Kitchen Girl is a traditional American Old-Time tune, in the key of A (mixolydian) in Part A and moves to Am (aeolian) in Part B, making it a great modal tune. This arrangement is in standard tuning – capo 2 and is well suited to the advanced picker, with some challenging variations up & down the neck.
Turkey In The Straw is a well known bluegrass fiddle tune in the key of G (standard tuning). This is the second version for the banjo on Pickin’ Lessons and in this arrangement the melody is embellished making for a very challenging tune to pick! Featuring the melodic technique, with a little Scruggs style, this version is certainly for the advanced picker, but is an awesome technique workout!
King Of The Fairies is a traditional Irish hornpipe, in the key of Em (standard tuning). It has a very intriguing melody, which is really great to play on the banjo, and in this lesson we’ll cover how to capture the hornpipe feel and the challenging hand positions we’re faced with.
Father O’Flynn is a lively tune, in the key of D (standard tuning). It’s a traditional Irish jig, and in this lesson we’ll cover how to capture the rhythm and pulse for the 6/8 time signature. This arrangement uses the melodic technique, played at a fast tempo and is well suited to the advanced picker.
Angels We Have Heard On High is a traditional carol set to the hymn Gloria. In this banjo arrangement we’ll look at both a melodic style version (basic) and a chord melody style (intermediate) in the key of G (standard tuning). The basic version of the melody, played in a melodic style is very accessible and is well suited to the beginner melodic picker.
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.
Blues played on the banjo always sound great, and in this lesson, we’ll explore a captivating lead break performed over two complete cycles of the 12 Bar Blues with a shuffle feel. The solo is in the key of G and incorporates a plethora of cool licks spanning up and down the neck, utilising both single-string and melodic techniques.
In this banjo lesson, we’ll learn a Shuffle Blues in G, combining both rhythm & lead in the one arrangement. With 2 variations over the 12 bar blues, lots of melodic & single-string licks & rhythm variation, this is a lot of fun on the banjo! It works well at a variety of tempos, as a solo piece or with accompaniment. Go to lesson...
Southwind is a traditional Irish waltz, played in the key of G (standard tuning). It has a very beautiful melody that we’ll first learn in its basic form using the melodic technique, then spice it up with a chord melody arrangement that ventures up the neck. While the basic melody is very simple, I’d suggest the more advanced variation of the tune is suited to the intermediate picker. Go to lesson...
The Three Sea Captains is a traditional Irish jig, played at a medium tempo, in the key of G (standard tuning). With a jolly melody, both the A & B parts are longer than the usual fiddle tune, making for a more substantial tune to pick. I’d suggest that you need to be comfortable with the jig structure, as this tune takes it up a notch with a variety of rhythmic variation featured throughout, making this tune more suited to the advanced intermediate picker. Go to lesson...