a perfect way by a professional. I was hoping to be able to listen to a banjo show in the end. Well, it’s a suggestion for your next update. Thank you for your great work!
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skiesgreen
Dec 21, 2010 @ 3:42 pm | delete
- Great lens, my mum used to play the banjo and I have always wanted to learn. Featured this lens on How to Make Good Music.
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LizMac60 Oct 2, 2010 @ 8:10 pm | delete
- I'm lensrolling this one to my violin playing for adults
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Tipi
Sep 30, 2010 @ 6:49 pm | delete
- The banjo is a great sounding instrument, that I love to hear played.
Learning how to play, well I'd like to just listen.
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GuyB Sep 29, 2010 @ 7:49 pm | delete
- sounds confusing, but I respect the hell out of banjo players for putting it all out on the line. keep up the good work
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EditorDave
Sep 11, 2010 @ 8:11 pm | delete
- Great lens! I play guitar and am now learning banjo! Just love playing bluegrass music... but also like playing ethnic music such as Russian, Japanese, Chinese, and Andean music on banjo! I've liked, thumbs-upped, favorited, and lensrolled your lens to my lens on guitars. Congratulations on a great job!
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Deeringboy
Aug 19, 2009 @ 2:14 pm | delete
- I'm learning banjo and I'm a huge bluegrass fan. I enjoyed your lens, it has lots of helpful tips. Thanks! I give this lens a High 5 and a lensroll.
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Marcus Amann
May 25, 2009 @ 9:15 pm | delete
- You have great resources on this page. A lot of material to inspire and improve our banjo playing.
I've just started my own blog to give back some of the inspiration I've received over the years at How to Play Banjo.
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TrueGhostTales
Jan 10, 2009 @ 9:58 am | delete
- I learned quite a lot on the guitar using tablature, it is really a great tool for anyone who wants to learn a stringed instrument. No need to learn how to read sheet music. This is really cool, a person could pick up their banjo and learn quite a bit right here! 5 * to you
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OldGrampa
Jan 7, 2009 @ 5:10 pm | delete
- Excellent lens if I do say so myself! I give it a 5 star rating and an add to my favorites
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Latest Banjo News
Read the latest "How To Play Banjo news updates from Google, Yahoo and Bing search engines!
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- Last June, Glen Campbell stunned fans when he revealed in a press release that he was suffering from Alzheimer's disease. It was not an easy decision to go public with his private struggle, but hi...
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- Carl Jackson a top pickJackson Clarion LedgerPhotos Special to The Clarion-Ledger Less than a year after graduating from Louisville High School, Carl Jackson (left) spent 12 years playing banjo and gu...
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Play Banjo Online Index
Just in case, you have missed any posting on this How To Play Banjo Online site, you will find them below!
- How To Play The Banjo With Tablature
- How To Read Banjo Tablature
- Alabama Gals Banjo Tablature
- Banjo For Dummies
- Banjo Chords
- Banjo Basic Chord Chart
- More Banjo Tablature
- Video Banjo Lessons
- Banjo Lesson - How To Play Cripple Creek
- Banjo Lesson - Shuckin' The Corn
- Music Moose Video Lessons
- More Banjo Lesson Videos
- J Reynolds 5 String Banjo
- Rogue 6-String Banjo
- Epiphone MB-100 Banjo
- Saga 5 String Banjo
- More Banjos To Consider
- Banjos Currently On eBay
- Learn To Play Mandolin
- More Cool Bluegrass Stuff
- New YouTube vids
- Visitor Comments
- Favorites Bookmarks
- Other Sites
- Latest Banjo News
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