An important anthology of Irish and Celtic solos for the 5-string banjo
featuring a comprehensive, scholarly treatise on the history,
techniques, and etiquette of playing the banjo in the Celtic tradition.
Includes segments on tuning, pick preferences, and tablature reading
followed by 101 jigs, slides, polkas, slip jigs, reels, hornpipes,
strathspeys, O'Carolan tunes, plus a special section of North American
Celtic tunes. A generous collection of photos of Irish folk musicians,
street scenes, and archaeological sites further enhances this fabulous
book. All of the solos included here are written in 5-string banjo
tablature only with a few tunes set in unusual banjo tunings. The
appendices provide a sizable glossary and a wealth of information
regarding soloists and groups playing Celtic music, Irish festivals,
music publications, on-line computer resources, cultural organizations,
and more. If you are serious about playing Celtic music on the 5-string
banjo, or if you don't play the banjo but simply want to expand your
knowledge of the Celtic music tradition-you owe yourself this book. The
first-ever CD collection of Irish and Celtic music for 5-string banjo
provides 68 lovely melodies and demonstrates revolutionary techniques
for playing highly ornamented tunes and rolling back-up. Recorded in
stereo with virtuosos Gabriel Donohue (steel- and nylon-string guitar
and piano) and Robbie Walsh (bodhran- frame drum played with a stick),
the five-string banjo is out front and plays through each melody in
real-life tempo with authentic Celtic chordal and rhythmic backing. The
recording features the music of all Six Celtic Nations and includes
jigs, reels, hornpipes, slides, polkas, marches, country dances,
larides, andros, slipjigs, strathspeys, airs and O'Carolan tunes. 35
songs in the book are not on
