The Hal Leonard Banjo Method is a series of instructional books for people wishing to learn play the banjo in the bluegrass style. It ranges from beginning level to more advanced instruction.
Overview of the Hal Leonard Method
The Hal Leonard Method involves the use of a banjo, two instructional books, and two supplementary books. The learner follows the instructional book and then refers to the supplemental books as needed. The instructional books teach general technique, while the supplemental books teach basic banjo solos. The Hal Leonard Banjo Method will give you a basic starting point for your growth as a banjo player.
The Hal Leonard Banjo Method, Book 1
The first book to buy is The Hal Leonard Banjo Method, Book 1. The primary book is 64 pages long and teaches you some easy beginner's chord strums, shows you read tablature, and goes over playing techniques such as right-hand rolls, hammer-ons, slides and pull offs. Among the songs it teaches you are "Cripple Creek," "(Go Tell Aunt Rhody) The Old Grey Goose is Dead," "Dog Named Blue," "Foggy Mountain Top," "My Home's Across the Blue Ridge Mountains," "Oh! Susanna," "Shady Grove" and "Worried Man Blues," among many others.
Easy Banjo Solos
The supplementary book is called Easy Banjo Solos. Its 24 pages feature more tablature, vocal melodies, lyrics and chord names. It features16 songs in all, including "Before I Met You," "Hey, Good Lookin'," "I'll Fly Away," "Rocky Top," "This Land Is Your Land" and "Wabash Cannon Ball."
The Hal Leonard Banjo Method, Book 2
After mastering the first two books, you can move on to The Hal Leonard Banjo Method, Book 2, and its supplement, More Easy Banjo Solos. The second book, also 64 pages, delves deeper into basic banjo skills. It includes some solos and basic licks, some fiddle tunes and teaches play back-up to a primary instrument, employ a capo and presents more music theory for the learner.
More Easy Banjo Solos
The second supplement features 16 more songs, along with vocal melodies presented in banjo tablature, lyrics and even more chords. The songs include "Abilene," "I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry" and "Jambalaya (On the Bayou)." Like the first supplement, it is 24 pages long.
