| Program #1 |
| Many of my students started from scratch. They didn't know a thing about music or the banjo. They started with Program #1 which taught them some fundamental chords. In a very short time they were then accompanying me on the video or DVD, and feeling a real sense of accomplishment. You can do the same thing, and before you know it you'll be accompanying me too and we'll be having a regular jam session! What's so much fun is that right away you're making music, because on the video or the DVD I'll be playing the melody to ten different songs while you're reading the correct chords to accompany me. At the end of Program #1 you'll learn, note for note, two regular "Chord Melody" banjo solos, and then I'll accompany you!! Next is the index for Program #1, followed by the Foreword. |
| "NOW YOU CAN PLAY THE BANJO" Video or DVD Lessons For The Plectrum Banjo By: Don Van Palta "The Flying Dutchman" INDEX TO PROGRAM #1 Richelieu Banjos Information Foreword About The Banjo Caring For The Banjo How To Hold The Banjo The Pick Or Plectrum Pictures 1, 2 and 3 (how to hold the pick) Pictures 4, 5, 6 and 7 (how to hold the banjo) Lesson 1, "Camptown Races" Lesson 2, "Ring Ring The Banjo" Lesson 3, "Oh Susanna" Lesson 4, "Daisy Bell" Lesson 5, "Just Let Me Play My Banjo" Lesson 6, "After The Ball" Lesson 7, "Love's Old Sweet Song" Lesson 8, "Mighty Lak' A Rose" Lesson 9, "Banjo Waltz" Lesson 10, "Melody in F" Lesson 11, The notes on the staff and note values Lesson 12, "Camptown Races" the solo Lesson 13, "Oh Susanna" the solo Lesson 14, "After The Ball" the solo |
| FOREWORD My aim in publishing this banjo course is to make it easier for students like yourself to learn to play this instrument. When I became interested in the banjo back in 1947 it seemed that I was the only one in town who wanted to play the banjo. There were no teachers, there were no instruction books, and there were just a few records of banjo players available. It was a real struggle to learn to play, and then, when I finally did find a teacher, a lot of what I had learned was not correct. So then came the even tougher task of un-learning many of the bad habits that I had acquired. Most likely you have encountered some of these same problems, because teachers are still in short supply, there is not a great variety of instruction books on the market, and banjo albums are not exactly flooding the record stores. Learning to play the banjo is still not easy, but with the help of "Now You Can Play The Banjo" books, videos and DVDs you can truly have fun as you study at your own pace, in the privacy of your own home, repeating any material that you didn't get the first time around. You'll be systematically learning all the basic techniques that you'll need to become a proficient banjoist. There are a growing number of students of these programs and other related lesson materials who are now professional banjoists and many more who are just having the time of their life entertaining themselves and their friends and family. You can take a look at some of these students and pros on the "Rogues Gallery" page. When you become a student I invite you to send me your picture so that you can be included! You've got a whole new, exciting adventure awaiting you, so turn the page, warm up your VCR or DVD player, grab your banjo, and let's get started on your journey! |
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