The Flowers Of Edinburgh is traditional Scottish reel, played at a medium/fast tempo, in the key of G (standard tuning). Well suited to the intermediate picker, and with a fluent knowledge of the melodic G Major scale, this tune is awfully fun to pick. Part A uses the melodic G major scale found at the 5th position, while Part B takes us further up to the neck with some lovely movement. Go to lesson...
In part 3 of this introduction to the melodic banjo techniques, we’ll continue to work out of open G tuning, but look at the key of D major. We’ll cover scale positions and exercises for the key, while applying these to another great tune, that is sure to enhance your technique. Go to lesson...
In part 2 of this introduction to the melodic banjo techniques, we’ll continue to explore scale positions and exercises, while applying these to another great tune, that is sure to enhance your technique. In the lesson we’ll cover:
The style of melodic banjo allows for intricate melody playing on the 5-string, with a very smooth or legato sound. Fiddle tunes can be played note for note, in a way that flows over the banjo neck. In this introduction to the style, we’ll cover:
In this lesson, we’ll take a look at a Scruggs/Melodic arrangement of You Are My Sunshine, in the key of G and we’re in standard tuning on the 5 string. With two variations, the first is a little more straight and features the melody a little closer, while the second variation introduces more blue note and fills around the melody. Go to lesson...
Cooley’s Reel is a traditional Irish reel in the key of Em (Dorian) and we’re in standard tuning on the 5 string. It has a great feel and features some difficult passages that use arpeggios and triplet slurs, all while giving your right-hand a brilliant work out, combining single-string, melodic & rolls. Go to lesson...
The Maid Behind The Bar is a traditional Irish reel, with a 2 part form. In the key of D, the banjo is tuned to aDGBD to accomodate the melody in an easy way. Incorporating both the melodic & single-string techniques, the melody is sweet, the tempo is fast, and this tune would suit the advanced picker wanting a challenge! Go to lesson...
Da New Rigged Ship is a traditional Scottish reel, with a 3 part form. Part A & C are in Am (dorian), while part B modulates into A Major, and the banjo is tuned to aDGBD to accomodate the melody in an easy way. Incorporating both the melodic & single-string techniques, the melody is easy enough to pick, but this tune would suit the advanced picker due to the tempo and will be a great addition to your repertoire. Go to lesson...
The Kid On The Mountain is traditional Irish slip jig (9/8), played at a fast tempo, in the key of Em (standard tuning). There are five parts to the tune, each containing some excellent picking passages that require us to accent the 3 beats found in each measure, whilst ensuring we apply an appropriate picking technique, that incorporates both the melodic & single-string techniques. Go to lesson...
Riding On A Load Of Hay is a fun polka in the key of Em (Dorian Mode – Standard Tuning), played at a fast tempo, and suited to the advancing intermediate picker. There are two parts to the tune, with a focus on the melodic technique and some interesting rhythm combinations. Go to lesson...