Modern 5-String Banjo Method Grade 1

Alan Munde

Dec 2015 · Mel Bay Publications

About this ebook

This method is designed for learning the finger style five-string banjo in a larger musical context than previous single style based methods. The Modern 5-String Banjo Method builds the theoretical and technical foundations needed to play in many styles. Beginning with a thorough grounding in the scales and chords coupled with well thought out fingerings in the keys of C, Am, and G, the student is presented with melodies, chord melodies, the folk strum, arpeggios, and the beginnings of the bluegrass banjo style. The varied and beautiful musical studies and exercises come from many traditions and offer a logical and organic approach to learning the five-string banjo leading the student to an authentic understanding of the processes and techniques needed for creating music on the five-string banjo. The Modern Method for Five-String Banjo is in tablature only. Includes access to online audio.      

About the author

Alan Munde needs no introduction to long-time Bluegrass fans. From his early creative work with Sam Bush in Poor Richard's Almanac to his traditional bluegrass apprenticeship with Jimmy Martin and the Sunny Mountain Boys to his 21-year stint anchoring the landmark Country Gazette, Alan has blazed a trail as one of the most innovative and influential banjo players of all time. Along the way, Alan also recorded and contributed to numerous instrumental recordings, including the 2001 IBMA Instrumental Album of the Year - "Knee Deep in Bluegrass." Alan has supplemented his recorded work with several instructional publications for the banjo, and, from 1986- 2007, Alan taught bluegrass and country music at South Plains College in Levelland, Texas, a program that has produced many professional musicians nationwide. In recent years, Alan has performed and recorded as a duo with his South Plains Faculty colleague (and former Gazette-mate) Joe Carr. Alan's extensive body of recorded work, his instructional materials, and his work at South Plains (including the annual "Camp Bluegrass") has solidified his status as one of the true "gurus" of the 5-string. Alan leads his own group, The Alan Munde Gazette.