Getting Started with Melodic Banjo

The G scale and how to utilize it to make melodies

Learn the basics of melodic style, otherwise known as "Kieth Style" banjo playing. This type of playing was developed and popularized by banjo player Bill Kieth, who played in Bill Monroe & the Bluegrass Boys in the 1970s. This style of playing is based on using scales rather than Scruggs style roll patterns.

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FreeWhat is Melodic Style Banjo?

What makes this style of banjo playing sound so unique

One of the reasons banjo is such a unique sound in bluegrass is the fact that it's played with three fingers as opposed to a flatpick. This allows for speed and dexterity as well as the ability to ...
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FreeThe G Major Scale

The foundation for melodic style

Learning the G major scale will give you a sense for what it feels like to play in melodic style. Use your ring finger for the 7th fret note, your middle for the 5th fret notes on the 3rd and 2nd s...
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Banjo in the Hollow

Your first melodic style song

Here it is folks- your first song! And it's really not that hard, so don't be intimidated that you are starting up at the 9th and 10th frets. These notes are an extension of the scale you learned i...
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Cripple Creek

Melodic style

You did so well on Banjo in the Hollow that we should check out another arrangement! This version of Cripple Creek gives you lots of vocabulary to work with using the G scale. This song is a little...
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A Melodic Lick for Cripple Creek

Use this lick for the A section of Cripple Creek

This slidey Scruggs/melodic style lick works great to lead you into the second A section of cripple creek. You can substitute it on the measure that is usually played with slide, hammer-on, and pul...
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G Melodic Scale Pattern #1

A useful tool for learning songs and improvising

This scale pattern is not the most intuitive but once under your fingers it can be a great resource for learning tunes and improvising. Let's break it down a bit.
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Another Melodic Style Lick

This lick can be found in Careless Love

Here's another blend of Scruggs and melodic styles.
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Where to go now?

Learn some repertoire!

Now that you have the G scale under your fingers it would be a good idea to learn some tunes to really solidify it in your vocabulary. Here are a few tunes that would be great to move on to next:

FreeWhat is Melodic Style Banjo?

FreeThe G Major Scale