John Henry Beginner Banjo

[Mike]

This is the discussion topic for the lesson John Henry Beginner Banjo. Please leave your comments or any questions you might have about the lesson here!

[jdellavalle]

Hi Mike –

If I didn’t know the melody to John Henry and just looked at your tab for the first time, how would I pick out the melody notes?

Thank you!

[Mike]

Good question.

There’s not an easy way to just look at a tab you’ve never heard and know the melody for sure. It’s helpful to listen to the song to get a sense of the melody and then look at the tab.

A lot of times the melody will be the fretted notes and the open strings will be an extra part of the rolls but not always.

For this particular song the melody is mainly on the 1st and 2nd strings for measures 1-14 and then goes down to the 3rd and 4th strings for 15-21.

If you have any other questions let me know. Keep picking.

Best,
Mike

[jdellavalle]

Thanks, Mike. Very helpful response.

Johanna

[Author]

Posts