Hello City Limits Banjo Tabs
Traditional
Hello City Limits Banjo Tablature: One Song, Many Styles
Recomended level: Beginner
Hello City Limits is a standard Bluegrass vocal tune that was written by Benny Martin and Johnny Elgin. It was first recorded by Red Allen and the Kentuckians. That band had different lineups over the years. Several bluegrass "heavyweights" did stints in the group. David Grisman, Bill Keith, and Bill Emerson were a few of the great pickers that played with Red.
This tune has been recorded and performed by many over the years, it's a tune that has recently found it's way on to several of Billy Strings' set lists.
When learning this tune, or any other, start with the melody. Learn it. Memorize it. Sing it, or at least speak it. Learning the lyrics for one verse and a chorus is also good. It will help you internalize the music in a natural way.
Learn and memorize the chord changes and see how they connect with changes in the melody. Basic chords or vamping shapes will do. Again, think of how they connect with the melody and lyrics. It will be a good foundation and help you to truly know this tune.
After familiarizing yourself with the melody, check out some Rolling Backup or the Scruggs Style - Basic arrangement. Rolling backup gets your pick hand moving and in shape for the constant rolls required to play authentic Scruggs style banjo. It also provides you with a simple backup to use in a jam situation. Start simple and solid. Accurate notes, and eventually precise timing are crucial in backup playing and good musicianship in general.
With any song on Tunefox, check out the licks to learn new vocabulary and to keep songs fresh and interesting.
The Scruggs Style - Basic arrangement brings in a few fill-ins riffs and pinches to give you a more lively banjo sound with this classic melody. It's just enough to provide that beautiful banjo sparkle, without adding too much challenge.
As mentioned earlier, Bill Emerson was once a member of the Kentuckians. Famed banjo builder Arthur Hatfield once said he was one of the cleanest banjo players in the history of this music. He's not the only one. Many professional musicians past and present share that sentiment. So, if you are up for a challenge and want to study the work of a master of the 5 string banjo, check out the Emerson Style version of this tune.
Learn how to play Hello City Limits on Banjo with this selection of tablatures:
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LearnScruggs Style - Basic
- Difficulty
- Key G
- Tempo 100 bpm
- Tuning gDGBD
This is a wonderful version of "Hello City Limits" in the Scruggs Style for banjo. The arrangement is a mix of banjo roll patterns, melody, and pinches. You will use two different r...
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LearnRolling Backup
- Difficulty
- Key G
- Tempo 100 bpm
- Tuning gDGBD
"Hello City Limits" this is your sign...to practice rolling backup on your banjo! Rolling backup is crucial for playing in jams. It's also a great skill builder. Learning to roll th...
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LearnEmerson Style
- Difficulty
- Key G
- Tempo 100 bpm
- Tuning gDGBD
Bill Emerson was a master of the 5 string banjo. This version of "Hello City Limits" is based on his banjo playing from his tenure with Red Allen and the Kentuckians. This arrangeme...