In this banjo lesson, we’ll take a look at a blues lead break with two variations in the key of G, that utilises the blues scale, major blues scale, arpeggios, up and down the neck licks, call and response, plus a variety of articulation. Played over a 12 bar blues, there are a lot of great licks in this break, but be sure to check out all the other blues lessons at Pickin’ Lessons for more great lick ideas and in depth analysis of the scales and arpeggio patterns used throughout the solo.
The Cordal Jig is a traditional Irish jig in the key of D (aDGBD). This 5-string banjo arrangement features the melodic and single-string techniques and will be a great tune for the advanced intermediate picker. It is a fantastic melody to pick and will be a great addition to your trad banjo repertoire!
O Christmas Tree is a traditional German Christmas Carol, also known as O Tannenbaum. This arrangement on the 5-string banjo is in the key of G (standard tuning) and features a combination of the melodic technique and Scruggs style, played at a slow tempo in the 3/4 time signature and is suited to the intermediate picker.
Go Tell It On The Mountain is a traditional Gospel Christmas Carol. This arrangement on the 5-string banjo is in the key of G (standard tuning) and features a combination of the melodic technique and Scruggs style, played at a medium tempo, and is suited to the intermediate picker. It will be a great addition to your Christmas repertoire and It’s a super fun tune to pick!
Fairmoy Lasses is a high energy, traditional Irish reel, in the key of Em (standard tuning). This arrangement on the 5-string banjo features a combination of the melodic technique and single-string, and once combined with the fast tempo, this tune certainly leans towards the advanced picker. It will be a great addition to your repertoire and It’s a super fun tune to pick once you get it under your fingers!
In this lesson, we’ll look at this great Old-Time tune, in the key of G (standard tuning). This arrangement on the banjo features a combination of the melodic technique and Scruggs, which works really well to support the melody, and is well suited to the advanced picker. It will be a great addition to your repertoire, It’s a wonderful tune to pick and the combination of melodic & Scruggs certainly works well!
Old Grimes is an excellent traditional bluegrass tune, in the key of D. This arrangement is a challenge on the banjo, played in aDGBD tuning and is well suited to the advanced picker. It will be a great addition to your repertoire! It’s a wonderful tune to pick and the combination of melody & chord movement has certainly moved this tune to quickly become one of my personal favourites.
Kitchen Girl is a traditional American Old-Time tune, in the key of A (mixolydian) in Part A and moves to Am (aeolian) in Part B, making it a great modal tune. This arrangement is in standard tuning – capo 2 and is well suited to the advanced picker, with some challenging variations up & down the neck.
In this lesson, we’ll learn a great blues break in the key of G (standard tuning). At a groovy, slow tempo, this blues is fun to play and is packed full of lots of great licks and ideas! We’ll cover the G7, C7 & D7 chord positions, while making use of a mixed blues scale that conveniently surrounds the chords and learning a bunch of cool licks up & down the neck.
Turkey In The Straw is a well known bluegrass fiddle tune in the key of G (standard tuning). This is the second version for the banjo on Pickin’ Lessons and in this arrangement the melody is embellished making for a very challenging tune to pick! Featuring the melodic technique, with a little Scruggs style, this version is certainly for the advanced picker, but is an awesome technique workout!