Tag Archives: Scruggs Style Banjo

Handsome Molly: Banjo Lesson

Handsome Molly is a traditional ballad and in this banjo arrangement we’ll look at a Scruggs style version in the key of G (standard tuning). There are three variations of the melody, up and down the neck with a focus on Scruggs style, but also featuring a little melodic at times and I’d suggest this would suit the advancing intermediate picker.

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Black Mountain Rag (Key of D): Banjo 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...

Sweet By And By: Banjo Lesson

‘In The Sweet By And By’ is a popular, old gospel song that is always a great session sing-along!  In the key of C (Drop C Tuning –  gCGBD), this arrangement features some lovely Scruggs style playing with a little melodic at times. With a variation for both the verse & chorus melodies, this is a great sounding tune that I’d suggest is suited to the intermediate picker, but as always, in this lesson we’ll break down the tune and look at some helpful tips. Go to lesson...

You Are My Sunshine: Banjo Lesson

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...

Joy To The World: Melodic Banjo Lesson

G’day! In this Joy To The World: Melodic Banjo Lesson, we’ll take a look at a fun arrangement of this Christmas Carol played in a melodic style, for the intermediate picker. The arrangement is played out of standard G tuning, capo’d at the 2nd fret, putting us in the key of A. Go to lesson...

Cherokee Shuffle: Banjo Lesson

Hey! In this banjo lesson we’ll take a look at a melodic/Scruggsy style break for Cherokee Shuffle. In the key of A, the capo is positioned at fret 2. During the video lessons we’ll spend some time learning the phrases and memorise as we progress. Check out the play-along video once you’ve learnt the tune and practice improving your tempo! Go to lesson...

Nine Pound Hammer: Beginner Banjo Lesson

Here’s a beginner arrangement of Nine Pound Hammer for the the banjo! In this arrangement, there are 2 different versions. The first has a basic rhythm structure: one measure of quarter notes, followed by one measure of eighth notes in a forward roll pattern. The second version mixes the quarter & eighth notes within several bars. Go to lesson...

Deck The Halls: Banjo Lesson

A bluegrass arrangement of the Christmas carol “Deck The Halls” for the 5-string banjo. Arranged by Heath Joyce, there are 2 breaks in this version. The first is down the neck in a Scruggs style, while the second is up the neck in a melodic style.

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