Available Fall, 2012.

Bluegrass Jamming on Banjo will be Wayne's next instruction book and the third in a 4-part series of fun books that will teach the tools, tricks and tunes to jam in bluegrass style. It will cover: 31 bluegrass jam standards, how to jam with others, how to improvise and make up your own tasteful licks and fills, almost painless music theory, how to play harmony, how to transpose and play in different keys, and pretty much everything you'll need to march fearlessly into your next jam or picking session! This FUN book will be fully illustrated with almost 200 vintage photos. All the books in the series will teach the same 31 tunes and will be 96 pages, 9" x 12" and will include an audio instructional CD. Price: $22.95 (a steal!)  Please send Wayne your email address and he will notify you when this book becomes available. banjo[at]nativeground.com.

You WILL learn how to play and jam on: All the Good Times Are Past & Gone, Back Up and Push, Black-Eyed Susie, Cherokee Shuffle, Columbus Stockade, Colleen Malone, Dark Hollow, Deep Elem Blues, East Virginia, Footprints in the Snow, Katie Dear, Hand Me Down My Walking Cane, High on a Mountain, I Am a Pilgrim, I've Just Seen the Rock of Ages, John Henry, Just Over in the Gloryland, Little Birdie, Lonesome Road Blues, Love of the Mountains, Mama Don't Allow, Man of Constant Sorrow, More Pretty Girls Than One, Pig in a Pen, Pretty Polly, Red Rocking Chair, Rocky Road Blues, Roll on Buddy, Run and Hide, Sittin' on Top of the World, Working on a Building.

Watch for Bluegrass Jamming on Guitar - Spring, 2013. Please email Wayne to be notified when this book is available at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

by Wayne Erbsen

JUST ARRIVED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Book with Instructional CD $22.95 

Bluegrass Jamming on Fiddle is Wayne's newest instruction book and the second in a 4-part series of fun books that will teach the tools, tricks and tunes to jam in bluegrass style. It covers: 31 bluegrass jam standards, how to jam with others, how to improvise and make up your own tasteful licks and fills, almost painless music theory, how to play harmony, how to transpose and play in different keys, and pretty much everything you'll need to march fearlessly into your next jam or picking session! This FUN book is fully illustrated with almost 200 vintage photos. Coming soon: Bluegrass Jamming on Banjo (available Fall, 2012) and Bluegrass Jamming on Guitar (available Spring, 2013). All the books in the series will teach the same 31 tunes and will be 96 pages, 9" x 12" and will include an audio instructional CD. Price: $22.95 (a steal!)

Peek Inside Bluegrass Jamming on Fiddle!

You WILL learn how to play and jam on: All the Good Times Are Past & Gone, Back Up and Push, Black-Eyed Susie, Cherokee Shuffle, Columbus Stockade, Colleen Malone, Dark Hollow, Deep Elem Blues, East Virginia, Footprints in the Snow, Katie Dear, Hand Me Down My Walking Cane, High on a Mountain, I Am a Pilgrim, I've Just Seen the Rock of Ages, John Henry, Just Over in the Gloryland, Little Birdie, Lonesome Road Blues, Love of the Mountains, Mama Don't Allow, Man of Constant Sorrow, More Pretty Girls Than One, Pig in a Pen, Pretty Polly, Red Rocking Chair, Rocky Road Blues, Roll on Buddy, Run and Hide, Sittin' on Top of the World, Working on a Building.

Customer Reviews: "Fiddle players will want to take a look at this book. Erbsen does a terrific job of presenting learning material in clear, practical, and entertaining ways. No matter how experienced you are, chances are Erbsen will help you become better than you already are." The Blabber, Inland Northwest Bluegrass Association.

Watch for Bluegrass Jamming on Banjo - Winter, 2012 and Bluegrass Jamming on Guitar - Spring, 2013. Please email Wayne to be notified when these books are available at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

by Wayne Erbsen

NEW!!!

