Tag Archives: Backup

Backup Banjo (Part 3): Runs & Fills

Part 3: Non-Bluegrass Backup Banjo – Fills, Runs, Inversions & Syncopation

Backup Banjo (Part 1): Major & Minor Chords

Backup Banjo (Part 2): Celtic Backup

In this third part of the course, we’ll focus on the use of runs, fills, inversions & syncopation in our backup. With three example progressions: 12 Bar Blues, Folk Rock & Psychedelic Rock, we’ll explore these ideas while also learning the pentatonic box patterns that surround our chord positions. Go to lesson...

Backup Banjo (Part 2): Celtic Backup

Part 2: Non-Bluegrass Backup Banjo – Celtic Backup

Backup Banjo (Part 1): Major & Minor Chords

In this second part of the course, we’ll look at five examples found in the Celtic genre; a Jig, Reel, Waltz, Polka & Hornpipe. With an example to work with in each tune variation, we’ll unpack the time signature, feels, accents and groove that we need to listen out for, all while exploring many backup options including; inversions, high tones, deep tones, passing notes, syncopation, staccato, etc…

Split in to 5 parts, the full lesson covers the following:

  1. Jig – Mug of Brown Ale – 6/8 Time
  2. Reel – Drowsy Maggie – 4/4 Time
  3. Waltz – The Ash Grove – 3/4 Time
  4. Polka – John Ryan’s Polka – 2/4 Time
  5. Hornpipe – The Boys of Bluehill – 4/4 Time
Go to lesson...

Blues Backup: Banjo Lesson

In this banjo lesson we’ll take a look at a method to play Blues Backup using the 7th chords and walking lines following the chords in the 12 bar blues, played in G. If you’ve been learning the blues licks from the previous lessons here, this lesson will be perfect for you to develop blues ideas for backing up other musicians. Go to lesson...