The How and the Tao of Old Time Banjo Paperback – September 10, 2003

Ever helpful and always cheerful, Patrick Costello gives sound instruction from a true teacher's heart. I picked up a banjo a few years ago on a whim and fell totally in love with bluegrass music... Until I heard the blues played in the "old time"Clawhammer style. My search for instruction brought me to Mr Costello and ultimately to this book.I have spent time and wasted money on several other books that just led me through repetitive, stale tabs which only helped me to sound like the author. This method is much looser and leaves room for the reader to become unique in their expression.The instruction launches into several basic items that leave you feeling accomplished in a very short time. I look forward to continuing to develop as a player and appreciate this valuable resource that is quite enjoyable where so many others left me dry and uninterested.

The wife is using to learn frailing banjo that I gave her for Christmas. She play's several string instruments but needs specifics on banjo. Very satisfied.

It is my understanding that this book was based on material developed to teach banjo to kids in an afterschool program. Presented in a very easy to understand , step by step format. All you need to do is put in the hours of practice and eventually it helps to find others to play with. Includes lots of easy, practical suggestions. Basic music theory included in a very understandable way. As an adult with limited musical ability and background, I found it really useful and easy to follow, especially when combined with the author's easy to find youtube videos.

I am learning clawhammer banjo in my 60's. Have had lessons and read many books, but this book has some great hints I didn't find anywhere else (such as how to play in the key of D while in open G tuning, and his concise explanation of various modes). It's written with a very encouraging yet humorous tone. I've watched many videos by the author, Patrick Costello, and have enjoyed him immensely while learning so much!!

The most important information gained from this book for me was the author Patrick emphasizing the importance of letting down your "walls of doubt" and getting out to perform for others, no matter your level of playing and singing ability. From each performance, your confidence increases so that you become more relaxed and able to perform well.This knowledge gained from Patrick's encouragement is priceless. He reminds us that we make music to have fun without passing judgement.

I bought this to try to teach myself claw hammer. It was okay . . . a little too slow moving perhaps, and I don't care about all the Tao stuff. I have read and enjoyed the Tao te Ching, but I try to keep it Taoism and Banjo separate.I found Mike Seeger's(rest in peace) DVDs much more helpful.Southern Banjo Styles Volumes 1, 2, & 3 are great. The tunes and the wide variety of techniques are more interesting than what's contained in The How and the Tao of Old Time Banjo, in my opinion. Seeger's DVDs come with tabs (which I found unnecessary) and a well-selected list of "essential" old time banjo albums.The How and Tao isn't bad at all, but I think Seeger's DVDs are a better alternative.

Fantastic book from a fantastic teacher. Love the book and Patrick's youtube videos and website daily frail. I'm not very good at starting something from start to finish, but Patrick's passion has kept me passionate about learning to play and making music more a part of my life - which I think is the point of Patrick's philosophy/spirituality: allowing the Tao of Old Time Banjo, or any musical instrument - including your voice, to guide you throughout your life. Thank you Patrick for being one of the great teachers and in the process of your teaching, making all of us future teachers too.

This is where I got my start on Frailing/Clawhammer banjo. Patrick weaves great stories into the teaching throughout the book and has a bunch at the end that I recommend reading. His soul is easy to connect to (check out his YouTube videos to get to know him). While I've since found a few other instructors/websites I use more regularly such as Mike Iverson's free tabs & Brainjo's tabs/YouTube videos, I have fond memories of learning the "bum-ditty" strum from Patrick.