Melodic, single string, bluesy licks – Salt Creek – hold on tight! In this lesson, we’ll look at 2 variations for the advanced picker, in the key of A (standard tuning – capo 2 – string 5 spiked to fret 7), using the mixolydian scale with the addition of the minor 3rd (b3) passing note giving it a great bluesy feel. Go to lesson...
The Rights of Man is a traditional Celtic hornpipe in the key of Em. We’re in standard G tuning for this arrangement and the tune features the melodic technique, with a little single-string technique. Being a hornpipe, we’ll be swinging the 8th notes, with a feature triplet run that will get your finger’s moving! Go to lesson...
The Merry Blacksmith is a traditional Celtic reel in the key of D. We’re in standard G tuning for this arrangement and the tune features the melodic technique, with a little single-string technique and a grace note pull off which helps spice up the melody! Played at quite a fast tempo, this lesson would suit the more advanced student. Go to lesson...
Bonaparte Crossing The Rhine is a traditional tune in the key of D Major and we are in standard ‘gDGBD’ tuning, which works really well for this melody using the D major scale. In this arrangement we’ll be using the melodic techniques.
There are 2 variations within this arrangement. Firstly, the basic melody, played using the melodic technique. Go to lesson...
In this banjo lesson we’ll take a look at a great arrangement of the traditional tune, Angeline The Baker. The tune is in the key of D Major and we are in ‘aDGBD’ tuning, which works really well for this melody using the D major scale. This is a popular session tune, and in this arrangement we’ll be using the melodic techniques. Go to lesson...
In this banjo lesson we’ll take a look at a great arrangement of the traditional tune, Whiskey Before Breakfast. The tune is in the key of D Major and we are in standard ‘gDGBD’ tuning. This is a popular session tune, and in this arrangement we’ll be using the single-string & melodic techniques – and the bonus – no re-tuning required! Go to lesson...
In this 3-finger banjo lesson we’ll take a look at an arrangement of the Traditional Australian Folk Song, Click Go The Shears. The tune is in the key of G Major and we are in standard tuning. The time signature we are in is 6/8 (two dotted quarter note beats per measure). Go to lesson...
In this banjo lesson we’ll take a look at Childgrove; a traditional English Country Dance. This arrangement is in the key of Am and it’s a great tune for the advancing beginner/intermediate picker, with 2 variations that use both the single-string & melodic techniques. Played at a slow/medium tempo, we’ll focus on the right-hand fingering needed to play both the techniques as we work our way through the tune. Go to lesson...
A course focusing on the melodic & single-string techniques including scales, arpeggios, chords, rhythm (back up), improvisation, speed development, general technique exercises & sight-reading.
Scales & Technical Work should form an important, structured part of your practice routine. It will improve your general technique, practical theory knowledge, improvisation, understanding of melody & harmony, rhythm, tone, and so on. Go to lesson...
G’day! In this O’Carolan’s Draught: Melodic Banjo Lesson, we’ll take a look at this great tune for the intermediate picker in the 3-finger style on the 5-string banjo. This tune is a Reel, composed by Turlough O’Carolan and in the key of G. The banjo is tuned to standard tuning for this arrangement and features both the single string & melodic technique throughout, making it an excellent study for the banjo. Go to lesson...