Carolan’s Cottage is a traditional Irish tune composed by Turlough O’Carolan (1670-1738). Played as an Air in 3/4 time, this arrangement for the banjo is in the key of Am (standard tuning). It has a slow, beautiful melody, featuring both the single-string and melodic techniques and is well suited to the intermediate picker. Go to lesson...
High Road To Linton is a traditional Scottish reel, played in the Key of A (mixture of major and mixolydian scales) and on the banjo we have the capo at fret 2 (standard tuning). There are four parts to the tune and this arrangement on the 5-string is a great right-hand study as we need a combination of the single-string, melodic and rolling techniques to cover the melody.
Cherokee Shuffle is a popular American fiddle tune, played in the key of A (standard tuning – capo 2). This is the third version here at Pickin’ Lessons on the banjo and is a variation that approaches the melody in a more basic way, using the single-string & melodic techniques, while still capturing the essence of the tune.
The Sligo Maid is a fantastic traditional Irish reel in the key of Am (Dorian – Standard Tuning). Featuring both the single-string & melodic techniques throughout the tune, paired with a faster tempo, this arrangement is well suited to the advanced picker. It’s a great trad reel and an excellent technique workout!
The Kesh Jig is a traditional Irish jig in the key of G major (standard tuning). Featuring the single-string technique and played at a fast tempo, this tune is a great technique workout and is suited to the advanced picker. It’s a great traditional jig and one well worth having under your fingers!
Tarbolton Reel is a traditional Scottish reel, played at a fast tempo, in the key of Em. Using both the dorian & aeolian minor scales, this arrangement features a nice mixture of ornamentation, rhythmic variation and both the melodic & single-string techniques. Up to tempo, this is a challenging tune, well suited to the advanced picker.
Pigeon On The Gate is a fantastic traditional Irish reel in the key of Em (Dorian). This banjo arrangement is in standard tuning and features both the single-string & melodic techniques on the 5-string. Played at a fast tempo, there are some demanding passages within the tune and is certainly suited to the advanced picker.
Smash The Windows is a great traditional Irish jig, played at a lively tempo, in the key of D (standard tuning). This arrangement features both the melodic and single-string techniques and features the 6/8 time signature. Jigs always sound great on the banjo, but there are some challenging techniques and combined with the lively tempo this is well suited to the advanced intermediate picker.
The Cordal Jig is a traditional Irish jig in the key of D (aDGBD). This 5-string banjo arrangement features the melodic and single-string techniques and will be a great tune for the advanced intermediate picker. It is a fantastic melody to pick and will be a great addition to your trad banjo repertoire!
Fairmoy Lasses is a high energy, traditional Irish reel, in the key of Em (standard tuning). This arrangement on the 5-string banjo features a combination of the melodic technique and single-string, and once combined with the fast tempo, this tune certainly leans towards the advanced picker. It will be a great addition to your repertoire and It’s a super fun tune to pick once you get it under your fingers!