Banjo Lick No. 1
November 24th, 2019This is a melodic lick inspired by Bela Fleck. The tricky part is fretting the 5th string with your pinky.
Key of G
Video
Cripple Creek
August 2nd, 2019Cripple Creek
Key of A
Capo 2nd
Somewhere between Bluegrass and Old-Time is how I like to play fiddle tunes on guitar. Sure I may be playing a Santa Cruz Tony Rice model, in this video, but I relate more to Norman Blake and a laid back approach.
The intention of this video is to show you how to shape a basic melody into a lead line. More importantly it demonstrates that rhythm playing is equally important and doesn’t always have to be robotic strumming.
Another important element is to play with a bowing type pulse to give the music a lilt. After all fiddle tunes are traditionally played at dances.
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The Lester Flatt Run – 12 Variations
July 28th, 2019Here are 12 variations of the classic Lester Flatt run also known as the G-Run. It’s a snappy tag lick that usually happens over a G chord but can be transcribed into any key.
There is no end to the possible variations but I figured 12 was a good starting point. Six in the key of G, three in C and three more in D.
Scale Harmony for Guitar
July 28th, 2019In this video we’ll take a look at harmonizing a C major scale on the guitar. It’s quite simple to do. First figure out the notes of the C major scale (C-D-E-F-G-A-B-C). On piano this is all seven of the white keys.
Next you’re going to build a 7th chord for each note in the scale using only the notes from the scale. You build a 7th chord by using every other note.
For example starting on the 1st degree of the scale, which is C in this case, you would use the 1st, 3rd, 5th & 7th degrees of the scale C-E-G-B (Cmaj7).
Repeat the process on the remaining notes: D-F-A-C (Dm7). When you run out of notes you just continue using the same order. So the third group of notes would be E-G-B-D (Em7).
This is the first step toward understanding the seven modes of the major scale.
Jerusalem Ridge – Melodic Banjo
February 13th, 2018Key of Am
Capo 2nd
Spike 7th
(Gm Tuning = g-D-G-Bb-D)
Jerusalem Ridge is arguably Bill Monroe’s finest instrumental and Kenny Baker certainly helped solidify its place in history.
For my banjo arrangement I took most of my inspiration from Kenny’s fiddle playing. It’s a tricky, crooked tune to play on banjo but easily my favorite Monroe instrumental.
You’ll see banjo players play this tune in either standard G or Gm tuning with or without a capo. I opted for G minor tuning with the capo on the 2nd fret with the 5th string spiked at the 7th fret. This results in the actual sound of the strings as an Am chord (a-E-A-C-E).
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Tab in PDF and TablEdit formats - $6.00
Sally Goodin
February 3rd, 2018Sally Goodin
Key of A,
Capo 2nd.
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Tab in PDF and TablEdit formats - $6.00
Crosspicking 102 – Sitting on Top of the World
January 29th, 2018Here is a fine example of crosspicking in the tradition of George Shuffler who played with The Stanley Brothers back in the day.
I transcribed this solo from a 1977 live performance of Ralph Stanley & The Clinch Mountain Boys. You can view the original concert video here.
The guitar player is Troy ‘Renfro’ Profitt and he does a brilliant job of sticking to the melody while rolling that syncopated crosspicking throughout. The predominent picking pattern is Down-Up-Up.
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Tab in PDF and TablEdit formats - $6.00
Backup Banjo – Lesson 3 – Licks
March 27th, 2017In lesson three, of Scruggs style backup, we’re rolling through the essential Scruggs backup licks. Be sure to subscribe if you would like to be notified when follow up videos are released.
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Backup Banjo – Lesson 2 – Vamping
March 31st, 2016In lesson two, of Scruggs style backup, we take a closer look at vamping. Be sure to subscribe to my youtube channel if you would like to be notified when follow up videos are released.
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Backup Banjo – Lesson 1 – Introduction
February 28th, 2016Here is a brief overview of what it takes to get started improvising Scruggs style backup. Be sure to subscribe to my youtube channel if you would like to be notified when follow up videos are released.
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Tab in PDF and TablEdit formats - $6.00
