Bluegrass Slow Jam for the Total Beginner
A super-easy, no-fail play-along session with Pete “Dr. Banjo” Wernick.
The one instruction resource that every new player needs… right along with his/her first instrument!
“If you’re a novice musician, this is the video for you.” — Bluegrass Now
Anyone, with any instrument, can get into this bluegrass jam session, even if you’ve never tried it before. All you need are four basic chords (G, C, D and A) for the entire video! These are shown, with simple right hand rhythm instruction, for all six standard bluegrass instruments:
Banjo, Guitar, Mandolin, Dobro (slide) guitar, Fiddle, Bass (for fiddle and bass, single notes are shown)
This video will give you the practice and the confidence to join a real jam session. Pete makes it easy, giving instruction, encouragement and advice on what to do, and the ground rules of bluegrass jamming.
Learn 17 favorites often played at bluegrass jams everywhere. All are played at slow, easy tempos. Follow chord changes just as everyone does at real jam sessions, by watching guitar chords — enlarged on screen for easy viewing (see video preview).
Full Descriptions, Comparison, and Song Listing for All 3 Play-Along Jam Videos
Bluegrass Jamming: A Guide For Newcomers and Closet Pickers
The complete original jam video, from 2-chord songs to “The Old Home Place”. Great practice for learning mandolin, bluegrass guitar, fiddle, and banjo. All 17 songs include a soloing opportunity, plus how-to’s and etiquette of bluegrass jamming, kickoffs and endings, capo use, faking solos. Available as download/stream only.
This video starts with very slow and easy 2-chord songs in G, and moves up to 3-chord songs in G and other keys, with a few favorite instrumentals included. Tempos vary from about 60 beats/minute to 100 (moderate). All 17 songs include a soloing opportunity. Instruction includes the how-to’s and etiquette of bluegrass jamming, kickoffs and endings, capo use, faking solos, much more.
Full Descriptions, Comparison, and Song Listing for All 3 Play-Along Jam Videos
Intermediate Bluegrass Jamming
A 22-song moderate-speed workout with plenty of soloing opportunities The most challenging of the three jam videos assumes the viewer is already a jammer, and offers 22 full-length songs at medium tempos, with two chances to solo in every song. Available as download/stream only.
Great practice for learning the fine points of mandolin, bluegrass guitar, fiddle, and banjo. Compared to our two slower jam videos, this video includes more songs and less instruction, addressing jamming at intermediate skill levels: backup basics, playing the melody, using a capo, essential jam etiquette and how to avoid musical “train wrecks.” Chords are shown onscreen, and you can learn solos via slow-down or stop-frame of closeups of the soloing instrument. There are 22 songs played in a variety of keys, to give you the full range of playing experience
Full Descriptions, Comparison, and Song Listing for All 3 Play-Along Jam Videos
Get Rolling: Ultra-Easy, No-Fail Intro To Banjo
“Video instruction at its best! …an approach to getting started (or re-started) that couldn’t be more elementary or fun! I never have seen a teacher so effectively eliminate the intimidation factor.” The way this video is constructed will insure you get the highest possible return for the time and effort you invest.” Available as download/stream only.
Beginning Bluegrass Banjo
Best Seller! Two-hour video + tab. Months’ worth of learning, just $30.00. A step-by-step method based on 20 years teaching. Split-screen closeups, fast/slow repetitions make video learning best! You’ll learn basic left hand technique, standard right hand rolls, essential licks, elementary and intermediate arrangements , and more. Available as download/stream only.
Bluegrass Banjo Backup
Two hours of the instruction you need to play backup! A step-by-step method based on 20 years teaching. Split-screen closeups, fast/slow repetitions make video learning best! “Packed with basic skills for students who crave to know what to play on on the banjo when not soloing.” Available as download/stream or DVD. Read More!
Make Up Your Own Banjo Solos – Vol. 1
Learn how to create convincing banjo solos, both “on the fly” in jam sessions and with more precision in your practice time. Here’s the alternative to total dependence on tab and memorizing other people’s arrangements. Close-ups of both hands and printable tab booklets make every note clear! Available as download/stream only.
Volume 1: First-position solos in the key of G
Even novice pickers will easily follow Pete’s gradual approach to soloing. He starts with the basics – simple chords and rolls – showing you how to instantly play a “placeholder” solo, the simplest way to step out in a jam situation with only the chords to go by. He gradually builds in “filler” content – simple moves and phrases adding variety and believability.
On five bluegrass standards, Pete shows you how to hunt down a song’s melody notes and create a full-fledged arrangement featuring the recognizable melody. The addition of appealing licks, lead-ins, tags and other embellishments will give your solos polish and interest.
Make Up Your Own Banjo Solos – Vol. 2
Learn how to create convincing banjo solos, both “on the fly” in jam sessions and with more precision in your practice time. Here’s the alternative to total dependence on tab and memorizing other people’s arrangements. Close-ups of both hands and printable tab booklets make every note clear! Available as download/stream only.
Volume 2: Keys of D, C, F, and Up the Neck in G
Even novice pickers will easily follow Pete’s gradual approach to soloing. He starts with the basics – simple chords and rolls – showing you how to instantly play a “placeholder” solo, the simplest way to step out in a jam situation with only the chords to go by. He gradually builds in “filler” content – simple moves and phrases adding variety and believability.
Make Up Your Own Banjo Solos – 2 Volume Set
Learn how to create convincing banjo solos, both “on the fly” in jam sessions and with more precision in your practice time. Here’s the alternative to total dependence on tab and memorizing other people’s arrangements. Close-ups of both hands and printable tab booklets make every note clear! Available as download/stream only.
Volume 1: First-position solos in the key of G
Even novice pickers will easily follow Pete’s gradual approach to soloing. He starts with the basics – simple chords and rolls – showing you how to instantly play a “placeholder” solo, the simplest way to step out in a jam situation with only the chords to go by. He gradually builds in “filler” content – simple moves and phrases adding variety and believability.
On five bluegrass standards, Pete shows you how to hunt down a song’s melody notes and create a full-fledged arrangement featuring the recognizable melody. The addition of appealing licks, lead-ins, tags and other embellishments will give your solos polish and interest.
Volume 2: Keys of D, C, F, and Up the Neck in G
Even novice pickers will easily follow Pete’s gradual approach to soloing. He starts with the basics – simple chords and rolls – showing you how to instantly play a “placeholder” solo, the simplest way to step out in a jam situation with only the chords to go by. He gradually builds in “filler” content – simple moves and phrases adding variety and believability.
Branching Out On the Banjo – Vol. 1
Patterns, techniques, and a “road map to the banjo neck” will give everyone from experienced beginners to advanced players new ways of spinning out your own licks, or learning those of the masters. The emphasis is on do-able, good-sounding, versatile ideas that work in both solos and backup. Available as download/stream only.
Branching Out On the Banjo – Vol. 2
Patterns, techniques, and a “road map to the banjo neck” will give everyone from experienced beginners to advanced players new ways of spinning out your own licks, or learning those of the masters. The emphasis is on do-able, good-sounding, versatile ideas that work in both solos and backup. Available as download/stream or DVD.
Branching Out On the Banjo – 2 Volume Set
Patterns, techniques, and a “road map to the banjo neck” will give everyone from experienced beginners to advanced players new ways of spinning out your own licks, or learning those of the masters. The emphasis is on do-able, good-sounding, versatile ideas that work in both solos and backup. Available as download/stream only.