Book with Instructional CD $22.95 

Bluegrass Jamming on Mandolin  is the first of a new series of easy and fun books by Wayne Erbsen that teaches 31 bluegrass jam standards. It covers: how to jam with others, how to improvise and make up your own tasteful licks and fills, almost painless music theory, how to play harmony, how to transpose and play in different keys, and pretty much everything you'll need to march fearlessly into your next jam or picking session! This FUN book is fully illustrated with almost 200 vintage photos. Coming soon: Bluegrass Jamming on Banjo (available Winter, 2012). All the books in the series teach the same 31 tunes, 96 pages, 9" x 12" and include an audio instructional CD. Price: $22.95 (a steal!)

Peek Inside Bluegrass Jamming on Mandolin!

You WILL learn how to play and jam on: All the Good Times Are Past & Gone, Back Up and Push, Black-Eyed Susie, Cherokee Shuffle, Columbus Stockade, Colleen Malone, Dark Hollow, Deep Elem Blues, East Virginia, Footprints in the Snow, Katie Dear, Hand Me Down My Walking Cane, High on a Mountain, I Am a Pilgrim, I've Just Seen the Rock of Ages, John Henry, Just Over in the Gloryland, Little Birdie, Lonesome Road Blues, Love of the Mountains, Mama Don't Allow, Man of Constant Sorrow, More Pretty Girls Than One, Pig in a Pen, Pretty Polly, Red Rocking Chair, Rocky Road Blues, Roll on Buddy, Run and Hide, Sittin' on Top of the World, Working on a Building.

Customer Reviews: "Mandolin players will want to take a look at this book. Erbsen does a terrific job of presenting learning material in clear, practical, and entertaining ways. No matter how experienced you are, chances are Erbsen will help you become better than you already are." The Blabber, Inland Northwest Bluegrass Association.

Watch for Bluegrass Jamming on Banjo Fall, 2012! Please email Wayne to be notified when these books are available at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

by Wayne Erbsen

Book with Instructional CD $19.95  

Wayne's friendly and FUN approach to learning to play the mandolin has taught thousands of total beginners to play bluegrass music. Join the club! In this, his 26th book, Wayne cuts through the clutter and confusion of learning to play with his SIMPLE approach to playing the melody on the mandolin. He leads the beginner down the path of being able to IMPROVISE by adding simple rhythms to easy bluegrass mandolin songs. With Wayne’s help, you’ll soon be jamming up a storm. Guaranteed! Includes instructional CD, plus complete lyrics to all 28 songs. 9"x 12", 80 pages. This book is guaranteed to help the beginner learn to play the mandolin. (How many books come with a personal guarantee by the author?) Don't yet have an instrument? Let Wayne help you pick out the perfect mandolin for you. Contact him at banjo[at]nativeground.com

Peek Inside Bluegrass Mandolin for the Complete Ignoramus!

by Wayne Erbsen        NEW!!!    

Book with Instructional CD $19.95

This FUN instruction book will get you playing forty old-time and bluegrass guitar tunes in no time flat! Wayne's many years of teaching guitar are evident on each page of this book. The instruction audio CD is complete with a whopping 91 tracks and the complete lyrics to all forty songs found in the book. 9"x 12", 80 pages. This book is guaranteed to help the beginning and intermediate guitarist. (How many books come with a personal guarantee by the author?)

Peek Inside Flatpicking Guitar for the Complete Ignoramus!

by Wayne Erbsen
Book with Instructional CD $19.95

We're proud to say this is the #1 selling fiddle book in America!

