Hot Banjo How-Tos « 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 "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: Do beginning rolls on a banjo

This video teaches you the basic yet fundamental rolls of banjo. Among the rolls taught are the forward roll, the backward roll, the forward backward roll, and the alternating thumb roll. Enjoy.

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 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 Worried Man Blues on the banjo

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

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: Do the hammer/pull technique on the banjo

This video teaches you visually how do the Hammer/Pull technique on the banjo

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: 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 faster on the banjo

Watch banjo expert Geoff Hohwald teach you how to play faster by teaching you two basic chords and how to switch between them efficiently. While the video starts out slowly, it eventually grows in speed so that you too can become a banjo master. Play faster on the banjo.

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 right hand rhythm patterns on the banjo

Learn about right hand patterns you can use when playing the banjo.

How To: Play a quick melodic riff on the banjo

This video teaches you visually how to play a quick melodic riff on the banjo

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: Use the xy or right hand position to play banjo

Learn the right hand position for banjo with instructor Geoff Hohwald. In this video, Mr. Hohwald explains the intricacies of the right hand position including the subtleties of the xy position which has importance in tone. Use the xy or right hand position to play banjo.

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: 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 '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: 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 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 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 banjo

This is a basic set of lessons on the banjo. Fred Wilharm has taught and played bluegrass banjo for over 25 years.

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 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 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 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 "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.