Columbus Stockade Blues - Backup

Here is the chord progression for Columbus Stockade Blues. It covers the verse and chorus sections. For the backup you will use the chord progression and some basic rolls or vamping to create your own. Watch the video for a further demonstration and check out these learning paths if you need to Learn Basic Rolls and Chord Shapes, or if you want to explore and Learn Backup Banjo.

Notice some of the lyrics are included above the tablature. Lyrics can be used as a guide to help you navigate and memorize chord changes. It's always good to memorize one verse and the chorus of a song because of this. If you don't have them memorized yet, then check out the melody arrangement, and listen to Bill Monroe's version of this song regularly to start memorizing the sound of the song and the lyrics.

There is no specific backup here. It's a blank slate. If you are a beginner, start with strumming the chord once per measure. After that you can work on some basic rolling or vamping. There are a few licks in the lick switcher which demonstrate that for the G, C and D chords in measures 2, 6 and 10. What will work for one measure will work for any other if the chord matches.

Ideally you should practice to be able to navigate the entire chord progression in 2 ways: rolling backup & vamping. You can mix them up, but if you aren't a highly experienced player work on one at a time. Try to keep the same picking pattern throughout to keep things simple.

Explore more Columbus Stockade Blues Banjo Tabs:

Melody, Scruggs - Basic, Étude: Using Walks Up The Neck, Étude: Double Stops Up the Neck, Up The Neck