John Ryan’s Polka is a well known traditional Irish polka, played in the key of D (Drop D Tuning). There are two variations within this arrangement, a basic version of the melody and a variation focused on the deeper tones in the drop d tuning with some interesting syncopation. It’s a fast tune, perfect for an advancing picker, and the basic version is great to get up to speed, while the variation adds a bit of flare to the tune! Go to lesson...
Tag Archives: Polka
John Ryan’s Polka: Mandolin Lesson
John Ryan’s Polka is a well known traditional Irish polka, played in the key of D. In this lesson, we’ll cover the basic melody, but as simple as the melody is, we’ll then turn our attention to increasing speed in our playing. We’ll cover several speed exercises and an important strategy to help in your progress. Go to lesson...
Riding On A Load Of Hay: Flatpicking Guitar Lesson
Riding On A Load Of Hay is a fun polka (2/4) in the key of Em (Dorian Mode), played at a fast tempo, and suited to the intermediate picker. There are two parts to the tune, with the rhythm structure well suited to the intermediate picker in helping to develop speed, without the need to play too many notes. Go to lesson...
Riding On A Load Of Hay: Mandolin
Riding On A Load Of Hay is a fun polka (2/4) in the key of Em (Dorian Mode), played at a fast tempo, and suited to the intermediate picker. There are two parts to the tune, with the rhythm structure well suited to the intermediate picker in helping to develop speed, without the need to play too many notes. Go to lesson...
Riding On A Load Of Hay: Banjo
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...
Finnish Polka: Melodic Banjo 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...
John Ryan’s Polka: Melodic Banjo 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...
Bill Sullivan’s Polka: Beginner Melodic Banjo
G’day! In this Bill Sullivan’s Polka: Beginner Melodic Banjo Lesson, we’ll take a look at this great tune for the advancing beginner picker in the melodic style. This tune is a traditional polka in 2/4 time & played in the key of A. The banjo is tuned to standard tuning with the capo placed at fret 2 & the 5th string spiked at fret 7 for this arrangement and features the melodic technique, plus a little single string at times. Go to lesson...