A recent release from Homespun Video, Jens Kruger’s Banjo Method For Beginners, subtitled An Easy and Joyful Way to Start Picking, is available on DVD for all regions.

Kruger is a Swiss banjo virtuoso who has gained a considerable amount of popularity in recent years performing as part of the Kruger Brothers, the rest of which accompany Jens on this DVD. The band will be performing with Doc Watson in just a few days at the Help for Haiti benefit concert in Wilkesboro, NC. Check their tour schedule for more info.

The DVD is 90 minutes of instruction aimed at beginners to the instrument.

Here’s the product description from Homespun’s website.

Banjo virtuoso Jens Kruger has devised a uniquely satisfying way for beginners to get started on this great American instrument. His is a completely different approach to learning to play the banjo: it’s liberating, inspiring and will allow anyone to make music in minutes. Even if you already play the banjo there will be revelations here for you.

Jens’ approach is based on playing a simple melody line surrounded by open drone notes. You only have to play one string at a time, finding the tune by ear as you slide up and down the fingerboard. By combining this with a simple forward roll, your songs sound full and deceptively complex.

This easy but highly musical lesson will teach anyone to play the melodies to songs such as Will the Circle Be Unbroken, Aunt Rhody, Grandfather’s Clock, Wildwood Flower, Old Folks at Home, Shady Grove and other favorites in the three-finger banjo style.

Rhythmic backup by the Kruger Brothers Band adds a rich and cohesive sound and enables you to play along with Jens for productive practice sessions.

The DVD is available from Amazon.com, Amazon.co.uk, and directly from Homespun. Homespun offers the project on both DVD and as a direct download.