The Complete 5-String Banjo Player – Bluegrass Banjo Instruction Book | Beginner to Advanced Techniques, Chords, Improvisation, and Online Audio | Learn Authentic Bluegrass Style

Wish I had seen this method book earlier in my banjo experience. This is such a careful and thoughtful, stepwise approach to learning not only the chords and rolls but also technical tips that are hard to find elsewhere, with exercises that include bluegrass standards, sometimes in several different forms to highlight different techniques. The sound files provide the necessary feedback on what the tabs should sound like played up to speed, which can be slowed down for learning purposes. There is plenty of history along the way, and examples at the end of the book demonstrating the individual styles of many famous players. Indispensable for the newbie bluegrass banjo picker.

I love the content. I'm a strong guitar player, but a beginner on the banjo. This book takes you through all the right steps, and does it with clear notation and text, and with fun, interesting music. I can see working from this book for a long time.The reason that I gave it 4 stars instead of 5 is the book's binding. It doesn't lay flat, which is just silly for a music book. You'll probably want some sort of music stand clip to keep it open and relatively flat. Why isn't it spiral bound?

I wasn't all that impressed with this book, and am not sure how to interpret all the glowing reviews. This book, in my opinion, is not written for the complete banjo novice, but rather for the player with some musical history in his or her background. I was expecting to learn the how, the when and the frequency of practice, for example. I did not see that information anywhere in the first 90 pages or so of the book. The author starts by offering a few songs to strum in the various cords, but he does not even demonstrate any techniques for strumming. To strum isn't defined anywhere. I suppose that most people with some musical experience know what it means to strum, but for someone like me, with virtually no experience, the notion of strumming is a new one. The books looks like it could be a great one for the intermediate player, but for me it is much too advanced. I returned it the same day it arrived.

TOP NOTCH LEARNING MATERIAL! i had never picked up a banjo in my Life! After watching the included DVD and paying attention to Tony Trischka's voice on the included CD and following along with the book Im playing forward backward and alternating rolls. I have learned the basic version of Cripple Creek, Goodnight Ladies. This book is awesome! I highly recommend it to anyone serious about learning to pick a banjo.

I have personally taken lessons from Mr. Trischka. His knowledge of the 5-string is remarkable, and his skill is highly refined. He is versatile in many styles and his 2007 IBMA Banjo Player of the Year award is a testimony to his career.Somehow, Tony managed to pack the essence of his understanding of the banjo into this book! If you want to be a "complete" player, someone who plays great AND understands what they are doing, not just replicating something you were shown, this book will get you there.

250 pages, no fluff, no wide margins or wide space, just important material. Invaluable for anybody that wants to advance to Foggy Mountain or the Scruggs stuff that you grew up listening to, covers Keith melodic, single string, backup, anything bluegrass-related you could think of.

1) As one would expect from Tony Trischka, the tabs are accurate.2) The lesson progression is logical, but also permits an experienced player to dip into specific topics and expand skill sets.3) The tabs themselves are VERY clear and readable, one of the best printed examples of tabulature I've come across.4) The physical binding and paper quality is very good. The publisher did not stint on putting out a quality product that will last, even with regular handling.

This book is absolutely GREAT. I have learned so much from it. Tony Trishka is a wonderful teacher, no wonder Bela Fleck took lessons from him. I can only hope to be half as good as Bela Fleck someday. I highly recommend this book to any banjo player aspiring to be better regardless of their experience on the banjo.

I have been playing banjo for two years, self taught from books. I play other instruments and am aware that a system of progression is necessary. I've used Pat Cloud's finger board exercises which are great (Key to 5 String Banjo )Ross Nickerson's banjo encyclopaedia which has moved me forward a lot too. BUT, Tony Trishka's 'Complete 5 string Banjo Player' is giving me consistently , and in easy bites, a method of putting it all together in a progressive fashion. I would recommend it to someone who wishes to explore all styles, starting at a moderate pace. I continue to use these three books as a basis for my learning.

Got what I paid for

Very good for the beginner it takes through everything

Comprehensive instructional book

very useful