If you are a total beginner,  here is the perfect book to learn how to play old-time fiddle. Absolutely no previous experience needed! Wayne's friendly writing style takes you through every step of adjusting, tuning, holding and yes, playing your fiddle. Appalachian, old-time, bluegrass and folk tunes are written out in Wayne's easy and unique tab system for those who don't read music, and in standard musical notation for those who do. Learning old-time fiddle has never been easier or more fun. Anyone can do it. Includes instructional audio CD, plus complete lyrics to all 37 tunes. 9" x 12",  80 pages. This book is guaranteed to help you learn to play old-time fiddle. (How many books come with a personal guarantee by the author?)  Don't yet have an instrument? Let Wayne help you pick out the perfect fiddle and bow for you. Contact him at banjo[at]nativeground.com

Peek Inside Old-Time Fiddle for the Complete Ignoramus!

by Wayne Erbsen

Book with Instructional CD $19.95

At Last! A bluegrass banjo book for the true and absolute beginner that won't confuse the heck out of you!!! This FUN book is guaranteed to help you learn to play bluegrass banjo. (How many books come with a personal guarantee by the author?) Includes instructional audio CD with an 99 tracks! 9" x 12", 64 pages. Don't yet have an instrument? Let Wayne help you pick out the perfect banjo for you. Contact him at banjo[at]nativeground.com 

Peek Inside Bluegrass Banjo for the Complete Ignoramus!

Here, in a nutshell, is the essence of this book: Virtually ALL other beginning banjo books on the market today first teach you several complicated rolls or fingerpicking patterns and then ask you to memorize their note-for-note arrangements of tunes. With this approach, it's difficult for the struggling beginner to distinguish the melody from the other notes, and what's worse, it's next to impossible to improvise, or make up your own arrangments to songs. For most beginners, this system does NOT work.

by Wayne Erbsen

Book with Instructional CD $19.95

Finally, clawhammer banjo instruction that is for 100% beginners! Wayne has taught people how to play the banjo for so long (41 years!) that its been said that he can even teach a frog to play!  The friendly instructions are clear, simple, easy to understand and humorous. What more could you want? This book is guaranteed to help you learn to play clawhammer banjo. (How many books come with a personal guarantee by the author?) 64 pages, 9" x 12", includes instructional CD with 85 selections!

Don't yet have a banjo? Let Wayne help you pick out the perfect banjo for you. Contact him at banjo[at]nativeground.com

Peek Inside Clawhammer Banjo for the Complete Ignoramus!

by Wayne Erbsen

Book with Instructional CD $14.95 

Painless Mandolin Melodies (book)There's NEVER been a simpler mandolin method. Great for the TOTAL beginner. This book will get you to "first base" on the mandolin. Includes: Tuning Hints, Selecting and Holding a Pick, The Cure for Sore Fingers, How to Read Mandolin Tab, Fighting The Fear of Scales and More. Comes Complete with an Instructional CD.

This book is guaranteed to get you started to learn to play the mandolin. (How many books come with a personal guarantee by the author?)

Peek Inside Painless Mandolin Melodies!

by Wayne Erbsen

Book with Instructional CD $18.95

Starting Bluegrass Banjo From Scratch (book)This is a great intermediate banjo instruction book written in a friendly style. Originally published in 1974, this book has taught thousands to play bluegrass banjo. The book includes a history of the banjo, vintage photographs, many valuable tips. 80 pp. Instructional CD included.

You WILL learn to play: Skip to My Lou, Bury Me Beneath the Willow, Walking Cane, Ground Hog, Jesse James, Cripple Creek, Bile Em Cabbage Down, Cumberland Gap, Sourwood Mountain, When You And I Were Young Maggie, What a Friend We Have in Jesus, Grandfather’s Clock, Pretty Polly, Little Maggie, Old Joe Clark, Lonesome Road Blues, Down in the Valley, Down in the Willow Garden, Wildwood Flower, John Hardy, Devil’s Dream, Banks of the Ohio. 

"Wayne. I learned to play the banjo from you book "Starting Bluegrass Banjo From Scratch" ten years ago. And now I use your book to teach others. I just wanted to say thanks, thanks a lot." Dave Cannon

"I love this book. It was and is the best instruction book I have run across. Thanks for writing such an informative learning aid."

