Grandfather’s Clock is a song by Henry Clay Work (1876) that has a wonderful melody that we’ll learn on the 5-string banjo. In this arrangement, there are two variations featuring the single-string and melodic techniques, and playing both up and down the neck. Played in the key of G (standard tuning), this version of the song is well suited to the intermediate picker, working as a great study for the techniques featured.
Blues played on the banjo always sound great, and in this lesson, we’ll explore a captivating lead break performed over two complete cycles of the 12 Bar Blues with a shuffle feel. The solo is in the key of G and incorporates a plethora of cool licks spanning up and down the neck, utilising both single-string and melodic techniques.
Black Mountain Rag is a popular fiddle tune, commonly played in 3 parts. This is the second version of the tune on the site, this time in the key of A. The first version is in D, and you can move back and forth between the two keys, making it a really fun tune to play! Go to lesson...
Black Mountain Rag is a popular fiddle tune, commonly played in 3 parts. While the key can vary depending on the instrument/version, a popular variation is to play in the key of D. This arrangement is in standard tuning (capo 2 – 5th string spiked at fret 7) and features both melodic & Scruggs techniques and is definitely a lot of fun on the banjo! Go to lesson...
Southwind is a traditional Irish waltz, played in the key of G (standard tuning). It has a very beautiful melody that we’ll first learn in its basic form using the melodic technique, then spice it up with a chord melody arrangement that ventures up the neck. While the basic melody is very simple, I’d suggest the more advanced variation of the tune is suited to the intermediate picker. Go to lesson...
Bill Cheatham is a popular, traditional American fiddle tune, in the key of A (capo 2 – string 5 spiked to fret 7). With a melody that is often picked at a fast tempo, this banjo arrangement features the melodic technique, double stops, and some challenging rolls. If you’re familiar with the melodic major scale, it will certainly help, as I’d suggest this tune is suited to the advancing picker. Go to lesson...
The Three Sea Captains is a traditional Irish jig, played at a medium tempo, in the key of G (standard tuning). With a jolly melody, both the A & B parts are longer than the usual fiddle tune, making for a more substantial tune to pick. I’d suggest that you need to be comfortable with the jig structure, as this tune takes it up a notch with a variety of rhythmic variation featured throughout, making this tune more suited to the advanced intermediate picker. Go to lesson...
Sailor’s Hornpipe is a well known, traditional hornpipe, played at an up-beat tempo, in the key of G (standard tuning). With a jolly melody and a focus on the melodic technique, the tune features arpeggios, some great scale movement, modulation and movement up & down the neck of the banjo. If you’re familiar with the melodic G major scale, it will help you get started, as I’d suggest this tune is suited to the advancing intermediate picker. Go to lesson...
The Temperance Reel is a popular fiddle tune, with a fantastic melody and chord progression. In the key of G (standard tuning), there are 2 parts, played at a quick tempo. The techniques required (melodic, single-string & rolling) as we cover the movement of the melody are suited to the advanced picker, but we’ll break this down within the lessons. Go to lesson...
This is the second variation on the melody of Cherokee Shuffle here on Pickin’ Lessons. It is a popular fiddle tune, a common tune in bluegrass sessions and one of my personal favourites. In the key of A (capo 2-spike string 5 to fret 7), this is an intermediate melodic arrangement working around a nice, straight ahead version of the melody. Go to lesson...