ISBN 9781513455723. 8.75 x 11.75 inches.

This book contains the 50 late 19th century tunes in Albert Baurs 1883 anthology, The Banjoists Budget. The collection has roots in four main sources: minstrel songs, Irish popular and folk traditions, clog dancing tunes, and Gilbert and Sullivan favorites- all expertly played by Rob MacKillop on the accompanying online audio recording. The music is clearly typeset in standard notation and tablature for the 5-string banjo in Baurs original eAEG#B tuning; observing the tablature, however, this music can be played in modern-day concert C tuning, gCGBD. While Baur provided no technique instructions, the music can be played in the old minstrel stroke technique, the modern melodic clawhammer style, or fingerstyle. By contrast, MacKillop provides ample performance notes and a few tips within the notation. These melodies constitute an authentic audio window to a past century, when the five-string banjo was a classical instrument studied and played by serious students and expert musicians who read standard notation rather than tablature. In any case, here they are in notation and modern banjo tablature, together with a delightful online recording. Includes access to online audio.

ISBN 9781513459493. 8.75x11.75 inches.

This book counters the claim that the Devil gets all the best tunes! Rob MacKillop has arranged these well-known carols in chord-melody style with jazz chords, folk, and classical influences, engaging countermelodies beneath the principal theme, and more. Written in standard notation and tablature, these intermediate-level arrangements are not only enjoyable to play and hear but will enhance your technique as you learn them. Rob's performance notes are full of insights, and his online audio recordings of each piece make illuminating and delightful listening. Includes access to online audio.

This book opens an entire new world for the clawhammer banjo player. In Mel Bay's Pawhammer Banjo, the banjoist will discover new realms in clawhammer play with the use of a technical extension called 'pawhammer' developed by Steve Kahn. With this extension in hand, a banjo player will be able to play notes on higher strings after playing the middle- or index-fingernail stroke. This removes a longtime drawback in clawhammer play and allows the playing of not only many new bluegrass and traditional tunes, but the entire field of ragtime. Through meticulous technical descriptions, photos, and arrangements of fourteen tunes from both the bluegrass/traditional and ragtime fields with seven favorites from Scott Joplin, including 'Maple Leaf Rag' and 'The Entertainer,' author Steve Kahn carefully teaches the new skills involved in 'pawhammer' banjo technique.

Arkansas Traveler
Casey Jones
Cripple Creek
Cumberland Gap
Twain Harte Tune
Deputy Dalton
The Easy Winners
The Entertainer
Gladiolus Rag
Maple Leaf Rag
Pineapple Rag
Ragtime Dance
Solace
Ragtime Fragment