"I had tried several other books but yours was the one that really got me started on the right track. Thanks!" Rodney Thompson

"Great photos, very readable tabs and a friendly and fun approach to learning. A good bridge to the next level." Peggy Zeigler, banjo teacher

"An awesome book." Brian Bruggeman"

"Your book was my guidebook for learning to play banjo. Thank you for such informative information." M. Hill

by Wayne Erbsen

This handsome five-part series is based on Wayne Erbsen's recording, "Southern Mountain Classics." Each book has song histories, vintage photos, plus beginning, intermediate and advanced arrangements of the 16 tunes found on the recording. To get the most out of any of the Southern Mountain books, we strongly recommending getting the "Southern Mountain Classics" recording.

by Wayne Erbsen

Clawhammer banjo instruction for beginning & intermediate players. This book has beginning, intermediate and advanced arrangements for the 16 tunes found on the recording "Southern Mountain Classics." A great package!

Book $15.95

Southern Mountain Classics CD $14.95

by Wayne Erbsen

Old-time fiddle instruction for beginning, intermediate and advanced players. This book has beginning through advanced arrangements of the 16 tunes found on the recording "Southern Mountain Classics." Uses standard musical notation. A great package!

Book $12.95 

Southern Mountain Classics CD $14.95

You WILL learn to play:  Arkansas Traveler, Chicken Reel, Cluck Old Hen, Fishers’ Hornpipe, Hogeye, John Henry, Leather Britches, Little Rosewood Casket, Mississippi Sawyer, Old Spinning Wheel, Red Rocking Chair, Shady Grove, Soldier’s Joy, State of Arkansas, Uncle Joe, When You and I Were Young, Maggie.

by Wayne Erbsen

Old-time guitar instruction for beginning & intermediate players. This book has beginning, intermediate and advanced arrangements for the 16 tunes found on the recording "Southern Mountain Classics." Uses standard musical notation AND tab. A great package!

Book $17.95

Southern Mountain Classics CD $14.95

You WILL learn to play: Arkansas Traveler, Chicken Reel, Cluck Old Hen, Fishers’ Hornpipe, Hogeye, John Henry, Leather Britches, Little Rosewood Casket, Mississippi Sawyer, Old Spinning Wheel, Red Rocking Chair, Shady Grove, Soldier’s Joy, State of Arkansas, Uncle Joe, When You and I Were Young, Maggie.

by Wayne Erbsen

Old-time mandolin instruction for beginning,  intermediate and advanced players. This book has beginning through advanced arrangements of the 16 tunes found on the recording "Southern Mountain Classics." Uses standard musical notation AND tab. A great package!

Book $19.95

Southern Mountain Classics CD $14.95

You will learn to play: Arkansas Traveler, Chicken Reel, Cluck Old Hen, Fishers’ Hornpipe, Hogeye, John Henry, Leather Britches, Little Rosewood Casket, Mississippi Sawyer, Old Spinning Wheel, Red Rocking Chair, Shady Grove, Soldier’s Joy, State of Arkansas, Uncle Joe, When You and I Were Young, Maggie.

by Wayne Erbsen

Old-time dulcimer instruction for beginning & intermediate players. This book has beginning, intermediate and advanced arrangements for the 16 tunes found on the recording "Southern Mountain Classics." Uses standard musical notation AND tab. A great package!

Book $17.95 

Southern Mountain Classics CD $14.95

Includes: Arkansas Traveler, Chicken Reel, Cluck Old Hen, Fishers’ Hornpipe, Hogeye, John Henry, Leather Britches, Little Rosewood Casket, Mississippi Sawyer, Old Spinning Wheel, Red Rocking Chair, Shady Grove, Soldier’s Joy, State of Arkansas, Uncle Joe, When You and I Were Young, Maggie.

by Wayne Erbsen Back in Print for a Limited Time!

Book with Instructional CD $14.95

Book with Instructional Cassette  $9.95

"I wrote and published this book in 1985, and over the years it got several thousand pickers happily pickin' the banjo. I let this book go out of print when I published my book Bluegrass Banjo For the Complete Ignoramus! I recently realized that Bluegrass Banjo Simplified! could still be of benefit to struggling banjo players. So for a limited time, I'm making this book available again at a reduced price.