Learn 12-Bar Blues, Shuffle Rhythms and Essential Chords on Banjo — Fast and Fun with Step-by-Step Video Guides
Bring the soul of the Blues to your banjo playing, Blues for Banjo 1 is a great place to start. This method takes you step-by-step through essential chords, rhythms, and techniques — all built around the 12-bar blues form.
Begin With the Basics — No Experience Needed
Even if you’re new to banjo, you’ll get straightforward guidance and simple, effective exercises. Learn using easy-to-follow chord symbols and sheet music with tab. The tuning is D-G-B-D (and doesn't use the drone string) for easy-playing on either 4-string or 5-string banjos.
Essential Chords and Classic Blues Progressions
Build a foundation with beginner-friendly chord shapes. You'll focus on the rhythm and feel of 12-bar progressions — the backbone of blues, rock, and swing.
Shuffle Rhythms, 6/8 Time and 7th Chords
Learn shuffle rhythms and real blues phrasing. Begin with easy, straight quarter and eigth-note rhythms and then move on to Shuffles and 6/8 time. As you build your rhythm skills, you'll move from familiar major chord shapes to minor chords, dominant 7ths and even minor 7th chords for an authentic sound. With authentic chords and core rhythms, you’ll be playing the Blues with style and confidence.
Follow Along with Step-by-Step Videos
Many free streaming videos are provided so you can check your sound and rhythm. Watch, listen and play along — the fastest way to learn! seeingmusicbooks.com/blues-banjo-1
Play Music — Right Away
Key concepts are introduced with lots of skill-building exercises. Familiar and styled rhythms are paired with great sounding, easy chords to build your technique as you practice the chord changes. Then when you're ready, try your new skills on real 12-bar Blues forms all in familiar banjo and guitar keys. The last chapter lets you use your new skills playing 10 Blues songs in various keys, time signatures and rhythm patterns. Jam along with the looping videos and enjoy hearing yourself strumming the Blues!
What’s Inside
Blues for Banjo 1 includes:
- Almost 200 exercises and song examples
- 12-bar blues variations in major and minor keys
- Easy, great sounding chords
- Shuffle strums and rhythms
- Explanation of 6/8 time and 7th chords
- Simple strumming techniques
Chapter Listing
Early Blues and Foundational ChordsMajor 12-Bar Blues FormShuffle RhythmsUsing Minor ChordsMinor 12-Bar BluesPlaying in 6/8 TimeUsing 7th Chords12-Bar Workout JamsWatch the Free Sample Videos Now
Preview examples from the book at seeingmusicbooks.com/blues-banjo-1.
Blues Isn't Just for Guitars!
A straightforward and fun approach makes this method ideal for any banjoist. Join the great tradition of blues banjo with confidence and character. Blues for Banjo 1 offers a fun, relaxed introduction to this timeless style.
92 pages, 8½” x 11” paperback, glossy cover, seeingmusicbooks.com
Join the thousands of learners around the world building real music skills with Seeing Music Books.
