Country

DOWN HOME PICKING MB 96933BCD

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by Craig Dobbins

In his first book for Mel Bay Publications, Inc. veteran author/composer Craig Dobbins presents a dozen fingerpicking guitar solos in the classic Atkins- Travis style. These compositions are a labor of love and respect, as many were written as tributes to the author's fingerstyle guitar heroes: Chet Atkins, Marcel Dadi, Jerry Reed, Merle Travis, and Paul Yandell. As a few of these pieces are written in alternate guitar tunings, each piece is shown in both standard notation and tablature accompanied by chord diagrams and insightful performance notes. Intermediate level. 72 Pages.

Easiest Country Pedal Steel Guitar Book MB 95242

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By Dewitt Scott

This book will teach you all the basics of how to play the pedal steel guitar. Sections describe how to tune the pedal steel guitar, which picks to use, slides, explanations of signs and symbols, and the use of right/left hand positions. Musical examples are given throughout and a list of easy to intermediate practice songs is included. This book is written in E9 tuning and is presentes in notation and tablature.

FAMOUS COUNTRY GUITAR LINES - QWIK GUIDE SERIES BOOK/CD SET MB 98427BCD

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By Larry McCabe

If you have decided to hitch a ride on the country music train, this 5 1/2" by 8" QWIKGUIDE would by a great place to start your journey. After you learn the 50 lick in this book you'll by twanging away like a pro, and you'll be ready for your country gig. The first eight licks are fill-in licks, while the rest are typical country lead lines derived from the playing of famous country guitarists. Styles represented include flatpicking, "Nashville Sound", "Bakersfield Sound", "Western Swing" and others. All the licks in this book are written in C major, providing a consistent point of reference and making theoretical analysis and comparison of examples easier. Each example is written in notation and tablature exactly as it is recorded.

First Lessons Banjo

by Jack Hatfield

First Lessons on Banjo is an ultra-easy instruction manual for beginning five-string banjo played in the three finger style in G tuning. It can be used by those with no previous experience with the banjo or music of any sort. It is so basic it can be used even by small children. The book features very detailed descriptions of even the most basic aspects such as wearing the picks properly, the correct picking motion, and noting the strings properly. These are aspects that are so basic most manuals skip over them. There are many detailed photos, several from the player's point of view, not from in front of the banjo. First Lessons on Banjo covers the most basic rolls, the Alternating Thumb Roll and two Forward Rolls, plus the three basic chords plus the relative minor chord. All musical examples are presented in tablature, with the melody notes in boldface type so the student knows which notes to emphasize. All arrangements include lyrics, which is very important to the novice who is trying to train the ear to hear the melody among the fill notes. Several tips and suggestions about the proper mental approach are included that will lead to playing by ear and arranging at an earlier stage in the student's development. There are also suggestions about developing the proper mental approach and about speed reading of tablature. These suggestions are not found in any other banjo instruction book. The 'finale' arrangement is Cripple Creek, a popular banjo standard that when mastered, should give the novice a great sense of accomplishment. The accompanying recording includes all tabbed examples, with the rhythm instruments and lead banjo in separate channels. The songs are played at three tempos, the first tempo VERY slow, then a medium tempo version, and finally at performing speed with guitar, mandolin and bass accompaniment. The up- tempo accompanied versions are all together at the end of the recording so it the final tracks be used as a listening recording. This also allows the student to play along with all the more interesting arrangements in sequence without skipping around the recording.

Fun with the E-Z Chord Kit 94983PVX

E-Z Chord guitar attachment as advertised on The Nashville Network and other major networks. Now anyone can sound great on the guitar in a matter of minutes. This video teaches many songs, strumming techniques, and fun-to-play E-Z Chord tricks. Kit includes the E-Z Chord attachment, 60-minute video, audio cassette, and songbook.

Fun with the Tenor Banjo

by Melbay

A good beginner's text showing tuning, basic chords, and songs to sing and strum. Companion play-along CD is available. Standard banjo tuning. Tuned for Mandola.

Get Started on Guitar MB 99803DP

For each song you'll learn the chords, the melody, plus some of Chet's hottest licks. Tips on tuning, changing chords, fingerpicking, and much more are carefully explained. Includes a DVD.

