John Ryan’s Polka is a well known, traditional Irish tune, played at a fast tempo. In this lesson, we’ll learn a melodic arrangement that contains two variations, in the key of D (standard tuning). The techniques used in the arrangement, combined with the tempo make this a challenging endeavour, suited to the more advanced picker. Go to lesson...
The Munster Cloak is a Waltz that has a fun, yet challenging melody. In this lesson, we’ll learn a single-string & melodic arrangement that contains two variations, in the key of G (standard tuning). The techniques used in the arrangement combined with the tempo make this a challenging single-string tune, suited to the intermediate banjo picker, while the melodic part of the arrangement, up the neck, will be suited to the more advanced picker. Go to lesson...
Banish Misfortune is a traditional Irish Jig (6/8), in the key of D (mixolydian – 5th mode of G). We’re in open Dsus4 tuning (DADGAD), and this fingerstyle arrangement is suited to the advanced picker, with challenging left & right hand positions, that require strong technique to play clearly and fluently. Go to lesson...
Colonel John Irwin is an Air (6/8), composed by Turlough O’Carolan, in the key of D (drop D tuning), and has a very sweet melody. This fingerstyle arrangement is suited to the advanced picker, with challenging left-hand positions that require strong technique to play clearly and fluently. As part of this lesson, we’ll cover the techniques needed to play this beautiful tune. Go to lesson...
The ‘Mug of Brown Ale’ is a great traditional Jig in the Key of Am (dorian), and loads of fun to play! The techniques used in the arrangement combined with the tempo make this a great benchmark for the advanced intermediate picker. The right-hand picking is certainly a challenge, with the 6/8 time signature needing a high level of control, and the left-hand needs to be efficient and make use of all fingers. Go to lesson...
The ‘Mug of Brown Ale’ is a great traditional Jig in the Key of Am (dorian mode – standard tuning), and loads of fun to play! The techniques used in the arrangement combined with the tempo make this a great benchmark for the advanced intermediate picker. The right-hand picking is certainly a challenge, combining both single-string and melodic techniques, and the left-hand needs to accomodate position changes and be efficient. Go to lesson...
The ‘Mug of Brown Ale’ is a great traditional Jig in the Key of Am (dorian mode), and the techniques required make it an excellent benchmark tune for the intermediate picker. The right-hand picking is certainly a challenge, and the left-hand needs to accomodate position changes and be efficient. In this lesson, we’ll break down the techniques to ensure you can get around the tune! Go to lesson...
Childgrove is a traditional English country dance, played in the key of Am. There are 2 variations in the arrangement, and is a great benchmark for the advanced beginner. If you’re comfortable with the rhythm, left-hand position, articulation and variation’s within the tune, I would consider you to be an advanced beginner, and well on your way to an intermediate player. Go to lesson...
Bobby Casey’s is a traditional Hornpipe, heard as a slow Reel, in the key of Am. The banjo is tuned aDGBD and this arrangement is a great benchmark for the advancing beginner > intermediate player. It’s played at a slow tempo, but uses several techniques needed to really progress to an intermediate level melodic/single-string picker. Go to lesson...
Banish Misfortune has an awesome melody, with some interesting phrases and rhythm. Lot’s of fun to play & definitely one of my favourites! It’s a traditional Irish jig in the key of D mixolydian and has 3 parts. In this lesson we’ll look at 2 variations, the basic melody plus an advanced variation with more ornamentation, both suited to the more advanced picker. Go to lesson...