Hal Leonard Banjo Method - Book 2: For 5-String Banjo
Category: Books,Arts & Photography,Music
Hal Leonard Banjo Method - Book 2: For 5-String Banjo Details
(Banjo). Newly updated and revised, this easy-to-use beginner's guide is a continuation of the banjo basics and techniques taught in Book 1. The material in Book 2 not only reinforces and strengthens Book 1 instruction, but also features many new songs, techniques and rolls to learn and play. Covers: right-hand rolls and patterns; playing back-up; melodic style banjo; fiddle tunes & reels; solos and licks; new hammers, pull and slides; banjo chimes; scales & modes; using a capo; and more!
Reviews
There are some good qualities of this book and I will use it as a reference from time to time. Still, I think the negatives outweigh the positives; for me anyway.First the good: (1) Some interesting and rarely included tunes like "Railroad Bill" and "Sittin' on Top of the World". (2) I like that the melody tab, words, and "solo" tab stacked on three lines so you can get the sense of the tune easily and know exactly where you are in the tune at any point. (3) The price I paid - $7 is tough to beat for a banjo instruction book.Now the not-so-good: (1) The "solo" arrangements don't emphasize the melody in the right spots. A great arrangement sounds like the tune if played fast or slow. These arrangements often hit the melody notes one beat too soon or too late and sometimes doesn't return to a note enough when the melody note is held for a measure. Approximating the melody works great if you are playing backup, but not as a "solo". (2) All tunes are in low "G", whether it works for them or not. Not unusual for the banjo, certainly, but in tunes like "Railroad Bill" where you have to go down to a "B" chord for a measure, it is best to start playing at a higher "G" (the "F" position "G" above the open "G") or pick a key with a little more room at the bottom ("A" would let you go down to "C"). The author tried to substitute a B7 and it just sounds wrong to me. (3) No CD. Maybe the arrangements are great, but I am simply playing them wrong. How would I know?