GUIDE TO CAPO, TRANSPOSING, & THE NASHVILLE NUMBERING SYSTEM MB 98413

by Dix Bruce

This Mel Bay QWIKGUIDE begins with basic music theory about scales and keys and teaches how to transpose several songs with and without the capo. Then we look at chords in keys and explore some typical chord progressions by swapping numbers ("one, four, five") for the chord names ("D, G, A"). Finally we study the "Nashville Numbering System" in depth by examining different notation styles and converting several well-known songs to number charts. The more advanced number charts show detailed arrangements with modulations, intros, extros, a variety of chords, repeats, fermatas, strum patterns, beat accents, and much more. If you're interested in why the capo works as it does; if you're a songwriter or gigging musician who needs to know how to read, write, and understand "Nashville Number charts," this book is for you!

The Guitar of Chet Atkins MB 96018DVD

This DVD offers you something unique and powerful--a guitar lesson taught by CGP (Certified Guitar Player) Chet Atkins. Addressing intermediate and advanced fingerstyle guitarists, Chet performs and describes in detail, phrase by phrase, the playing of nine of his classic arrangements. Split-screen techniques allow you to carefully study both his left and right hand movements. Your teacher for this lesson is one of the foremost fingerstyle guitar masters in the history of the guitar. Have fun! 84 minute DVD. A detailed tab/music instructional booklet is included as a PDF file on the DVD, or may be downloaded from guitarvideos.com.

The Guitar of Merle Travis MB GW918DVD

taught by Marcel Dadi

Merle Travis's playing combined blues, jazz, ragtime and country music into a unique style that defined "Country Fingerstyle Guitar." In this exciting dvd lesson, Marcel Dadi teaches seven of Merle's greatest instrumentals: Fuller's Blues, Cane Break Blues, Blue Bells, Saturday Night Shuffle, Memphis Blues, Cannon Ball Rag and Walkin' The Strings. All the tunes are transcribed in a 60 page tab/music booklet. As well, five rare performances from 1951 of Merle Travis playing Nine Pound Hammer, Lost John, John Henry, Mus'rat and Too Much Sugar For A Dime are included in the dvd.

GUITAR STYLES & TECHNIQUES OF JERRY REED DVD MB GW953DVD

taught by Buster B. Jones

Jerry Reed's playing style is a unique blend of syncopated rhythms, banjo-style rolls, and brilliant chord voicings that have brought a new dimension to fingerstyle guitar performance. Walking bass lines, chromatic runs, double-stops and contrapuntal melodies are seamlessly joined by Jerry's unique "claw" style right-hand technique. It is the mastery of these techniques that is the key to emulating Jerry's sound. In this video lesson Buster B. Jones teaches the essential elements of the Reed style, and don't doubt for a moment that he is up to the task! Jones delivers fabulous performances and teaches the fine points of: Reedology; The Claw; Jiffy Jam; Jerry's Breakdown; Down Home; Papa's Knee; and Lord Mr. Ford. Includes a free instructional booklet in notation and tablature.

Hot Licks, Rhythms and Grooves MB GW955DVD

taught by Buster B. Jones

Hot Licks, Rhythms and Grooves is a journey through 30 years of my musical life. I touch on many different styles and approaches to playing lead and rhythm guitar. My goal as a player is to expand these perimeters and express what I feel musically. My goal as a teacher is to present this in such a manner that you can absorb it, play it and then use the ideas and take them to new places. I hope you find this musical adventure to be as enjoyable for you to learn from as it was for me to make. Includes a 56-page tab/music booklet.

INTRODUCTION TO THUMBSTYLE GUITAR

Thumbstyle guitar is a term that describes the guitar playing style that grew up around 1920 in western Kentucky. It is identified with the music of its most well known creators, Mose Rager, Kennedy Jones and Merle Travis. It became the basis for later styles of country guitar, including those of Chet Atkins, Doc Watson and Jerry Reed. In this lesson Pat Kirtley teaches the basics of this style, and shows you how to play five repertoire-building tunes which will illustrate various aspects of the style. The tunes range from the basic and essential, I Am a Pilgrim, to a contemporary thumbstyle arrangement of the 1970 country hit, Ready for the Times to Get Better. Pat also shows you: the basic right-hand concepts of thumbpicking; how to use the thumbpick; right-hand palm muting using the left-hand thumb for holding chords; differences in the styles of Mose Rager, Merle Tracis and Chet Atkins; how to play up the neck chords in the style of Mose Rager; Chord form variations used by thumbstyle players. Includes a 24-page tab/music booklet.

