Master the Banjo with Grammy-Winning Virtuoso Alison Brown
Elevate your banjo playing skills, whether you're a beginner, intermediate, or advanced player
Master techniques in 3-finger/Scruggs, melodic, & single-string styles
Expand your repertoire with classic biuegrass & traditional tunes
Learn to solo using critical improvisation methods
Deepen your understanding of music theory & banjo mechanics
On Banjo: Learn more about Alison's course
Elevate your banjo playing skills, whether you're a beginner, intermediate, or advanced player
Master techniques in 3-finger/Scruggs, melodic, & single-string styles
Expand your repertoire with classic biuegrass & traditional tunes
Learn to solo using critical improvisation methods
Deepen your understanding of music theory & banjo mechanics
Select a Plan:
BONUS: Save 50% on your 12-month course subscription, plus get 90 days of All Access at TrueFire for FREE with code "BF2024"!
What's In This Plan?
Unlimited Access to Lessons
Unlimited Access to Video Exchange Library
Unlimited Video Submissions to Teacher
Music Theory Workshop
Backing Tracks across Instruments
VIP Bonus Content
100s of banjo lessons at your own pace
All levels and styles of playing welcome
Slow Motion & Looping on videos
Unlimited Access to Lessons
Unlimited Access to Video Exchange Library
Up to 5 Video Submissions to Teacher
Music Theory Workshop
100s of banjo lessons at your own pace
All levels and styles of playing welcome
Slow Motion & Looping on videos
Unlimited Access to Lessons
Unlimited Access to Video Exchange Library
1 Video Submission to Teacher
Music Theory Workshop
100s of banjo lessons at your own pace
All levels and styles of playing welcome
Slow Motion & Looping on videos
Experience the Power of Video Exchange Learning®
Video Exchange Explained: how you'll connect with Alison
Get personalized video feedback directly from Alison
Watch and learn from Alison's interactions with other students
The most supportive way to master banjo online
Alison's Online Banjo Course: A Complete Toolkit for Players of All Levels
9 sections covering introductory methods to advanced techniques and tunes
150+ multi-angle video lessons for optimal learning and fretboard understanding
100+ professionally recorded play-along backing tracks
Tablature, notation and supplemental materials included
About Alison Brown
Grammy-winning banjoist known for blending bluegrass drive with jazz harmonies
12 acclaimed solo albums and multiple Grammy nominations
Co-founder of renowned root music label Compass Records Group
Recipient of USA Artists Fellowship and IBMA Distinguished Achievement Award
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Here's What Our Students Are Saying
“I've just begun, but so far the feedback is excellent, and the lessons are very well thought out and paced. Alison Brown is not only a highly accomplished musician but a really fine teacher. A hard combination to beat!”
— DALE L.
“Alison is an excellent teacher. Very inspiring and encouraging. She makes it feel like she's right there in the room with you every step of the way.”
— BYRON H.
“I feel so lucky to be learning from such an amazing, accomplished teacher. The platform is the best too, with the ability to slow the video down and keep the same sound plus the video exchange, what could be better?! Highly recommended.”
— LANCE D.
“Alison is truly a great artist, but, more importantly, she can relate to a beginner—from tuning the instrument to basic chords. All too often, instructors demonstrate what the song should sound like and don’t explain how to get there. But, Alison has made a real difference in my banjo learning.”
— RONALD G.
“I signed up for three months and now am going back to add on another year! The lessons are user-friendly and Alison’s feedback on my video submissions has greatly raised the level of my playing. I enjoy the flexibility of this course and all the resources within the class that support my learning.”
— KATHY J.
