Hot Banjo How-Tos « Banjo

How To: Play two finger chords on the banjo

For intermediate banjo players, this video will teach you how to play two fingered chords. While two fingered chords are more difficult than four fingered chords, learning this skill will bring great improvement to your banjo skills as shown by the sample song "Banks of the Ohio." Play two finger chords on the banjo.

How To: Play "Eighth of January" on the banjo

David Cavage shows you how to play the traditional fiddle tune "Eighth of January" on the 5-string banjo. This is a 6-part tutorial, lessons 82-87.

How To: Play Worried Man Blues on the banjo

Get your banjo and learn how to play the Worried Man Blues!

How To: End a song on a banjo

This video teaches you visually how to end to a song with a cool lick on the banjo

How To: Play a melodic ending passage on the banjo

Learn how you can play a common melodic ending passage on the banjo with this tutorial. This is an Earl Scruggs style banjo lick that can be used as a phrase ending lick or break it into fragment and use it in many ways. Watch this how to video and you can play this melodic ending passage on the banjo.

How To: Play a bluegrass banjo lick on a Bb pentatonic scale

Learn how to play probably the most recognized melodic licks in bluegrass banjo with this tutorial. This lick is based on a Bb pentatonic scale. You can hear this lick in a lot of Ben Eldridge's playing though it may date back farther than the 1950's. Watch this how to video and you will be able to play this famous lick based on the Bb pentatonic scale.

How To: Play chord progressions on the banjo

The banjo is a stringed musical instrument that's been adapted from several African instruments. Learn more about the banjo and chord progressions with expert tips in this free video series.

How To: Play Down the Road on the banjo

This next tune has a very special melody - Down the Road. Learn how you can play it on the banjo.

How To: Play "Foggy Mountain Breakdown" on banjo

Watch to learn how to play "Foggy Mountain Breakdown" on banjo, which features a right hand pattern that is used in many other banjo songs.

How To: Play the banjo for beginners

This banjo tutorial video will teach you how you can play the banjo. The banjo is a stringed instrument that is tuned like a guitar. It is said to have originated from Africa. This video is great for beginners just starting out on the banjo. Practice playing the banjo and improve your banjo playing skills.

How To: Build basic scales and chords on the banjo

David Cavage shows you the basic building of scales and chords on the 5-string banjo, and he shows some exercises afterwards. This is a 7-part tutorial, lessons 74-80.

How To: Play "Cumberland Gap" on the banjo

David Cavage breaks down "Cumberland Gap" on the 5-string banjo so you can you understand and play it easily, while he also lectures on the pentatonic scale and other necessities. This is a 10 part tutorial.

How To: Play basic rhythm chords on a banjo

Watch banjo expert Geoff Hohwald teach you the basics of rhythm techniques of banjo also known as chopping or vamping. While it may seem to be a boring skill, being good at vamping is actually the key to great bluegrass music. Play basic rhythm chords on a banjo.

How To: Play "The Little Beggarman" on the banjo

Although mainly demonstrational, this video shows you how to play "The Little Beggarman" on the banjo. This video is intended for advanced players who learn easily by watching or listening. Read the useful tips posted below to aid your banjo learning:

How To: Play rampi rampi rhythm with the right hand

This instructional banjo video takes a look at what the right hand does while playing the Rampi Rampi, a Turkish song in 9/8. The rhythm goes something like this: 2 (quick), 2 (quick), 2 (quick), 3 (slow). This is basically the bum-diddy pattern. Watch this tutorial video and learn how to play the rampi rampi rhythm with your right hand.

How To: Play banjo licks on a two note melodic scale in G

This banjo tutorial goes over working with a two note melodic scale in G major to form ideas for licks. This lesson teaches you improvisational techniques on the banjo. You will also learn the 3 different types of the melodic scales. Watch this how to video and you will be able to play banjo licks on a two note melodic scale in G major.

How To: Play "9 Pound Hammer" on the banjo

Geoff Hohwald shows you how to play "9 Pound Hammer" on the banjo in this video.

How To: Play Roll in My Sweet Baby's Arm on the banjo

Learn this traditional bluegrass song on the banjo. Avram Siegel shows you how to play Roll in My Sweet Baby's Arm.

How To: Vamp the strings on a banjo

To get a good "chop" on your banjo, you have to learn to vamp the strings, as opposed to just lifting them. Here you'll see how!

How To: Play closed position chords on the banjo

We've learned some open chords, and now it is time for some closed chords on the banjo! There are three basic chord shapes for you to practice.

How To: Play hammer ons on the banjo

Learn another left hand technique for the banjo - the hammer on, where you pluck the string and then hammer on it with your finger.

How To: Play 'whiskey before breakfast' on banjo

This is a version of a popular fiddle tune that I worked up to play with our fiddle player. Since we were playing it in unison, I wanted a version as close to the standard melody as possible.

How To: Get started playing the banjo again

A bit rusty on the banjo? This video lesson from the BCC will get you going again. If your banjo hasn't been played for some time it's possible the vellum might need replacing - this is the skin, like the head on a drum, which is stretched over the banjo's circular sound body, and tightened using tensioning nuts. Plastic is a good option these days, as it's more constant and less likely to attract moisture and slacken.

How To: Play the banjo

Looking for beginner banjo lessons? Take them online with this free music lesson video series about how to tune, pick and strum a banjo.

How To: Play licks on the banjo

The banjo is a stringed musical instrument that's been adapted from several African instruments. Learn more about the banjo and various licks with expert tips in this free video series.

How To: Master basic banjo chords and techniques

The banjo is a stringed musical instrument that's been adapted from several African instruments. Learn more about the banjo and chord positions with expert tips in this free video series.

How To: Play banjo licks on the C melodic scale

Learn how to play melodic C licks on the banjo with this tutorial. This lesson is an introduction to the C melodic scale and improvisation on the C scale. This is a great lesson for beginner to intermediate banjo players. Watch this how to video and you will be improvising on the C melodic scale on the banjo.

How To: Play a D scale on the banjo

Learn how to play a D scale on the banjo with this tutorial. This video also teaches you some licks based on the melodic D scale. Watch this how to video and you can play the D scale on the banjo.

How To: Play a melodic lick on the banjo

Learn how you can play a melodic lick on the banjo with this tutorial. This banjo lick is a nice melodic idea with chromatic intervals added. Watch this how to video and you will be able to play a melodic lick on the banjo.

How To: Play banjo patterns in the key of C major

This two part tutorial teaches you a banjo pattern in the key of C major. This banjo lick is a slight variation on a basic scale. Watch this how to video and you will be able to improvise different patterns in the key of C major.

How To: Play a banjo lick based on the D melodic scale

Learn how you can play a lick based on the D melodic scale with this banjo tutorial. You will learn different picking patterns and variations on the melodic D scale. Watch this banjo how to video and you will be able to improvise over the D melodic scale.

How To: Play more advanced fingerpicking rhythms on the banjo

This two part how to video is an informal banjo lesson showing ideas for syncopation and other rhythmic techniques you can use to make a tune your own. The tune "Julianne Johnson" is used as an example of more advanced fingerpicking. This video is aimed at intermediate players who are comfortable with drop-thumbing and plucks. Watch this two part tutorial and you can jazz up your banjo playing with different fingerpicking techniques.

How To: Play "Mississippi Sawyer" on the banjo

This banjo how to video teaches you some easy tricks to play with the classic D tune Mississippi Sawyer using minor and modal variations. This banjo lesson is based on the assumption that you already know the tune, Mississippi Sawyer. This lesson is for advanced banjo players. Watch this how to video and you can learn how play Mississippi Sawyer in minor and major keys.

How To: Play a banjo lick based on the C melodic scale

This banjo tutorial teaches you how to play a lick based on the C melodic scale. This riff is a backwards roll where you add a chromatic note to the mix and then resolved to C major. This is a great banjo lesson for beginner to intermediate students. Watch this how to video and you can play this banjo lick based on the C melodic scale.