Tunefox
The Clever Way to Learn & Practice Bluegrass Music
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 around 3rd and 4th position. That means your index finger will hang out around the 3rd or 4th fret. If we were to use the root shape E minor chord it would require a 9 fret shift! It's doable, but it's just a bit easier to stay in one area, and play in 3rd and 4th position. Switching between these inversions also sounds great! Check out the licks for even more vamping options and ideas. Vamping can work great when backing up another banjo player, a mandolin solo, a guitar player and more. It even works behind a fiddle!
While there is no melody here, you should still make listening a regular part of your practice. Memorizing the sound of the different chords and listening to the bass will really help develop your ears and improve your timing awareness for the chord changes. It will be hugely beneficial for you as a musician.
