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.
Old Joe Clark is a traditional American song/fiddle tune, typically played in the key of A. This is a very popular session tune, and this arrangement features the melodic technique. The banjo is in standard tuning with the capo placed at fret 2 and the faster tempo will be suited to the advanced picker.
King Of The Fairies is a traditional Irish hornpipe, in the key of Em (standard tuning). It has a very intriguing melody, which is really great to play on the banjo, and in this lesson we’ll cover how to capture the hornpipe feel and the challenging hand positions we’re faced with.
Father O’Flynn is a lively tune, in the key of D (standard tuning). It’s a traditional Irish jig, and in this lesson we’ll cover how to capture the rhythm and pulse for the 6/8 time signature. This arrangement uses the melodic technique, played at a fast tempo and is well suited to the advanced picker.
In this melodic banjo lesson, we’ll take a look at O’Carolan #174, written by the blind Irish harpist Turlough O’Carolan in the 17th century. The title, devoid of a specific name, reflects the historical convention of cataloging O’Carolan’s vast repertoire by number. #174 captivates with its intricate harmonies and emotive nuances, and this arrangement takes the beautiful melody and sets it on the banjo in a melodic style, very much creating a ‘harp’ like sound, well suited to the intermediate melodic picker.
Angels We Have Heard On High is a traditional carol set to the hymn Gloria. In this banjo arrangement we’ll look at both a melodic style version (basic) and a chord melody style (intermediate) in the key of G (standard tuning). The basic version of the melody, played in a melodic style is very accessible and is well suited to the beginner melodic picker.
We Wish You A Merry Christmas is a traditional English carol and in this banjo arrangement we’ll look at a melodic style version in the key of G (standard tuning). There are two variations of the melody, up and down the neck, featuring the melodic technique and I’d suggest this would suit the advancing beginner picker.
Handsome Molly is a traditional ballad and in this banjo arrangement we’ll look at a Scruggs style version in the key of G (standard tuning). There are three variations of the melody, up and down the neck with a focus on Scruggs style, but also featuring a little melodic at times and I’d suggest this would suit the advancing intermediate picker.
Forked Deer is an awesome fiddle tune, played in the key of D (aDGBD). This is the second version on Pickin’ Lessons, and this arrangement mainly features the single-string technique, with a little melodic on the side. It’s well suited to the advanced intermediate picker, working as a great study for the single-string technique.
This is a fun trad tune, with three parts, played in 6/8 time. In the key of G (standard tuning), this arrangement features the single-string and melodic techniques, and playing both up and down the neck and is well suited to the advanced intermediate picker, working as a great study for the techniques featured.