BanjosUSA : Alison Brown and Helpful Links for Those Who Enjoy or Play the Banjo!

Alison Brown began playing the banjo before she reached her teenager years and quickly became an internationally renowned banjo player. In 1991, the International Bluegrass Music Association named her Banjo Player of the Year. In addition, she is both a band leader and composer. Among others, she has played and toured with Alison Krauss and Union Station, The Stringbenders, and Northern Lights. Three of Alison Brown's most popular and best selling recordings include the very hard to find "Simple Pleasures" (produced in 1990), "Fair Weather" (produced in 2000), and "Stolen Moments" (produced in 2005). Also of special note, Alison has recorded "Alison Brown Quartet (Replay)" with Compass Records (2002) and "Alison Brown (Vanguard Visionaries)" with Vanguard Records (2007). You can listen to Alison Brown play part of "Simple Pleasures" online. You might also enjoy visiting her website at AlisonBrown.net. Learn about these masters of the 5-String banjo John Hickman. . . or Tony Trischka. . .

Services

Though I have not personally used some of these services, they have been recommended by people I respect.

Angie's Banjo
Byron's Double Stop Fiddle Shop
Fitch Banjos
Recording King
DrBanjo.com
Deering Banjos
Sullivan Banjo
Gold Tone
Bluegrass Unlimited
International Bluegrass Music Association
Bluegrass Lyrics
Bluegrass Works

A Sullivan Banjo is pictured above left.

Bluegrass Banjo for the Complete Ignoramus by Wayne Erbsen (Paperback Book & CD set) I found this a very simple and helpful beginner book. It is the one I found the most helpful and enjoyable for "self-teaching," before I found a teacher. Buy Now!
Mel Bay You Can Teach Yourself Banjo by Janet Davis (Paperback). A DVD is also available for this book, and it makes a nice companion book to the Erbsen book above. I enjoyed using it too, and still refer to it and the DVD from time to time! Buy Now!

Banjos for Sale

Banjos for the beginner and the professional can be found for sale at Byron's Double Stop Fiddle Shop. They can be professionally set up to meet your needs and produce the best sound possible. Currently, they have these models in stock:

Gibson TB3 1925
Goldtone Electric: manolin banjo
Kristufek / Krishot
RB3 Gibson
Ridge "Classic"
Ridge "Select"
Goldtone OB250
Goldstar Saga

A video short video demonstrates the quality and value of some of these banjos.

Special Books for Advanced Banjo Enthusiasts and Musicians

Masters of the Five String Banjo by Tony Trischka and Pete Wernick includes more than 400 pages of interviews, tunes, photos and analysis, covering every conceivable aspect of the three-finger style. This book focuses on eighteen banjoists who have made significant contributions to their field, including the legendary Earl Scruggs.

Melodic Banjo by Tony Trischka.
A complete instruction guide to "Keith style" banjo technique. Over 30 tunes and songs by Bill Keith, Eric Weissberg, Alan Munde, Bobby Thompson, Vic Jordan, and others. With interviews and personal descriptions of their playing styles. Trischka gives an in depth view of the melodic/chromatic technique.

Thank You for Visiting!