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Introduction

You just can't get that wild and complex sound out of your head. You thought about trying to play, and you ended up here — with a copy of Banjo For Dummies in your hands. It's time to join the hundreds of thousands of other players all over the world who can't get enough of one of the world's most unique and loved instruments. You're ready to play the five-string banjo.

You've probably already come to the realization that no matter what you may have seen on television or in old movies, real banjo players aren't comedic rubes or country bumpkins. They're folks just like you and me from all walks of life who at some point heard the sound of a banjo and said to themselves, “That's for me!”

While the five-string banjo is usually associated with bluegrass, folk, and country music, these days musicians play just about any kind of music on the banjo — from rock to jazz to classical and everything in between. You can use the banjo to accompany songs around a campfire or to play a Bach partita. You can play anything on a five-string banjo. It's time to get started!

About This Book

Banjo For Dummies, 2nd Edition, is your musical road map for wherever you may want to roam in your banjo travels. From choosing the right instrument and accessories to hands-on experience playing bluegrass, old-time, and historical styles, it's all here. This book transports you from the most basic beginners’ questions to performing intermediate tunes played in the most popular styles used today. I even sneak in more than a few advanced concepts for those of you who really want to be challenged. You can find clear, step-by-step explanations to each and every technique and discover shortcuts that are especially helpful to the adult student.

In this new edition, you'll find a chapter covering intermediate to advanced clawhammer and old-time fingerpicking styles (Chapter 8) and another new chapter revealing the secrets of how to sound great playing with others using bluegrass accompaniment techniques (Chapter 10). You can also dig deep into bluegrass styles (Chapter 9) and discover the fascinating world of early American banjo (Chapter 11).

With this edition of Banjo For Dummies, you can now watch as well as listen. There are over 40 short videos on 24/7 standby online, ready to provide assistance with tuning, hand positions, basic playing techniques, songs, and even changing strings. Need more? Check out the online audio tracks that correspond to techniques and songs presented in the book.

Although I'd like to think that this book makes for a gripping and powerful literary experience, don't worry about reading Banjo For Dummies cover to cover. Think of this book instead as a reference work that's designed for you to jump into and out of at any point along the way. Take a look at the table of contents and start at the chapter or section that best matches your ability and interests the most. Don't forget to check out the index at the back of the book for an even more comprehensive listing of topics.

You may notice that you can't find a speck of conventional music notation anywhere in Banjo For Dummies. Instead, you find banjo tablature, the universal form of written music notation for just about all styles of banjo playing. Tablature is easier to master than regular musical notation and clearly shows you exactly what to do with both hands.

Every now and then, you'll run across information contained in a gray-shaded sidebar. Think of these as rest stops along the banjo superhighway — you can check them out as you're passing through or return to pay a visit later when you have a bit more time to enjoy the scenery.

Within this book, you may note that some web addresses break across two lines of text. If you're reading this book in print and want to visit one of these web pages, simply key in the web address exactly as it's noted in the text, pretending as though the line break doesn't exist. If you're reading this as an e-book, you have it easy — just click the web address to be taken directly to the web page.

Foolish Assumptions

I'm betting that you've picked up this book because you're interested in playing the banjo, but I don't want to assume too much more as I begin this banjo adventure with you. You may or may not own a banjo or have any prior experience on the banjo or any other kind of instrument, and I don't assume you come to this book knowing anything about music. I also don't assume you're interested in one particular style or way of playing the banjo over another (which is why I include more than one).

However, I do assume that you're going to be playing a five-string banjo instead of a tenor or plectrum banjo, which are actually different kinds of instruments (see Chapter 1). I also assume that you want to get started quickly and not waste time with unnecessary and overly technical information. If I've described you in one way or another, you've come to the right place.

Icons Used in This Book

In the margins of this book, you can find the following friendly icons to help you recognize different types of information.

This icon highlights the really good information that's not only worthy of your full attention but also likely to be something you'll come back to again and again.

This icon points you to expert advice and time-saving strategies that can make you a better banjo player.

You can consider information attached to this icon to be fun but not essential to playing the banjo. You may find it interesting (I do!), but you can skip over it if you're short on time.

Exercise caution with text marked by this icon in order to protect yourself, your banjo, or your musical reputation!

This icon lets you know that there's an audio track and, in many cases, a video clip that demonstrates the concept, playing technique, or song discussed in the text. Check out these online resources at www.dummies.com/go/banjo to deepen your understanding and speed your progress.

Beyond the Book

In addition to the material in the print or e-book you're reading right now, this product also comes with some online goodies, available for easy access at your first jam session when you suddenly can't remember how to fret a G chord. Check out the eCheat Sheet at www.dummies.com/cheatsheet/banjo for helpful insights and pointers on reading chord diagrams, how to fret the chords you'll use the most, reading banjo tablature, and playing basic right-hand patterns.

You can also discover my list of ten jam session essentials, more practice hints, upgrades to banjo parts, and more at www.dummies.com/extras/banjo.

I've recorded numerous audio tracks and video clips so that you can view and listen to various techniques and songs discussed throughout the book. There's even a video to guide you through changing strings on your banjo. Go to www.dummies.com/go/banjo to download these files.

Where to Go from Here

As a banjo player on a mission, you want to know where, when, and how you can get started. You can always read this book straight through, but the beauty of any For Dummies book is that you can direct your own course and dip into chapters as you need them.

As you create your own road map, I can offer you a few suggestions to point you in the right direction:

 If you need to purchase a banjo or you're interested in an upgrade, head to the buyer's guide in Chapter 13 first.

 If you're a beginner with banjo in hand, and you want to start playing right away, proceed to Chapters 2 and 3, where you get your banjo in tune and play your first chords.

 If you're ready to start working on authentic banjo styles, roll up your sleeves and work through Chapters 5, 6, and 7.

 If you're an experienced player, dig in by checking out intermediate to advanced old-time playing techniques in Chapter 8, more challenging bluegrass techniques in Chapter 9, and early American banjo styles in Chapter 11.