Picking at Peaceful Bend II by Scott Nygaard, Jack Lawrence & Robert Bowlin. For Guitar (Flatpicking). Concert/Documentary. Fingerstyle Gtr Mag.. Bluegrass. DVD. Published by Flatpicking Guitar Magazine (MB.FGM2530). In this concert performance DVD, filmed at the Peaceful Bend Americana Music Festival in Steelville, MO, Flatpicking Guitar Magazine and SimpleFolk Productions present three of the country's most highly respected acoustic guitar players performing a very special evening of music. Jack Lawrence (Doc Watson's long-time musical partner) is joined here by flatpicking veterans Scott Nygaard and Robert Bowlin. In this concert these three masters of the acoustic guitar perform as a trio, in different duo configurations, and solo. Plus singer/songwriter Wil Maring joins them as a special guest. Guitar players will appreciate the left and right hand close-ups that are prevalent throughout this DVD. 14 tunes are presented plus special bonus footage featuring young stars Josh Williams and Tyler Grant.

Parking Lot Picker's Songbook - Bass Edition by Dix Bruce. For Electric Bass Guitar. Songbook. Parking Lot Pickers. Bluegrass. Multiple Levels. Book & 2-CD Set. 312 pages. Published by Mel Bay Publications, Inc (MB.21929BCD). ISBN 9780786682591. Bluegrass. 8.75" x 11.75" inches. A collection of over 200 great Bluegrass, Old Time, Country and Gospel standards. Learn to play songs written and recorded by the giants of traditional American music: Bill Monroe, The Stanley Brothers, Flatt & Scruggs, Ralph Stanley, The Osborne Brothers, Jimmy Martin, Doc Watson, and many more! Melodies are presented with a BASS LINE, lyrics and chords. The two CDs include recordings of EVERY song in the book! Also included: Valuable information on how to play bass plus step-by- step instruction on how to transpose any song to any key! We now have versions of The Parking Lot Picker's Songbook for every instrument in a typical bluegrass band --- guitar, mandolin, banjo, fiddle, dobro, and bass --- so every member, no matter what instrument they play, can work from the same collection of songs!

Tony Rice - The Video Collection. For Guitar (Flatpicking). Concert/Documentary. Vestapol. Bluegrass & Country. DVD. Duration 62 minutes. Published by Grossman's Guitar Workshop (MB.13058DVD). Tony Rice has practiced his flatpicked art to great acclaim in both traditional bluegrass and innovative acoustic circle. The bluegrass sound is practically mother's milk to Tony. His father was a "serious amateur on mandolin and guitar" and Tony cannot even recall a time when he didn't know how to play. This DVD presents Tony in three different settings recorded at the 1992 Merle Watson Festival playing a wide variety of music all stamped with his personal style and sound. Tony once remarked in a Country Guitar interview, "Others have said about me from time to time that I have a unique tone and balance on the instrument. I just kind of play it the way I hear it." And play it he does in this exciting one-hour collection. Running time: 62 minutes.

Doc's Guitar Jam by Doc Watson. For Guitar (Flatpicking). Concert/Documentary. Vestapol. Bluegrass & Country. Intermediate. DVD. Duration 60 minutes. Published by Grossman's Guitar Workshop (MB.13055DVD). Recorded at the 1992 Merle Watson Festival in Wilkesboro, North Carolina, this incredible jam session brings together five masters of flatpicking guitar - Doc Watson, Tony Rice, Dan Crary, Jack Lawrence and Steve Kaufman. Together they harmonize, improvise and burn the classics and hot guitar instrumentals. Two bonus tracks are also included of Doc playing with his friends David Grisman, Bela Fleck, Mark O'Connor, Tim O'Brien, Roland White, Jerry Douglas, T. Michael Coleman and others. All in all, an amazing 60 minutes of great picking.

Herschel Sizemore. (In His Own Style). By Herschel Sizemore. For Mandolin. Methods. Acutab. Bluegrass. Intermediate. DVD. Duration 120 minutes. Published by Acutab Publications (MB.DHS1). Learn at the feet of a bluegrass legend! Bluegrass mandolin pioneer Herschel Sizemore demonstrates his unique style on 11 great mandolin tunes - five familiar fiddle tunes and six Sizemore originals. Alan Bibey is also featured, leading Herschel through a discussion and demonstration of the tunes and techniques. Tab/notation booklet included.

