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Wild Bill Jones Banjo Tabs

Traditional

Wild Bill Jones Banjo Tablature: One Song, Many Styles

Recomended level: Intermediate

Tags: #old time, #bluesy, #vocal song

"Wild Bill Jones” is an exceptionally mainstream Ballard that is otherwise known as a banjo piece. It was first recorded by the fiddler, Eva Davis, in 1924, with banjo player Samantha Bumgarner. It was then recorded by Burnett and Rutherford, Dock Boggs, and also by Frank Profit, country legends Doc Watson, and Ralph Stanley with the Stanley Brothers. In this tune, the lyrics recount the narrative of a love triangle among Bill Jones, the beautiful Posey, and the man who cherishes Posey and shoots Jones, ultimately. The melody, for the most part, concerns this secretive man who murders Wild Bill and the results of his act. The Quiet Americans who are a bunch of musicians that call their music old-time folk music for modern times did a unique cover of this tune. They tell the story of Wild Bill Jones through a song cycle of 15 original and traditional tunes. Some of the tunes deployed construct this song includes; “Give the Fiddler a Dram”, John Brown’s “March,” some holiness music “Keys to the Kingdom” and “What are They Doing in Heaven Today,” a classic country duet “Free Little Bird” and an instrumental by John Fahey. This sure is a recipe for a masterpiece.

Learn how to play Wild Bill Jones on Banjo with this selection of tablatures:

  • Banjo Wild Bill Jones Scruggs Style

    Scruggs Style

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

    This is a Mike Harman transcription. He played with Alison Krauss in her early years and played banjo on this track from her Two Highways album. This arrangement of Wild Bill Jones i...

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  • Banjo Wild Bill Jones Scruggs Style-2

    Scruggs Style-2

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

    Sooner or later, someone is gonna tell you, "That ain't the way Earl played it." OR "That ain't the way Ralph played it" Learn this and tell them to shut-up! Actually...no...don't do...

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  • Banjo Wild Bill Jones Single String Style

    Single String Style

    • Difficulty
    • Key
      G minor
    • Tempo
      115 bpm
    • Tuning
      gDGBD

    If you're gonna play single string, don't hold back. Don't box yourself into thinking you have to play single string the way Earl did. Because he didn't. Take inspirations from other...

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Practicing Tips

Immerse yourself in the rich diversity of bluegrass banjo styles with our detailed learning resource for 'Wild Bill Jones'. Perfect for intermediate players, you'll learn Scruggs, Scruggs-2, Single String Styles, in a setting filled with the vibes of old time, bluesy, vocal song.


Make the most of the features provided by the Tunefox platform. The Lick Switcher is a key tool to familiarize yourself with. It gives you the power to add new lick vocabulary to invigorate your groove and experience the song in a fresh perspective. You get to modify the licks for each measure, facilitating a wide exploration of song variations. Find your rhythm by tapping on the measure to unveil its hidden licks.


The Arrange slider allows you to easily and accurately control the complexity of the song. Sliding it to the left removes “fill-in” notes revealing a simple, core arrangement in the tablature. To experience the song in all its glory, swipe to the right to include exciting additional notes in the melody.


Adjusting the tempo can significantly influence the learning process. Using the tempo slider enables you to play at a pace that suits you best. As your confidence grows, incrementally increasing the speed can boost your playing ability.


The joy of music comes alive when you play along with backing tracks. Focusing on specific measures and repeating them can enhance your mastery of the song. The 'Speed Up' function offers an interesting challenge as it gradually ups the tempo as you replay the song. Start at your preferred speed and let 'Speed Up' guide you to a faster rhythm.


Apart from these specific tips, owning your practice routine and analyzing your progress can significantly improve your learning. Remember, music is a language of emotion. Let the song guide your journey, discovering meaningful connection in every strum.