Tag Archives: Single-String Banjo

Merry Blacksmith, The: Banjo

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 studentGo to lesson...

Bonaparte’s Retreat: Banjo

Bonaparte’s Retreat is a traditional tune in the key of D Major. This tune has such a great melody and within this arrangement we’ll focus on the the single-string technique plus playing out of the D chord shape while finding our melody notes. The form we’ll play for this version is ABBCBB, but once you know the parts, you may hear it played with a different structure, so be adaptable! Go to lesson...

Whiskey Before Breakfast: Banjo 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...

Click Go The Shears: Banjo 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...

Lord Inchiquin: Banjo Lesson

In this Celtic 3-finger banjo lesson we’ll take a look at a pretty arrangement of the Turlough O’Carolan tune, Lord Inchiquin. The tune is in the key of D Major and we are in ‘aDGBD’ tuning. Interestingly, the time signature we are in is 6/4 (six quarter note beats per measure). Go to lesson...

Childgrove: Banjo 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...

Scales & Technical Practice | Banjo | Level 1

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...

Star of Munster: Single-String Banjo Lesson

G’day! In this Star of Munster: Single-String Banjo Lesson, we’ll take a look at an arrangement of this traditional Celtic reel for the intermediate picker. The arrangement is played in standard tuning, in the key of Am (dorian mode).

A feature of this arrangement is the use of the single-string technique, which makes for a great picking study, but also gives the tune a real drive. Go to lesson...

O’Carolan’s Draught: Melodic Banjo 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...

Eleanor Plunkett: Melodic Banjo Lesson

G’day! In this Eleanor Plunkett: 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 an Air (3/4), composed by Turlough O’Carolan and in the key of G. The banjo is tuned to standard tuning for this arrangement and features the melodic technique, plus a little single string at times. Go to lesson...