O’Carolan’s Draught is a beautiful Turlough O’Carolan melody, in the key of G. In this fingerstyle arrangement, we have some great movement and some challenging left-hand positions, suited to the advanced player. In the lesson we’ll break down the technique, fingering and positions for both A & B. Played at a slow tempo, this piece is a challenge, but very rewarding and well worth getting to know. Go to lesson...
In part 2 of this introduction to the melodic banjo techniques, we’ll continue to explore scale positions and exercises, while applying these to another great tune, that is sure to enhance your technique. In the lesson we’ll cover:
The style of melodic banjo allows for intricate melody playing on the 5-string, with a very smooth or legato sound. Fiddle tunes can be played note for note, in a way that flows over the banjo neck. In this introduction to the style, we’ll cover:
In this lesson, we’ll take a look at a Scruggs/Melodic arrangement of You Are My Sunshine, in the key of G and we’re in standard tuning on the 5 string. With two variations, the first is a little more straight and features the melody a little closer, while the second variation introduces more blue note and fills around the melody. Go to lesson...
Good Natured Man is a traditional Irish hornpipe, with a 2 part form, in the key of G. The arrangement combines several great techniques including crosspicking, floating, triplets, all combined with the hornpipe feel. The tempo is reasonably fast, making it a great tune for the advanced picker wanting a challenge, especially combined with the other techniques! Go to lesson...
The Good Natured Man is a great traditional Irish Hornpipe. In the key of G (standard tuning), 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, as the hornpipe feel mixed with the triplets is quite demanding. Go to lesson...
O’Carolan’s Draught is a tune, composed by Turlough O’Carolan and this arrangement is in the key of G. The tune has a very sweet melody, played at a medium tempo giving us the opportunity to be expressive while playing the melody with some dynamic contrast. Containing some excellent picking passages that include a little cross picking, this tune will be a really lovely addition to your repertoire. Go to lesson...
‘Hark! The Herald Angels Sing’ is a beautiful Christmas carol and in this banjo lesson, we’ll learn a lovely chord melody arrangement. In the key of G, the melody is supported by 3 & 4 part harmony, with some challenging chord positions, which would be suited too the advanced picker. This version sounds great as a solo banjo piece and is a great addition to your Christmas repertoire! Go to lesson...
‘O Come All Ye faithful’ is a beautiful Christmas carol and in this fingerstyle guitar lesson, we’ll learn a variation that supports the melody in both 2 & 3 part harmony. In the key of G (drop D tuning), the dynamic rises and falls as the harmony moves in and out of 2 & 3 part, high & low, creating a lovely sense of contrast to the piece. The Go to lesson...
In this ninth instalment of the beginner mandolin crash course, we’ll cover: