The How and the Tao of Old Time Banjo - Softcover

Patrick Costello

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0974419001 ISBN 13: 9780974419008

Publisher: Pik-Ware Publishing, 2003

Synopsis

The groundbreaking book that has people around the world playing the five-string banjo! In a book that has redefined how traditional music is taught Patrick Costello shares the basic skills of old time "frailing" banjo and much more. Starting with a simple picking pattern and a handful of chord forms (as the author points out, "if you know three chords you can play thousands of songs!") the book continues to build on those basic skills covering everything from complex fiddle tunes to working up chord melody arrangements of Dixieland songs and beyond. Each chapter of The How and the Tao of Old Time Banjo is filled with the authors warm "down-home" sense of humor. Throughout the book readers are encouraged to get out and make music, have adventures and celebrate this wonderful thing called music. Patrick isn't bashful about relating some of his own misadventures from his days as a beginner to encourage you to go out and and make music with other people. The How and the Tao of Old Time Banjo is a treasure trove of information and encouragement for anyone who wants to start playing the banjo. Don't wait. Order your copy today and start making music for and with your friends and family.

About this title

From the Publisher

There is a lot of "stuff" in this book. The 5-string banjo is a great deal of fun to play and learn but please remember that the mastery of any instrument is a life long process. Take your time and get the basics down solid. Relax and enjoy the small successes that are the result of practice and hard work. Trust me, there is no easy way. You cannot substitute anything else for "time behind the pot." Remember, the guy who practices the most gets the gigs.

Patrick and I have had a lot of musical adventures. I can remember us sitting in on jam sessions wondering how we would ever be able to play and sing "like that." Well, we worked at it and now folks look at us and say the same thing. The fun is not in the being there. The fun is in the journey. I would not trade the most embarrassing musical moment spent with my son for anything. The memories are priceless and best of all they are mine.

I know that our methods work. All I have to do is watch our "students" play, teach and share music with other people. They all started with the basic frailing strum, a desire to learn and a commitment to progress. You can do it. Keep an open mind. Explore different ideas and sounds. Play anywhere and everywhere that you can. If you wait until you are "good enough" you never will be.

The happiest people that I have met on the musical road are families. Get your kids involved as soon as they show interest and you will have your own adventures to write about some day.

Thank you son. It has not always been easy but we sure had a wild old time.
-Pat "Dear Old Dad" Costello
Vice President of Pik-Ware Publishing

From the Author

The reviews by folks from all over the world who have actually read this book say it all. They are celebrating the joy of making music with the banjo.

I didn’t write this book as an overview of Appalachian banjo techniques, and I was raised better than to misdirect students and readers with references to "historical facts" and "regional styles" that are of little use to beginners. I wrote this book to actually get you making music (and singing) with your banjo. You can use the material presented here to play and to jam with anyone. It’s not my place to tell you what, where or even how to play. I only want to give you the tools and the core skills that will get you started on your own musical journey.

You will find plenty of advanced techniques throughout the book. This material is included so that it will be available when and if you decide that you want it.

The banjo is a wonderful, joyous and amazingly versatile instrument. "The How and the Tao of Old Time Banjo" was written to empower you to go out and make music, sort of a cross between a road atlas and a recipe book for aspiring musicians. It stresses how well YOU will play rather than how well the author plays.

This is truly the book that I wish I had when I was just starting out on the banjo.

Patrick Costello 6/27/04

Edition details

• Publisher: Pik-Ware Publishing
• Publication date: 2003
• ISBN 10: 0974419001
• ISBN 13: 9780974419008
• Binding: Paperback
• Language: English
• Number of pages: 168