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Editor's picks

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  Mel Bay's Complete Tenor Banjo Method (Complete Book Series)

  Book (Mel Bay Publications, Inc.)
  

  Rating (5 reviews):

  (4.8/5)

  

  Very Complete Tenor Banjo Method

  Tenor banjo methods are not easy to find, because the tenor banjo does not seem to have the popularity it did in, say, the 1920's. (Not to be confused with Irish Tenor Banjo, which is tuned differently). I inherited a 1928 tenor banjo in cherry condition when my father passed away. It seemed such a shame to have such a beautiful instrument, and not be doing anything with it. This Mel Bay method is perfect particularly for anyone who has some musical experience on another instrument. Published in 1968... so, no CD included, but this method takes you through basic chords as well as scales, both major and minor, in every key. It covers both tablature and chord shapes, as well as some nomenclature that is specific to banjo playing. I would highly recommend this method for anyone who has a tenor banjo. 5/5 trucktricks - See all my reviews Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?) This review is from: Mel Bay's Complete Tenor Banjo Method (Complete Book Series) (Spiral-bound) Tenor banjo methods are not easy to find, because the tenor banjo does not seem to have the popularity it did in, say, the 1920's. (Not to be confused with Irish Tenor Banjo, which is tuned differently). I inherited a 1928 tenor banjo in cherry condition when my father passed away. It seemed such a shame to have such a beautiful instrument, and not be doing anything with it. This Mel Bay method is perfect particularly for anyone who has some musical experience on another instrument. Published in 1968... so, no CD included, but this method takes you through basic chords as well as scales, both major and minor, in every key. It covers both tablature and chord shapes, as well as some nomenclature that is specific to banjo playing. I would highly recommend this method for anyone who has a tenor banjo. Help other customers find the most helpful reviews  Was this review helpful to you? , February 6, 2011

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  Complete Tenor Banjo

  This is and excellent learning aid which starts with the basics and works step by step into the more advanced material. this book could be used with an instructor or as a self study guide. 4/5 Tom Thacker (London, KY) - See all my reviews This review is from: Mel Bay's Complete Tenor Banjo Method (Complete Book Series) (Spiral-bound) This is and excellent learning aid which starts with the basics and works step by step into the more advanced material. this book could be used with an instructor or as a self study guide. Help other customers find the most helpful reviews  Was this review helpful to you? , January 27, 2008

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  Mel Bay's Complete Tenor Banjo Method

  Great book for an adult beginner. Although the earliest copyright is 1968, it has been around much longer...withstood the test of time...the best things usually do. My father used this method book in the 1950s.If you like your guitar and want to try something that always sounds happy, highly recommend a 4-string tenor banjo and Mel Bay's method books. This complete method book starts at the beginning with simple melodies and string introductions...then on through to much more advanced chord progressions and exercises. I also have (and recommend) Mel Bay's guitar and ukulele method books. Some come with CDs and DVDs. Have fun...happy strumming!! 5/5 Dave - See all my reviews Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?) This review is from: Mel Bay's Complete Tenor Banjo Method (Complete Book Series) (Spiral-bound) Great book for an adult beginner. Although the earliest copyright is 1968, it has been around much longer...withstood the test of time...the best things usually do. My father used this method book in the 1950s.If you like your guitar and want to try something that always sounds happy, highly recommend a 4-string tenor banjo and Mel Bay's method books. This complete method book starts at the beginning with simple melodies and string introductions...then on through to much more advanced chord progressions and exercises. I also have (and recommend) Mel Bay's guitar and ukulele method books. Some come with CDs and DVDs. Have fun...happy strumming!! Help other customers find the most helpful reviews  Was this review helpful to you? , March 9, 2011

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  List Price: $16.99
  

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  D'Addario Tenor Banjo Strings, Nickel, 9-30

  Musical Instruments (D'Addario &Co. Inc)
  

  Rating (1 reviews):

  (5.0/5)

