Showing results by author "Bill Brown" in All Categories

There are a lot of standard rock-a-billy and surf licks to learn in this song lesson. Learn both the rhythm and lead guitar parts to this level one classic without reading music or tab. Full demonstration and backing tracks - in three configurations - are included.

A lesson on the style of Black Sabbath from the Paranoid album. Learn both the rhythm and lead guitar parts to this classic heavy metal rock hit without using any music or tab. The entire lesson is taught “by ear”, and a full demonstration and backing tracks are included!

This is a treasure trove of the most-used blues licks! In this lesson you will first be given a full demonstration of the guitar part with backing tracks as a reference. Then you get a detailed “by ear” lesson on all of the licks and tips about guitar and amp settings. At the end of the lesson you get the tracks again but without the guitar on them for you to use as your own back-up band!

From Roy Acuff to Johnny Cash, and everyone in between, this song has become a standard “train song” in country and bluegrass. This first year piece is a good choice for those who have mastered the basics of banjo playing. The lesson starts with a full demonstration of the song at two different speeds followed by a step-by-step “by ear” lesson in two- to four-measure sections. Finally, you are given the back-up tracks at two different speeds for you to practice and perform with.

This first-year New Orleans classic is a great choice for banjo players who have mastered the basics of banjo playing. The lesson starts with a full demonstration of the song at two different speeds followed by a step-by-step “by ear” lesson in two- to four-measure sections. Finally, you are given the back-up tracks at two different speeds for you to practice and perform with.

Learn the Beverly Hillbillies theme song exactly the way that Earl Scruggs performed it without using music or tab. The lesson breaks down every phase describing fingering, strings, and techniques completely “by ear”. A full demonstration and backing tracks are included with this lesson.

This intermediate level arrangement takes you all the way up to the 17th fret with nice passage stops on frets seven through ten. The lesson starts with full demonstrations at two different speeds for you to listen and play along with. Then you have the detailed “by ear” lesson where you learn the song in two- to four-measure phases using no music or tab. Finally you will have backing tracks at two different speeds to practice with and to eventually perform with.

In this methodical and fun lesson, the student learns the most common rhythm patterns for the banjo and the tonal chords for the keys of C, G, D, A, E, and F. The student moves through several demonstration chord progressions adding to their knowledge and skill level as they progress. The course teaches, among other things, the one, four, and five chord; the six minor chord, the two chord, circle progressions, and the flattened seventh chord. A basic understanding of the banjo is recommended before attempting this lesson.

Because this arrangement is only a level one, you can start working on it as soon as you have the basics of playing the banjo down. In this lesson, you get a full demonstration of the song at two different speeds. Then, you get a detailed “by ear” lesson of the song in two- to four-measure sections using no music or tab. Once you have finished the lesson, there are backing tracks at two speeds for you to practice and perform with.

“Cumberland Gap” is a bluegrass standard and it is easy to learn “by ear” in this lesson. First, you will have a full demonstration of the arrangement with drums, bass, and guitar accompaniment. Then, after you are taught the lesson in small phases, you are given the backing tracks without the banjo on it for you to use for your own live performance!

In this Banjo by Ear lesson, you will learn a banjo solo version of “The Star Spangled Banner” completely “by ear”. The lesson starts with a full demonstration of the solo followed by a detailed “by ear” lesson of every note and phase.

This is a rather simple arrangement but gives you plenty of variations each time through the two sections. This makes it a great lesson for not only learning the song but in learning variations of a lot of standard banjo phasing including accompaniment. A full demonstration at two speeds is included as well as backing tracks at two speeds.

If you are just learning to play the banjo, then this standard is a good “next piece” for you. In this lesson you are given a full demonstration of the song at two different speeds followed by a detailed “by ear” lesson over every lick of the arrangement. At the end of the lesson there are backing tracks at two different speeds for you to practice and perform with.

In this lesson, the student learns not only the banjo accompaniment to this Mickey Spain/Makem Brothers hit but a specially created banjo solo by Bill Brown. The song is demonstrated in its entirety and then taught completely “by ear” using no music, tab, notation, or video. By learning the song in this “by ear” fashion the student will learn faster and will memorize as they go. Backing tracks are included to play along with.

This bluegrass favorite is easy to learn when it is taught “by ear”. In this lesson, you will have a full demonstration of the arrangement with drums, bass, and guitar accompaniment. Then, after you are taught the lesson in small phases, you are given the backing tracks without the banjo on it for you to use for your own live performance!

If you are just starting to play the banjo then this old hymn is a good piece to start working on. In this lesson you are given a full demonstration of the song at two different speeds followed by a detailed “by ear” lesson over every lick of the arrangement. At the end of the lesson there are backing tracks at two different speeds for you to practice and perform with.

This arrangement is loaded with not only a banjo solo of the song but sections where you play accompaniment. This gives you an opportunity to learn a useful rhythm pattern and a moveable chord shape to take you up and down the neck. It is a level two arrangement so it is suggested for second year banjo students. In this lesson, you are given a full demonstration of the song at two different speeds followed by a detailed “by ear” lesson over every lick of the arrangement. At the end of the lesson, there are backing tracks at two different speeds for you to practice and perform with.

It’s time to put the hammer down and learn this Smokey and the Bandit theme song! In this Banjo by Ear lesson you learn both the accompaniment and a banjo solo version of the song. This lesson includes a full demonstration of the song and backing tracks to perform with once you have learned this piece completely “by ear”!

This is another good first year piece for beginner banjo players. It has a good dose of the standard rolls but stays within the first four frets which makes it easy to learn. The lesson starts off with demonstration tracks at two different speeds for you to listen to and practice along with. Next, you get the detailed “by ear” lesson that works you through the song without music or tab! Finally, there are backing tracks at two speeds for you to practice with and eventually perform with.

This lesson starts with a full demonstration of the banjo arrangement with backing tracks. After that, you will learn the accompaniment and solo of this Christmas standard completely “by ear”. Backing tracks are included at the end of the lesson for your own live performance. This solo is rated at a late beginner level.