A history of Classic Style Banjo.

In this video we give a brief history of the origins of Classic Style Banjo, from its roots in Africa the banjo travelled to America. The American travelling Minstrel shows came to the United Kingdom bringing the banjo with them. Hear about the development of the style and enjoy early recordings of the Classic Banjo greats.

What's to come in our tutorial videos:

In this video we will describe the construction of the Classic Style five string banjo, from perch pole to bracket band and neck splice to flesh hoop.

We do the things that an electronic tuner can't do.

We investigate tensioning and tap tuning the vellum, string action measurement and adjustment and calculating the bridge position. We check the string intonation and the use of harmonics for perfect positioning of the bridge. Tuning by means of electronic tuner and by fretting across the strings and finally testing the tune by fretting all five stings to G!

In this brief guide to Notation and Tablature

we explain the simple concepts of both systems and of their use together in banjo scores. In future lessons we expand on their useage and have downloadable scores to print off and then follow while watching the video exercises and specific lessons based on a medley of several short classic banjo tunes.

I show how to hold the banjo correctly and the correct use of the right and left hands. Effective use of Alternate Fingering and the thirteen basic chord shapes

There are downloadable files attached which include tutor books, exercises and chord sheets to help you play Classic Style Banjo efficiently.

More techniques and exercises

Finger strengthening exercises, more chord shapes and alternate fingering based on chords.

Scales are useful and effective exercises in the use of Alternate Fingering and help to improve the speed and accuracy of rapid runs of notes up and down the fingerboard.

Scale and fingering exercises are probably one of the best ways to help you to play Classic Style Banjo smoothly and efficiently.

Broadway Promenade, a fun, beginners'piece

Marc Dalmasso gives a tutorial on how to play "Broadway Promenade" composed by Herbert J. Ellis. A rhythmic and melodic cakewalk easily learned by a beginner to classic banjo.

The full score, with Tablature is available in our Music Library.

Sunflower Dance, a lively beginners'piece

This piece is often played by those just starting Classic Banjo. I will explain and demonstrate, note by note, bar by bar how to play this great tune.

The full score, with piano part is available in our Music Library.

Jovial Huntsman, a great Classic Banjo Solo

This is quick run through lesson of Joe Morley's Solo. I will explain and demonstrate, bar by bar how to play this Classic Style Banjo tune.

Georgia Medley, a great Classic Banjo Solo

This is an introduction to the following eight lesson videos. I will explain and demonstrate, note by note, bar by bar and tune by tune how to play this Classic Style Banjo Medley. I will show the position of the left hand fingers and the correct right hand fingers used to pick the strings. You can download all 8 Lesson scores by clicking the link below.

Georgia Medley Lesson 1 of 8

A complete work through of the opening section of a great Classic Style Banjo tune. I will explain fingering techniques and describe playing by numbers for the complete beginner to banjo playing. You can download the score for this Lesson by clicking the link below.

Georgia Medley Lesson 2 of 8

The second lesson of this superb Classic Banjo medley. The first part of the tune Nelly Gray is played in this Lesson and the second part in Lesson 3. You can download the score for this Lesson by clicking the link below.

Georgia Medley Lesson 3 of 8

The video lessons continue with the second part of Nelly Gray. Poor old Nelly Gray, they have taken her away!... It's sooo sad :-( You can download the score for this Lesson by clicking the link below.

Georgia Medley Lesson 4 of 8

This is the first of two Lessons based on the Marching Through Georgia tune of the medley. It's a great, fun, and a rousing marching tune for the banjo. The first part of this tune is demonstrated in this Lesson. You can download the score by clicking the link below.

Georgia Medley Lesson 5 of 8

This is the second of two Lessons based on the Marching Through Georgia tune of the medley. It's a terrific tune that can be played either as part of the medley or on its own! The second part of this tune is demonstrated in this Lesson. You can download the score by clicking the link below.

Georgia Medley Lesson 6 of 8

This is another two part Lesson for the tune Tavern in the Town. Yet another rousing tune that can be played either as part of the medley or on its own! The first part of this tune is demonstrated, with lots of rasps, in this Lesson. You can download the score by clicking the link below.

Georgia Medley Lesson 7 of 8

This is the second Lesson of Tavern in the Town. Lots of twiddly-dee-dees in this part of the medley! The second part of this tune is demonstrated in this Lesson. You can download the score by clicking the link below.

Georgia Medley Lesson 8 of 8

This is the final Lesson of the Georgia Medley and time for a gentle float down the Swanee River. There are some good finger stretches in this part of the medley! This tune is over two pages and you can download the score by clicking the link below.

Lesson by Marc Dalmasso

This is part one of three video lessons produced by Marc Dalmasso from France. Marc is a professional musician and talks us through this solo composed by Parke Hunter. Marc gives instructions on how to play this 6/8 piece in both French and English. The score, with piano part, second banjo and Tablature produced by Marc can be downloaded by clicking the link below.

Lesson by Marc Dalmasso

This is part two of three video lessons produced by Marc Dalmasso from France. Marc is a professional musician and talks us through this solo composed by Parke Hunter. Marc gives instructions on how to play this 6/8 piece in both French and English. The score, with piano part, second banjo and Tablature produced by Marc can be downloaded by clicking the link below.

Lesson by Marc Dalmasso

This is part three of three video lessons produced by Marc Dalmasso from France. Marc is a professional musician and talks us through this solo composed by Parke Hunter. Marc gives instructions on how to play this 6/8 piece in both French and English. The score, with piano part, second banjo and Tablature produced by Marc can be downloaded by clicking the link below.