  

  tenor banjo strings

  The two sets of tenor banjo strings that I ordered came in in very good time, and although I have not installed either of them yet, they seem to be good quality , exactly as described by the vendor. I am perfectly happy with my purchase. 5/5 Karl A. Utrecht - See all my reviews, April 10, 2012

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  List Price: $6.69
  Price: $0.45
  You Save: $6.24 (93%)

  Loopend construction for universal fit

  Made in the U.S.A. for the highest quality and performance

  Nickelplated steel for bright tone, smooth feel and long life

  String Gauges: Plain Steel .010, .016, Nickel Wound .023, .030

  4-string tenor banjo set for C-G-D-A tuning

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  Complete Guide to Learning the Irish Tenor Banjo

  Book (Walton's Mfg. Ltd.)
  

  Rating (5 reviews):

  (3.8/5)

  

  Good book, excellent tunes

  This is an excellent book to introduce someone who plays guitar or mandolin to the Irish tenor banjo. The tunes included in the book are excellent: not too hard, and very good and fun to play. The tunes are all written in treble clef and tablature. Note that the tuning for the Irish tenor banjo is GDAE, the same as an octave mandolin, and NOT the CGDA that dixieland tenor banjo players use. Irish tenor banjo tuning makes it easy to go between mandolin, fiddle, irish tenor banjo, and octave mandolin because they are all tuned the same: GDAE.Gerry includes lots of photos in the book as well as a short history of Irish tenor banjo. These make the book seem more personal and friendly. My only complaint is the binding: I prefer a spiral binding so the book stays open easier on a music stand, so I spent another $3.00 to get it spiral bound at Staples.This is not the only book you'll want as an aspiring Irish tenor banjo player, but it is a good place to start. 5/5 Robert Hicks "SFB Musician" (Alamogordo, New Mexico) - See all my reviews, April 3, 2007

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  You need the CD version!

  This is an excellent book for someone who is trying to learn to play irish style tenor banjo. However, I would look for the version of this book that comes with a CD, which DOES exist...I got the version with the CD myself. Even as an experienced guitar player, I don't think that I'd be very successful learning the stuff in the book without being able to hear how it is supposed to sound on the CD.This book has lots of great songs in it. Information is presented in a clear and simple way. It is a very enjoyable book to work with. It works well if you are a total beginner trying to learn. Intermediate players will appreciate the nice catalog of songs in the book. For every song, the book gives music notation and Tablature. The songs span a good range of difficulty - from extremely easy to quite difficult. One of the easiest songs is Irish Rover - it is a great feeling as beginner to be able to play the Irish Rover. 3/5 Tim (Balimore, MD) - See all my reviews This review is from: Complete Guide to Learning the Irish Tenor Banjo (Paperback) This is an excellent book for someone who is trying to learn to play irish style tenor banjo. However, I would look for the version of this book that comes with a CD, which DOES exist...I got the version with the CD myself. Even as an experienced guitar player, I don't think that I'd be very successful learning the stuff in the book without being able to hear how it is supposed to sound on the CD.This book has lots of great songs in it. Information is presented in a clear and simple way. It is a very enjoyable book to work with. It works well if you are a total beginner trying to learn. Intermediate players will appreciate the nice catalog of songs in the book. For every song, the book gives music notation and Tablature. The songs span a good range of difficulty - from extremely easy to quite difficult. One of the easiest songs is Irish Rover - it is a great feeling as beginner to be able to play the Irish Rover. Help other customers find the most helpful reviews  Was this review helpful to you? , April 26, 2007

