Early 5-String Banjo Solos

Five-string banjo enthusiasts who play in the stroke, clawhammer or guitar styles will enjoy these 50 melodic, tab-only arrangements. The collection is unique in that it includes reels, polkas, jigs, hornpipes, minstrel songs, ballads, light classics, and a Christmas tune--nearly all in C tuning with the fourth string a step lower than the typical 5-string G tuning. Well-known classical and popular composers: Beethoven, Foster, and Vivaldi, plus collector/historian-authors: Converse, Emmett, Howe, Kerr, O’Neill, and Ryan--are all represented in this book.

With the exception of two Twiss originals, the music was chosen from sources available circa 1840-1890. Some of these settings can be used as accompaniment to unison singing; all are designed to lie well on the 5-string fretboard for optimal playability. Using a custom-built fretted, nylon-string banjo, the author has provided online recordings of every tune for ease of learning.

Book + Online Audio $19.99
eBook + Online Audio $14.99

Angelina Baker, Back Side of Albany, Battle Cry of Freedom, Battle Hymn of the Republic, Bird on the Wing Jig, Bob Chadduck’s Jig, Buffalo Gals, De Old Jaw Bone, Captain Francis Wemyss, Castles in the Air, Copper’s Minor, Cracovienne Quickstep, Durang’s Hornpipe, Essence of Old Kentucky, Essence of Sugar Cane, Fairy Dance, Für Elise, Genuine Jig, Golden Slippers, Grape Vine Twist, Harvest Home, Hattie Schottische, Haste to the Wedding, Isabella Doane Scottische, Kilkenny Hornpipe, Lincoln’s Hornpipe, Long Tail Blue, Minstrel’s Fancy-Clog, Miss Daly’s Jig, My Old Kentucky Home, Mrs. Francis Wemyss, Nighttime Lament, O Little Town of Bethlehem, Old Tare River, The Bonnie Blue Flag, Oyster Sally, Pompey Ran Away, Rattle the Cash Jig, Rose of Alabama, Rustic Dance, Sam’s Opinion, Sand Jig I, Sand Jig II, Shins About the Fireside, The Black Brigade Camp Dance, Southern Rose, The Keel-Row Reel, Titania’s Favorite Polka, Whiddon’s Favorite Reel, Vivaldi’s Concerto in D