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Freight Train banjo tabs & chords

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  • Scruggs Style

    Difficulty

    Double Trouble! Check out the double stops in measure 4. They are too much fun. Anytime you have a melody with longer note durations, you can add double stops to add interest. You don't have to play 1000 notes a minute all the time. Sometimes letting the song breathe by adding space can make it even better!

    • Key C
    • 110 bpm
    • Tuning gDGBD
    Play Scruggs Style

  • Melodic Style

    Difficulty

    Written by Elizabeth Cotton, and covered by Doc Watson, Freight Train has great melody and chord changes. Make use of the substitution licks to find new challenges and a new twist on the melody. This arrangement really focuses on the melodic style. No shortage of variations here.

    • Key C
    • 110 bpm
    • Tuning gDGBD
    Play Melodic Style

  • Single String Style

    Difficulty

    It's ok to play a melody note more than once. You don't have to change notes every time you pick. Sometimes picking the same note with a good rhythm is all you need to bring a good melody to life. For the most part this arrangement of Freight Train is simple, but most of it is in closed positions, and there are a few challenges. Check out that C run at the end! That lick is sure to turn a few heads at a jam. Especially the Flat-pickers!

    • Key C
    • 110 bpm
    • Tuning gDGBD
    Play Single String Style

More about Freight Train Banjo song

Here on Tunefox you’ll find 3 versions of Freight Train for banjo. The Scruggs style tablature will teach you how to play slides, hammer-ons and pull-offs. In the melodic arrangement of Freight Train, you’ll learn some fancy up-the-neck melodic work. The third variation of this song is a forward roll based-backup arrangement.

There are many Scruggs, melodic and bluesy licks in these three banjo Freight Train tablatures, which can be used to personalize each arrangement into your liking. To change measure into different arrangement, just click on the "Original Measure" text above the measure and select a different lick. You can also click the "Shuffle licks" button at the bottom of the page to randomly change all of the licks in the tablature and create a wholly unique arrangement of this song.

You'll also find some useful tools which will help you to learn how to play Freight Train on banjo. For example, you can use the "Hide Notes" feature, which will hide some notes for you so you can learn parts of the melody by ear. The "Memory train" tool will progressively hide notes each time you play through a section or the entirety of a song. Take your speed to the next level with the "Speed Up" feature. This tool will automatically increase playback speed each time you loop the song.

Each arrangement of Freight Train for banjo features real-sounding backing tracks. Use these backing tracks to polish up the solo you’re working on. You can mix the banjo, band, and metronome up or down so that you have several options for your practice.

Members can export their arrangements into PDF, allowing them to print and bring them to their next jam session.

Freight Train lyrics

Elizabeth Cotton

Freight train, freight train, run so fast
Freight train, freight train, run so fast
please don't tell what train I'm on
So they won't know what route I've gone

When I am dead and in my grave
No more good times here I'll crave
Place the stones at my head and feet
And tell them all that I'm gone to sleep

When I die, lord, bury me deep
Way down on old Chestnut Street
So I can hear old Number Nine
As she comes rolling by

When I die, Lord, bury me deep
Way down on old Chestnut Street
Place the stones at my head and feet
And tell them all that I'm gone to sleep

MAC WISEMAN