Power Pickin' Vol. 2: First Position Backup for Bluegrass Banjo by John Lawless. For Banjo (5-String). Rhythm/Backup. Acutab. Bluegrass. Beginning-Intermediate. DVD. Duration 120 minutes. Published by Acutab Publications (MB.DJL1). A step-by-step demonstration of the basic techniques and patterns used to play roll style bluegrass banjo backup in the open, or first position. Contains material of interest to both beginners and more experienced players alike. Starting with the most basic, first look at following a simple chord progression, AcuTab's John Lawless takes you through a detailed discussion and analysis of down the neck backup that encompasses most of the elements that define the bluegrass banjo style. After learning some simple accompaniment patterns, John shows you how to create an effective backup using the forward roll to get the bluegrass sound. An essential part of the presentation is the concept of the escape roll, which allows you to maintain a forward roll over more than a single measure, and then escaping that pattern to lead into a new roll or chord. Also covered: --Leading from one chord to the next --Fiddle tune backup (banjo/fiddle duets) --Filling the holes in vocal songs --Backup in keys other than G (C and D) --Using distinctive rolls and licks 2 hours. Tab booklet included.

Power Pickin' Vol. 1. (Up the Neck Backup for Bluegrass Banjo). By Bill Evans. For Banjo (5-String). Technic. Acutab. Bluegrass. Beginning-Intermediate. DVD. Duration 120 minutes. Published by Acutab Publications (MB.DBE1). A visual method for learning the basic techniques used to play bluegrass banjo accompaniment in up the neck positions. The material is presented in a step by step approach appropriate for all levels of pickers, and a tab booklet is included. Techniques covered include: --vamping - with variations--3/4 time backup--roll patterns based on chord forms --classic backup licks--2 finger backup for slower songs --bluesy backup styles One of the most challenging skills for any banjo player is being able to accompany other musicians in a jam session or band setting. Called backup, this art of accompanying singers and other instrumentalists requires the mastery of a set of traditional banjo techniques often involving distinctive sounds and licks found higher up the banjo neck. In this Power Pickin' video from AcuTab, Bill Evans takes you through a careful description and demonstration of many important backup techniques that you can incorporate into your picking right away. Each new technique is explained in detail, using a variety of camera angles and split screen formats to show you exactly how it's done. First off, Bill shows you how to use the vamping, or chopping technique. A number of right and left hand variations are demonstrated before moving into roll oriented backup. Bill describes the use of the forward roll in closed, up the neck positions as well as the popular two finger backup techniques, sometimes called "teardrop licks." A variety of right hand patterns are taught based on the different left hand chord forms and all examples are demonstrated both alone and in a band setting, using a standard bluegrass chord progression. Lastly, Bill teaches a number of popular backup licks that will appeal to more experienced pickers and shows how to work them into a song.

Steve Huber - Killer Tone Acutab by Steve Huber. For Banjo (5-String). Setup/Maintenance. Acutab. Bluegrass & Country. Beginning. DVD. Duration 80 minutes. Published by Acutab Publications (MB.DKT1). Steve Huber takes us through a detailed description of the parts of the banjo and how they affect tone, volume and playability. Steve also covers some of the most critical components of banjo set up: proper head tension, tap tuning the head, optimal tone ring/rim fit, adjusting the coordinator rods, choosing a bridge, adjusting tailpiece height, bridge placement and truss rod adjustments. After describing and demonstrating many of these variables, Steve completely disassembles and reassembles a banjo on screen as he shows you how to install a new tone ring. A section on tone production as it relates to right hand picking technique closes the presentation. With careful attention to this video and a bit of trial and error, you can get the best possible tone from your banjo-and learn a lot about the instrument in the process. The DVD version includes 20 minutes of bonus footage.

Masters of the 5-String Banjo by Tony Trischka & Pete Wernick. For Banjo (5-String). Transcribed Solos. Acutab. Bluegrass. Intermediate. Book. 414 pages. Published by Acutab Publications (MB.M5SB). ISBN 9780786659395. Bluegrass. 8.5" x 11" inches. Here is the most comprehensive banjo book ever written. Tony Trischka and Pete Wernick spent four years researching, organizing and fine tuning this project with staggering results: over 400 pages of interviews, tunes, photos and analysis, covering every conceivable aspect of the three-finger style. Players at every level will benefit immeasurably from the information gathered here. Though not an instruction book, per se, these pages contain a wealth of information and music. This book focuses on eighteen banjoists who have made significant contributions to their field, including the legendary Earl Scruggs. Each chapter contains a short biography, a lengthy interview, illustrative photos (detailing hand position, pick placement and banjo of choice), and a selection of their best-known tunes in tablature (with accompanying analyses).

Doc Watson - David Grisman in Concert. For Guitar (Flatpicking). Concert/Documentary. Vestapol. Bluegrass. DVD. Duration 70 minutes. Published by Grossman's Guitar Workshop (MB.13082DVD). Doc Watson and David Grisman have been friends since the 1960's when the then teenage Grisman was knocking out veteran performers at New York City folk clubs. For Doc, aside from the pleasures of picking with an old friend, the rewards of playing with David are simple: "He knows music...he knows what it's about." Coming from a master musician, that is the highest of praise. In this unique concert video, Doc and David along with Doc’s touring partner, guitarist Jack Lawrence, present their blend of country, jazz, bluegrass, old-time, and folk music. Running time: 70 minutes.