‘We Three Kings of Orient Are’ is a beautiful Christmas carol and in this banjo lesson, we’ll learn two verse variations and a chorus variation. In the key of Am, first up, we’ll cover a basic, melodic version of the melody. We’ll then move on to a pretty chord melody version in the open position for the intermediate picker, with a lovely variation of harmony. The Go to lesson...
The Finnish Polka is a traditional polka, in the key of Bm. This arrangement is played in standard open G tuning gDGBD, and features the melodic technique, played at quite a brisk tempo. For the intermediate picker, the lively tune is a great technique workout, but equally as fun for the more experienced picker! Go to lesson...
Bound for South Australia is a traditional English/Australian sea shanty, that has become a popular folk song. In the key of D, this arrangement features the banjo tuning aDGBD, and has 2 variations: a single-string version down the neck, and a melodic variation up the neck. For the advancing beginner/intermediate picker, the lively tune is a great introduction for both techniques, but equally as fun for the more experienced picker! Go to lesson...
Waiting for the Federals is a traditional American Barn Dance, with a great melody, played at a brisk tempo. In this lesson, we’ll look at an arrangement with 2 variations that uses both the melodic and single-string techniques, while incorporating same tasteful embellishment and ornamentation on the melody. In the key of G, the banjo is in standard tuning, and this arrangement is suited to the intermediate picker. Go to lesson...
Mason’s Apron is a fast tempo, traditional Irish reel, in the key of A (standard tuning – capo 2 string 5=A). In this lesson, we’ll learn an arrangement that uses the melodic & single-string techniques. The tune is relatively straight forward, when played at a slower tempo, but when played up to the usual tempo, does become more difficult, and is suited to the more advanced intermediate picker. Go to lesson...
John Ryan’s Polka is a well known, traditional Irish tune, played at a fast tempo. In this lesson, we’ll learn a melodic arrangement that contains two variations, in the key of D (standard tuning). The techniques used in the arrangement, combined with the tempo make this a challenging endeavour, suited to the more advanced picker. Go to lesson...
The Munster Cloak is a Waltz that has a fun, yet challenging melody. In this lesson, we’ll learn a single-string & melodic arrangement that contains two variations, in the key of G (standard tuning). The techniques used in the arrangement combined with the tempo make this a challenging single-string tune, suited to the intermediate banjo picker, while the melodic part of the arrangement, up the neck, will be suited to the more advanced picker. Go to lesson...
Lazy John is an Old Time song that has a great melody. In this lesson, we’ll learn a melodic arrangement that contains two variations, in the key of G (standard tuning). The techniques used in the arrangement combined with the slower tempo make this a great entry level melodic tune, suited to the intermediate banjo picker looking to learn the melodic technique. Go to lesson...
The ‘Mug of Brown Ale’ is a great traditional Jig in the Key of Am (dorian mode – standard tuning), and loads of fun to play! The techniques used in the arrangement combined with the tempo make this a great benchmark for the advanced intermediate picker. The right-hand picking is certainly a challenge, combining both single-string and melodic techniques, and the left-hand needs to accomodate position changes and be efficient. Go to lesson...
Bobby Casey’s is a traditional Hornpipe, heard as a slow Reel, in the key of Am. The banjo is tuned aDGBD and this arrangement is a great benchmark for the advancing beginner > intermediate player. It’s played at a slow tempo, but uses several techniques needed to really progress to an intermediate level melodic/single-string picker. Go to lesson...