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Best Banjos

Earl Scruggs and the 5-String Banjo: Revised and Enhanced Edition - Book with CD
It includes everything you need to know to start playing banjo, including: a history of the 5-string banjo, getting acquainted with the banjo, Scruggs tuners, how to read music, chords, how to read tablature, right-hand rolls and left-hand techniques, banjo tunings, exercises in picking, over 40 songs, how to build a banjo, autobiographical notes, and much more!
Reviews
"Have made more progress with this book and CD as a beginner than any other method."
"There are many good reasons this book has been around for decades."
"Great product and service."
"The book is great, just as I had seen before but there was no CD."
"I highly recommend this book to beginners."
"How can you pass up on the book by guy who created the style?"
"The value of the book was downrated to 3 stars because of the limited tabs on the songs."
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Bluegrass Banjo for the Complete Ignoramus (Book & CD set)
Wayne shows simple ways to embellish each melody using easy rolls. You start out with a simple melody line which you later can add the, ice cold licks, the cool licks, the warm licks, the hot licks and in the end the RED HOT LICKS.
Reviews
"I'm far from being any sort of musician, but this book has allowed me to realize the sort of satisfaction that always eluded me as a kid....I can't wait to pick up the banjo each day and push my abilities to the next level. I bought several "how to play" books after the banjo arrived, but all the others were too complicated for me....this one really "strikes a chord" in me....and I'll use this one until I've mastered all the tunes."
"This book gives simple melody tabs and then "suggestions" on rolls to use, etc."
"good book easy to understand."
"Still reading it."
"Having no clue how to play an instrument this still wasn't enough help for me."
"Book is written in a very easy to understand format."
"Love how the author really goes into detail about playing the banjo."
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Banjo For Dummies: Book + Online Video and Audio Instruction
Written by Bill Evans, an accomplished five-string banjo player, teacher, writer, and historian Includes access to "how-to" videos on Dummies.com Ideal for anyone who wants to learn to play this classic instrument. Take your first banjo steps — choose a banjo that’s right for you, get in tune, and get comfortable with good playing techniques right from the start Get your strings in order — practice fretting chords, read tablature, and use basic picking patterns to play your first songs Dig deeper — play clawhammer and bluegrass song favorites using advanced right- and left-hand techniques, and get acquainted with both minstrel and classic banjo styles Network into banjo culture — unlock the secrets of playing with other musicians, find a great teacher, and get the lowdown on attending camps and festivals Gear up — from cases and strings to capos, tuners, and metronomes, discover how to use the accessories that can make you a better banjo player.
Reviews
"Well written book, lots of help for me making the guitar to banjo transition."
"Very helpful guide for beginners or someone who just wants to brush up."
"Truly a lot of info - good read for the banjo lover."
"I have recently started playing a banjo and this book has really helped me understand some of the positions I need to hold my fingers."
"fantastic book excellent illustrations and easy to use the link to the website was great and had excellent instructional videos."
"Great book."
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Best Cellos

Star Wars Instrumental Solos for Strings (Movies I-VI): Cello, Book & CD (Pop Instrumental Solo Series)
For the first time, Star Wars(R) A Musical Journey (Music from Episodes I-VI): Instrumental Solos includes selections from all six Star Wars(R) movies arranged for flute, clarinet, alto sax, tenor sax, trumpet, horn in F, trombone, piano accompaniment, violin, viola and cello.
Reviews
"My niece can "sight-read" music and the family was so impressed with her first time rendering of the music and subsequent improvement after her listening to the enclosed CD!"
"Purchased this book for my son who plays the baritone (as it works the same for the trombone)."
"Absolutely a blast to play, and great for sight reading."
"I've been hearing my son play the Star Wars theme since he got this book."
"My son is playing much better because he knows the music already."
"The CD has 33 tracks on it...a warm-up track to start with, and then 2 tracks for each song. The first track of each song is an orchestra playing and you can play along with them."
"In fact, he and a friend are using this music to compete in the school talent show."
"Exactly the book I was hoping to buy."
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Best Violas

Star Wars Instrumental Solos for Strings (Movies I-VI): Viola, Book & CD (Pop Instrumental Solo Series)
For the first time, Star Wars(R) A Musical Journey (Music from Episodes I-VI): Instrumental Solos includes selections from all six Star Wars(R) movies arranged for flute, clarinet, alto sax, tenor sax, trumpet, horn in F, trombone, piano accompaniment, violin, viola and cello.
Reviews
"My niece can "sight-read" music and the family was so impressed with her first time rendering of the music and subsequent improvement after her listening to the enclosed CD!"
"Got this for my son who wanted to do a sax solo for his 6th grade talent show several months ago."
"Purchased this book for my son who plays the baritone (as it works the same for the trombone)."
"Absolutely a blast to play, and great for sight reading."
"We were excited to get this book for my son who is a beginner sax player."
"The shipping was quick and my daughter loved the music and book."
"Bought this book to give as a gift to a 2nd year trumpet player."
"I've been hearing my son play the Star Wars theme since he got this book."
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Best Mandolins

