Mountain Dew is a fantastic traditional Appalachian folk song, popular in bluegrass circles. This arrangement on the banjo has 2 variations, featuring both the Scruggs & melodic techniques, with a bunch of great lick ideas, recorded in the key of G (standard tuning), but can be transposed easily with a capo.
Shuckin’ The Corn is a quick tempo, trad American tune, played in the key of G (standard tuning). It’s a great bluegrass banjo standard, and this banjo arrangement features both Scruggs & melodic techniques as part of the melody, blending the two in four variations, great for the advanced picker. Jump in to the lesson and we’ll learn the parts together.
Ragtime Annie is a quick tempo, trad fiddle tune, played in the key of D (capo 2 – standard tuning). It’s a great session tune, and this banjo arrangement features the melodic technique and some good old 3-finger rolls as part of the melody, making it a fun tune to pick, great for the intermediate picker.
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.
Soldier’s Joy is a wonderful traditional fiddle tune in the key of D and very popular amongst bluegrass pickers. This banjo arrangement of the tune is a beginner friendly version, using the melodic technique and played in standard open G tuning. Capturing the essence of the tune while keeping the phrases on the easier side, it is quite accessible for the beginner picker and a great way to approach the melody.
The Sligo Maid is a fantastic traditional Irish reel in the key of Am (Dorian – Standard Tuning). Featuring both the single-string & melodic techniques throughout the tune, paired with a faster tempo, this arrangement is well suited to the advanced picker. It’s a great trad reel and an excellent technique workout!
Jingle Bells on the banjo! Featuring both the verse and chorus melodies, this arrangement is in the key of G (standard tuning) and uses both the Scruggs style and melodic techniques, suited to the intermediate picker. It’s a great Christmas Carol and one well worth having under your fingers during the holiday season!
Miss McLeod’s Reel is a great traditional Scottish reel in the key of G. This melodic banjo arrangement of the tune is in standard open G tuning and the phrases sit around the G melodic scale position. While getting the tune up to tempo might be suited to the intermediate picker, the phrases and position of the melody are very accessible for the advanced beginner picker.
Whiskey Before Breakfast is a wonderful traditional fiddle tune in the key of D and very popular amongst bluegrass pickers. This melodic banjo arrangement of the tune is in standard open G tuning and beginner friendly, capturing the essence of the tune, while keeping the phrases on the easier side, making it quite accessible for the beginner picker.
Tarbolton Reel is a traditional Irish reel, played at a fast tempo, in the key of Em. Using both the dorian & aeolian minor scales, this arrangement features a nice mixture of ornamentation, rhythmic variation and both the melodic & single-string techniques. Up to tempo, this is a challenging tune, well suited to the advanced picker.