Banjo Aerobics – 50-Week Workout Program for Developing, Improving and Maintaining Banjo Technique | Exercise Book with Online Audio | Build Speed, Dexterity and Accuracy | Practice Resource for All

I am a beginner and have been playing for 7 months. I was using Wayne Erbsen's book, "Bluegrass Banjo For The Complete Ignoramus". After I finished it, I felt like there was something else missing, so I bought his followup book, "Bluegrass Jamming". It helped some, but I felt like I needed to add more speed, learn new techniques, add more rolls and learn some warm up exercises. I found all of that in this book, Banjo Aerobics. Almost everyday, I begin practicing by using the steps recommended in this book. I learn a new lesson once a week. I skip certain lessons that don't interest me like clawhammer techniques and rolls that can be used for pop music and waltzes. I am learning new rolls, playing "up the neck" and I am slowly increasing my speed. This book isn't for advanced students, IMO. I first spend 30-45 minutes on the Aerobics book, then take a break, then spend 30-45 minutes playing songs and incorporating rolls and new techniques into the songs. I now call Banjo Aerobics, the "Missing Link". Thanks Michael for writing this book-it is deeply appreciated!!

The concept for this book is pretty good, but it is really just a compilation of lots of techniques found in other books. It's probably a good resource for a beginner or someone switching from one style (e.g. bluegrass 3 finger picking to clawhammer). It may also be a good tool for musicians in need of some structure to make the most of their practice sessions. For me, after about 20 weeks, I found I was only using about a third of the material and most of it I'd already learned from other sources.

Not exactly what I thought it would be… very disjointed rather than cleanly organized. Not much of the book links or builds up with exercises. I have the Ukulele Aerobics version from this set and its extremely well organized and builds up slowly over time. Each week is broken down into different exercises that link to the last week and keep advancing. This book on the other hand just jumps around and well over half of it is of no use to the average banjo player. There are hundreds of other banjo books to work from - try Keys to the Five String Banjo or School of Banjo - both are better organized and progressive with their exercises. Would have been far more useful if it had focus as other versions in this series do.

I bought it to begin my banjo program. However, if you are a beginner, I would wait before buying this. This book is more for the intermediate and advanced players. I will keep the book, but would have waited if I had known it was a more advanced book.

book useful and interesting.IMPORTANT: from the study of classical guitar, the technical studies give excellent results if done EVERY day, ALWAYS, and for at least THIRTY MINUTES every time. You'll understand the benefit only after about a year of constant study. Max

enjoy how the book is laid out

I bought 3 beginner books 5 months ago. I cannot get into this one at all.

some good info

The book is very structured and would be the basis of practice sessions when used with s book with complementing information.The biggest and most irritating aspect is the in ability to down load the audio media that goes with the book. I created an account so I had a library. Then I tried to add the media using the code provided in the book; press enter page refreshes but no media!!! This is the same in internet explorer, chrome, Mozilla on PC and Safari on MacBook Pro so it’s not my end that has the issue.

Great way to progress as a beginner but one exercise per week taking up to a year seems incredibly slow.

Although the cover picture might suggest the book is for Clawhammer banjo players only, in fact it covers all the common styles of banjo playing. Anyone with basic skills in any one style will find material here to start learning from immediately, and plenty more to grow on learning skills for other styles. The book's stated prerequisites are 1) ability to tune your banjo; 2) a handful of basic chords G, C, D, D7th, A, F, Am, Bm, etc.; 3) ability to play a little in any one style; (Bluegrass, Folk, Old-time Clawhammer, Classic; or Strumming); 3) ability to play the chords to a song or two; 4) how to read tablature, even if it's very slowly. It's stated aims are improved speed, clarity, musicality, and flexibility as well as discovering new styles of music.I am just getting started, but expect this will become a well used old favorite.

Great practice book that keeps you learning! I highly recommend this one as it goes in depth and teaches you the right way, and steers you away from practicing your mistakes.

alles ok - gerne wieder - Alles hat prima funktioniert! schnell und problemlos- - - - - - -