Mandolin For Dummies
The fun and easy way to learn to play the mandolin The newest addition to the highly successful Dummies instrument-instruction line, Mandolin For Dummies gives you easy-to-follow, step-by-step instruction on learning to play the mandolin. Get acquainted – buy the best mandolin in your price range and discover how to tune and care for your new best friend Nail down your mandolin ABCs – get up and running right away with mandolin basics, including counting, tablature, chord diagrams, and more Start making beautiful music immediately – right from the start, you'll be playing basic chord patterns, backup rhythms, and simple melodies Quickly master right- and left-hand essentials – before you know it, you'll be picking and strumming, and playing open and closed fingering and articulations like a pro Get the hang of a multitude of styles – Celtic and old-time music, bluegrass and jazz; you'll get to grips with the defining techniques of the most popular styles of playing. A mandolin buying guide Instructions on changing strings, repairing your mandolin, and keeping it in top form How to build an accessories kit The basics of mandolin playing Left- and right-hand techniques to spice up any melody How to play many different styles of mandolin Tips for improving your playing The lowdown on the greatest mandolin players of all time.
Reviews
"It starts right at the beginning and moves forwards to other styles, influences from other countries and players. It gives us tunes, chords, rhythms, different techniques, some theory about different modes all written in a step by step logical way, that is interesting and sometimes funny and, unlike some music books very easy to read. I've got your exercise book but really would like some songs to sing to, perhaps from popular artist with some of their history."
"I've been playing mandolin for over eight years now and have mastered the simple techniques that are essential to learn in basic musicianship. I did, just to be sure, read the basics on mandolin manipulation, pick direction and chord construction to make sure the author approved of what I had picked up. Specifically, I was interested in proper pick direction in jigs and reels. This includes one prominent musician who has recorded for years and is a published mandolin instructor. There is so much more in this publication ranging from rags, waltzes, shuffles, swing, jazz, American and Keltic fiddle tunes and of course, bluegrass."
"That said, the contents are awfully good, and there's a lot to learn and listen to in the book and downloadable sound files."
"Reminds me of the time I ordered a system administrator book and they sent me volume one of the two volume version. Hey, the main title was the same."
"This volume does not have a CD with it, so if that's important to you don't buy this edition."
"book is great, but layout and formatting should be reviewed before a new printing!"
"It then adds technique (such as how to hold the pick) slowly but not so far into learning that one has to break entrenched bad habits."
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Best Violins

Suzuki Violin School Revised Edition Violin Part Book & CD Volume 1
He teaches us that every child is born with ability, and that man is the son of his environment. Revised edition features - New engravings in a 9" x 12" format = New editing of pieces, including bowings and fingerings - 16 additional pages - Additional exercises, some from Dr. Suzuki, plus additional insight and suggestions for teachers - Glossary of terms in English, French, German and Spanish - Musical notation guide - Fingerboard position - New photos. Bayly) - Allegro (Shinichi Suzuki) - Perpetual Motion (Shinichi Suzuki) - Allegretto (Shinichi Suzuki) - Andantino (Shinichi Suzuki) - Etude (Shinichi Suzuki) - Minuet 1, Minuett III from Suite in G Minor for Klavier, BWV 822 (J.S.
Reviews
"Great book for my young son and his violin teacher."
"The book came recommended by my instructor."
"As described, quickly shipped."
"As a teacher, I love using this method -- the students also enjoy the variety of pieces presented."
"bought it for my daughter, very good condition when arrived."
"You guys said it would be coming between March 25 and Apil 11th.....IT CAME TODAY MARCH 24!!!!"
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Best Ukuleles

The Daily Ukulele: 365 Songs for Better Living (Jumpin' Jim's Ukulele Songbooks)
(Ukulele). Founded in 1947, Hal Leonard Corporation has become the worlds largest print music publisher, representing some of the greatest songwriters and artists of all time.
Reviews
"There are a lot of good songs in this book: Popular (Beatles, Everly Brothers, Joni Mitchell...), Christmas Carols, Children's Songs, Patriotic, Show Tunes, Folk, Hawaiian...etc...This would be a great book for school teachers to have on hand."
"This is a great book for the beginner ukulele player like me."
"Great collection of songs including a section for kids music and holiday tunes."
"Great selection of a broad range of music."
"My wife loved the book."
"Not the typical same three chords for every song."
"Terrific book with a wide variety of songs."
"Not that good on the kindle -- music too small to read, even in the largest font."
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