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Banjo tablatures for Rocky Top

Osborne Brothers

Recomended level: Intermediate

Tags: #vocal song, #up-tempo

Rocky Top. It's a classic. Synonymous with Bluegrass, The Osborne Brothers, and Tennessee Volunteer Football. It's the reason many want to learn how to play banjo and Bluegrass music. Make sure to check out the Melody first. Sonny Osborne himself suggests this is the first place to start when learning a new tune. If you can sing the words as you play the melody it will help you internalize the timing and song in a very natural way. It will also help with memorization. Make sure to learn the chords and notice how the changes in the melody correspond with certain chord changes. Hearing where chords change in certain parts of the melody will also help you memorize chord changes.



The lead breaks in the Scruggs and Melodic style arrangements play over the chord changes of the Verse section. This is very common in the bluegrass genre for the breaks to happen in that way. If you are at a jam or in a band it's where you'd be expected to take a solo the majority of the time. In a group context, as banjo players, we spend most of our time playing Backup. Make sure to dig into that arrangement. You'll learn to play backup over the entire song - verse and chorus section.

  • Banjo Rocky Top Melody

    Melody

    • Difficulty
    • Key
      G
    • Tempo
      85 bpm
    • Tuning
      EDGBD

    Start with the melody - that's what Sonny Osborne says. Learning to play the melody and "play the syllables" is very important when learning a tune. It helps with memory, under...

    Banjo Rocky Top Melody
    Learn
  • Banjo Rocky Top Scruggs Style

    Scruggs Style

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

    A classic bluegrass song as performed by The Osborne Brothers. This arrangement of Rocky Top features the solo break. For the rest of the song, check out the backup version!

    Banjo Rocky Top Scruggs Style
    Learn
  • Banjo Rocky Top Melodic Style

    Melodic Style

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

    This melodic version of Rocky Top is a solo arrangement over the verse chords. It also blends in single string and Scruggs Style banjo techniques. Check out the backup version to le...

    Banjo Rocky Top Melodic Style
    Learn
  • Banjo Rocky Top Backup

    Backup

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

    This backup version of Rocky Top gives you lots to work with for the entire version of the song - Verse and Chorus. Make sure you swap out licks to explore new possibilities and sounds!

    Banjo Rocky Top Backup
    Learn



Practicing Tips

Get familiar with the iconic bluegrass tune 'Rocky Top' through this curated learning resource. Offered in four different styles - Melody, Scruggs, and Melodic, and Backup, the presented banjo tablatures are specially tailored to intermediate players. At its core, 'Rocky Top' is an up-tempo, vocally-driven song. Its punchy beats and lively rhythm can be entertaining, and at the same time, challenging to nail down perfectly.


Learning is made interactive and fun with Tunefox's unique features. The Lickswitcher tool, for example, allows players to swap licks within individual measures. This means you have the freedom to mix and match licks as you wish, which paves the way for a more flexible and creative learning process.


The Arrange slider is another useful tool. With it, you can adjust the song's complexity and tone to match your playing proficiency and musical preference. By making slight changes in the arrangement, you can challenge yourself gradually and enhance your overall mastery of 'Rocky Top'.


Equally valuable for auditory learners is the 'Hide notes' slider. Turn it on to hide specific notes and challenge yourself to pick out the tones by ear. This interactive approach to ear training fosters an enhanced sense of musical intuition and helps consolidate the melody of the tune in your memory.


When practicing 'Rocky Top', take it slow initially, focusing on getting the rhythm and notes right. Gradually increase your speed as you become more comfortable with the song. Remember, consistency is key - practice daily for noticeable improvements. Listen to different renditions of the song; this will expose you to various interpretations and could inspire you to develop your unique style. Finally, have fun while learning; after all, 'Rocky Top' is an upbeat, lively bluegrass song meant to be enjoyed. Happy learning!


Rocky Top lyrics

Wish that I was on ol' Rocky Top
Down in the Tennessee hills
Ain't no smoggy smoke on Rocky Top
Ain't no telephone bills
Once I had a girl on Rocky Top
Half bear, other half cat
Wild as a mink, but sweet as soda pop
I still dream about that

Rocky Top, you'll always be
Home sweet home to me
Good ol' Rocky Top
Rocky Top, Tennessee, Rocky Top, Tennessee

Once two strangers climbed ol' Rocky Top
Looking for a moonshine still
Strangers ain't come down from Rocky Top
Reckon they never will
Corn won't grow at all on Rocky Top
Dirt's too rocky by far
That's why all the folks on Rocky Top
Get their corn from a jar

* Refrain

I've had years of crimped up city life
Trapped like a duck in a pen
All I know is it's a pity life
Can't be simple again

* Refrain