BanjoSkills Blog
Today, we're diving into five clawhammer banjo techniques ranked EASIEST to HARDEST.
These are some of the little tricks I reach for when arranging a song. They can add a whole lot of variety to your playing.
And remember, banjo progress doesn't come from hours of gruelling practice....
The Smithsonian Folkways recording of Ola Belle Reed playing Undone In Sorrow starts with one of my favorite introductions ever. In part "It's a sad, sad, sad mournful song. And when I get done with it it'll be pitiful.".
Originally recorded in 1975, Undone In Sorrow is a sad and beautiful...
Handsome Molly is one of my favorite clawhammer banjo tunes. It's a traditional Appalachian song that first appeared around 1900. To my ears, it has an Irish flavour to it and it's a fun, not-too-difficult song to play. This post should get you started!
Let's start by taking a look at...
"I'll Fly Away" is a classic hymn that has become a much-loved standard. In this post, we'll explore the history of this song, break down how to play it on the banjo, and provide some tabs and video resources for learning. Whether you're a beginner looking for a catchy tune or an advanced player...
With roots tracing back over a century, "Shady Grove" is a traditional Appalachian folk song that has become a staple thanks to legends like Doc Watson. Beyond the popular folk versions, "Shady Grove" has a fascinating history intertwined with the English ballad “Matty Groves." In...
If you want to play an old-time spiritual that's packed with history, look no further than "Gospel Plow." This traditional song has roots stretching back over a century and has been performed by music legends like Mahalia Jackson, Bob Dylan, and more.
In this blog post, we'll dive into the...
Learning to play the banjo from YouTube can be a crapshoot. There's a ton of great material out there, but there's not much of a structured path to follow. And if you want to make real progress with the banjo, you need a plan.
So that's what we're talking about here. If I were to start over...
We're continuing our exploration of sawmill tuning with Cuckoo Bird, also known as Coo-Coo Bird or, simply, The Cuckoo. This song has roots going all the way back to the 13th century, but we're going to start a little more recently with Clarence Ashley.
Clarence Ashley is an old...
Old Joe Clark! This is such a fun tune. Learn it now because, if you ever attend an old time jam, you're definitely gonna play this one.With its driving melody and repetitive verses, it’s easy to improvise and put your own spin on it.
We're going to dive into the history behind the...
Sugar Babe, also known as Red Rocking Chair, Red Apple Juice, Honey Babe, and Sugar Baby, is a classic old-time banjo tune that's been around for almost 200 years.
The earliest known version dates back to 1829 as "The Lass of Roch Royal." Since then, it's been recorded by countless artists over...
Sawmill tuning or, mountain minor tuning as it's sometimes known, gives songs a haunting, ethereal vibe that simply sounds great. You will find lots of familiar songs that use this tunings, and it's just plain fun to noodle around in.
I've also created an easy to understand video to help...
In standard tuning for the banjo, the strings are tuned to an open G chord, as follows:
- Fifth string (short string) - G
- Fourth string (Lowest pitched string) - D
- Third string - G
- Second string - B
- First string - D
This is perfect for playing tunes in the key of G. And with a capo, you can...
