Arab Bounce - Modern Style - Up the Neck

Modern banjo players often combine multiple picking styles. In this version of Arab Bounce for banjo you'll use the melodic and Scruggs styles up the neck along with some single string playing. The A part is very close to the way Vernon Derrick, who wrote the tune, played this on mandolin as it was recorded with Jimmy Martin.

Up the neck melodic playing can be quite a challenge, especially with all of the triplets in the A section. You can just not play the triplets, or play the first note in each triplet group and this will still sound great! There are also some easier options in the licks that outline chord tones AKA arpeggios. Make sure to practice your G melodic scales and use the focus feature in this arrangement for tough measures and sections.

The B part involves quite a pit of simplified Scruggs style playing up the neck. Read the banjo tab closely and use the suggested fret hand fingerings. Analyze what you are reading and listening to. Do you notice the roll pattern that's being used? It's a forward roll that starts on the index finger. Thinking about what you are learning is really helpful as you progress into a more intermediate level and want to start to get more creative on your own terms.

Check out the licks, you'll find a lot of great variations for the B part that show alternate roll patterns and two note chord shapes. There's some nice melodic runs that start or end on chord tones as well. These are great lick ideas you could easily reuse in other songs.

Explore more Arab Bounce Banjo Tabs:

Melody Outline, Modern Style, Single String, Chris Warner Style