How to Play Ducks on the Millpond on Banjo - Clawhammer Tab & Lesson

How to Play Ducks on the Millpond - Step by Step

Get Into Double C Tuning

Ducks on the Millpond is played in Double C tuning (gCGCD). From standard Open G (gDGBD), you need to change two strings:

• Lower your 4th string from D down to C
• Raise your 2nd string from B up to C

Your 1st string stays at D, 3rd at G, and 5th at G. The name “Double C” comes from having two C strings (the open 2nd and open 4th). Strum the open strings and listen to the sound. It has a bright, open quality compared to Open G, and those two C strings create a natural drone that suits this tune perfectly.

Learn the A Part

The arrangement has two distinct sections. The A part runs through the first half of the tune and establishes the main melody. Start here and take it slowly, a few measures at a time.

Right from the opening measures, you’ll notice slides (marked S in the tab). These slides are a defining feature of the tune. They give the melody a fluid, connected feel. Each slide should be smooth and controlled. Press the string firmly and glide to the target fret without lifting pressure.

You’ll also encounter pull-offs (marked P) in the A part. A good pull-off snaps the string as you release the fret. Don’t just lift your finger straight up. Pull it slightly downward (toward the floor) as you release. This gives the open string enough energy to ring clearly.

Learn the B Part

The B part introduces new melodic material and shifts the energy of the tune. This is where the arrangement gets more technically demanding. You’ll find hammer-ons (marked H) joining the slides and pull-offs from the A part.

The most distinctive feature of the B part is the triplet figures, marked with a bracket and the number 3 in the tab. Triplets squeeze three notes into the space normally occupied by two. They create a burst of rapid-fire notes that add excitement and drive to the melody. Practice these triplets in isolation. Count them as “trip-a-let” and make sure all three notes are even in volume and timing.

Connect the Sections

Once you can play each part individually, start connecting them. Play through the A part and go directly into the B part without stopping. The transition between sections is where most players stumble, so pay extra attention to the last measure of the A part leading into the first measure of the B part.

The arrangement has repeat signs, so each part gets played twice before moving on. A-A-B-B is the standard structure. Practice playing through the full form: A part twice, B part twice, and then loop back to the beginning.

Build Up the Speed

This is a tune that sounds great at a moderate tempo, but it really comes alive when you push the speed a bit. Start slow with a metronome and gradually increase the tempo over several practice sessions. Don’t jump ahead. If any section falls apart at a higher speed, drop back down and clean it up before trying again.

Pay attention to your right hand as you speed up. The bum-ditty pattern should stay relaxed and consistent even as the left hand gets busier with slides, hammer-ons, and pull-offs. If your right hand starts tensing up, that’s a sign you’ve pushed the tempo too far too fast.

Make It Your Own

Ducks on the Millpond is the kind of tune that rewards repetition. The more you play it, the more natural the embellishments become, and the more room you have to play with dynamics and feel. Try accenting the first beat of each measure to emphasize the driving pulse. Experiment with playing certain passages louder or softer. The tune has a built-in energy to it. Your job is to channel that energy and ride it.