This book is a "hands-on" approach to music theory with lots of playing examples for the banjo. Music theory does not have to be mysterious or difficult. In fact, taken a little bit at a time, it’s easy and fun!  Each of the approximately 50 lessons in this book has a limited scope, but by the time you complete them, you will have a thorough understanding of the basics of music theory as applied to the banjo.

While a single book can't cover everything in so vast a subject, the author has tried to choose topics that will address the needs of most beginning banjo players. These include: scale theory, reading tablature and standard notation, key signatures, accidentals, transposition, time signatures and note values, intervals and chord construction, the three kinds of minor scales, pentatonic scales, and more. In addition, each chapter features playing examples and review questions to both test and clarify understanding of the materials presented.

Rather than proceeding from chapter to chapter, as each individual banjo player is likely at a different point in their musical journey, the reader is encouraged to “jump around and spend more time in those areas that interest you most.” The important thing about the journey is to begin.

Includes access to online audio and video.

Chapter 1. The Major Scale

            The Major Scale is the Basis of All Music Theory!

            Producing Musical Sounds

            Whole Steps and Half Steps

            What is a Major Scale?

            Playing Examples

            Review Questions for Chapter 1

Chapter 2. Reading Notation and Tablature

            Overview

            Reading Tablature

            Reading Standard Music Notation

            Musical Symbols and Song Structure

            Playing Examples

            Review Questions for Chapter 2

Chapter 3. Key Signatures

            What is a Key Signature?

            Why Even Have Different Keys?

            Accidentals

            Transposing Between Major Keys

            Transposing Instrumentals

            Playing Examples

            Review Questions for Chapter 3

Chapter 4. Timing

            Overview: Timing Is Everything!

            Time Signatures

            Note Values and Counting

            Rests

Chapter 5. Musical Intervals

            Overview: It's Like Using a Ruler

            Musical Intervals Have a First Name and a Last Name

            Easy Ways to Remember the Sound of Intervals

            Pitch Names

            Playing Examples

            Review Questions for Chapter 5

Chapter 6. Chord Construction

            Overview: What is Harmony?

            The Triad and Stacked Thirds

            Major, Minor and Seventh Chords

            Open Voicing

            Chord Inversions and X/Y Chords

            Chord Extensions

            Partial Chords

            Each Chord Has a Voice

            Playing Examples

            Review Questions for Chapter 6

Chapter 7. Chords in a Key

            Stacked Thirds: The triad

            Another Way to Look at It

            Stacked Thirds: Seventh Chords

            You Are Not LockedInto Anything: Accidentals

            Playing Examples

            Review Questions for Chapter 7

Chapter 8. Movable Chords

            What are Movable Chords?

            Movable Chords for the Banjo

            Using a Capo

            Playing Examples

            Review Questions for Chapter 8

Chapter 9. The Nashville Number System

            Play by the Numbers

            Where's the Root?

            NNS Notation

            The Relative Minor

            Playing out of the "Home Position"

            The 12-Bar Blues

            Playing Examples

            Review Questions for Chapter 9

Chapter 10. Minor Scales and Modes

            The Natural Minor Scale

            The Harmonic Minor Scale

            The Melodic Minor Scale

            The Minor Pentatonic and Blues Scales

            Modes

            Playing Examples

            Review Questions for Chapter 10

Chapter 11. Answers to Review Questions