LEARN TO PLAY COUNTRY FIDDLE MB 93418

by Frank Zucco

An excellent, concise method for fiddling. Appropriate for children, this text also will prepare the fiddler for transition into classics. Widely used by string teachers!

Legacy of Country Fingerstyle Guitar

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The legacy that Merle Travis, Chet Atkins and Jerry Reed have had on Country Fingerstyle Guitar has influenced generations of guitarists. They have left an impressive body of work encompassing various styles, techniques and arrangements. In this unique video lesson, Buster B. Jones presents tunes from the repertoires of all three of these giant musicians. Buster also explores the differences in how each of these giants might have approached arranging and playing a tune. A detailed 48 page tab/music booklet is included. DVD

Legends of Country Guitar MB 13070DVD

This compilation of concert performance footage features Chet Atkins, Mose Rager, and Doc Watson. The program includes: Mose Rager: "I Am a Pilgrim"; Chet Atkins: "The Entertainer," "Jerry's Breakdown," "Beatles Medley," "Black Mountain Rag," "This String," "Rainbows," "Kentucky," and "Until It's Time for You to Go"; Merle Travis: "Travis Medley," "Mutual Admiration," "Mus'rat," "Dapper Dan from Dixieland," and "Guitar Rag"; and Doc Watson: "Freight Train Boogie," "I Don't Love Nobody," "Windy and Warm," "Streamline Train," and "Travellin' Man."

MERLE TRAVIS GUITAR STYLE BOOK/CD SET MB 93344BCD

This is a thorough study into the renowned "Travis Picking Guitar Style" done by Merle's kinfolk, Tommy Flint. Included are vintage photos, interesting annotations and some great Travis guitar solos. If you want to learn to Travis pick, this book will take you there and then some! In notation and tablature.

MERLE TRAVIS RARE PERFORMANCES 1946-1981 Vol 1. - DVD MB 95243DVD

This DVD captures 35 years of rare film and television performances by one of the all-time great American musicians. The music and guitar playing of Merle Travis have been a seminal influence on the American music scene. There is not a fingerstyle guitarist whose playing has not been touched by Merle's style and technique. He wrote over 900 songs, and some, such as "Sixteen Tons" and "Dark as a Dungeon," are so familiar that today they are thought of as "folk songs". The booklet for the DVD can be accessed and downloaded from guitarvideos.com.

Nashville Picking 1: Guitar Solos of Merle Travis, Jerry Reed, and Chet Atkins MB GW933DVD

In this unique series of video lesson Marcel Dadi presents the guitar arrangements of Merle Travis, Jerry Reed and Chet Atkins. These three titans of the guitar have defined and established country fingerstyle guitar. Their influence on the music and players of Nashville and beyond over fifty years without bounds. Each has his own approach, sound and style.

Nashville Picking 2 MB GW934DVD

In this second video lesson dedicated to Nashville Picking, Marcel Dadi presents more guitar arrangements by Merle Travis, Jerry Reed and Chet Atkins. These three titans of the guitar have defined and established country fingerstyle guitar. Their influence on the music and players of Nashville and beyond over the last fifty years is with out bounds. Each has his own distinct approach, sound and style. "I try to play their music note-for-note", says Marcel. "They are so good-how could you do better? They are the best in their fields. If you play a tune by Chet Atkins, you should play it like Chet Atkins. The same for Merle and Jerry... If you want to teach this style of guitar playing you have to be as close as possible to what the original musician was playing." Windy and Warm, Drive In, Cheek to Cheek and Three Little Words by Chet Atkins along with Jerry Reed's Blue Finger and Rose Time by Merle Travis are presented. Booklet included.