Carolan’s Cottage is a traditional Irish tune composed by Turlough O’Carolan (1670-1738). Played as an Air in 3/4 time, this arrangement for the banjo is in the key of Am (standard tuning). It has a slow, beautiful melody, featuring both the single-string and melodic techniques and is well suited to the intermediate picker. Go to lesson...
High Road To Linton is a traditional Scottish reel, played in the Key of A (mixture of major and mixolydian scales) and on the banjo we have the capo at fret 2 (standard tuning). There are four parts to the tune and this arrangement on the 5-string is a great right-hand study as we need a combination of the single-string, melodic and rolling techniques to cover the melody.
In this lesson, we’ll take a look at the rollicking traditional English sailor’s drinking song, All For Me Grog. This arrangement is played in the key of E (double C tuning – capo 4) but can easily be transposed with the capo (see below). It’s a raucous and rowdy pub sing-along, and this arrangement on the 5-string banjo uses the 3-finger style of playing, with two variations, one each for both the melody and backup.
Worried Man Blues is a traditional American/Bluegrass folk song, and this arrangement for the banjo is in the key of G (standard tuning). There are two variations in the arrangement, the first is perfect for a kick-off or break, and the second gets us up the neck while embellishing the melody with some added bluesy licks.
Hand Me Down My Walking Cane is a traditional American folk song and this arrangement is played in the key of A (standard tuning – capo 2) but can easily be transposed with the capo. It’s a great bluegrass standard, and this arrangement features both Scruggs & melodic techniques as part of the melody, with 2 variations, great for the advancing intermediate picker.
Old Joe Clark is a popular traditional American tune, played in the key of A (standard tuning – capo 2). It’s a great bluegrass banjo standard, and this is the second version here on the site. The arrangement features both Scruggs & melodic techniques as part of the melody, great for the intermediate picker.
Salt Creek is a quick tempo, trad American tune, played in the key of A (standard tuning – capo 2). It’s a great bluegrass banjo standard, and this arrangement features both Scruggs & melodic techniques as part of the melody, great for the advancing intermediate picker. You can also check out the advanced melodic arrangement that has two variations here: https://pickinlessons.com/salt-creek-melodic-banjo/
Ragtime Annie is a quick tempo, trad fiddle tune, played in the key of D (capo 2 – standard tuning). It’s a great session tune, and this banjo arrangement features the melodic technique and some good old 3-finger rolls as part of the melody, making it a fun tune to pick, great for the intermediate picker.
Cherokee Shuffle is a popular American fiddle tune, played in the key of A (standard tuning – capo 2). This is the third version here at Pickin’ Lessons on the banjo and is a variation that approaches the melody in a more basic way, using the single-string & melodic techniques, while still capturing the essence of the tune.
Jingle Bells on the banjo! Featuring both the verse and chorus melodies, this arrangement is in the key of G (standard tuning) and uses both the Scruggs style and melodic techniques, suited to the intermediate picker. It’s a great Christmas Carol and one well worth having under your fingers during the holiday season!