Beginner Banjo 101 banjo tabs

Banjo Rolls

Exercises

• Difficulty
  
• Key
  G
• Tempo
  60 bpm
• Tuning
  gDGBD

Learn to roll! We start you slow on purpose. Don't go too fast on the long notes, or you'll be struggling when you get to the short notes. Focus on accuracy, playing relaxed, and reducing excess motion. The important thing to notice about rolls is that it is not about the strings you use, but the fingers used that define the picking pattern. Here's Some examples: TITM - Alternating Thumb Roll, TIMTMITM - Forward Backward Roll. Pay attention and memorize the rest, then try that picking pattern by using different, or even a single string!

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Chords

Exercises

• Difficulty
  
• Key
  G
• Tempo
  60 bpm
• Tuning
  gDGBD

Learn some basic chords, and how to strum with your thumb in time. The numbers above the tablature indicate the common fingerings used to play these chords.

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Pinches

Exercises

• Difficulty
  
• Key
  G
• Tempo
  60 bpm
• Tuning
  gDGBD

The pinch is an important technique for Scruggs style banjo. A pinch is two notes played simultaneously. It can be done with any finger combination It is great for rhythm or lead.

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Rolling with Chords

Exercises

• Difficulty
  
• Key
  G
• Tempo
  60 bpm
• Tuning
  gDGBD

Rolling with chords is a cornerstone of 3 finger banjo playing. Practice this at a manageable speed.

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Slurs

Exercises

• Difficulty
  
• Key
  G
• Tempo
  60 bpm
• Tuning
  gDGBD

Slurs are a way of playing 2 or more notes, picking only the first note. The following notes are played by maneuvering your fretting hand. Good timing with your slides is important. Make sure to practice this at a manageable tempo when using the Tunefox player. A "pull-off" is done by pulling a finger that's placed on a fretted note inward towards your hand. When done correctly, the string should snap off of your finger as you pull it. The note that sounds will be the open string, or lower fretted note that you pull off too. A "hammer-on" is done by playing an open or fretted, and hammering your fingertip onto a note that is higher than the first. Keep your finger curled as you strike. Play just behind the fret-wire. A "slide" is done by playing the first note, and sliding while maintaining enough pressure to have the note to continually sound as you slide. Make sure you keep pressure when you land on your targeted fret at the end of the slide.

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