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Banjo tablatures for Foggy Mountain Breakdown

Earl Scruggs

Recomended level: Intermediate

Tags: #banjo tune, #up-tempo

The song is a must-learn for any bluegrass banjo player. This collection features multiple Foggy Mountain Breakdown banjo tabs that suit different skill levels. Start with the Scruggs Style - Beginner, a simplified version that focuses on clean picking and basic timing. As your skills develop, progress to the full Scruggs Style, closely matching Earl Scruggs’ iconic three-finger picking technique, perfect for players looking to capture that authentic bluegrass sound.


For more challenge, try the Up the Neck version with its signature high breaks and chokes, or explore the intricate Melodic Style, which incorporates runs and chromatic notes. Additionally, the Backup versions—both rolling and vamping—will help you develop rhythm skills to accompany other musicians effectively. Finally, the Ending Lick brings Earl’s signature close to this legendary tune.


With Tunefox’s tools like the Lick Switcher and Arrange Slider, you can customize your Foggy Mountain Breakdown banjo tab experience, adjusting difficulty and experimenting with fresh licks and variations to make the song your own.


Note: the Foggy Mountain Roll is prerequisite to play this one. Make sure you have that down. If you need extra help check out our Foggy Mountain Breakdown Roll Mini-Lesson.

  • Banjo Foggy Mountain Breakdown Tunefox video preview

    Video Overview

    Explore learning strategies, tips, and a rundown of style variations.

    Banjo Foggy Mountain Breakdown Tunefox video preview
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  • Banjo Foggy Mountain Breakdown Rolling Backup

    Rolling Backup

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

    Here is some basic rolling backup for Foggy Mountain Breakdown. Being able to do a simple rolling backup and vamping rhythm for each song you play is an essential skill if you plan ...

    Banjo Foggy Mountain Breakdown Rolling Backup
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  • Banjo Foggy Mountain Breakdown Vamping

    Vamping

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

    This Foggy Mountain Breakdown tab features some fairly simple "vamping" backup. Instead of using all root shape chords, we'll utilize some inversions so we can play all the vamping ...

    Banjo Foggy Mountain Breakdown Vamping
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  • Banjo Foggy Mountain Breakdown Scruggs Style - Beginner

    Scruggs Style - Beginner

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

    This is a simplified Foggy Mountain Breakdown tablature. It removes the complex fretting hand embellishments and allows us to focus on developing the picking hand first. This is alw...

    Banjo Foggy Mountain Breakdown Scruggs Style - Beginner
    Learn
  • Banjo Foggy Mountain Breakdown Scruggs Style

    Scruggs Style

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

    The ultimate Scruggs tune! Foggy Mountain Breakdown is an essential bluegrass banjo song, and it's great for working on slurs and pick hand drop thumb. This arrangement is closely ba...

    Banjo Foggy Mountain Breakdown Scruggs Style
    Learn
  • Banjo Foggy Mountain Breakdown Earl Scruggs

    Earl Scruggs

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

    This break is a transcription of Earl's playing from the "Town and Country" album by Flatt and Scruggs in 1965. Take a close look at the banjo tab. It's different than the Scruggs s...

    Banjo Foggy Mountain Breakdown Earl Scruggs
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  • Banjo Foggy Mountain Breakdown Ending Lick

    Ending Lick

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

    This ending lick is iconic. Measure one of the banjo tab is what Earl is playing over the D chord. Nothing too crazy going on here. Make sure to slide up the neck after playing that...

    Banjo Foggy Mountain Breakdown Ending Lick
    Learn
  • Banjo Foggy Mountain Breakdown Up the Neck

    Up the Neck

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

    Here's the classic high break for Foggy Mountain Breakdown. At the beginning of this arrangement you'll hear Earl's iconic chokes on the 10th fret. Pay close attention to the tab to...

    Banjo Foggy Mountain Breakdown Up the Neck
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  • Banjo Foggy Mountain Breakdown Backup

    Backup

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

    This is a standard way to backup Foggy Mountain Breakdown. Imagine you're backing up a fiddle or mandolin player. Try to be as groovy as possible. When playing with others make sure ...

    Banjo Foggy Mountain Breakdown Backup
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  • Banjo Foggy Mountain Breakdown Melodic Style

    Melodic Style

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

    This melodic version of Foggy Mountain Breakdown will challenge you at fast tempos. It's got a lot of tasteful melodic playing along with some fancy chromatic work To get some pract...

    Banjo Foggy Mountain Breakdown Melodic Style
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Practicing Tips for Foggy Mountain Breakdown Banjo Tab


To master the Foggy Mountain Breakdown banjo tab, focus on building strong fundamentals while gradually increasing the tempo:


Start Simple
Begin with the beginner-friendly Scruggs Style version. Play slowly and focus on accuracy, ensuring your notes are clear and your rolls are consistent.


Use the Arrange Slider
Adjust the difficulty of theFoggy Mountain Breakdown banjo tab to match your skill level. Start with a simplified version, then gradually add embellishments and complexity as you improve.


Break It Down
Tackle challenging sections, such as the Up the Neck breaks or Melodic runs, one measure at a time. Loop these parts using Tunefox’s focus feature to perfect tricky transitions.


Explore with the Lick Switcher
Use the Lick Switcher to experiment with different variations of the Foggy Mountain Breakdown banjo tab. Swapping licks not only makes practice fun but also helps you develop creative flexibility.


Play with Backing Tracks
Practice along with backing tracks to improve your timing and prepare for playing with others. Start slow, then gradually work up to performance tempo.


Refine Backup Skills
Work on the rolling and vamping Backup versions to learn how to support other instruments. Backup playing is an essential skill for jam sessions and live performance.


Listen to Earl Scruggs’ Recordings
Listen to recordings of Earl Scruggs’ Foggy Mountain Breakdown to internalize the melody and rhythm. Play along and try to match his phrasing and tone.


With consistent practice, attention to detail, and the right tools, you’ll soon play the Foggy Mountain Breakdown banjo tablatures with confidence, accuracy, and speed—just like Earl intended!

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