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

John Hickman began learning to play the Banjo when he was eleven years old. Since then, he has become a world renowned banjo player, currently playing with the Byron Berline Band and the reunited band California, a recipient of the International Bluegrass Music Association Instrumental Group of the Year Award in 1992, 1993, and 1994. He was also a teacher of Alison Brown. You will enjoy listening to John Hickman's banjo solo album (with band backup)"Don't Mean Maybe"." John joins Byron Berline, who plays the fiddle, on their album "Double Trouble". You can hear John, Byron, and Dan Crary on their album "Chambergrass: Decade of Tunes From Edges Bluegrass". John also makes excellent banjos: see pictures of the banjo he made for Jonathan Hunt. Hear John live at the Double Stop Music Hall in Guthrie, Oklahoma: see their concert schedule! You can also listen online to John and Byron playing part of "Blackberry Blossom." Learn about Alison Brown. . . 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.

Thank You for Visiting!