Bluegrass Standard Book
"Bluegrass Standard Book" compiled by Yoshihiro Arita, released on December 16, 2025
The contemporary Americana/bluegrass scene is revitalized by the success of artists such as the Punch Brothers, as well as Grammy-winning artists Molly Tuttle and Billy Strings. Bluegrass, a form of traditional American music, has many session standards, just like jazz. However, the only comprehensive collections of these songs are found in foreign books, and it is true that many of these songs are unfamiliar in Japan.
Which song should I start learning? Or which is the one I absolutely must remember! Yoshihiro Arita, who spent years studying and playing in the American bluegrass scene, has compiled this collection of exquisite lead sheets. The 56 songs feature melodies carefully crafted to be usable in sessions even with non-bluegrass instruments.
From the Editors: The primary purpose of this book is to help you learn the melodies and structures that form the themes of classic bluegrass songs. Without starting from there, you won't fully appreciate the joy of learning intro or ending licks or solo phrases, no matter how many times you memorize them. The melodies that various musicians have conveyed through their fingers and ears over decades of session work, without the use of sheet music, are actually endlessly varied. Longtime bluegrass fans enjoy these details, but today, many who have become interested in bluegrass may not know where to start looking for clues.
This book was compiled by author Yoshihiro Arita with the hope that by transcribing the classic tunes and songs he has learned from all sorts of places over the course of 50 years, he can give everyone a simulated experience of discovering the essence of a melody.
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Bibliographic Information
"Bluegrass Standard Book"
by Yoshihiro Arita
Release Date: December 16, 2025
Price: 3,300yen (3,000yen + 10% tax)
Publisher: Rittor Music
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2021.8.2. FRETLAND 1st Album - Voyage -
Natsuki Kido (Guitar)
Yoshihiro Arita (Guitar, Banjo)
Shunji Takenaka (Guitar)
FRETLAND
2016.9.26. Jon and Hiro with Brent - Swinging Guitar Party -
photograph by Sayo Shindo.
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2015.03.20. David Nichtern and Yoshihiro Arita
2014.10.18. Yoshihiro Arita Presents "Acousticology" at YAMAHA Ginza Studio
guest performer : Jon Sholle
Acoustic Guitar trio
Yoshihiro Arita with Natsuki Kido, Shunji Takenaka.
"Gypsy Jazz Style Guitar" (score book)
It functions primary as the complete supplement for the instruction video "Gypsy Style Guitar " but plus a lot more, including Django's biography and selected discography (in Japanese language only).
The main body of this book is a collection of Django solo transcriptions (with tabs).
The songs includes "Minor Swing" from 3 different time period (1937, 1947 and 1949) ,"Djangology", "Django's Tiger" and 6 other titles.
The book comes with a CD that has practicing rhythm tracks of 3 Django tunes and collections of Django licks. 72pages. \3000
CD"FINGERSTEPS"
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Courage Cards & Gifts --- Courage Cards & Gifts is dedicated to promoting and supporting the work of artists with disabilities. Yoshihiro Arita plays electric banjo on the tune, "Audomeli(In the key of L)" along with his fellow musicians, basist Chiris Silverstein and drummer Cozy Miura. The tune reflects the influences of bluegrass, blues and touch of Asia. "With contributions from the Phil Aaron Trio, Laura Caviani, and the Bobby Peterson Trio, musician Dan Moffatt collaborated with his son Patrick and other Courage Center children to create this unique jazz compilation. It contains original music composed by the children and recorded by some of the finest musicians on the national scene. Hear jazz greats Bill Carrothers, Avishai Cohen, Jay Epstein, Yoshihiro Arita and Gordy Johnson bring this music to life inspiring courage, hope, and more than a little finger-snapping. " |
Gypsy Guitar Style Instruction Video
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"Gypsy Style Guitar" Study of Django Reinhardt Style (video) Arita demonstrates basic techniques for Gypsy jazz style of guitar playing, for both of rhythm and lead solo. It includes the analysis of Django's solo from 1937 version of "Minor Swing", 16 examples of Django licks and 3 tunes of HOT CLUB style live demo performances. Includes booklet with tab. It's in Japanese language only. 60min. \5200
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Banjo Instruction Video
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The video "Bluegrass Banjo no Tatsujin --treasure of banjo method--", instructed by Yoshihiro Arita, has been released from ritto-music. The demo performances include straight bluegrass, J.S.Bach piece, and contemporary arrangement of "Old Joe Clark". |
CD "Banjo Influences"
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"Banjo Influences" has been released from XIII Bis Records in France. The CD includes 17 banjo players from 10 different countries. You will enjoy various styles of banjo music such as Irish, Jazz, Classical, etc. Arita plays his original tune titled "Samois" that is a musical tribute to the gypsy jazz legend, Django Reinhardt.
Arita plays with Toshihiro NAKANISHI(violin and pianica), Chris SILVERSTEIN(bass) and Koji "Cozy" MIURA(drums). The recording was engineered by Hirofumi TOKUTAKE. |
other banjo players
| GUY DONIS and JACQUES STOTZEM | (Belgium) | "Theme for Two" |
| LEON HUNT | (U.K) | "Morning Would" |
| PHILIPPE BOURGEOIS | (France) | "Punkey Red Mulet" |
| JEAN-MARIE REDON | (France) | "Primo" |
| TONY TRISCHKA | (U.S.A) | "Limpopo" |
| .....and more..... |