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 basic guidelines, 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 progressions by 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. Written in tablature only. the companion recording is in split-track format with the melody track on the left and the rhythm on the right.

You Can Teach Yourself Piano is a revolutionary concept in piano instruction. No other piano method comes close to matching this book's scope in teaching not only basic music reading skills, but also the essential technique and theory for playing in all con- temporary keyboard styles. Central to the philosophy of the You Can Teach Yourself series, this beginner's book is written to give the serious adult student a solid foundation while studying on their own without the advantage of having a private teacher; it will show you all you need to know to get an authoritative start on the instrument, presenting technical and theoretical concepts as needed while offering carefully graded, challenging material to hold your interest. In addition to the incalculable assets of ear training and development of taste in modern harmony, upon completion of this method the student will be fully prepared to handle the demands of modern piano music.

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 the most basic rolls, the Alternating Thumb Roll and two Forward Rolls, plus 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 knows which 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 mental approach 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 of accomplishment. the accompanying recording 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 medium tempo 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 it the final tracks be used as a listening recording. This also allows the student to play along with all the more interesting arrangements in sequence without skipping around the recording.

If someone is singing a song or playing a melody, how can I know what chords I can play with it? This is a common question asked of guitar teachers and players. If you are the guitarist at a campfire sing, if you want to learn a song from a recording, or if you want to write your own songs - this book will show you the way. An indispensable book for the guitarist who wants to learn to improviseand accompany singers by ear, music reading ability is not required to benefit and learn from this method. Audio and video download files available online

This book presents 31 of the most-loved old-time gospel songs arranged in the three-finger style, complete with musical notation, banjo tablature, chords and lyrics. Each song is presented first as a beginner-intermediate arrangement, played in the first position in Scruggs style. Most songs are then presented in an up-the-neck arrangement. the CD features five-string banjo solos played in three-finger style and accompanied by guitar, mandolin and bass. This is a split-track recording, the lead banjo is on one channel and the accompaniment instruments on the other. the CD can be used as a solo recording, a teaching recording or a play-along recording.

This book teaches the conceptual tools needed to become adept at playing the mandolin by ear. Provides keys to learning chord progressions and playing melody by ear as well as using licks and playing in different keys. Includes many tunes in tablature.

This is a unique collection of drills for all three popular three-finger banjo styles: Scruggs, Single String and Melodic. There are over two hundred sixty exercises ranging from beginner to advanced levels. The physical exercises include finger strengthening, increasing position changing speed, agility and hand-eye coordination. There are detailed aspects of technique not addressed in any otherbook such as pick depth control, controlling the pick angle for the best tone, stabilizing the right hand and improving economy of motion in both hands. Musical exercises include roll exercises, roll combinations, modern (post-Scruggs) rolls, scales and scale patterns in both single-string and melodic styles, chord scales, fretboard positions for the G scale over the entire fretboard and triad and seventh chord formations. Location of root, seventh and minor tonal centers are shown inchord formations and in the fretboard patterns. Melodic quasi-chord formations are revealed which have never been codified in any other book. Mental tips which enhance focus and dozens of theory tidbits are featured

Developed by Robin Jarman to enable anyone to accompany songs on the piano without music, change key when a song is pitched too low or too high, and provide accompaniment when only the melody and chord symbols are given. It is ideal for teachers, students, parents, and members of the community who would like to accompany "sing alongs." The book does assume that the student can sing in tune, can read simple rhythm and notation, is familiar with the treble and bass clefs and the piano keyboard, and has a sense of humor and a desire to learn. The accompanying online audio talks you through the exercises, providing additional instruction and help. This package also includes the companion 75-minute online video which accompanies and teaches many of the concepts in the book. Includes access to online audio

This book is an anthology of Jack Hatfield's most successful teaching arrangements, jam session favorites, show tunes and original compositions. Although it is not a teaching method per se, there are many arranging concepts and general tips included in the performance notes. There are also a few drills. Sections One and Two are intended to be a supplement for beginner and intermediate students, especially those who have used Mel Bay's First Lessons Banjo. Additional solos are presented for many of the songs in that book. Section Three is basically a lick and repertoire building resource for more advanced players. This entire section with the exception of two arrangements is previously unpublished material. Hallmarks of Jack's teaching style include melody-oriented arrangements, the use of well-known songs for the beginner, teaching tunes essential to the bluegrass banjo player's repertoire, the use of bold-faced melody notes, and an extremely graduated approach which builds on previously learned techniques and licks. the arrangements in this book adhere to these principles. 112 pages, complete with two audio CDs.

Eclectic guitarist and veteran Mel Bay author Tommy Flint provides a comprehensive introduction to fingerstyle guitar technique. Intended for the serious student learning the guitar without the advantage of having a teacher- clear photographs, diagrams, and standard and tab notation will guide you every step of the way. Original fingerstyle tunes and arrangements of folk standards abound in this book, driving home concepts of music theory, technique, syncopation, walking bass, barre chords, slurs, moveable chords, use of the capo, the Nashville number system, and much more.