The Three Sea Captains is a traditional Irish jig, played at a medium tempo, in the key of G (standard tuning). With a jolly melody, both the A & B parts are longer than the usual fiddle tune, making for a more substantial tune to pick. I’d suggest that you need to be comfortable with the jig structure, as this tune takes it up a notch with a variety of rhythmic variation featured throughout, making this tune more suited to the advanced intermediate picker. Go to lesson...
The Temperance Reel is a popular fiddle tune, with a fantastic melody and chord progression. In the key of G (standard tuning), there are 2 parts, played at a quick tempo. The techniques required (melodic, single-string & rolling) as we cover the movement of the melody are suited to the advanced picker, but we’ll break this down within the lessons. Go to lesson...
Auld Lang Syne is a traditional Scottish song, traditionally sung to farewell the old year at the stroke of midnight on New Years Eve. In this banjo lesson, we’ll learn two variations, the basic melody played in a melodic style, plus a chord melody variation, played up the neck (advanced). In the key of G (standard tuning), both variations sound great on the banjo. Go to lesson...
Cooley’s Reel is a traditional Irish reel in the key of Em (Dorian) and we’re in standard tuning on the 5 string. It has a great feel and features some difficult passages that use arpeggios and triplet slurs, all while giving your right-hand a brilliant work out, combining single-string, melodic & rolls. Go to lesson...
The Good Natured Man is a great traditional Irish Hornpipe. In the key of G (standard tuning), the tune moves along at a quick tempo & features many triplets within the melody. As part of this lesson, we’ll focus on the efficiency of the picking hand, as the hornpipe feel mixed with the triplets is quite demanding. Go to lesson...
The Maid Behind The Bar is a traditional Irish reel, with a 2 part form. In the key of D, the banjo is tuned to aDGBD to accomodate the melody in an easy way. Incorporating both the melodic & single-string techniques, the melody is sweet, the tempo is fast, and this tune would suit the advanced picker wanting a challenge! Go to lesson...
Da New Rigged Ship is a traditional Scottish reel, with a 3 part form. Part A & C are in Am (dorian), while part B modulates into A Major, and the banjo is tuned to aDGBD to accomodate the melody in an easy way. Incorporating both the melodic & single-string techniques, the melody is easy enough to pick, but this tune would suit the advanced picker due to the tempo and will be a great addition to your repertoire. Go to lesson...
The Kid On The Mountain is traditional Irish slip jig (9/8), played at a fast tempo, in the key of Em (standard tuning). There are five parts to the tune, each containing some excellent picking passages that require us to accent the 3 beats found in each measure, whilst ensuring we apply an appropriate picking technique, that incorporates both the melodic & single-string techniques. Go to lesson...
The Connaughtman’s Rambles is a great jig in the key of D (standard tuning), played at a fast tempo, and suited to the advanced picker. There are two parts to the tune; both of which are extremely challenging for the picking hand, with some unorthodox combinations appropriate for the movement of the melody. Go to lesson...
The Monaghan Jig is an awesome tune in the key of Em (standard tuning), played at a fast tempo, and suited to the advanced picker. There are four parts to the tune, each presenting their own challenges; melodic, single-string, 16th note rhythms plus ensuring the 6/8 feel is accented. Spend some time on this tune, it will certainly develop your picking and will be a great addition to your repertoire! Go to lesson...