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Banjo tablatures for Single String Minicourse

Exercises

Recomended level: Intermediate

Tags: #exercises, #technique workout, #scales

The "Single String Minicourse" for banjo offers a focused and efficient approach to mastering single-string playing techniques. With a strong emphasis on exercises and scales in the key of G major, this course allows banjo players to refine their finger dexterity and fretboard familiarity. Through carefully curated practice routines, learners develop the ability to play intricate melodies and improvisations on a single string. Additionally, the inclusion of the classic tune "Old Joe Clark" as a single-string practice song provides an engaging and enjoyable way to apply the acquired skills in a real-world musical context. With "Single String Minicourse," banjo enthusiasts can make significant strides in their melodic playing and gain the confidence to explore new musical avenues with finesse and flair.

  • Banjo Single String Minicourse Getting Started with Single String

    Getting Started with Single String

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

    Here's a quick tutorial on right hand technique and how to play your first open G single string scale. Generally, you'll alternate between your thumb and index finger to play single ...

    Banjo Single String Minicourse Getting Started with Single String
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  • Banjo Single String Minicourse Scale Workout

    Scale Workout

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

    The Single string picking pattern uses a combination of thumb and index fingers on your picking hand. It alternates between thumb on the down beat, and index on the upbeat. The ...

    Banjo Single String Minicourse Scale Workout
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  • Banjo Single String Minicourse Scale Pattern Workout

    Scale Pattern Workout

    • Difficulty
    • Key
      G
    • Tempo
      30 bpm
    • Tuning
      GDGBD

    This lesson has some basic patterns for you to apply to the G Major scale. All scales use an alternating TITI picking pattern. Fret hand follows the suggested fingerings in measure ...

    Banjo Single String Minicourse Scale Pattern Workout
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  • Banjo Single String Minicourse Index Led (3 notes per string)

    Index Led (3 notes per string)

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

    This is by far the most challenging scale position, mostly due to the position shifts required. Start with your index finger on the 5th fret 4th string and play 3 notes per string to...

    Banjo Single String Minicourse Index Led (3 notes per string)
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  • Banjo Single String Minicourse Middle Finger Led Scale Patterns

    Middle Finger Led Scale Patterns

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

    For these scale patterns, you'll start with your fretting hand middle finger on the 5th fret, 4th string.

    Banjo Single String Minicourse Middle Finger Led Scale Patterns
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  • Banjo Single String Minicourse Pinky Led Scale Patterns

    Pinky Led Scale Patterns

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

    For these three scale patterns you will start with your left hand pinky on the 5th fret, 4th string. This is a great first position to start with for closed scales (meaning no open s...

    Banjo Single String Minicourse Pinky Led Scale Patterns
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  • Banjo Single String Minicourse Old Joe Clark (Single String Practice)

    Old Joe Clark (Single String Practice)

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

    Here's an opportunity to put your previously learnt open single string technique and scales into practice. It's more of an exercise piece than a performance solo because you're focus...

    Banjo Single String Minicourse Old Joe Clark (Single String Practice)
    Learn



Practicing Tips

Learning Overview:
Welcome to the 'Single String Minicourse,' a uniquely designed resource offering a deep dive into a variety of bluegrass banjo tablatures. This course is ideal for intermediate learners desiring to enhance their skills in various styles such as Getting Started with Single String, Scale Workout, Scale Pattern Workout, Index Led, Middle Finger Led Scale Patterns, Pinky Led Scale Patterns, and the Old Joe Clark Styles. Our course accentuates important musical aspects like exercises, technique workouts, and scales, essential for nuanced and impactful banjo performances.


Practice Tips:
Utilizing the advanced features of the Tunefox platform greatly enhances the learning process. The Lick Switcher provides you with a fresh perspective towards the same song, letting you modify individual measures and delve into numerous possible variations. This helps in curating a personalized arrangement while also enabling you to interpret the tune differently every single time. Remember to tap each measure to unveil hidden licks.


The Arrange slider allows for seamless difficulty-level adjustments. Slide to the left to remove any extra "fill-in" notes, revealing a simple, structured arrangement, or slide right to add complexity and detail to the song. Adjusting the tempo slider allows you to alter the pace of the song as per your comfort level.


Try your hand at playing along with our realistic-sounding backing tracks. The essential part of learning bluegrass is an enthusiastic experimentation with the tunes. Repeat the selected measures and increase the tempo gradually using the 'Speed Up' function. This method allows you, in a non-stressful way, to slowly reach higher velocity levels, starting from a tempo you find most comfortable.


In summary, the 'Single String Minicourse' is not just about learning songs; it's about improving your technique, understanding musical structures, exploring different stylistic approaches, and, most importantly, enjoying the unique journey of musical discovery and mastery on the banjo.