Comment by thereallyniceman on March 19, 2012 at 23:28

I have just posted this video to our LESSONS page. There you will find, on the Download Resources, link next to the video lesson, a full notation and Tablature score. I have annotated every note so that beginners to our style can see how the notes are played, at which fret position, on which string and with which finger !

If you have not played it before, please have a go at Sunflower Dance. You can search for "Sunflower" on our Videos page or in the Music Library where you will find performances and original sheet music. Our friend Mike Moss, the "Maestro Moss", has also recorded second banjo accompaniments  at  slow and "a tempo" speeds for you to play along :-)

FULL SCORE

2ND. BANJO SLOW

2ND. BANJO PERFORMANCE SPEED

Please excuse the odd error on my part, but the memory is not what it was...  ENJOY !

Ian

Comment by Mike Moss on March 19, 2012 at 23:46

Well done, another excellent lesson for this all-time favourite and a great tune to get people started in Classic Style banjo.

The path to Van Epsness is paved with practice!

Comment by Trevor Boyd on March 20, 2012 at 14:43

Many thanks Ian. I had a go at this a few weeks back when somebody (I can't remember who, sorry) recommended it as a good piece for beginners. This will be a very useful lesson.
Trevor

Comment by Trevor Boyd on March 20, 2012 at 14:47

Hmm can't see it on the Lessons page. Am I looking in the right place - under "Learn to Play"?

Comment by thereallyniceman on March 20, 2012 at 15:15

Yes, it in the Learn to Play section. Cursor across and it is labeled a "delightful and easy banjo solo".

All the downloads are available in the links on my original post (above).

Good luck

Ian 

Comment by Trevor Boyd on March 20, 2012 at 15:34

Ah yes, got it.   I assumed it would be at the far right :-)

Thanks again

Comment by Alan Sims on March 20, 2012 at 20:38

Thanks Ian , i like this tune good for us learners .must go and practice .

Comment by thereallyniceman on March 21, 2012 at 9:01

Thanks Alan and Trevor,

I hope that you find the downloadable score of use. I have tried to add all the finger markings for both hands and with the added Tablature there is a double check to show which fret the LH fingers go.  Sunflower Dance is a great tune that is burrow into your head! Even the family will be walking about humming it! (I even heard my daughter, who thinks that I am crackers for playing the banjo, cooking in the kitchen whistling the tune)  :-)

If you need any help, just ask!  See if you can "Play along-a-Mike" when you get it under your fingers!

Comment by Alan Sims on April 2, 2012 at 12:30

hi Ian ,when i learnt to finger picking guitar on some passages i would use my third finger on the top string , and some times on banjo ex sample bar nine sunflower dance open strings g chord  t i 2 3 fingers  is this ok to do or not  or is it only to use  thumb  1 &2nd 

Comment by thereallyniceman on April 2, 2012 at 14:03

Hi Alan,  Here is the downloadable score that I produced with full fingering notated.

NOTATED SCORE

I would suggest that you use the 2nd finger as shown on my score (BAR 9). I produced this so be an excercise in alternate fingering and jumping into positions up and down the fingerboard. Others play it different ways. There is no right or wrong way!

...BUT  I was taught that the "proper" way to play it would be to use the 2nd finger as it is stronger and gives that unique Classic banjo tone, but you should finger it in whatever way feels comfortable to you.  The third finger is "rarely" used in traditional Classic Style, and "usually" when playing 4 string chords.

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