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Clawhammer Style Banjo | Complete Guide Songbook for Beginning and Advanced Banjo Players | 40+ Fun Banjo Tunes | Instructional Sheet Music Book with Banjo Tablature and Techniques by Ken Perlman
The Ultimate Guide for Banjo Players of All Levels * "Clawhammer Style Banjo" by Ken Perlman is a comprehensive guide designed for both beginner and advanced banjo players. Whether you're just starting out or looking to refine your technique, this book offers step-by-step instruction on the fundamental clawhammer style, a popular and accessible banjo technique. The book includes more than 40 fun-to-play banjo tunes, making it a perfect resource for musicians at any stage of their journey. *Comprehensive Banjo Techniques for All Skill Levels * The guide covers essential techniques such as right and left-hand positions, basic chords, the 'bumm-titty' strum, brush strokes, pull-offs, and slides. For advanced players, the book dives deeper into double thumbing, quick slides, fretted pull-offs, harmonics, and improvisation. The clear explanations and instructional photos help players of all levels grasp these techniques and master the clawhammer style. * More Than 40 Fun Tunes to Play * This instructional book also features a diverse selection of over 40 fun banjo tunes from various genres, including bluegrass, folk, and traditional American songs. The collection includes popular tunes like "Angeline The Baker," "Arkansas Traveler," "Bill Cheatham," and "Soldier's Joy," providing a rich selection for banjo enthusiasts. Each song is presented in banjo tablature, allowing for easy reading and playability. * * Songs * Angeline The Baker * Arkansas Traveler * Bill Cheatham * Billy In The Low Ground * Boatin' Up Sandy * Bonaparte's Retreat * Bosco Stomp * Brown's Ferry Blues * Bunch Of Rushes * Careless Love * Chinquapin Pie * Chorus Reel * Cluck Old Hen * Cuckoo * Dennis Murphy's Polka * Devil's Dream * Don Tremain's Reel * Don't Let Your Deal Go Down * Done Gone * Ducks In The Millpond * Fiddler's Reel * Flop-Eared Mule * Foxhunter's Jig * Garryowen * Georgie Buck * Goose Hill * Hop Up, My Ladies * Humours Of Castle Comer * I Gave My Love A Cherry * and more.
- GenresMusicNonfiction
208 pages, Paperback
First published March 1, 1983
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
July 11, 2017
Haven't made it all the way through yet (or else I'd be an expert), but this is the only banjo book you will ever need. By the time you finish, you will never need another instructional book. Ken covers every technique at every level from how to hold the instrument to advanced techniques. Each lesson is illustrated by dozens of examples and exercises which are clearly annotated. Ken's arrangements sound fantastic and are damn impressive when you play them for friends and family. I've been playing on and off for about 5 years and in a matter of weeks, thanks to this book, I've improved more than I have in that entire time. Cannot recommend highly enough.
September 19, 2011
There are a surprisingly large number of books that will do a good job of clawhammer instruction. But I’ll assert that the first book any banjoist should own is Ken Perlman’s.
For one thing, Ken writes long, patient explanations about all the basic mechanics of the instrument, and then gives plenty of examples. If he’s illustrating how pull-offs work, he explains what you have to do, and then you play three simple tunes that use pull-offs. It’s such an obviously good approach!
And what’s more, he goes all over the world and uses arrangements from a huge group of players. For sure, most of the arrangements are his own, and done in his distinctive style, but he sets them right alongside everyone else’s. He describes the other players’ philosophy of playing, and it’s an interesting read—I mean, who knew there would be such strong opinions about the banjo’s role as a backup instrument, or the importance of the bump ditty, or the relative need for every melody note? Now, of course, it wouldn’t surprise me, having seen the battles in the online banjo community. But I’m glad I got to first see it in Perlman’s book, because he took such a detached make-your-own-opinion view of all that.
From the word go, you get to play songs that are completely enjoyable. Having gone through a lot of books, this is hands down the one to start with.
For one thing, Ken writes long, patient explanations about all the basic mechanics of the instrument, and then gives plenty of examples. If he’s illustrating how pull-offs work, he explains what you have to do, and then you play three simple tunes that use pull-offs. It’s such an obviously good approach!
And what’s more, he goes all over the world and uses arrangements from a huge group of players. For sure, most of the arrangements are his own, and done in his distinctive style, but he sets them right alongside everyone else’s. He describes the other players’ philosophy of playing, and it’s an interesting read—I mean, who knew there would be such strong opinions about the banjo’s role as a backup instrument, or the importance of the bump ditty, or the relative need for every melody note? Now, of course, it wouldn’t surprise me, having seen the battles in the online banjo community. But I’m glad I got to first see it in Perlman’s book, because he took such a detached make-your-own-opinion view of all that.
From the word go, you get to play songs that are completely enjoyable. Having gone through a lot of books, this is hands down the one to start with.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews