18 Slow Songs for the Banjo

So you play the banjo but aren’t drawn to the really fast bluegrass songs?  

I’ve had many people come in to my banjo studio and say that same thing.  The incredible speed that a lot of bluegrass music is played at is intimidating for someone completely new to music, especially those that have never played an instrument before.  Why not start out with some slow songs?

Hopefully this list helps out those wanting to play a slower repertoire.  These tunes are some slow beautiful melodies, that won’t have your right hand playing “catch-up.”

Here is a list of slow songs I’ve heard played on the 5-string banjo through the years; in my opinion, they all work really great on the instrument.  In some cases, I provide links to banjo versions of these songs.  The list includes hymns, Christmas songs, Beatles, Old Classic Country and Great American Songbook Classics.  It has something for everyone-peruse the list and pick out at least two of your favorites to work towards learning:

Slow Banjo Song List

• Tennessee Waltz

• Amazing Grace

• Beautiful Dreamer Beautiful Dreamer TAB

• Faded Love-A quick run through the melody   ME PLAYING FADED LOVE

• Just a Closer Walk  ME PLAYING JUST A CLOSER WALK

• Roxanna’s Waltz-A quick run through the melody My arrangement of Roxanna’s Waltz

• Somewhere Over the Rainbow-Here is a version I did  Rainbow Arrangement

• Ashokan Farewell      ASHOKAN FAREWELL BY LEON HUNT

• Don’t Let me Cross Over-There is a GREAT version by Raymond Fairchild and Chubby Wise that I learned

• How Great Thou Art-  Jim Mill’s version

• Wayfaring Stranger

• I Will- Alison Krauss

• Here There, Everywhere  Tony Trischka Beatles melody

• Red River Valley My arrangement

• Leaning on the Everlasting Arms: My version Gospel Video and TAB

• Danny Boy- Sonny Osborne did a great job of this one, not to mention he played a lot of really nice slow material

• Banks of the Ohio  (Click for my TAB)

• Crazy Arms  Allen Shelton’s version (Two of my favorite things are Allen Shelton and Jim Reeves), so this was a bullseye for me.

• Silent Night

• Maiden’s Prayer-Raymond Mclain had an INCREDIBLE version of this recording that I got a lot from.

Please keep in mind that just because these songs are slower doesn’t mean they are easier in every way.  Many times the challenge with slow tunes is keeping them interesting and staying in time; in addition, they often require more chord shapes with your left-hand.

Unfortunately, not enough banjo players take the time to learn waltzes, ballads and a few basic melodies in a more chordal style.  Being able to play in a variety of tempos is part of being a well-rounded musician.

If you discovered something on this list today you’ve never heard of, I’d love to hear from you in the comments, what are your favorites?  Many of the banjo songs on the list, I have TABS for on my site, so be sure to look around under my

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I highly recommend my Slow Banjo Backup Article packed with free banjo tips on playing behind slow songs.  Free Slow Banjo Videos

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