Tag Archives: Key of A

Hangman’s Reel (V2): Mandolin Lesson

Hangman’s Reel is a traditional fiddle tune, played in the key of A and has four parts. With French-Canadian origins and a popular old-time tune, it also works great in a bluegrass setting on the mandolin. This is the second version here at Pickin’ Lessons and this arrangement is well suited to the advanced picker. Go to lesson...

High Road To Linton: Banjo Lesson

High Road To Linton is a traditional Scottish reel, played in the Key of A (mixture of major and mixolydian scales) and on the banjo we have the capo at fret 2 (standard tuning). There are four parts to the tune and this arrangement on the 5-string is a great right-hand study as we need a combination of the single-string, melodic and rolling techniques to cover the melody.

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Hand Me Down My Walking Cane: Banjo Lesson

Hand Me Down My Walking Cane is a traditional American folk song and this arrangement is played in the key of A (standard tuning – capo 2) but can easily be transposed with the capo. It’s a great bluegrass standard, and this arrangement features both Scruggs & melodic techniques as part of the melody, with 2 variations, great for the advancing intermediate picker.

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Hangman’s Reel: Banjo Lesson

Hangman’s Reel is a traditional fiddle tune, played in the key of A (standard tuning – capo 2) and has four parts. With French-Canadian origins and a popular old-time tune, it also works great in a bluegrass setting on the banjo. The arrangement features both Scruggs & melodic techniques as part of the melody, great for the advanced picker.

Go to lesson...

Old Joe Clark (V2): Banjo Lesson

Old Joe Clark is a popular traditional American tune, played in the key of A (standard tuning – capo 2). It’s a great bluegrass banjo standard, and this is the second version here on the site. The arrangement features both Scruggs & melodic techniques as part of the melody, great for the intermediate picker.

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Salt Creek (w/ Harmony): Guitar Lesson

Salt Creek is a classic bluegrass fiddle tune, and you can never have too many versions! This guitar arrangement in A (capo 2) features both a melody and harmony break that combine into a fantastic variation.

In this lesson, we’ll learn both parts plus a harmonised tag. Played at a fast tempo with some challenging passages, it’s ideal for advanced intermediate pickers. Go to lesson...

Salt Creek (V3): Banjo Lesson

Salt Creek is a quick tempo, trad American tune, played in the key of A (standard tuning – capo 2). It’s a great bluegrass banjo standard, and this arrangement features both Scruggs & melodic techniques as part of the melody, great for the advancing intermediate picker. You can also check out the advanced melodic arrangement that has two variations here: https://pickinlessons.com/salt-creek-melodic-banjo/

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Cherokee Shuffle (V3): Banjo Lesson

Cherokee Shuffle is a popular American fiddle tune, played in the key of A (standard tuning – capo 2). This is the third version here at Pickin’ Lessons on the banjo and is a variation that approaches the melody in a more basic way, using the single-string & melodic techniques, while still capturing the essence of the tune.

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