Vamping and Closed Position Chords
Chord shapes and how to vamp
This learning path will give you all of the tools you need to play backup behind someone who is taking a solo. You'll learn the essential bluegrass right hand backup pattern called vamping and three different chord shapes. Then, we'll guide you through the chords for Cripple Creek so you can start jamming on that tune with your friends!
- 6 Video Lessons
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1
The Right Hand: How to Vamp
The Banjo Picker's Boom-Chuck Pattern
Vamping is an easy way that banjo players play backup behind other people's solos or behind vocalists.
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2
Your First Banjo Chord Shape
G, C, and D Using the Bar Chord
This is the easiest chord on the banjo because it only requires one finger! For the bar chord, take your fretting hand index finger and place it behind any fret on your neck. The lower frets (1-5)...
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3
How to Play a Root Position Chord
G, C, and D at the 5th, 10th, and 12th frets
With this chord shape the root, or first scale pitch is the lowest pitch in the chord. This is the note that defines what the chord is called.
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4
How to Play a First Inversion Chord Shape
The Final Major Chord Shape
The first inversion chord is another version of a major chord but the notes are in a different order than the root position chord or the bar chord.
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5
How to Vamp on Cripple Creek
The A Section Chords
To complete learning any song you gotta learn the backup!
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6
How to Vamp on Cripple Creek Part 2
Learning the Full Song
The final step! Learn the B section to Cripple Creek and then you're ready to jam.