This is my arrangement of the classic Jerry Reed tune based off the original soundtrack recording from the movie Smokey and the Bandit that featured Bobby Thompson on banjo.

Like the original this arrangement features two banjos in harmony but it can just as easily be played as a solo piece. On the slow section the two banjos are hard panned left and right so you can use your balance control to isolate one banjo or the other. The lead banjo is in the left channel and the harmony is in the right. Both banjos are in standard G tuning.

Here is Earl’s Breakdown at a modest speed so it’s easily digestible. A good performance tempo would be between 130-140 bpm.

Beaumont Rag, what is there to say? It’s a timeless classic from deep in the heart of Texas. A consummate standard played by Doc, Clarence & Tony to name a few.

My arrangement is played out of the C position capoed at the 2nd fret for the key of D. The crosspicking sections can be played with the DDU pattern but I generally incorporate alternate picking.

This Jesse McReynolds’ tune seems to show up at just about every jam. I tip my hat to Bobby Thompson’s playing with this arrangement.
Key of G.