The How and the Tao of Old Time Banjo
There is a lot of "stuff" in this book.  The 5-string banjo is a great deal of fun to play and learn but please remember that the mastery of any instrument is a life long process.  Take your time and get the basics down solid.  Relax and enjoy the small successes that are the result of practice and hard work.  Trust me, there is no easy way.  You cannot substitute anything else for "time behind the pot."  Remember, the guy who practices the most gets the gigs.Patrick and I have had a lot of musical adventures.  I can remember us sitting in on jam sessions wondering how we would ever be able to play and sing "like that."  Well, we worked at it and now folks look at us and say the same thing.  The fun is not in the being there.  The fun is in the journey.  I would not trade the most embarrassing musical moment spent with my son for anything.  The memories are priceless and best of all they are mine.I know that our methods work.  All I have to do is watch our "students" play, teach and share music with other people.  They all started with the basic frailing strum, a desire to learn and a commitment to progress.  You can do it.  Keep an open mind.  Explore different ideas and sounds.  Play anywhere and everywhere that you can.  If you wait until you are "good enough" you never will be.The happiest people that I have met on the musical road are families.  Get your kids involved as soon as they show interest and you will have your own adventures to write about some day.Thank you son.  It has not always been easy but we sure had a wild old time.-Pat "Dear Old Dad" CostelloVice President of Pik-Ware Publishing