Tag Archives: Melodic Banjo

Fairmoy Lasses: Melodic Banjo Lesson

Fairmoy Lasses is a high energy, traditional Irish reel, in the key of Em (standard tuning). This arrangement on the 5-string banjo features a combination of the melodic technique and single-string, and once combined with the fast tempo, this tune certainly leans towards the advanced picker. It will be a great addition to your repertoire and It’s a super fun tune to pick once you get it under your fingers!

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Shove The Pig’s Foot A Little Further Into The Fire: Banjo Lesson

In this lesson, we’ll look at this great Old-Time tune, in the key of G (standard tuning). This arrangement on the banjo features a combination of the melodic technique and Scruggs, which works really well to support the melody, and is well suited to the advanced picker. It will be a great addition to your repertoire, It’s a wonderful tune to pick and the combination of melodic & Scruggs certainly works well!

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Old Grimes: Melodic Banjo Lesson

Old Grimes is an excellent traditional bluegrass tune, in the key of D. This arrangement is a challenge on the banjo, played in aDGBD tuning and is well suited to the advanced picker. It will be a great addition to your repertoire! It’s a wonderful tune to pick and the combination of melody & chord movement has certainly moved this tune to quickly become one of my personal favourites.

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Kitchen Girl: Melodic Banjo Lesson

Kitchen Girl is a traditional American Old-Time tune, in the key of A (mixolydian) in Part A and moves to Am (aeolian) in Part B, making it a great modal tune. This arrangement is in standard tuning – capo 2 and is well suited to the advanced picker, with some challenging variations up & down the neck.

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Turkey In The Straw (Adv): Melodic Banjo Lesson

Turkey In The Straw is a well known bluegrass fiddle tune in the key of G (standard tuning). This is the second version for the banjo on Pickin’ Lessons and in this arrangement the melody is embellished making for a very challenging tune to pick! Featuring the melodic technique, with a little Scruggs style, this version is certainly for the advanced picker, but is an awesome technique workout!

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Melodic Vs Single-String (Big Sciota V2): Banjo Lesson

Big Sciota is a great bluegrass fiddle tune in the key of G. This is the second version on Pickin’ Lessons and in this arrangement we’ll compare the melodic & single-string techniques using the identical melody for each of the techniques. Each technique has its advantages and is suited at different times, but in this direct comparison, you’ll be able to try out each and compare them for yourself. 

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Pig Ankle Rag V2: Banjo Lesson

Pig Ankle Rag – Version 2 – Advanced! As a follow up to the basic version of the tune, here is a great version with variations up the neck, embellishment of the melody and loads of blue notes and chromatic passages, which really suits the style. We’re in the key of D (standard tuning-capo 2), playing in a shuffle feel, and I’d suggest you check out the basic version here first, if you haven’t already.

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Trumpet Hornpipe: Banjo Lesson

The Trumpet Hornpipe (AKA Captain Pugwash Theme) is a traditional Irish hornpipe in the key of G (standard tuning). There are 2 parts to this up-tempo tune and it is suited to the advancing intermediate picker. Featuring the hornpipe feel, single-string, melodic and some great triplets that are a real feature of the tune.

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Pig Ankle Rag: Banjo Lesson

Pig Ankle Rag is a fantastic fiddle tune in the key of D (standard tuning – capo 2 – aEAC#E). There are 2 parts to the tune and it has the typical characteristics of a rag and is well suited to the advancing intermediate picker. Featuring a shuffle groove, single-string, melodic and syncopation there are some challenges in performing this arrangement, but we’ll break it down together in the lesson. 

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Danny Boy: Banjo Lesson

Londonderry Air is a traditional Irish melody, that in 1913 English lawyer Frederic Weatherly, set the lyrics to his song Danny Boy. It is a beautiful melody, and in this arrangement on the banjo we’re in the key of G (standard tuning) and is well suited to the intermediate picker. Featuring the chord melody, melodic and single-string techniques, there are some challenges in performing this arrangement, but we’ll break it down together in the lesson. 

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