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.
Leather Britches is a great old-time fiddle tune, played at a medium/fast tempo, in the key of G (standard tuning). This arrangement features both the melodic and Scruggs style, up and down the neck, well suited to the advanced picker. There are 2 variations for each section, combining the different techniques, played over a Texas Swing stye backing.
Carolan’s Welcome is a traditional air (3/4), composed by Turlough O’Carolan. This chord melody arrangement on the 5-string banjo is in the key of Am, played out of standard tuning (gDGBD) and is well suited to the advanced picker. All of O’Carolan’s melodies are beautiful and this is no exception. Played at a relatively moderate tempo, there are some challenging positions to work through, but well worth the effort to get your fingers around the tune.
In this banjo lesson, we’ll take a look at a blues lead break with two variations in the key of G, that utilises the blues scale, major blues scale, arpeggios, up and down the neck licks, call and response, plus a variety of articulation. Played over a 12 bar blues, there are a lot of great licks in this break, but be sure to check out all the other blues lessons at Pickin’ Lessons for more great lick ideas and in depth analysis of the scales and arpeggio patterns used throughout the solo.
Go Tell It On The Mountain is a traditional Gospel Christmas Carol. This arrangement on the 5-string banjo is in the key of G (standard tuning) and features a combination of the melodic technique and Scruggs style, played at a medium tempo, and is suited to the intermediate picker. It will be a great addition to your Christmas repertoire and It’s a super fun tune to pick!
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.