New Fingerstyle DVD - Backup Banjo Vol 4
available now!

• Using 7ths to connect chords
• Locating minor chords the way the pros do it
• Add6 chords made easy
• Over-fretting the 5th string
• Logical theory become creative banjo to suit a variety of moods and styles

New items added to the Shop

Two banjos - a White Swallow Deluxe and a Curly Maple Bluegrass Banjo have been added to the Shop. Click here for more details.

New item added to the Shop

A vintage original from the people who make the modern 'Gold Star' banjo.

Click here for more details.

Greg Deering Australian visit

We have received this information from Ryan Kerr, Manager, Musicians Pro Shop, 59 Barry Pde, Fortitude Valley, Ph: (07) 3831 5898

I would like to inform you of the Greg Deering Australian Banjo Tour, and in particular, it's QLD leg. Greg (of Deering Banjo fame) will be presenting a 2 hour informational seminar on all things banjo at our music store in Fortitude Valley on Friday, October 24th. He will cover hot topics including banjo repair, setups and maintainence as well as plenty of time for discussion and Q & A.

Click on these links for further information:

Australian Tour Flyer (pdf file)

Zenith Music Tour Flyer (pdf file)

Greg Deering Tour Press Release (doc file)

GOLD TONE OB250 ORANGE BLOSSOM FLAT TOP & CASE - NEW - Reduced to clear

...Click here for more photos and details

Plus black hard shell case, stencilled “Gold Tone” with grey interior.  Was $2350 - Reduced to clear $1900 Your saving $450 - 1 only

New items added to the Shop

Two banjos - an Ome Juggernaut and a Huber Lancaster and a guitar - a Maton BG808 - have been added to the Shop. Click here for more details.

The Hopkins Woodie Banjo is now here!

For those who have got past the 'heavy is better' theory,
this little banjo is an absolute delight! I say 'little' because although its dimensions are standard, it weighs less than most bluegrass banjos of this quality and price. (Air travellers take note!)

For more details and to listen to a soundbyte of this exceptional banjo, click here.

Store News

Coming soon to the Banjo Store!

Of interest to those who don’t agree that ’heavier is better’ is the recently released D.P Hopkins Walnut Woodie, using a block construction rim and integrated wooden tone ring crafted by Tony Pass. See article below for more information on Hopkins Banjos.

Also check out 2 recent additions to the store - a White Swallow Old Timey and a Eucalypt Open Back - "Falling Leaves".

A festival date coming up -

Folk Redlands September Sept 5th 6th 7th. For more information see the Redlands Festival or Folk Redlands

Videos now available of the Fingerstyle Jam held 2nd August 2008

Fingerstyle jams and workshops are always fun. Click here to see the vids of the jam.

New soundbytes

Hear a couple of prestige banjos now available on the Banjo Store, recorded using Shure SM58.  See Deering John Hartford (2 soundbytes) and Kel Kroydon (1 soundbyte)

Australian Banjo Camp 5th - 7th December 2008

The inaugural Australian Banjo Camp will take place from December 5th – 7th 2008 at the beautiful Tranquil Park Resort just outside of Maleny in the magnificent Sunshine Coast Hinterland only 45 minutes north of Brisbane.

The very special guest and principle instructor this year is Ross Nickerson of BanjoTeacher.com fame.

Click here for more details.

Bluegrass Jam - Sat 2nd August

1.00pm - 4.00pm to be held in the Brass Band Hall, Daniel St, (off Arundel Ave) Nambour.  Plenty of parking, entry, $5.00. Singers and Bluegrass and old time instruments only please - for more info phone Wendy 07 5476 1955.

New Banjos added to the Store!

Deering John Hartford - Pre-Loved Approx 5 years old Gloss-finish Curly Maple neck and highly figured maple resonator.

Also a Washburn B16 - Pre-Loved 5 years old in new Hard Case. Good condition.  A popular intermediate-level bluegrass model with retrofitted (improved) 18 hole bell brass tone ring and one-piece flange.

Next Workshop - Beginners

Saturday 26th July, 1:00 to 3:30 pm. For more info phone Wendy on 07 5476 1955 or .

Banjo Makers of Excellence - a series of 3 of the best from around the World

The second in the series profiles Czech Luthier, Jaroslav Prucha.

Two great shows coming up ... one in Maleny, one Pomona

Don't miss Linsey Pollak's fantastic new solo show 'Cycology' (The wonders of Bicycle Music) at the Maleny Community Centre on Friday July 25th. It's a bargain at only $10 entry + $5 for kids. Under 4 FREE!

See attached flyer for more. Bookings strongly advised 5494 3755.

Update from Polish Picker Peter Slapa (see here for further information)

Peter has just recorded videos on his new Maton Artist purchased from Fingerstyle Productions and shipped to Poland. See Peter's videos here.

Peter also adds "Cheers from Poland and thank you for my great inspiration (Maton)".

Brisbane Guitar & Amp Expo 2008

Attendance was approx 8000 people over the weekend of 31 May and 1st June. Great atmosphere, some terrific craftsmanship on display and regular concerts held upstairs in the Brisbane Town Hall. Put it in your diary - well worth a visit!

Banjo Makers of Excellence - a series of 3 of the best from around the World

The first in the series profiles Australian Luthier, Laurie Grundy.

