The Banjo Encyclopedia is a comprehensive, in-depth banjo instructional tool that covers the many intricacies of bluegrass banjo playing, including numerous topics that may have been overlooked in banjo instruction to date. The Banjo Encyclopedia can take a student from the beginning, to intermediate, and right through to more advanced styles of banjo playing. Ross Nickerson uses his many years of experience helping hundreds of aspiring banjo pickers by offering the banjo student an opportunity to learn in a practical, straightforward manner. This wide-ranging banjo instructional book will focus on many techniques that will help every aspect of a banjo player's musicianship while simplifying many subjects in the learning process. The downloadable audio with 99-track recording will enable the student to learn easily by hearing author Ross Nickerson demonstrate each song, and perform many of the banjo licks and phrases included in the book slow, and up to tempo. The audio download available online includes an advanced song section with a full bluegrass band accompanying Ross along with additional intermediate songs for the student to learn. The Banjo Encyclopedia is undoubtedly one of the most complete five-string banjo books on the market today and a must for every banjo player's collection. Includes access to online audio.

About the Author
Foreword by Ross Nickerson
Tips On Learning The Most From The Book
Chapter 1: The Basics
   Holding the Banjo, Using the Picks
   How to Read Tablature
   Parts on a Standard Five-String Banjo
   Tuning Your Banjo
   Right-Hand Postioning
      Overcoming diffitculties
      Final tips on right-hand positioning
   Left-Hand Positioning
      Do's and don'ts for common problems with left-hand technique
      Photos of left-hand positions
   Final Note
Chapter 2: The Right Hand
   Rhythm & Timing
      Rhythm and timing exercises
   Learning the Basic Rolls
      More tips on rolls
      Earl Scruggs' contribution
      Examples of basic rolls
   Timing Review
      Using a metronome
      Some suggestions about using a metronome
      Timing exercises using a metronome
   Advanced Rolls
      Working with and learning some advanced rolls
      Working with the thumb
      Working with the index and middle fingers
      Middle finger exercises
      Index finger exercises
      Exercising the index and middle fingers together
   Developing Tone and Dynamics
      Angle of attack
      Balance of tone
      More about positioning
      The effect of picks on tone
      Dynamics in your banjo playing
      Dynamic examples
   Developing Speed
      Technique factors in speed building
      Psychology of speed
      What if I make a mistake?
      How hard should I pick?
      Should I use a metronome?
      Always use a metronome?
      Speed-building metronome?
   Tone Exercises
   Advanced Rolls for Practice
   Final Note
Chapter 3: The Left-Hand
   Overview
   Finger Exercises
      Several reminders for practicing the exercises in this chapter
      Memorize
      A reminder before you start the exercises
   Left-Hand Exercises
      Left-hand exercises using thirds
      Exercises for learning the notes on the fretboard in the G scale
      Learning tips
   Ways to Improve Slides, Hammer-ons, Pull-offs, and Chokes
      Tips and reminders on slides, pull-offs, chokes and hammer-ons
      Improving slides
      Improving hammer-ons
      Improving pull-offs
      Improving chokes or bends
   Adding and Improving Slides, Hammer-ons, Pull-offs, and Chokes in a Song
      Banks of the Ohio - basic version
      Banks of the Ohio - with slurs (slides, pull-offs, etc.)
      Bury Me Beneath the Willow - basic version
      Bury Me Beneath the Willow - with slurs (slides, pull-offs, etc.)
   Final Note
Chapter 4: Practice Habits and Practicing Priorities
   Overview
      Practice builds confidence
      Practice priorities and making the best use of practice time
      How often should I practice and for how long?
      Your practice area
      Setting goals
   Lesson Plans
      Practice outline
      Practice outline example
      Splitting up practice time in the lesson plan
   Working on Physical Challenges and Overcoming Obstacles
      Isolating areas of practice
   Tablature Discussion
   Using CD, Video or DVD
   Memorizing
      Suggestions for memorizing
      Working on the left and right hand separately while memorizing
      A few more general suggestions on memorizing
   Final Note
      
Chapter 5: Earl Scruggs' Style
   Overview
   Learning the Basics of Scrugg's Style Picking
   Accenting Notes
      Accenting Exercise
   Bringing out the Melody
      Sitting on Top of the World
   Blues in the Scruggs' Style
      Nine Pound Hammer
   Learning a Breakdown in Scruggs' Style
      Banjo Students' Breakdown
   Final Note
Chapter 6: The Melodic Style
   Overview
   Melodic Style Exercises
   Learning Songs in the Melodic Style
      Sailor's Hornpipe
      Turkey in the Straw
      John Hardy
   Playing in Harmony in the Melodic Style
      Devil's Dream - Lead part
      Devil's Dream - Harmony part
   Playing the Blues in the Melodic Style
      Blues Scale Melodic Exercise
   Final Note
Chapter 7: The Single-String Style
   Overview
   Exercises Using the Single-String Style
   Learning Some Scales in the Single-String Style
   Chord shape single-string exercises
      Don Reno Style Exercise
      The Darktown Stutters' Ball
   Learning Songs in the Single-String Style
      Wildwood Flower - basic single-string version
      Wildwood Flower - more complex single-string version
      Arkansas Traveler
      Whiskey Before Breakfast
Chapter 8: Mixing the Scruggs', Melodic and Single-String Technique, Learning to Play
