Soldier’s Joy is a wonderful traditional fiddle tune in the key of D and very popular amongst bluegrass pickers. This banjo arrangement of the tune is a beginner friendly version, using the melodic technique and played in standard open G tuning. Capturing the essence of the tune while keeping the phrases on the easier side, it is quite accessible for the beginner picker and a great way to approach the melody.
Campbell’s Farewell is a great traditional Scottish march in the key of A (Mixolydian) (capo 2 – standard tuning), but is also popular in the American tradition played as a reel. This melodic banjo arrangement of the tune is approached at the reel tempo and the phrases sit around the G melodic scale position.
Miss McLeod’s Reel is a great traditional Scottish reel in the key of G. This melodic banjo arrangement of the tune is in standard open G tuning and the phrases sit around the G melodic scale position. While getting the tune up to tempo might be suited to the intermediate picker, the phrases and position of the melody are very accessible for the advanced beginner picker.
Whiskey Before Breakfast is a wonderful traditional fiddle tune in the key of D and very popular amongst bluegrass pickers. This melodic banjo arrangement of the tune is in standard open G tuning and beginner friendly, capturing the essence of the tune, while keeping the phrases on the easier side, making it quite accessible for the beginner picker.
Banks of the Ohio is a fantastic traditional song and this arrangement on the 5-string banjo is in the key of G (standard tuning). This banjo arrangement is a great advancing beginner exercise that features some Scruggs licks, a little melodic technique, and some great rolling ideas over the chords. In the lesson we’ll break down how to approach the break and work through the techniques you’ll need to focus on.
Angels We Have Heard On High is a traditional carol set to the hymn Gloria. In this banjo arrangement we’ll look at both a melodic style version (basic) and a chord melody style (intermediate) in the key of G (standard tuning). The basic version of the melody, played in a melodic style is very accessible and is well suited to the beginner melodic picker.
We Wish You A Merry Christmas is a traditional English carol and in this banjo arrangement we’ll look at a melodic style version in the key of G (standard tuning). There are two variations of the melody, up and down the neck, featuring the melodic technique and I’d suggest this would suit the advancing beginner picker.
Southwind is a traditional Irish waltz, played in the key of G (standard tuning). It has a very beautiful melody that we’ll first learn in its basic form using the melodic technique, then spice it up with a chord melody arrangement that ventures up the neck. While the basic melody is very simple, I’d suggest the more advanced variation of the tune is suited to the intermediate picker. Go to lesson...
In part 3 of this introduction to the melodic banjo techniques, we’ll continue to work out of open G tuning, but look at the key of D major. We’ll cover scale positions and exercises for the key, while applying these to another great tune, that is sure to enhance your technique. Go to lesson...
In part 2 of this introduction to the melodic banjo techniques, we’ll continue to explore scale positions and exercises, while applying these to another great tune, that is sure to enhance your technique. In the lesson we’ll cover: