Absolute Beginners - Irish Tenor Banjo | Complete Guide to Playing Irish Style Tenor Banjo | Step-by-Step Instruction Songbook with Online Audio Access | Learn Tenor Banjo with Backing Tracks

I have purchased several books and DVDs on Irish Tenor Banjo and not found them that great. I was even in Ireland last year and couldn't find a decent book on the instrument. I have had to make do with Mandolin books which at least have the same tuning. That's why I was so glad to find this one. It starts off with scales so you can learn the mechanics of playing. Then it teaches you a few good, easy tunes (a reel, jig, hornpipe, polka, etc.) Then it teaches you ornamentation to make the tunes more interesting. Then it applies the ornamentation to the tunes you just learned. Pretty soon you have a decent repertoire. It comes with a download to hear what you should sound like and play along with. I wish all music books were this well structured. And you can't beat the price.

I love this book which is my first for learning the Irish Tenor Banjo (4 strings). The book walks you through the essentials, then gently helps you develop your playing. I had no idea how to play or what a banjo was until I inherited a 4-string banjo and decided to learn. This was the perfect book for me. The book comes with an audio recording which I downloaded to my home computer. From there I recorded and labeled each tune on my cell phone recorder. That way I can practice anywhere and have a recording of that tune.

This is a fastpaced beginners book that goes into easy-to-understand theory/details regarding the tenor banjo (GDAE tuning). This book includes tabulature (along with corresponding notes), key signature, time signature, and other needed music notation.In my opinion, this book will serve as an essential foundation if you're wanting to "graduate" from tabulature and learn to read actual sheet music (notes on the music staff) on your GDAE tenor banjoThough I haven't gotten to it yet, it also comes with a "download" card (with a unique serial number) that you can download all of the tracks included in this book; there is no CD.The pictures attached show the cover, a page of some of the theory, and an example of the notation of the first song.

This book starts off explaining the tuning and working parts of the instrument. It then gives you an open string picking exercise and that's when it stops being a guide for a complete novice. It doesn't give you any basic chord charts. It doesn't give you any basic picking exercises. It assumes that you have a basic ability to read music. It doesn't really help you learn how to play at all. For me, it is a waste of time. I am going to return it immediately. If you are a player alredy, it will help you out. Other than that, it's useless.

While this is a beginners book because it starts out with the absolute basics, you could spend the first couple of years mastering the content presented. You quickly get into playing songs which repeat throughout the manual as new techniques are introduced. Notes are in tab as well as music score. The book is well written and edited, and the download zip file can be copied to where you need it. I wish every music instruction book were this well done.

No Download card included as mentioned on cover.

It's a nice starting place but not as detailed as I was hoping.

ok I like it

Although I would not say that I am an absolute beginner, I have played guitar and G Banjo for many years, I have only started to play a tenor banjo two weeks ago. This book is a great introduction to this magnificent instrument. I had tried the mandolin but couldn't get on with the double strings. My only negative point with this book would be in the choice of tunes, some are okay but others I could give a miss (Oh! Susannah I think not) fortunately there are loads of tabs on the net to download, Road to Lisdoonvarna, Drowsey Maggie, Banish Misfortune and many more. And if you can't read music there are lots more on Youtube. This book is well worth the investment.

Well written in a way that's easy to read even for someone who can't read music . Its explained well so you can follow and read the musical notes when learning from the book .

Not straight forward. Also have to go online for sounds. Pictures are poorWaste of money

This is an excellent book. Very easy to follow. Great for beginners to get to grips with.

ok