Showing results by author "Bill Brown" in All Categories

This first-year New Orleans classic is a great choice for banjo players who have mastered the basics of banjo playing. The lesson starts with a full demonstration of the song at two different speeds followed by a step-by-step “by ear” lesson in two- to four-measure sections. Finally, you are given the back-up tracks at two different speeds for you to practice and perform with.

Because this arrangement is only a level one, you can start working on it as soon as you have the basics of playing the banjo down. In this lesson, you get a full demonstration of the song at two different speeds. Then, you get a detailed “by ear” lesson of the song in two- to four-measure sections using no music or tab. Once you have finished the lesson, there are backing tracks at two speeds for you to practice and perform with.

In this Banjo by Ear lesson, you will learn a banjo solo version of “The Star Spangled Banner” completely “by ear”. The lesson starts with a full demonstration of the solo followed by a detailed “by ear” lesson of every note and phase.

This is a rather simple arrangement but gives you plenty of variations each time through the two sections. This makes it a great lesson for not only learning the song but in learning variations of a lot of standard banjo phasing including accompaniment. A full demonstration at two speeds is included as well as backing tracks at two speeds.

Learn the Beverly Hillbillies theme song exactly the way that Earl Scruggs performed it without using music or tab. The lesson breaks down every phase describing fingering, strings, and techniques completely “by ear”. A full demonstration and backing tracks are included with this lesson.

If you are just learning to play the banjo, then this standard is a good “next piece” for you. In this lesson you are given a full demonstration of the song at two different speeds followed by a detailed “by ear” lesson over every lick of the arrangement. At the end of the lesson there are backing tracks at two different speeds for you to practice and perform with.

“Cumberland Gap” is a bluegrass standard and it is easy to learn “by ear” in this lesson. First, you will have a full demonstration of the arrangement with drums, bass, and guitar accompaniment. Then, after you are taught the lesson in small phases, you are given the backing tracks without the banjo on it for you to use for your own live performance!

This intermediate level arrangement takes you all the way up to the 17th fret with nice passage stops on frets seven through ten. The lesson starts with full demonstrations at two different speeds for you to listen and play along with. Then you have the detailed “by ear” lesson where you learn the song in two- to four-measure phases using no music or tab. Finally you will have backing tracks at two different speeds to practice with and to eventually perform with.

If you are just starting to play the banjo then this old hymn is a good piece to start working on. In this lesson you are given a full demonstration of the song at two different speeds followed by a detailed “by ear” lesson over every lick of the arrangement. At the end of the lesson there are backing tracks at two different speeds for you to practice and perform with.

In this Banjo by Ear lesson, you will learn a banjo solo version of “Ashokan Farewell” from the PBS series The Civil War. The lesson starts with a full demonstration of the solo followed by a detailed “by ear” lesson of every note and phrase. A guitar accompaniment track is included for you to perform with.

If you have just learned the basics of the banjo, then you should definitely start working on this Woody Guthrie classic! In this lesson you are given a full demonstration of the song at two different speeds followed by a detailed “by ear” lesson over every lick of the arrangement. At the end of the lesson there are backing tracks at two different speeds for you to practice and perform with.

Hank Williams made this song famous and now you can learn to play it on the banjo without using music or tab! The song is played at two different speeds and then taught totally “by ear”. At the end of the lesson, you are given backing tracks at two speeds to practice and perform with. This arrangement is only rated at a beginner level so it is suitable for all of you who have just started learning to play the banjo.

This is another good first year piece for beginner banjo players. It has a good dose of the standard rolls but stays within the first four frets which makes it easy to learn. The lesson starts off with demonstration tracks at two different speeds for you to listen to and practice along with. Next, you get the detailed “by ear” lesson that works you through the song without music or tab! Finally, there are backing tracks at two speeds for you to practice with and eventually perform with.

In this lesson, the student learns not only the banjo accompaniment to this Mickey Spain/Makem Brothers hit but a specially created banjo solo by Bill Brown. The song is demonstrated in its entirety and then taught completely “by ear” using no music, tab, notation, or video. By learning the song in this “by ear” fashion the student will learn faster and will memorize as they go. Backing tracks are included to play along with.

This intermediate level arrangement takes you to the 10th fret while giving you plenty of hammer-ons and slides to make a great sounding banjo solo. Also, it is in Drop C tuning! The lesson kicks off with a full demonstration of the song at two different speeds followed by a detailed “by ear” lesson over every lick of the arrangement. At the end of the lesson there are backing tracks at two different speeds for you to practice and perform with.

It’s time to put the hammer down and learn this Smokey and the Bandit theme song! In this Banjo by Ear lesson you learn both the accompaniment and a banjo solo version of the song. This lesson includes a full demonstration of the song and backing tracks to perform with once you have learned this piece completely “by ear”!

Now you can learn the Bill Monroe hit “Kentucky Mandolin” on the banjo without using music or tab! First, you will have a full demonstration of the arrangement with drums, bass, and guitar accompaniment. Then, after you are taught the lesson in small phases, you are given the backing tracks without the banjo on it for you to use for your own live performance!

Learn to play “Old Joe Clark” without music or tab! In this lesson you will get a full demonstration of the song followed by a detailed measure-by-measure lesson of the song. Once the lesson is complete you get backing tracks to practice and perform with.

This lesson starts with a full demonstration of the banjo arrangement with backing tracks. After that, you will learn the accompaniment and solo of this Christmas standard completely “by ear”. Backing tracks are included at the end of the lesson for your own live performance. This solo is rated at a late beginner level.

This first-year piece is great for those who have mastered some of the basics of the banjo. This lesson starts with a full demonstration of the song at two different speeds followed by a step-by-step “by ear” lesson in two- to four-measure sections. Finally, you are given the back-up tracks at two different speeds for you to practice and perform with.