   Up the Neck, and Learning More About the Blues
   Overview
   Mixing the Scruggs', Melodic and Single-String Styles
      Banjo licks that serve a similar purpose in each style
   A Song Mixing the Three Styles With Some Blues
      The Scruggs, Melodic, Single String Blues
   Playing Up the Neck
      Licks serving the same purpose, up and down the neck
   Learning Both Down and Up the Neck Versions of a Song, for Comparison
      She'll Be Coming Around the Mountain - lower neck version
      She'll Be Coming Around the Mountain - up the neck version
   Bonus Song, Mixing the Styles
      Oh, Susanna
   Learning More About the Blues
      Blues Scales
   Making Common Banjo Licks "Bluesy"
      Blues comparison licks
      Learning the blues scale exercise
         The Blues Scales Blues
   Another Song Mixing the Styles
         Whiskey Before Breakfast
   Final Note
Chapter 9: Rhythm, Chords and Playing Backup
   Overview
   Learning Chords and More About Them
      F form chords
      D form chords
      Barre form chords
      More about chords
      Chromatic scale for finding any chord
   Chord Inversions for G, G7 and G Minor
   Chord Inversions for D, D7 and D Minor
   Chord Exercises - Blackberry Blossom
   Chord Progressions for Practice
   Augmented, Diminished and More on Seventh Chords
      Augmented chords
      Diminished chords
   Learning More About Scruggs' Style Backup
      Scruggs' style backup lick examples
   Passing Tones
      An exercise using bass run passing tones
         Bass Run Passing Tone Exercises With Chords
   Four Examples of Playing Backup
      Backup example for verse and chorus
         Song Example for Verse and Chorus Backup
      Playing backup on a slower tempo song
         Slow Backup Song Example
      Backing up a fiddle
         Fiddle Backup Example
      Waltz backup
         Waltz Backup Example
   Using Seventh Chords
      Seventh chord form chart
         Seventh Chord Exercise
   Final Note
Chapter 10: Improvising and Learning to Play by Ear
   Overview
   Improvising
      Taking what you know and turning it into ten things
      Improvising in small steps
      Thinking in terms of playing by the chords
      Improvising practice assignments
   Sample Chord Progression Using a Specific Roll
         Reverse Roll Chord Breakdown
   Building Up Your Chord Changing and Locating Ability
         Sliding into the Chord Exercises
      Tip on changing chords
      Recovering from mistakes
   Knowledge of the neck
      Notes on the fretboard chart
   More on Improvising
      Plugging in licks that work with the chord changes in the song, and other
       Options
      Comments on improvising
      Improvising using chords
      Writing your own arrangements and playing songs that you have never
       Heard before
      Learning to play without tablature
      Cautions when improvising
      Importance and joy of not using tab
   Final Note
Chapter 11: Beginnings, Turnarounds and Endings
   Overview
   Beginnings
      Common bluegrass song beginnings or "kickoffs"
      Bluegrass Song Kickoff Example
         Pig in a Pen
      "Bluesy" Kickoff Example
         Kickin' Blues   
   Turnarounds
      Basic turnarounds
   Endings
      Some common endings to bluegrass songs
   Final Tips on Beginnings, Turnarounds and Endings
   Final Note
Chapter 12: Jamming
   Overview
   Priorities in Preparation for Jamming
      Preparation and practice
      Practice timing
      Know you chords and how to back others up
      Learn songs that others should know and standard bluegrass
       Arrangements
      Taking the scare out of it
   Learning How Standard Bluegrass Arrangements Work
      Typical bluegrass vocal arrangement
   Popular Vocal and Instrumental Songs at Jam Sessions
   Other Tips and Suggestions for Learning How to Jam with Others
   No One is Perfect and Everyone Makes mistakes
   Final Note
Chapter 13: Adapting an Easy Melody to a Bluegrass Banjo Arrangement
   Overview
   Music Reading Basics Made Easy
      Learning the notes
      Counting time
      Rests
   Creating a Bluegrass Banjo Arrangement Using Quarter and Eighth Notes
         When the Saints Go Marching In
         Red River Valley
   Final Note
Chapter 14: Playing in Different Keys, Tunings and Using a Capo
   Overview
   Using a Capo
      Types of capos and tips on using them
      Capoing the fifth string
   Playing Chords in Different Keys
      The I - VII chords in seven different keys - chart
      Playing a song using roman numerals rather than chord names
         Chord Progression Practice
   Learning to Play the Same Song in Three Different Keys
         Don't This Road Look Rough and Rocky - Key of G
         Don't This Road Look Rough and Rocky - Key of C
         Don't This Road Look Rough and Rocky - Key of D
   C Tuning
         Wildwood Flower
   D Tuning
         Home Sweet Home
         Jesse James
   G Minor Tuning
         Pretty Polly
Chapter 15: Playing at Slower Tempos and � Time
   Overview
   Different Techniques Used in Playing Slower Songs
   Learning Some Songs in � Time
      Some suggestions for learning the songs
         Silent Night
         Amazing Grace
         The Streets of Laredo
Chapter 16: Banjo Maintenance by Mike Munford
   Introduction by Ross Nickerson
   Preface by Mike Munford
   Bridges
      Bridges and tone
      Tuning, intonation and setting the bridge
   Changing the Strings
   More on Strings
   Tailpieces
   The Nut
      The 5th string nut
   5th String Spikes
      Actual spike location
   The head
   Action Adjustments
   Neck and Resonator Woods
   Good Tools
   General Maintenance Tips
   Cases
   Final Note
Chapter 17: Advanced Song Section
   Overview
         John Henry
         Train 45
Glossary of Common Banjo Terms