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.
- 6 Video Lessons
- 2 Licks
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1
What 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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2
The 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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3
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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4
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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5
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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6
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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7
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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8
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: