Banjoland Blues (12 Bar Blues) Intermediate Banjo

[Mike]

This is the discussion topic for the lesson Banjoland Blues (12 Bar Blues) Intermediate Banjo. Please leave your comments or any questions you might have about the lesson here!

[Jon]

This is a pretty cool exercise in playing an E blues. I’m having fun working it out.

Measure 19 and measure 20 – looks like the left hand fingering should remain 4/2 for the first three eighth notes, but the tab goes 4/2 4/1 4/2.

[Mike]

Jon,

Thanks. Good catch. Yes that was a typo. I’ve updated the tab and the download to reflect the correct fingering. Glad you’re enjoying the lesson.

– Mike

[bebrooks]

I’ve enjoyed “Banjo Twist” and “Banjo Special” previously…..they are fun to get together with a friend (guitar) and play together, but this Banjoland Blues has been the best. It first seemed to be the hardest piece to get my fingers around, but in my usual 2-3 days I was able to get the muscle memory in place, and now it seems very playable. Looking forward to getting together with that friend this week-end and playing it. I really enjoy the parts bending the strings !!
–Bruce

[Mike]

Nice! My friend Ryan recorded the guitar rhythm track for this lesson so I played it with a friend as well!

Glad you enjoyed it. I had fun working this lesson up.

– Mike

[Jon]

I don’t have a buddy to play along with, so this past week I’ve started to use Garageband on my iPad to lay down a drum track, stand up base and electric piano using “touch” instruments. With the software instruments as a background, I can jam along on my banjo, starting out slow and increasing speeds as my proficiency builds. Although typical bluegrass doesn’t have a drummer, it really helps to have a steady beat in the background…a nicer metronome. This has opened up a whole new experience for me, and I’m having a lot of fun.

[Debora Salling]

So, I feel a little dense asking the question. At the ending lick measure 27, what measure do I pick up again to repeat? Is it measure 3? Thanks for the help.

[Jon]

@Debra – If I’m going to repeat the 1st and 2nd solos, I would skip measures 27 and 28, and jump from measure 26 to 3. I wouldn’t play 27 and 28 until I’m finishing the piece. Just my two cents.

[Debora Salling]

Thanks so much!

[Mike]

Yes Jon is correct! Thanks for jumping in and answering. Keep picking.

– Mike

[Hal Gausman]

Great lesson Mike. I like blending melodic style and the blues banjo sound. What other of your lessons would you recommend?

[Mike]

Check out the E minor and A minor workout lessons. Those are a little more melodic but have some cool blues licks as well. Keep picking.

– Mike

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