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Banks of the Ohio Banjo Tabs

Traditional

Recomended level: Intermediate

Tags: #murder ballad, #medium-tempo, #vocal song

"Banks of the Ohio" is a 19th-century murder ballad about a murder at a riverbank committed by a young man named "Willie." The first recording of this song was in 1927 by Red Patterson's Piedmont Log Rollers. The Monroe Brothers recorded this song in 1936 and it's been covered by countless others such as Johnny Cash, The Carter Family, Joan Baez, Olivia Newton-John, and more. It's become a bluegrass standard and has set the tone for many other murder ballads in the genre.

  • Banjo Banks of the Ohio Scruggs Style

    Scruggs Style

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

    A forward roll heavy version of this classic murder ballad Banks of the Ohio. Do your best to accent the melody notes. Sometimes it helps to learn the lyrics!

    Banjo Banks of the Ohio Scruggs Style
    Learn
  • Banjo Banks of the Ohio Scruggs Style-2

    Scruggs Style-2

    • Difficulty
    • Key
      D
    • Tempo
      95 bpm
    • Tuning
      aDGBD

    There is a lot of beautiful music to be made on the banjo without the use of a capo. Spike your fifth at the seventh and check out this great tune.

    Banjo Banks of the Ohio Scruggs Style-2
    Learn
  • Banjo Banks of the Ohio Melodic Style

    Melodic Style

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

    A tasteful up-the-neck version of the Banks of the Ohio that utilizes 6ths chord positions. These positions are a convenient way to move around the neck while including essential mel...

    Banjo Banks of the Ohio Melodic Style
    Learn
  • Banjo Banks of the Ohio Backup

    Backup

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

    A rolling backup version of Banks of the Ohio with some Scruggs licks to play in-between vocal phrases. Remember to play with dynamics when you're filling.

    Banjo Banks of the Ohio Backup
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Practicing Tips

Learning Overview:
'Banks of the Ohio' is a compelling murder ballad that navigates through the medium-tempo range. As a vocal song, it offers the tantalizing challenge of engaging banjo accompaniment and melodic interpretation. This learning resource focuses on the Scruggs, Scruggs-2, and Melodic styles to give intermediate banjo players a comprehensive and varied learning experience.


Tunefox Platform:
The Tunefox platform has a host of features that are designed to streamline your learning process. One of them is the Lick Switcher, which allows you to change licks for individual measures, helping you explore different interpretive variations.


Lick Switcher:
The beauty of Tunefox's Lick Switcher is that it allows you to personalize the arrangement as per your liking while enhancing the depth of your linguistic vocabulary. Simply tap the measure to uncover the licks hidden there, and see the song in a new light.


Arrange Slider:
If you're seeking to customize the song's difficulty level, Tunefox's Arrange slider is your go-to tool. Slide it to the left to reveal a simple, core arrangement with fewer fill-in notes, or to the right for a fuller, extra-note-laden arrangement.


Tempo Slider:
Experience the thrill of altering the song's tempo with the Tempo Slider. Experiment and find the rhythm speed that resonates with you best.


Backing Tracks:
Playing along with the real-sounding backing tracks accelerates your learning and puts you in the heart of the jam session. Concentrate on repeating measures and gradually speed up playback with the 'Speed Up' function.


Final Tips:
Optimized practice ensures that you retain and polish the skills you learn. Above all, remember to enjoy the process! As you progress with the tempo, the most important thing is to start at a speed where you feel comfortable. Over time, the 'Speed Up' function can come into play to progressively improve your pace. Play, experiment, and have fun!


Banks of the Ohio lyrics

Traditional

I asked my love to take a walk,
Just a walk a little way.
As we walked, oh me, we talked,
All about our wedding day.

(Chorus)

Only say that you'll be mine,
In our home we'll happy be.
Down beside where the waters flow,
On the banks of the Ohio.

I took her by her lily white hand,
And dragged her down that bank of sand.
There I throwed her in to drown,
I watched her as she floated down.

(Chorus)

Was walkin' home between twelve and one,
A thinking of what I had done.
I killed the girl I loved, you see,
Because she would not marry me.

(Chorus)

The very next morn, about half past four,
The Sheriff's man knocked at my door,
Saying now young man, come now and go,
Down to the Banks of the Ohio.

(Chorus)