There's no getting away from it, the 5-string banjo is about as American as apple pie. This poses something of a conundrum for those who love the instrument, but don't wish to be confined to bluegrass music. My own motives for straying musically were born out of necessity, but now the enjoyment and exploration of new musical styles are what guides me. This book and accompanying online video are intended to help anyone who also wants to take their banjo playing to new exciting places. Includes access to online video.

On the Outside Looking Out: 5–String Banjo Beyond Bluegrass

Some Fundamentals

Basic chords and technique

Bluegrass

No 5-string banjo book is truly complete without it (and a great way to get familiar with the basic chords and technique)

Practice techniques and regimes

Getting the most out of the time you invest

Diddlin’ banjos

Irish Music, a new home for the 5-string?

Finding your place in the music

Groove, dynamics, space, and motive

More music theory (and putting it all into practice)

More extended chords, use of scales

Improvisation

Putting everything you know together… really quickly!

Amplification

Can you hear me, and more importantly do you like what you hear?