Reading Music on the Banjo

Step by step method for learning to read standard music notation on the five string banjo.
MelBay Book:
www.melbay.com/Products/93238...
Classic Banjo Website:
classic-banjo.ning.com/

[@fitzpatrickmedia4359]

Thank you for your work promoting music literacy and classical genres on the banjo!

[@dangrant7271]

John, these videos are fantastic! They are a godsend for those of us trying to dabble in classical music. Keep ‘em coming!!!

[@1959banjo]

good to hear that!

[@kimsmusick]

John, nice job! solid instruction.

[@caseystockdon]

I'm grabbing my copy of the Bradbury book (which has been sitting on the shelf for years untouched) and getting to work. Thanks!

[@banjoist123]

The first thing I point out to students who come from an instrument like the piano is that you can play a note in a given octave on only one key on the piano whereas you may be able to play that same note on 3 or 4 strings on the banjo, based on where the string is fretted. This is where tablature comes in. But as pointed out in the video, "tab can't teach tone." It is a set of mechanical instructions.

[@Violanjo]

I totally agree!

[@mackinbox]

Great video John. Please keep making more videos like this

[@1959banjo]

will do : )

[@KenneyCmusic]

Great topic! I'm going through the Frank Bradbury book right now, and it's great. A lot of information, and some great tunes in there. Aaron Jonah Lewis also has a few videos here on YT where he goes through the beginning of the book.

[@1959banjo]

Yes I was pleased when I heard Aaron talking about this book - I think it is great and have used it for many years

[@DocSavinoBanjo]

Very helpful! Thank you!

[@1959banjo]

thanks Doc!

[@nicpennsylvania]

I've used violin and flute books. I'd be curious as to what some of these oboe works sound like on the banjo.

[@DocSavinoBanjo]

John, in Frank’s book, Bare fingers or finger picks? Thanks, Doc

[@1959banjo]

Hi Doc - I use picks just bc that's how I perform and that's the sound I want - but it's whatever you want!

[@DocSavinoBanjo]

@@1959banjo I also use picks, so was not certain if it mattered as I have no experience in classic banjo. Thank you!

[@1959banjo]

@@DocSavinoBanjo the point it learning to read standard notation no matter what style or technique you employ and the Bradbury book is great for this purpose : )

[@DocSavinoBanjo]

Ordered one this morning!