BanjosUSA : John McEuen and Helpful Links for Those Who Enjoy or Play the Banjo!

John McEuen began learning to play the banjo at 18, and is a founding member of the Grammy and CMA Award winning Nitty Gritty Dirt Band; he has played with the band for more than 40 years. His fans and reviewers call him "The String Wizard," because he is highly skilled in playing the banjo, fiddle, guitar and mandolin. Currently, one of his most popular albums is "Round Trip: Live in L.A. [LIVE]," which features 20 songs and a playing time of more than 60 minutes. John McEuen's 1985 solo album "John McEuen" has been re-released most recently (2007) as a CD. He has collected some of his best songs in his CD "String Wizard's Picks: The Best Of John McEuen [ENHANCED]," which features both "The Ballad Of Jed Clampett" and "Mr. Bojangles". John's "String Wizards" Album features the always popular bluegrass tumes "Cripple Creek" and "Carolina Traveler". You can learn more about John and see his tour schedule at his John McEuen homepage. Learn about these masters of the 5-String banjo John Hickman. . . or Tony Trischka. . .

Services

Though I have not personally used some of these services, they have been recommended by people I respect.

Angie's Banjo
Byron's Double Stop Fiddle Shop
Fitch Banjos
Recording King
DrBanjo.com
Deering Banjos
Sullivan Banjo
Gold Tone
Bluegrass Unlimited
International Bluegrass Music Association
Bluegrass Lyrics
Bluegrass Works

A Sullivan Banjo is pictured on the left.

Bluegrass Banjo for the Complete Ignoramus by Wayne Erbsen (Paperback Book & CD set) I found this a very simple and helpful beginner book. It is the one I found the most helpful and enjoyable for "self-teaching," before I found a teacher. Buy Now!
Mel Bay You Can Teach Yourself Banjo by Janet Davis (Paperback). A DVD is also available for this book, and it makes a nice companion book to the Erbsen book above. I enjoyed using it too, and still refer to it and the DVD from time to time! Buy Now!

Banjos for Sale

Banjos for the beginner and the professional can be found for sale at Byron's Double Stop Fiddle Shop. They can be professionally set up to meet your needs and produce the best sound possible. Currently, they have these models in stock:

Gibson TB3 1925
Goldtone Electric: manolin banjo
Kristufek / Krishot
RB3 Gibson
Ridge "Classic"
Ridge "Select"
Goldtone OB250
Goldstar Saga

A video short video demonstrates the quality and value of some of these banjos.

Special Books for Advanced Banjo Enthusiasts and Musicians

Masters of the Five String Banjo by Tony Trischka and Pete Wernick includes more than 400 pages of interviews, tunes, photos and analysis, covering every conceivable aspect of the three-finger style. This book focuses on eighteen banjoists who have made significant contributions to their field, including the legendary Earl Scruggs.

Melodic Banjo by Tony Trischka.
A complete instruction guide to "Keith style" banjo technique. Over 30 tunes and songs by Bill Keith, Eric Weissberg, Alan Munde, Bobby Thompson, Vic Jordan, and others. With interviews and personal descriptions of their playing styles. Trischka gives an in depth view of the melodic/chromatic technique.

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