Murphy, String of Bananas will root either way..placing atop soil, or sticking a stem in soil. I don't think individual 'bananas' will root like Kalanchoe, but never tried it either.
Accents sells both bananas and beads. Toni

you can just root the same way you root the String Of Beads

Hi,

I believe individual leaves will root the same way as, what's that common name "burros tail"? aka Sedum morganianum. Sure wouldn't hurt to try.

I have a string of....footballs-not quite pearls or bananas. I have a bit of trouble getting mine to root. I think my most successful try was in moist perlite or was it seed starting stuff. I kept a plastic bag over it most of the time. I seem to have problems with the strings drying up and dying before they root. I love my plant and have kept it alive for several years and managed to give some starts away. I find it needs more water than most other succulents.