Alfred's Basic 5-String Banjo Method 1 continues the Alfred Music tradition of easy-to-use, thorough, and enjoyable instruction for the absolute beginner. The basics of right-hand picking are covered, including pinches, different kinds of rolls, and backup patterns. Basic left-hand techniques are introduced, including hammer-ons and slides, and chord diagrams are provided for both G-tuning and C-tuning. Important topics such as setting up the banjo, tuning, banjo heads, fingerpicks, strings, and capos are taught as well. Illustrations, diagrams, and photographs throughout the book make learning easy and fun. Learning to play has never been more fun than with Alfred's Basic 5-String Banjo Method 1---the best choice for today's beginning banjo students.

Learn to play the ukulele and open up a brand new world of musical knowledge with this exciting method from Alfred. Beginners of all ages can start their journey to a lifetime of musical enjoyment. Beginning with the fundamentals, you will learn about the history of the ukulele, its components, how to hold and tune it, and getting acquainted with standard musical notation. You will then move right along to playing different notes, chords, scales, and songs, lesson by lesson, all while continuing to increase your ever-growing knowledge of reading and understanding standard musical notation and playing a variety of well-known songs. You will learn different strumming techniques to help you play in a variety of musical styles. The book also contains a section teaching you how to play by ear. Upon completion of the book, you will be able to play your favorite songs on the ukulele in any key and know how to read music. The book features the following resources for reference during and after your lessons: * Transposition chart * Dictionary of tablature techniques * Ukulele fingerboard chart * Complete ukulele chord dictionary This book teaches entirely in C tuning. The D tuning edition of Alfred’s Teach Yourself to Play Ukulele (item 14135) is available from your favorite music retailer and at Alfred.com. Be your own teacher, and let Alfred be your resource every step of the way.

Recognized for over 50 years as the best-paced and most comprehensive guitar method available, Alfred's Basic Guitar Method, Book 1 has introduced over 3 million beginners to the joy of playing guitar. This updated and expanded edition features a new layout, making it easier to read and learn. Now included are blues, country, folk, jazz, and rock styles, plus more pop songs! Correlating theory, chord, and pop books ensure that you'll get everything you need from one complete method. Learning to play has never been easier or more fun than with Alfred's Basic Guitar Method---the first and best choice for today's beginning guitar students. Book 1 can be used for acoustic or electric guitar and covers how to hold your guitar, tuning, the basics of reading music, the notes on all six strings, chords, scales, songs, bass-chord accompaniments, and duets. Titles: * Singin' in the Rain * Take Me Home Country Roads * Over the Rainbow * Annie's Song * When the Saints Go Marching In

Beginning with basic left- and right-hand techniques, Dennis Caplinger guides you through developing great backup parts and playing all over the neck. You'll learn the classic Scruggs style of picking along with the melodic style." Plus you'll study over 20 classic bluegrass standards, and you'll learn how to play them in several different styles. All books in the Ultimate Beginner Bluegrass Basics series are fully correlated to work together. This is the ideal method for the family that wants to play music together!"

Alfred's Basic Guitar Method has expanded into a library, including theory, chord study, play-alongs and more. This best-selling method teaches the basics in a logical sequence, with concise and complete information that is easily accessible to students. Numerous chord diagrams and fingering photos help students quickly learn how to read music and play chords. Exciting music arranged in pop, rock, blues, country and folk styles makes learning to play the guitar an enjoyable and life-long reward.

Play the 5-string banjo in virtually every musical situation now! Beginning with fundamentals like choosing the best instrument and tuning, this comprehensive book covers basic to advanced techniques in a variety of styles, from classical and bluegrass to reggae and bossa nova. Banjo virtuoso and educator Dick Weissman leads musicians through every topic with easy-to-understand lessons and a CD that demonstrates each example and tune. Every player, from beginner through intermediate and up to professional, will enjoy exploring styles and expanding their repertoire with Banjo A to Z. All music is presented in standard notation and TAB. Special features: Techniques include the Seeger strum, hammer-ons, pull-offs, clawhammer strums, double thumbing, two- and three-finger picking, forward and backward rolls, bending, rasguado, and tremolo. * Styles include traditional, bluegrass, blues, Dixieland, ragtime, waltz, Irish, flamenco, calypso, reggae, South American, Middle Eastern, minstrel, and classical. * Learn effective ways to tune, use the capo, play melodically, and understand basic music theory.

The Contemporary Banjo Player is a unique new tutor from world-renowned banjo player John Dowling. It covers not only the basics of Bluegrass banjo, but also teaches you how to expand and develop your playing and diversify into other musical styles. - Suitable for players of every level. - Packed with Photos, techniques, exercises and full songs to learn. - Covers all the basics from rolls to hammer ons, slides, percussive playing, finger picking guitar style, and so much more!. - The accompanying CD contains demonstration tracks to aide progression.