First Lessons on Banjo is an ultra-easy instruction manual for beginning five-string Banjo played in the three finger style in G tuning. It can be used by those with no previous experience with the Banjo or music of any sort.It is so basic it can be used even by small children. The book features very detailed descriptions of even the most basic aspects such as wearing the picks properly the correct picking motion and noting the strings properly.These are aspects that are so basic most manuals skip over them. There are many detailed photos several from the player's point of view not from in front of the Banjo.First Lessons on Banjo covers themost basic rolls the Alternating Thumb Roll and two Forward Rolls the three basic chords plus the relative minor chord. All musical examples are presented in tablature with the melody notes in boldface type so the student knowswhich notes to emphasize.All arrangements include lyrics which is very important to the novice who is trying to train the ear to hear the melody among the fill notes. Several tips and suggestions about the proper mentalapproach are included that will lead to playing by ear and arranging at an earlier stage in the student's development. There are also suggestions about developing the proper mental approach and about speed reading of tablature.These suggestions are not found in any other Banjo instruction book. The 'finale' arrangement is Cripple Creek a popular Banjo standard that when mastered should give the novice a great sense ofaccomplishment.The accompanying audio download includes all tabbed examples with the rhythm instruments and lead Banjo in separate channels. The songs are played at three tempos the first tempo VERY slow then a mediumtempo version and finally at performing speed with Guitar Mandolin and Bass accompaniment. The up- tempo accompanied versions are all together at the end of the recording so the final tracks can be used as a listening recording.

Many musicians including some that are technically quite advanced never break away from the printed page to learn by simply listening and re-creating. The common name for this process is 'playing by ear'. With some basicguidelines any musician with rudimentary skills can teach himself or herself to play by ear adding a new dimension to their playing skills. This book teaches the 5-string banjoist to listen and play solos and chord progressionsby ear providing essential ear training and techniques needed to participate in jam sessions of all types! Chapters include: Learning Chord Progressions by Ear; Faking a Solo; Playing the Melody by Ear; and Using Licks. Writtenin tablature only. The companion recording is in split-track format with the melody track on the left and the rhythm on the right.