Wendy's Profile.

Due to popular demand, we have now included Wendy's profile on the website. Read this interesting profile here.

Imbil 2008 dates

Please note Imbil 2008 is from the 31st October to 2nd November. We had the incorrect dates on our Calendar.

“Young Musos Off to China!”

Students and friends of Fingerstyle held a bluegrass bash to support this event.  Pickers came from as far north as Childers, and as far south as Ipswich.  One guy raced across town in his lunch hour.  We asked Angus if he would be taking his own banjo but he said no, they make banjos in China.

Watch this space - coming soon photos and MP3's of the Bluegrass Bash!

Angus Takahashi

New Banjos added to the Store!

A special White Swallow - Black Beauty Old Timey. This Old Timey banjo has the Fingerstyle frailing scoop and is crafted with a Rosewood fingerboard and a Beech neck.

Also a Kel Kroydon made by The American Made Banjo Company.
Top quality replica of the much sought-after "blue, red and black on yellow pearloid" prewar banjo.

News Flash! Amendment to Workshop

Bluegrass Jam - Big Benefit Bash!  Sat 17th May
1.00pm - 4.00pm to be held in the Brass Band Hall, Daniel St, (off Arundel Ave) Nambour.  Plenty of parking, entry, $5.00 - all proceeds to go to the Sunshine Coast Music Students Exchange Visit to China in June this year.  Even if you can't play yet, come and cheer us on and help with the choruses!   (more info, 07) 5476 1955, Wendy)

Fingerstyle Workshop, Sat 26 April - What the Bits Do.(see Workshops Calendar for start times)

This workshop begins with a banjo in bits. Parts are identified and their function discussed as we replace a worn head then tension/tune it. We'll disclose tips the professionals use for cleaning and maintenance and how various bridge and tailpiece combinations can bring out the best sound in your banjo. We finish with a jam session so bring your banjo.
Includes a delicious afternoon tea. Register by ASAP as numbers are limited.

Starting Banjo - New series of articles where to start with banjo. "If three people ask you the same question, you’d best formulate a public reply.”I’ve forgotten who the famous person was who said that but in this case, the question being asked is “I love the sound of banjo, I don’t have a banjo yet – where do I start?” Article 2 now available here

The first Nobby Village Music Festival (on the Darling Downs halfway between Toowoomba and Warwick.) Queen's Birthday w/end 7-9 June.
5 venues in the township for sessions, blackboard concerts, a dance, & busking etc for a great relaxed weekend of music and free camping.
See Aussie Events for more information.

Wendy Holman designs new frailing scoop

WHITE SWALLOW OLD TIMEY - Fingerstyle model
Two experts have worked together to produce this delightful and unique banjo!
Wendy Holman has designed a sensuous new shape! The Fingerstyle 'Lazy S' frailing scoop retains fretmetal at the 1st and 2nd strings (where we need those high notes) but curves away at the bass allowing greater freedom for the frailing thumb. Click here for the Banjo Store.

MAY 31/JUNE 1 GUITAR EXPO, BRISBANE The Brisbane Guitar Amp & Vintage Show 2008 at Brisbane City Hall. Fingerstyle booth will display top shelf banjos from the Fingerstyle collection. DVDs available. Saturday and Sunday from 9.00am.

New Fingerstyle Release - Quick Start Rhythm Guitar
available now! 

Country, Bluegrass and Folk— learn how to achieve solid rhythm in your picking and strumming. Discover ways to connect chords with licks and adapt these techniques to any folk or country songs. Speed your strumming progress into confident, professional-sounding rhythm guitar!

New Fingerstyle DVD - Backup Banjo Vol 4
available soon!

• Using 7ths to connect chords
• Locating minor chords the way the pros do it
• Add6 chords made easy
• Over-fretting the 5th string
• Logical theory become creative banjo to suit a variety of moods and styles

Polish Picker Chose Australian

Peter Slapa bought the Maton EBG808 Custom Artist through Fingerstyle and is delighted.

"I've been playing guitar for 8 years, but it all began in May 2005, when I first heard great Tommy Emmanuel. I used to play electric, but now I play only acoustic mostly fingerstyle. I'm a guitar teacher, I write guitar lessons to Polish guitar magazine "Gitarzysta" http://www.magazyngitarzysta.pl/ and I play gigs - solo or with vocalist. It's really hard to make money in Poland by playing music and do it for a living. I also study social psychology, but I want to stay with music - what can I say... l love it! I have a CD but it's unofficial, only for my promotion, not for sale. I love blues, country, jazz, rock music and I know some Australian guitarist like Kieran Murphy, Bruce Mathiske, Michael Fix - they are great! By the way, I played my first gig on new Maton on sunday. This guitar is a real treasure, it sounds better than all Matons I have played on!

Hear a variety of Peter's fantastic guitar picking on his myspace site...

Great Book for Jam Sessions

MIKE COMPTON Direct from the USA. Mandolin player from “O Brother Where Art Thou?” and “Cold Mountain”. Concert and mandolin workshop. Workshop 10 am -12.30pm Concert 2-4pm. Workshop and Concert $50 Concert only $20. Volunteer Marine Rescue Centre Southport Spit, just past Seaworld.

See www.coastacoustics.com.au for more details.

See also Mike's official website.