How to Play Boil Them Cabbage Down on Banjo - Clawhammer Tab & Lesson
About This Song
Boil Them Cabbage Down is one of the oldest and most well-known American folk songs. It dates back to at least the mid-1800s and has been passed down through generations of musicians. The exact origin is lost to history, but the tune has become a staple of old-time and bluegrass jam sessions everywhere.
This is THE first song many banjo players learn, and for good reason. It has a simple, catchy melody and only uses three chords. It's so much fun to play, even at a basic level, and it makes a great first song to learn on the banjo. If you're brand new to clawhammer, start here.
Boil Them Cabbage Down Clawhammer Banjo Tab
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How to Play Boil Them Cabbage Down - Step by Step
Get the Chord Progression Down
Before anything else, let’s get comfortable with the three chords you need. We’re in standard open G tuning (gDGBD), and the progression uses:
- G - your home base, where the song lives most of the time
- C - a short trip away from G
- D - the turnaround chord that pulls you back to G
These are the three most important chords on the banjo. You’ll use them in song after song, so time spent getting these changes smooth is time well spent. Practice switching between them slowly until it feels natural.
Learn the Melody
The melody for Boil Them Cabbage Down is about as straightforward as it gets. It’s short, it’s catchy, and it repeats. Play through it slowly a few times and try to hum it to yourself. Once it’s stuck in your head, you’re halfway there.
Don’t worry about adding any rhythm or embellishments yet. Just focus on hitting the right melody notes cleanly. The melody is the backbone of the whole arrangement, so take your time with it.
Add the Bum-Ditty Rhythm
Now here’s where it starts to sound like clawhammer banjo. Once you have the melody under your fingers, you’re going to layer the bum-ditty rhythm over it. That’s your 1-2-and pattern: melody note, brush stroke, thumb pluck. Over and over.
If there’s a melody note on a beat, play that note. If there’s no melody note, fill it in with the bum-ditty. This is the fundamental clawhammer pattern, and Boil Them Cabbage Down is the perfect song to drill it in because there’s nothing else competing for your attention. No fancy techniques, no tricky spots. Just you and the bum-ditty.
Make It Your Own
Once you’ve got the basic arrangement sounding solid, play around with it. Try accenting different melody notes. Experiment with playing it a little faster, then a little slower. Play along with the video, or better yet, find someone else to jam with.
The beauty of a simple song like this is that it gives you room to focus on feel and tone rather than just getting the notes right. A simple song played with great feel will always sound better than a complicated song played sloppily.
Practice Tips
- 1
Focus on getting the bum-ditty rhythm absolutely solid before anything else. This is the engine that drives everything in clawhammer banjo, and Boil Them Cabbage Down is the perfect song to lock it in.
- 2
Practice switching between G, C, and D until the changes are smooth and automatic. If your chord changes are clean, the whole song will sound great even at a basic level.
- 3
Play along with a metronome or the video at a slow tempo. Speed will come naturally once your timing is steady. There's no rush.
Frequently Asked Questions
What tuning is Boil Them Cabbage Down played in?
Boil Them Cabbage Down is played in standard open G tuning (gDGBD). This is the most common tuning for clawhammer banjo and the one you'll use for the majority of beginner songs.
Is Boil Them Cabbage Down hard to play?
Not at all. It's widely considered the easiest clawhammer banjo song you can learn. The melody is simple, the chord changes are basic, and there are no tricky embellishments to worry about. It's the perfect starting point.
What are the chords for Boil Them Cabbage Down?
Just three chords: G, C, and D. These are the three most important chords in open G tuning, and you'll use them in countless other songs once you've got them down here.
What makes Boil Them Cabbage Down such a good song for beginners?
A few things. The melody is short and repeatable, so it sticks in your head fast. The chord progression uses only G, C, and D, which are the foundational chords for banjo. And the arrangement doesn't require any special techniques like slides or pull-offs. It's pure bum-ditty rhythm.
How can I make Boil Them Cabbage Down sound better?
Once you have the basic arrangement solid, focus on your tone and timing. Make sure your bum-ditty is crisp and even. Play along with the video to check your timing. As you get more comfortable, you can experiment with dynamics and playing with a little more attack on the melody notes to make them stand out.