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  Useful to start with

  I bought the CD version of this book (highly recommended) because it's one of the few books for the beginner in Irish tenor banjo. I've been using it with the help of a teacher and it has been pretty useful so far. Be aware, there are a number of errors in the book, either in the notation or the tablature, that may throw the beginner who is not aware. I always run it by my teacher first. I had the book for a couple of weeks before starting with my teacher and made very little progress so I seriously suggest using it as part of a broader learning effort. 3/5 Evan "ejcunc" (Virginia) - See all my reviews This review is from: Complete Guide to Learning the Irish Tenor Banjo (Paperback) I bought the CD version of this book (highly recommended) because it's one of the few books for the beginner in Irish tenor banjo. I've been using it with the help of a teacher and it has been pretty useful so far. Be aware, there are a number of errors in the book, either in the notation or the tablature, that may throw the beginner who is not aware. I always run it by my teacher first. I had the book for a couple of weeks before starting with my teacher and made very little progress so I seriously suggest using it as part of a broader learning effort. Help other customers find the most helpful reviews  Was this review helpful to you? , November 30, 2008

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  List Price: $31.95
  

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  Rover RB-25T Tenor Resonator 4 String Banjo

  Musical Instruments (Saga Musical Instruments)
  

  Rating (2 reviews):

  (2.0/5)

  

  The listing is incorrect!

  The title for this item says that this is the Rover RB-45T, the "best" tenor model of this entry-level manufacturer.However, the picture and description indicate that the listing is NOT for the flagship 45T, but instead is for the lower-end 25T or 35T (not exactly sure which, but I would guess it is the 25T). This is based on the 45T having planetary tuners, not guitar style, which the description states the item for sale has. The picture also indicates this, as the tuning knobs of planetary tuners (equipped on the 45T), extend out from the back of the headstock ("hidden" behind the headstock/pointing towards the player when properly held), while guitar-style tuners extend out on each side of the headstock (as the picture shows).Probably just an accidental error in the listing since the picture and description match. If the price was consistent with that of an actual 45T, I would assume intentional misdirection, but the price is fair & good for the 25T and... 3/5 Matt - See all my reviews This review is from: Rover RB-25T Tenor Resonator 4 String Banjo (Electronics) The title for this item says that this is the Rover RB-45T, the "best" tenor model of this entry-level manufacturer.However, the picture and description indicate that the listing is NOT for the flagship 45T, but instead is for the lower-end 25T or 35T (not exactly sure which, but I would guess it is the 25T). This is based on the 45T having planetary tuners, not guitar style, which the description states the item for sale has. The picture also indicates this, as the tuning knobs of planetary tuners (equipped on the 45T), extend out from the back of the headstock ("hidden" behind the headstock/pointing towards the player when properly held), while guitar-style tuners extend out on each side of the headstock (as the picture shows).Probably just an accidental error in the listing since the picture and description match. If the price was consistent with that of an actual 45T, I would assume intentional misdirection, but the price is fair & good for the 25T and... Read more Help other customers find the most helpful reviews  Was this review helpful to you? , December 29, 2011

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  Amazon bait and switch

  I ordered two of these RB-45T banjos for my sons. I thought they were a great deal at less than $200 each. Amazon confirmed my purchase of two RB-45T banjos and sent them to me promptly, identifying them in the packing slip as Rover RB-45T tenor banjos. I removed the resonator to find they were in fact RB-25T banjos. I went back to the listing, read the review and the fine print and realized someone else had made the same mistake in December of 2011, and Amazon had done nothing in the three months (it is now 3/9/2012) between to correct the error. I am disappointed that Amazon does stand behind what it advertises, and continues to advertise. I wonder how many people will order the RB-45T only to receive the 25T and not know the difference because the idea of disassembling a banjo seems like rocket science. If I were advertise a specific banjo at a specific price, I would deliver the banjo at the specific price without delay or excuses, but integrity is something I hold dear and... 1/5 Black&Sons - See all my reviews Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?) This review is from: Rover RB-25T Tenor Resonator 4 String Banjo (Electronics) I ordered two of these RB-45T banjos for my sons. I thought they were a great deal at less than $200 each. Amazon confirmed my purchase of two RB-45T banjos and sent them to me promptly, identifying them in the packing slip as Rover RB-45T tenor banjos. I removed the resonator to find they were in fact RB-25T banjos. I went back to the listing, read the review and the fine print and realized someone else had made the same mistake in December of 2011, and Amazon had done nothing in the three months (it is now 3/9/2012) between to correct the error. I am disappointed that Amazon does stand behind what it advertises, and continues to advertise. I wonder how many people will order the RB-45T only to receive the 25T and not know the difference because the idea of disassembling a banjo seems like rocket science. If I were advertise a specific banjo at a specific price, I would deliver the banjo at the specific price without delay or excuses, but integrity is something I hold dear and... Read more Help other customers find the most helpful reviews  Was this review helpful to you? , March 9, 2012

