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...
Road To Lisdoonvarna is a traditional Irish Single Jig in the key of Em (dorian), sharing the same key signature as D (F# & C#). The left hand note combinations are relatively straight forward, but is quite a challenge for your right hand! As part of this lesson we’ll look at both a basic melody & then add a bit of flair with some added ornamentation. Go to lesson...
Trip To Sligo has a beautiful, yet haunting melody and in this lesson we’ll take a look at a melodic banjo arrangement. We’re in standard tuning, with the capo at fret 4, putting us in the key of G#m. In 6/8 time (Jig), there are some challenging right-hand picking combinations, making this lesson suitable for an intermediate picker. Go to lesson...
George Brabazon is a beautiful Turlough O’Carolan tune and in this lesson we’ll look at an intermediate Celtic Fingerstyle arrangement. In the key of G, we’ll focus on left hand position, with extra attention given to the 4th finger while developing good right hand habits. Part A stays in the open position and as we venture into Part B, we’ll need to work on quick position changes to ensure a smooth melody. Go to lesson...
The Good Natured Man is a great traditional Irish Hornpipe. In the key of G, the tune moves along at a quick tempo & features many triplets within the melody. As part of this lesson, we’ll focus on the efficiency of the picking hand, specifically looking at the follow-through & alternating picking techniques, directly relating to the triplet. Go to lesson...
George Brabazon is a beautiful tune by Turlough O’Carolan. In the key of G for the 5-string banjo, we’re in standard G tuning. The techniques used in the arrangement include single-string, melodic & the brush stroke, played with the thumb. I would suggest this piece is for the intermediate picker and is typically played at a moderate tempo. Go to lesson...
Trip To Sligo is a beautiful tune and in this lesson we’ll look at an advanced Celtic Fingerstyle arrangement. We’ll look at the tune in the key of G#m (capo 4), but it can be easily transposed. It’s a Jig and there are two variations within the arrangement.