Tag Archives: Single-String Banjo

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...

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...

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...

Colonel John Irwin (O’Carolan): Melodic Banjo

G’day! In this Colonel John Irwin: Melodic Banjo Lesson, we’ll take a look at this great tune for the advancing beginner/intermediate picker. This tune is an Air (6/8), composed by Turlough O’Carolan and in the key of D. 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...

Wayfaring Stranger: Banjo Lesson

G’day! In this Wayfaring Stranger: Banjo Lesson, we’ll take a look at a great arrangement for the beginner/intermediate picker, containing 2 variations of the melody for both the verse & chorus.

This arrangement is in the key of Em, but can be easily capo’d to other keys up the neck.  Go to lesson...

Ten Penny Bit: Banjo Lesson

G’day! In this Ten Penny Bit: Mandolin Lesson, we’ll take a look at the melody of the tune for the advanced banjo picker. The Ten Penny Bit is a traditional Irish Jig in the key of Am (dorian), sharing the same key signature as G (F#).The left hand note combinations are relatively straight forward, but is quite a challenge for your right hand! Go to lesson...