• New in Print/eBook - The Complete Tune Playing Toolkit for 5-String Banjo

    The Complete Tune Playing Toolkit for 5-String Banjo

    FENTON, MO — Mel Bay Publications, Inc. has announced the release of The Complete Tune Playing Toolkit for 5-String Banjo, by Jamie Francis.

    This book is designed to be a “one-stop shop” for tune playing on the 3-finger style 5-string banjo. It contains the scales, techniques, and theory that you need to become an accomplished melody player, presented in a structured way to help you make the most of your practice time. These skills are then applied to a wide-ranging collection of 40 reels, jigs, polkas, and old-time tunes spanning the American, Irish, and Scottish traditions.

    The Toolkit features over 100 downloadable audio tracks including exercises, examples and guitar backup for all of the pieces to ensure an enjoyable learning experience.

    Suggested accompaniment chords are also provided to facilitate jamming with friends. Written in banjo tablature almost entirely in gDGBD tuning, a few arrangements require single-string tuning alterations, and a capo is occasionally needed to play a whole step higher. Although written for the intermediate to advanced player, extensive right and left-hand fingerings are provided to facilitate the flow and ornamentation of these timeless melodies.

    Includes access to online audio.

    Listen

    Audio sample from the book.



    Table of Contents

    • Tab Key
    • Introduction and Explanation of Melodic and Alternate Picking Styles
    • Technical Studies
    • Warm-ups
    • Melodic Exercises – G Major, Mixolydian, Dorian, Aeolian, Major Pentatonic, Minor Pentatonic
    • Additional Scales – D and A Major, Major Pentatonic, Minor Pentatonic
    • Melodic Style in Context – Wild Mountain Thyme, Amazing Grace
    • Alternate Picking Exercises – G Major, Major Pentatonic, Minor Pentatonic
    • Alternate Picking in Context – Arkansas Traveller, Flight of the Bumblebee
    • Ornamentation – Triplets, Grace Notes, Slides
    • Old-Time Tunes
    • Betty Likens
    • Shove the Pig’s Foot
    • Coal Harbour Bend
    • Kitchen Girl
    • Yellin’ in the Shoats
    • Over the Waterfall
    • Forked Deer
    • The Boatman
    • June Apple
    • Cherokee Shuffle
    • Red Haired Boy
    • Squirrel Hunters
    • Folk Tunes
    • Reels
    • The Milkmaid
    • Anne Lacey’s
    • The Hut in the Bog
    • Cooley’s
    • Gravel Walks
    • Glenlivet
    • Virginia Reel
    • Sweeney’s Buttermilk
    • Pigeon on the Gate
    • Jigs
    • Willie Coleman’s
    • Morrison’s
    • McIntyre’s Fancy
    • The Black Rogue
    • The Rolling Waves
    • Dinny Delaney’s
    • Mac’s Fancy
    • Pull the Knife and Stick It Again
    • Paddy Fahy’s
    • Other Tunes
    • Off to California (Hornpipe)
    • Boys of Bluehill (Hornpipe)
    • Sonny Riordan’s (Polka)
    • The Peeler’s Polka (Polka)
    • Humours of Whiskey (Slip jig)
    • Na Ceannabháin Bhána (Slip jig)
    • Island of Woods (Air)
    • Summary

    Specs and sample pages available at melbay.com.

    Additional Information