Free Intermediate Banjo Lesson Here’s what I call an intermediate banjo roll. It’s quite useful for playing melodies on the FIRST string. This roll is unique in that it starts with the MIDDLE finger and uses the INDEX to play the 1st string as well. …
Free Banjo Lesson for Salt Creek Here is the video: In this FREE banjo lesson, I cover the Bluegrass favorite SALT CREEK. This arrangement uses only a few rolls and hand positions. Salt Creek is in the mode of MIXOLYDIAN. This is why it has…
Right hand Banjo Technique. In today’s video, I’m covering tips and pointers for working on dynamics and tone. All of this will help you play better banjo. A quick synopsis of what is in the banjo teaching video: 1)incorrect posture and how it affects your…
E minor Banjo Licks-Free Lesson Click on Image to Watch Banjo LICK Video So much banjo music is in the key of G and you’ll encounter an E minor chord a lot. It’s the most common chord in the key of G. So it’s a…
Here is an EASY BANJO LESSON for the old classic “Man of Constant Sorrow.” Made popular by Ralph Stanley and then later, the movie “Oh Brother Where Art Thou.” To play Man of Constant Sorrow, you’ll only need to know a few banjo rolls like…
Best Banjo Books In my latest video, I go over what I feel are the best BANJO BOOKS for beginners to intermediate players. There are a lot of books on the market out there, some of them great, some not so great; there are even…
Free BANJO LESSON: Little Maggie In my latest FREE Banjo Lesson, I teach the old bluegrass favorite, “Little Maggie.” Now, you MAY have seen another “Little Maggie” video; that was an easy version in the lower registers. I’d rate this one as a little more…
Here is a Beginner Banjo Lesson on the old classic LONESOME ROAD BLUES. It was played by the greats such as Earl Scruggs, Sonny Osborne, and more. This arrangement is aimed at the beginner, as it doesn’t use too many rolls or techniques. You shouldn’t…
I decided to work up the Hank Garland song, “Sugarfoot Rag.” The first break is taken largely from Hank’s melody and the rest is my own creation. I’m playing it in A Mixolydian without a capo, leaving the 5th string tuned to G. A mixolydian…
One question I get a lot is, “I’ve learned my scales, now what do I do with this knowledge?” Comments like, everything I play sounds like I’m running up and down scales, I know the fingerings but I can’t make up any good melodies. A…
Using the Mixolydian Mode What is the Mixolydian Mode? Why is it important? When can you use it? What songs are in the mixolydian mode? I’ll unravel the modal mystery for you today. ARTICLE CONTENTS What is a Mixolydian Mode Mixolydian Mode history and…
Don Reno was one of the greatest banjo players of all-time. I got into his style heavily when I was around 17-18 years old, absorbing as much of it as I could. His single-string runs, thumb brush strokes, and enhanced chordal knowledge was something that…
In this banjo lesson, I teach an up the neck version of “Angeline the Baker.” You will need to tune your 5th string up to A or use a 5th string spike to capo it up to A. This version relies HEAVILY on the 521…
Banjo Licks for a D minor Chord D minor is one of the most common keys and chords in music. Whether it be bluegrass, jazz or classical, you will encounter it bunches. You want to have so much material for D minor chords that you…