Reddit reviews Hot Licks for Bluegrass Banjo

Either transpose the songs to keys you are comfortable with or use a capo. Most 'pop' song follow the I IV V (sometimes with a minor chord) format, which is not too far off bluegrass.

Trying to take the banjo outside the typical structure of bluegrass could turn into a life long pursuit as you develop techniques and styles to allow you to play with more freedom, and not be confined to the open tuned glory of traditional bluegrass banjo. Obviously, Bela is the trailblazer in this endeavor. Get some tab by him and clear your schedule. Learn melodic style and single string licks. Tony Trischka's Hot Licks book has great wisdom.

Start with playing reggae songs in a bluegrass style. Should be real easy since both reggae and bluegrass have the upbeat rhythmic emphasis on the 2 and 4, and the chord progressions won't be anything too radical. Play with some Bob Marley to practice playing in different tempos and different feels. You probably know the songs already.

This is a great book for learning bluegrass banjo licks. I've been using it for years.

https://www.amazon.com/Licks-Bluegrass-Banjo-Tony-Trischka/dp/0825602882

In my opinion, it's better to spend your money on music rather than books.

There are some banjo books that are important. I used to own these. I really should build my library back up. Currently I only have the "Hot Licks," "Banjo Styles by Bela Fleck" and "Masters of the Five String" as I've leant out the other ones and never got them back.

Earl Scruggs and the 5-string banjo has already been mentioned. I would recommend trying to find an older version, simply because I'm a nerd.

Masters of the Five String Banjo. A very cool, very informative piece on bluegrass banjo players, their set-up, and some tablature. Obviously dated, but an incredibly insightful book.

Melodic Banjo: by Tony Trishka. Again, I like the older cover

Hot Licks for Bluegrass Banjo, another book by Tony Trishka, is pretty good.

Banjo Picking Styles: Bela Fleck is also a pretty interesting book. And not just for the 80s shirt that Bela is wearing on the front.

If you're looking for specific bluegrass songbooks.

Bluegrass Songbook, by Pete Wernick. Seriously, this is a great book.

Bluegrass Fakebook. This covers most of the standards.

And though you didn't ask, here are some other books that may be of interest to bluegrass/banjo nerds:

Bluegrass: A History Neil Rosenberg's very thorough history of Bluegrass music

Spann's Guide to Gibson 1902-1941. If you're interested in prewar Gibson banjo, this is an incredible resource.

Gibson Mastertone: Flathead Five-string Banjos of the 1930s and 40s. For the prewar nuts.

Can't You Hear Me Calling: The Life of Bill Monroe Father of Bluegrass Music. An interested read.

What I Know 'Bout What I Know: The Musical Life of An Itinerant Banjo Player. This is an autobiography of Butch Robins. It's... interesting.