John Hardy - Vamping Étude - Pentatonic Walk

This étude is a great vamping study that uses the 1st Inversion chord shape on the banjo. It's also known as the "D" shape. Using this chord shape you will navigate the chord changes of John Hardy on the banjo and incorporate a very cool, and extremely useful walk. This walk uses some notes of the pentatonic scale associated with each chord. You'll notice only one of those notes isn't in the chord shape. This is important. You'll be able to use the pentatonic walk anytime you use this chord shape. You can also experiment and create your own variations by changing the order of the notes in the walk.

After getting familiar with the chord changes and the walk, check out the licks to get more ideas on how to vary your backup.

When playing this walk, aim for long connected notes. Let the chord notes ring out. Try to eliminate spaces between the notes and make each note connect to the next. This is achieved by picking the string at the exact moment you fret a note or lift a fretted note. Don't set the pick down on the string early. The hands need to be precisely synchronized. After mastering smooth connected playing you can experiment with short, staccato ideas using string dampening.

One thing that can help the smoothness of chord changes: slide in and out of the last note before a position shift. It can add personality, style, and helps get you prepared for the next chord.

Explore more John Hardy Banjo Tabs:

Melody, Rolling Backup, Scruggs - Basic, Scruggs Style Étude - Lick Based Solo, Earl Scruggs: Transcription, Earl Scruggs: Transcription # 2, Earl Scruggs: Transcription # 3, Scruggs Style, Melodic Style, Backup