1st and 2nd String Exercises
Here’s a mini lesson which will give you some 1st and 2nd string exercises you can use to explore the fretboard and improve your speed.
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Intermediate
Up The Neck Scruggs Backup (Part One)
Here’s another mini lesson to help you working on connecting your Scruggs backup licks and reusing them in different songs. I break down some common licks, show you how to move them around the banjo neck and give you some practice tips for expanding your backup repertoire!
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Up The Neck Scruggs Backup (Part Two)
Here’s another mini lesson further exploring up the neck backup in Scruggs style. This lesson focuses on some positions where you can find common backup licks. It will also give you some left hand fingerings to try that will help make these licks easier to play.
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Bluesy Banjo Backup In D
Here’s another mini lesson to help you work on playing bluesy backup in the key of D. We’ll work on some chords and some notes that you can use to create licks in this style.
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Moveable Major Pentatonic Scales
Here’s another mini lesson to help you work on improvising using the major pentatonic scale. We’ll talk about the basic scale down-the-neck and show you a moveable pattern you can use to play the scale in any key. We’ll also talk about some situations where you can use this scale!
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Whiskey Before Breakfast Intermediate Banjo
Another fiddle tune in the Key of D without a capo. This song will help you practice moving around the neck and playing a fiddle melody on the banjo. I’ve included my recommended left and right hand fingerings. I’ve also included an alternate A part that I’ve heard played on the fiddle.
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What A Friend We Have In Jesus Intermediate Banjo
Here’s a great kick-off or solo to this classic gospel tune in the Key of G. This is a great song to work on adapting a simple melody to the bluegrass banjo style. Includes a solo for the verse and chorus.
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Wayfaring Stranger Intermediate Banjo
Here’s a great old song to work on adapting a slower tune to the banjo. This song will help you practice playing in a minor key and give you some great roll practice staying away from your 5th string. This song has been done by lots of artists over the years so it’s a great
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How Great Thou Art Intermediate Banjo
Here’s a gospel classic, adapted to the banjo. This song will help you work on playing slow and bringing out the melody. We’ll use some different techniques on this song including triplets and three note chords to help to harmonize the melody.
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Temperance Reel Intermediate Banjo
Here’s another great fiddle tune for the banjo. Sometimes also called “Teetotaler’s Reel” this song is played in bluegrass, old-time and irish jam sessions. This song’s B part goes to the relative minor (Em) which gives the song a unique feel and makes the song really fun to play.
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