Banjo Chord Scales

An Introduction to the Harmonized Major Scale, and Applying it to a Song.

In this lesson path, you'll explore the harmonized major scale, also known as a chord scale, to deepen your understanding of the banjo fingerboard. Mastering chord scales can significantly improve both your rhythm and lead playing. You'll apply these patterns to the classic song 'Lean on Me,' which naturally incorporates a chord scale, making it a perfect example. Additionally, you'll learn licks that demonstrate how to modify chord scales by adding or omitting notes for unique and creative sounds.

1

Overview

Heads Up

This introduction to chord scales is going to be a great help if you've never heard of the concept before. It will help you better understand the fret board, and you'll learn some cool tricks along...
2

C Major Chord Scale

Root Shapes

This is a Chord Scale! Say hello to all the chords in the key of C : ) You may have played some of these chords before, but maybe never in this order. These chords are what's known as a root shape....
3

G Major Chord Scale

Same Root Shapes, Different Root Place

So, as you can see. This is the same pattern from our C major chord scale. The only difference is our root notes! Check out the tab. These are all the chords in the key of G. Since we're starting a...
4

First Inversion - C Major

Another Chord Scale, but Using Different Chord Shapes

Here we are. Not too crazy, right? Check out the video to see suggested fingering. Notice that after the first transition from C to D minor, the pinky stays on the first string. The pointer finger ...
5

First Inversion - G Major

Its' Like...We've Seen this Before.

Same pattern! The only difference is our first chord doesn't use any open strings.
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2nd Inversion - C Major

The Last Inversion

This last shape is not commonly used in bluegrass backup. It's a great one to know though. It further demystifies the fret board. Pieces of these chords are very often used in lead playing. Especia...
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2nd Inversion - G Major

Here We Go Again

Check out the G Major chord scale using 2nd inversion shapes.
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Lean on Me

Using the Chord Scale in a Song

These chords are right out of the scale. The timing is a bit tricky. Some of the chords fall on the off beat. This is called syncopation . Learning to hear, feel, and play with this kind of timing...
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Backup Playing Using the Chord Scale

Rolling Backup, and Chord Scale movement

Notice that we're still using pieces of the 1st inversion chord shapes in the rolling backup. We'll go through a few licks in the next lesson. These licks will show how you can use different pieces...
10

A New Voicing

Get a New Sound by Using a Different Piece of the Same Chord

This lick uses three notes from the same chords we've seen before. Because we are leaving out the low D string, it sounds different. A different note is now the lowest note we hear. Playing this sa...
11

Chromatic Chord Movement

A Cool New Lick

Check out the second half of this lick. Our two note chord goes from the 3rd fret, to the 4th fret, and finishes on the 5th. Neither of the notes on the 4th fret are in the key of C. But because we...
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Using Different Chord Shapes Together

Going Up, But Staying in The Same Position

Playing the drone G string at the same time of the F chord gets what's called a "suspended" sound. Pretty ain't it?
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Lean on Me 2

Same Song with Root Shapes

Try to leave that bar in place, even when playing the major chords. It's one less thing to move with your fret hand.
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Lean on Me - Root Shape Backup

Using the Root Shape in the Context of a Song

This backup arrangement is all about the root shape.
15

6 Degrees of Separation

Major and Minor 6th Lick Voicings

New voicing, who dis? In the second half of this lick, we leave out the notes on the B string. For this voicing we have the Root note on the high D string. The note on the G string is the second ch...
16

Syncopation City

Time for Something Cool

As mentioned in a previous lesson, syncopation is an important aspect of R & B and soul music. This lick highlights that. You may need to loop it in the full song, along with measure 3, to really g...
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Majoring on the Minor

A Cool Piano Style Lick

One note. One note is the only difference between this, and the normal measure. It changes the sound so much! The last chord starts as a minor, but then we hammer on the major note. This is really ...
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Where to Next

A Few Suggestions

Here's a few things you might want to check out next