CONTENTS

The parts of the 5-string banjoHow to hold the banjoFingers of the picking handFingers of the fretting handThe picksPicking hand positionsTuning the banjo/names of the stringsHow to read tablatureHow to read chord diagrams: G and D7The D7 chord (photograph)Playing chords in 4/4 time and 3/4 timeTerms: 4/4 time; Measure; 3/4 timeOpen-string chordsClosed chordsRepeat signs

CHAPTER ONE: FUNDAMENTALS

DOWN IN THE VALLEYSKIP TO MY LOUEighth notes: How to count and playAlternating-thumb rollsSKIP TO MY LOU (revisited)LIZA JANEThe quarter rest/VampingAUNT RHODYTen more rollsDOWN IN THE VALLEY (revisited)BOIL THEM CABBAGE DOWNGROUNDHOGCOMIN' 'ROUND THE MOUNTAIN

CHAPTER TWO: TECHNIQUES

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HAMMERIN' & SLIDIN'SOLDIER'S JOYPulling-off: How to play pullsSixteenth notes: How to count and playSliding: How to play slidesCRIPPLE CREEKSALLY ANNPlaying in position: First position and third positionTHREE MORE RIVERS TO CROSSTHE EIGHTH OF JANUARYSOURWOOD MOUNTAINBARLOW KNIFESHADY GROVESPANISH FANDANGOEighth note triplets: How to count tripletsALL THE GOOD TIMES ARE PAST AND GONEWaltz rollsSlur and pick companion string: How-to guideAMAZING GRACETHINKIN' ABOUT BLUE EYESEndingsMIDNIGHT SPECIALString bending: How to "choke" the stringsBELMONT COUNTY BLUESAURA LEE

CHAPTER THREE: THE MELODIC BANJO

CRIPPLE CREEK (revisited)DEVIL'S DREAMThe capo: How to use the capo and the 5th-string capoOLD JOE CLARKJUNE APPLESyncopation: Accent on the unexpectedREDWINGSALLY ANN (revisited)

RED-HAIRED BOY6/8 time: How to count and playTHE JOYS OF WEDLOCKThe hornpipe rhythm: How to count and playGILLESPIE'S HORNPIPEBLACKBERRY BLOSSOMBILLCHEATHAMDIXIE

Appendix A; The rudiments of notationAppendix B; Notes on the banjoAppendix C; Swing eighths: How to count and playAppendix D; The concept of moveable chordsAppendix E; Song introductions