Earl Scruggs and the 5-String Banjo: Revised and Enhanced Edition | Complete Banjo Method Songbook with Online Audio & Video | Over 40 Bluegrass Songs Sheet Music for Beginners | Learn Scruggs-Style
(Banjo). The best-selling banjo method in the world! Earl Scruggs's legendary method has helped thousands of banjo players get their start. The "Revised and Enhanced Edition" features more songs, updated lessons, and many other improvements. It includes everything you need to know to start playing banjo, a history of the 5-string banjo, getting acquainted with the banjo, Scruggs tuners, how to read music, chords, how to read tablature, right-hand rolls and left-hand techniques, banjo tunings, exercises in picking, over 40 songs, how to build a banjo, autobiographical notes, and much more! The book/audio version includes recordings of Earl Scruggs playing and explaining over 60 examples! Audio is accessed online using the unique code inside the book and can be streamed or downloaded. The audio files include PLAYBACK+, a multi-functional audio player that allows you to slow down audio without changing pitch, set loop points, change keys, and pan left or right.
Although I play claw-hammer, I learned a lot about this book. It's also very interesting for the history included. It's full of stories and often reads like a biography of Bluegrass and Earl Scruggs.
I read the original edition back, ...way back when. Loved it then. Love this revised edition. I learned the basics of playing from my copy I wore out. Sometimes, to not disturb anyone nearby, I would take the resonator off, put a pillow behind the drum and practice away. While learning the basic rolls and patterns I would throw a towel over the strings to mute them and practice the rolls that needed work while watching a movie. I got those rolls down! Always a fan of acoustic music, and loved the days I jammed with others. Recently a nephew said he wanted to learn banjo, so I thought I had better brush up as he is coming to visit with his new instrument.
Earl Scruggs. One of the best banjo pickers in the world. A great selection with of songs with a huge amount of moves on the banjo. You could be an amazing banjo picker if you never picked up a banjo with this book.
Lots of great examples of Scruggs work, though some of it is (understandably) over-simplified. It's more of a great addendum than an introduction to banjo manual.