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  List Price: $295.00
  Price: $192.99
  You Save: $102.01 (35%)

  Deluxe Vega style armrest Traditional No knot tailpiece

  Exquisite mahogany neck with East Indian Rosewood fingerboard inlaid dot position markers and adjustable truss rod

  Guitar style geared tuners Standard tuning is in fifths CGDA

  Standard spacing using 24 Flat hook and nut set for head attachment

  Standard 11" rim made of composite material in metallic gun grey finish Grooved tension hoop

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  Mel Bay's First Lessons Tenor Banjo

  Book (Mel Bay Publications, Inc.)
  

  Rating (4 reviews):

  (4.0/5)

  

  Instructions

  This is a great instructional book for beginners. Helps clarify chords which you absolutely need to know in order to play songs. 5/5 Maria Hartman (Caliente, Nevada, USA) - See all my reviews Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?) This review is from: Mel Bay's First Lessons Tenor Banjo (Paperback) This is a great instructional book for beginners. Helps clarify chords which you absolutely need to know in order to play songs. Help other customers find the most helpful reviews  Was this review helpful to you? , November 29, 2010

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  Nice Product...

  I bought this for my father, who had recently hit a plateau in his banjo lessons.He was thrilled when he got it, and has raved about it on more than one occasion.It is very informative and hands-on, with an interactive CD-Rom you can play in your pc that is very detailed. 5/5 Thomas P. Guthlein (East Islip, NY USA) - See all my reviews, October 22, 2009

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  Not a "First Lesson" book....but otherwise good info

  I bought this because the title includes "First Lessons..." I am a true beginner at a banjo, or any type of stringed instrument, but the author does not treat the beginning of the instructions for someone like me. Example: page 7 step 2 of tuning the banjo, the author says "Fret the C string..." It took some research to understand what that meant. Now I feel like an idiot, but the author should explain what that means before telling you to do that in a book where "First Lessons" is the beginning of the book title. I had to use another book and website to figure out which fret was the 7th fret (the book does not even mention which end to start the numbering).The publisher should have had someone with no banjo experience read this book prior to publication to make it a GREAT lesson book, because the potential is there.This book is NOT the best for your first lesson. It is not a bad book, by any means, just some very basic info is left out from the very... 3/5 Raudi - See all my reviews Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?) This review is from: Mel Bay's First Lessons Tenor Banjo (Paperback) I bought this because the title includes "First Lessons..." I am a true beginner at a banjo, or any type of stringed instrument, but the author does not treat the beginning of the instructions for someone like me. Example: page 7 step 2 of tuning the banjo, the author says "Fret the C string..." It took some research to understand what that meant. Now I feel like an idiot, but the author should explain what that means before telling you to do that in a book where "First Lessons" is the beginning of the book title. I had to use another book and website to figure out which fret was the 7th fret (the book does not even mention which end to start the numbering).The publisher should have had someone with no banjo experience read this book prior to publication to make it a GREAT lesson book, because the potential is there.This book is NOT the best for your first lesson. It is not a bad book, by any means, just some very basic info is left out from the very... Read more Help other customers find the most helpful reviews  Was this review helpful to you? , February 26, 2011

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  List Price: $16.99
  

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  Mel Bay's Tenor Banjo Melody Chord Playing System

  Book (Mel Bay Publications)
  

  Rating (1 reviews):

  (2.0/5)

  

