G’day! In this banjo lesson we’ll take a look at 2 different ways of playing the same melody for Red Haired Boy on the banjo. The first version is played with a single string technique, using the open position and approached in a way that the guitar or mandolin might pick the tune. The second version is the exact same melody but played in a melodic style, fretting the notes further up the neck allowing the open strings to resonate longer.
Both versions work really well, but sound slightly different. The single string sounds a little more “plunky” and the melodic version sounds a little more “harp like” and smooth with the open strings ringing out longer. You may also find it interesting to see where the melody notes in the open position repeat themselves further up the neck.
Both arrangements are played in standard tuning (G D G B D), with a capo placed on the 2nd fret and the 5th string spiked at fret 7. This puts us in the key of A with the notes (A E A C# E).
There are 4 videos in this lesson, the first of which is available free below.
Premium Members also have access to:
- The complete video lessons, which break down the tune at a slow tempo, with explanation;
- TAB on screen & PDF download;
- Guitar Pro file;
- MP3 backing & play-along track.
The TAB only is also available to purchase separately below for the full arrangement.
