Banjo Resources

There is a wealth of information available to the beginning banjo player. Here are some resources that I have found to be useful.

Online

Banjo Hangout
Discussion, Tabs, Lessons, Links, Players, Reviews and Events.

alt.banjo
The alt.banjo news group is moderately active and worth subscribing to.

Frets.com
If you play a stringed instrument, you'll find tons of useful goodies here. Info on restringing, maintaining and playing most stringed instruments.

Hatfield Music.com
Tabs, accessories, DVDs and tons more goodies.

Chord Utility for Stringed Instruments
Explore the world of chords on various stringed instruments with this interactive chord toy.

ABC Resources
ABC is a music format that uses only letters numbers and some punctuation making it easy to read and easy to share via e-mail.

Music Theory
A good, concise intro to music theory.

Janet Davis Music
Janet Davis Music.com sells all things banjo: instruments, parts, accessories, books, etc. Janet Davis is also the author of the bible of back-up banjo, entitled "Back-up Banjo" published by Mel Bay books.

Deering Banjos
Info about Deering's line of fine banjos, price list, dealer locator, etc.

Periodicals

Banjo Newsletter
BNL is a monthly magazine dedicated to the 5-string banjo. Each issue is packed full of useful material for the novice and expert. Plenty of tabs, articles, music reviews and interviews. Highly recommended.

In Minnesota

Homestead Picking Parlor
Impressive selection of music CDs, accessories and instruments for sale. Experienced instrument repair, qualified instruction and friendly, helpful staff. Live jam sessions held in back.

6625 Penn Ave So. Richfield, MN 55423-2027
(612) 861-3308

Dulono's Pizza
607 W Lake St Mpls
Live bluegrass music, good food ... but no website. Event schedule for Dulono's can be found on the Twin Cities Acoustic Music Calendar website.

Minnesota Bluegrass and Old Time Music Association
MBOTMA sponsors a number of events each year including the Minnesota Bluegrass & Old Time Music Festival at El Rancho Manana in Richmond, MN. A list of local bands is maintained on this site as well as an event calendar.

Bluegrass Saturday Morning
KBEM 88.5 FM airs Bluegrass Saturday Morning from 7:00 AM 'til noon every Saturday, hosted by Phil Nusbaum and sponsored by My Favorite Guitars in Excelsior, MN.