The session book features 26 of the finest Scruggs-style banjo instrumentals ever played. This 147 page book/52 track CD package features full arrangements, played by real musicians. These are not your typical, generic MIDI, BIAB backing tracks.

The accompanying CD includes two versions of each song in the book. One with banjo to demonstrate the tab and one without the banjo so you can play-along with the band.

The tab includes a minimum of three solos per song  complete with intros and endings. The chords for the entire arrangement are shown in an easy to follow format that minimizes page flipping so the rest of the jam session can follow along as well.

These are complete, performance ready, arrangements based on classic recordings. The backing tracks range in speeds between 80-120 bpm so you can work on your timing confidently without struggling to keep up. As you get more comfortable with the songs you can use your playback software, such as Quicktime, to speed up the tracks to your desired tempo.

if you’re new to the banjo then you can grow into this book or if you’ve been playing for a while then this is perfect for building up your repertoire.

Songs included: Blackjack, Bugle Call Rag, Clinch Mountain Backstep, Cripple Creek, Cumberland Gap, Dear Old Dixie, Earl’s Breakdown, Farewell Blues, Fireball Mail, Five Speed, Flint Hill Special, Foggy Mountain Breakdown, Foggy Mountain Chimes, Foggy Mountain Special, Ground Speed, Home Sweet Home, John Hardy, John Henry, Lonesome Road Blues, Pike County Breakdown, Randy Lynn Rag, Reuben, Sally Ann, Sally Goodin, Shuckin’ The Corn, Train 45.

Book with CD

Price: $45
+1st Class shipping ($10-US/Canada – $20-International)

In Stock

Shipping – US/Canada $55.00 USD Shipping – International $65.00 USD

Details:
Book: 147 page 5-string banjo tablature book with chord chart. High quality 8.5″ x 11″ spiral bound. (Book is not available as a digital download)

CD: 52 Tracks Total (26 with banjo/26 without banjo). Three hours of music. High quality MP3 – 44.1 kHz/320 kbps. CD will play in all computers and CD players capable of playing MP3.

Shipping: 1st Class Mail.

Personnel:
Sean Ray – Banjo, Guitar, Bass
Brian Ray – Mandolin
Paul Kienitz – Violin

Special thanks to Brian Ray and Paul Kienitz for their invaluable contributions to this project. For more information about their various other musical endeavors here are a couple of links:
Bluegrass Boys Reunion
The Briar Pickers

Samples:

This is my arrangement of the classic Jerry Reed tune based off the original soundtrack recording from the movie Smokey and the Bandit that featured Bobby Thompson on banjo.

Like the original this arrangement features two banjos in harmony but it can just as easily be played as a solo piece. On the slow section the two banjos are hard panned left and right so you can use your balance control to isolate one banjo or the other. The lead banjo is in the left channel and the harmony is in the right. Both banjos are in standard G tuning.

Here is Earl’s Breakdown at a modest speed so it’s easily digestible. A good performance tempo would be between 130-140 bpm.

Beaumont Rag, what is there to say? It’s a timeless classic from deep in the heart of Texas. A consummate standard played by Doc, Clarence & Tony to name a few.

My arrangement is played out of the C position capoed at the 2nd fret for the key of D. The crosspicking sections can be played with the DDU pattern but I generally incorporate alternate picking.