Banjo Lessons
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Section 1
How to Tune
Left Hand Position
Right Hand Position
Nuts & Bolts / Intro to the Capo
Basics of Reading Tablature
The G Major Scale
First Chords: G & D7 Chords
Adding the C Shape
Miscellaneous Topics - Video Exchange Category
3 Chord Songs to Strum
Section 1 - Checkpoint 1
Starting to Pick - The Alternating Roll
Alternating Roll Etude
"Worried Man Blues" Version 1 - Using the Alternating Roll
"Buffalo Gals" Version 1 - Using the Alternating Roll & Plucks
2 Building Blocks: Slides & Hammer-Ons
Slide & Hammer-On Etude
"Good Night Ladies" - Key of G
"This Land is Your Land" - Version 1 - Key of G
"They Can't Take it Away" - Key of G
Harmonics
"Grandfather's Clock" - Key of G - Using Harmonics
Learning the Fingerboard Through Chord Shapes
Simple Chord Melodies - "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star"
Simple Chord Melodies - "Amazing Grace"
Simple Chord Melodies - "Oh Susanna"
Section 1 - Checkpoint 2
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Section 2
Changing Strings
Introduction to Finger & Thumb Picks
Building Blocks of Scruggs Style - Introduction
The Forward Roll
The Forward Roll with Hammer-Ons
Forward Roll Etude
"Boil Them Cabbage Down" Using Forward Rolls with a Potato
"Goodnight Ladies" Using Forward Rolls
The Forward Backward Roll
Miscellaneous Topics - Video Exchange Category
Forward Backward Roll Etude
Incorporating More Slides
Section 2 - Checkpoint 1
"Cripple Creek" - Key of G
A Deeper Look at Hammer-Ons
Pull-Offs
Scruggs Lick
Tags
The Kitchen Sink Etude
Section 2 - Checkpoint 2
"Worried Man Blues" Version 2 - Key of G
"This Land is Your Land" Version 2 - Key of G
"Cumberland Gap" - Key of G
"Train 45" - Key of B, Capo 4
"Buffalo Gals" Version 2 - Key of G
"Cluck Old Hen" - Key of G
The Mental Game of Banjo
Dynamics
Adding the 2 and 6 Chord in the Key of G
The 1-6-2-5 Progression - Etude
"Salty Dog Blues" - Key of G
Minor Chords
The 1-6m-2m-5 Progression - Etude
"Jingle Bells" Chord Melody
Section 2 - Checkpoint 3
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Section 3
Moving Beyond the Key of G - Playing in the Key of C
1-4-5 Etude in the Key of C
Adding the 2 and 6 Chord in the Key of C
"Country Rag" - Key of C
"Home Sweet Home" - Key of C (Drop C on 4th String)
Playing in the Key of D
"Bye Bye Blues" - Key of D
Kickoffs - Key of G
Miscellaneous Topics - Video Exchange Category
Kickoffs - Key of C
Kickoffs - Key of D
Section 3 - Checkpoint
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Section 4
Listen & Chart Pattern A: "Will the Circle be Unbroken" - Key of G
Listen & Chart Pattern B: "Bury Me Beneath the Willow" - Key of C
Listen & Chart Pattern C: "New River Train" - Key of A
Learn the Tab: "Will the Circle be Unbroken" - Key of G - Pattern A
Learn the Tab: "Bury Me Beneath the Willow" - Key of C - Pattern B
Learn the Tab: "New River Train" - Key of A - Pattern C
Learn the Tab: "I'll Fly Away" - Key of G - Pattern A
Learn the Tab: "Bury Me Beneath the Willow" - Key of G - Pattern B
Learn the Tab: "Roll in My Sweet Baby's Arms" - Key of G - Pattern C
Miscellaneous Topics - Video Exchange Category
Learn the Tab: "Roll in My Sweet Baby's Arms" - Key of D - Pattern C
Learn the Tab: "Dark Hollow" - Key of G - Pattern D
Learn the Tab: "Girl from Tennessee" - Key of G - Pattern E
Useful Phrases - Opening Bars
Useful Phrases - Ending Bars
Getting the Most Out of Potatoes, Hillbillies & Trains
Roadmapping a Good Solo
Section 4 - Checkpoint
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Section 5
Playing Up the Neck - Introduction
Chord Shapes Between the 5th and 12th Fret
"Cumberland Gap" - Key of G - Up the Neck
"Sally Goodin"- Key of G - Up the Neck
Useful Up the Neck Licks
Scruggsy Up the Neck Etude
"Salty Dog Blues" - Key of G - Up the Neck Solo
"Lonesome Road Blues" - Key of G - Up the Neck
Miscellaneous Topics - Video Exchange Category
"Sally Ann" - Key of G - Up the Neck
"Leather Britches" - Key of G - Up the Neck
"Roll in My Sweet Baby's Arms" - Key of G - Up the Neck Solo
Section 5 - Checkpoint
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Section 6
Playing Backup - Introduction
Playing Backup - Backing Up a Vocalist
Playing Backup - Backing Up a Mandolin Solo
Playing Backup - Backing Up a Guitar Solo
Playing Backup - Backing Up a Bass Solo
Playing Backup - Backing Up a Fiddle
Playing Backup in the Key of D
Playing Backup in the Key of C
Section 6 - Checkpoint
Miscellaneous Topics - Video Exchange Category
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Section 7
Melodic Style Banjo - Introduction
The G Scale - Melodic Style
"Oh Susanna" - Key of G - Melodic Style
"Sailor's Hornpipe" - Key of G - Melodic Style
"Sally Johnson" - Key of G - Melodic Style
"Temperance Reel" - Key of G - Melodic Style
"Turkey in the Straw" - Key of G - Melodic Style
Section 7 - Checkpoint
Miscellaneous Topics - Video Exchange Category
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Section 8
Single String Banjo Style - Introduction
Single String Technique
Single String Etudes
"Turkey in the Straw" - Key of G - Single String
"Bye Bye Blues" - Key of D - Single String
Single String Triplets - Introduction
Single String Triplets - Etude
"Moving Cloud" - Key of G - Melodic & Single String
Miscellaneous Topics - Video Exchange Category
"My Love is in America" - Key of D - Single String
"O'Carolan's Concerto" - Key of D - Melodic & Single String
