Arab Bounce - Single String

Arab Bounce is a mandolin tune that was written by Vernon Derrick. He played mando and fiddle in Jimmy Martin's band. This is a single string style version of Arab Bounce for the banjo. It's also very similar to the way Vernon played it on the mandolin. The signature triplets are there in the A part. These are tough to master in the single string style. Use Tunefox tools like the focus feature to listen multiple times so you'll understand the proper timing. Then, continue using focus to practice them repeatedly at an attainable speed. It may need to be as slow as 25 BPM and that's okay! You may need to practice without the player - one note at a time. That's also ok!

There's lots of great licks here. Many are similar to variations Vernon played while others are just interesting vocabulary or classic Scruggs riffs. Speaking of Earl Scruggs, there's a few standard licks that are borrowed from the master himself - like in measures 16 & 17. There's also a great two measure long syncopated Scruggs riff in measures 19 & 20. Earl usually just played this lick using D chord shapes in tunes like Groundspeed during the B part or near the end of John Hardy. Here it's shown played in the "F" chord, or root chord shape, and it's used to navigate the chord changes in the B section.

Explore more Arab Bounce Banjo Tabs:

Melody Outline, Modern Style, Modern Style - Up the Neck, Chris Warner Style