MEL BAY
Taught by Jack Hatfield
Many musicians, including some that are technically quite
advanced, never break away from the printed page to learn by simply listening
and re-creating. The common name for this process is "playing by ear".
With some basic guidelines, any musician with rudimentary skills can teach himself
or herself to play by ear, adding a new dimension to their playing skills. This
book teaches the 5-string banjoist to listen and play solos and chord progressions
by ear, providing essential ear training and techniques needed to participate
in jam sessions of all types! Chapters include: Learning Chord Progressions by
Ear; Faking a Solo; Playing the Melody by Ear; and Using Licks. Written in tablature
only. The companion recording is in split-track format with the melody track
on the left and the rhythm on the right.
Jack Hatfield has been a professional instructor of banjo and a Banjo Newsletter
columnist for almost twenty-five years. He has taught thousands to play the banjo
via his instruction book series entitled Bluegrass Banjo Method. His "Scruggs
Corner" columns analyzed the work of Earl Scruggs, the "father of bluegrass
banjo." These transcriptions remain today the most complete and accurate
body of Scruggs' recordings ever published. Jack then wrote the "Beginner's
Corner" column in which he tutored novice banjoists. He is currently writing
a column called "Concepts and Systems," which explains the structure
of music as applied to the five-string banjo and reveals procedures and systems
of learning. Jack has also published a unique theory book for all musicians called
How to Play by Ear: A Guide to Chords and Progressions for Musicians, Songwriters,
and Composers. He has four Mel Bay publications to his credit as well.
Jack is a band leader and banjoist for the True Blue bluegrass band, which
works conventions and tourist attractions such as the Dollywood theme park and
the Dixie Stampede in his home town of Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. He has been a
finalist in the Tennessee State Banjo Championship, the Kentucky State Banjo
Championship, and the National Banjo Championship held in Winfield, Kansas. As
director of Banjo Newsletter Workshops, he travels across the U.S.A, teaching
and promoting banjo workshops featuring today's top recording artists and other
Banjo Newsletter columnists.