  Tentatively Useful, But Caution

  Very few people will be able to get much use out of this book UNLESS they have a TEACHER. This is essentially a book of exercises. "Melody Chord Playing System"? The book never even says what melody chords are! There are virtually no words in the book, and most readers won't be familiar with a lot of the songs.This is NOT to say the book isn't valuable. Lots of five string banjo pickers seldom go above the fifth fret. Good tenor banjo players playing melody chords, however, go all over the neck and MUST know their chord inversions very well. Without really saying so and certainly without explaining it, this book teaches those quite effectively. Rather than emphasizing, say, A, C, D chords, it emphasizes I, III, V, V7, etc. Start by playing those chords hundreds of times until you go into the position automatically and with ease. I was really sore when I started out, but after doing them several hundred times they suddenly started clicking. These are all closed chords that... 2/5 Bill Pen (Philadelphia, PA USA) - See all my reviews, June 12, 2005

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  List Price: $14.95
  

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  Gold Tone CC-Tenor Cripple Creek Tenor Banjo (Four String, Maple)

  Musical Instruments (Gold Tone Musical Instruments)
  

  Rating (1 reviews):

  (4.0/5)

  

  I'm hooked

  The banjo arrived double boxed and well packed. It appeared to have new strings (not typical chinese junk). I did have to tighten the head, replaced the bridge (it had sagged after being in storage I assume) and adjusted the neck angle and truss rod. All things needed when not buying from a music shop. Probably best to have a professional adjustment, but I wanted to learn myself. The neck was twisted but with a few small turns of the truss rod and all is good. I love the sound of this banjo. It has a loud, pleasant plunky tone. It has a high gloss finish on a lovely maple. The armrest is engraved with a floral pattern and the gold tone logo. There is also a 5 year warranty you can sign up for on gold tones website. I now wish the irish bouzouki I bought had been a Gold tone. This is the 19 fret tenor CGDA tuning. 4/5 mtbanjo - See all my reviews Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?) This review is from: Gold Tone CC-Tenor Cripple Creek Tenor Banjo (Four String, Maple) (Electronics) The banjo arrived double boxed and well packed. It appeared to have new strings (not typical chinese junk). I did have to tighten the head, replaced the bridge (it had sagged after being in storage I assume) and adjusted the neck angle and truss rod. All things needed when not buying from a music shop. Probably best to have a professional adjustment, but I wanted to learn myself. The neck was twisted but with a few small turns of the truss rod and all is good. I love the sound of this banjo. It has a loud, pleasant plunky tone. It has a high gloss finish on a lovely maple. The armrest is engraved with a floral pattern and the gold tone logo. There is also a 5 year warranty you can sign up for on gold tones website. I now wish the irish bouzouki I bought had been a Gold tone. This is the 19 fret tenor CGDA tuning. Help other customers find the most helpful reviews  Was this review helpful to you? , February 25, 2012

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  List Price: $610.00
  Price: $457.50
  You Save: $152.50 (25%)

  Two-Way Adjustable Truss Rod

  Beautiful Satin Finish

  Double Coordinator Rods

  Covered Geared Tuners

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  TENOR BANJO ~ SETS & TUNES by Johannes de Wal

  eBooks (Johannes de wal)
  

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  Mel Bay presents Ragtime Banjo For Tenor or Plectrum Banjo (Archive Edition)

  Book (Mel Bay Publications, Inc.)
  

  Rating (1 reviews):

  (3.0/5)

  

  Mel Bay, hidden treasure

  Not too easy finding music for the plectrum (4 string) banjo. I was looking for ragtime plectrum banjo music, and here it was. The four numbers by Scott Joplin are worth the book price. It also includes a dozen or so more by lesser sources. A great find. By the way, its all in standard musical notation, so not for the rank beginner. 3/5 Alan Pounsett "Ontario Al" (Trenton, ON Canada) - See all my reviews, March 3, 2010

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  List Price: $7.99
  

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  Trinity River Tenor Banjo w/ Custom Gig Bag

  Musical Instruments (Trinity River)
  List Price: $399.99
  Price: $215.00
  You Save: $184.99 (46%)

  Custom Fit Gig Bag, 18 brackets.

  Remo head, 19 frets.

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