Welcome to Breakthrough Banjo!
As you may know, this course is designed to provide you the most efficient, effective, and fun path to learning fingerstyle banjo. As such, it’s important to understand how to navigate through the course materials.
Below you will find the course contents divided into 4 sections, which are:
Getting Started (“Banjo Basics”). This includes the stuff that’s good to know before you get started plucking your first string in an upward fashion. While the order in which you consume each lesson isn’t critical, it is recommended that you complete this section before moving onto the Primary Learning Modules.
Primary Learning Modules. This is where the meat of your learning will occur, where you will progressively acquire picking skills of increasing complexity on your way to making amazing sounds on your instrument. Based on the Brainjo Method, these lessons are designed to be moved through in sequential order. Furthermore, each lesson will provide you the criteria to be met before moving onto the next lesson. Resist the temptation to rush through these modules, as your future success depends heavily on building a solid foundation from the beginning.
Supplemental Knowledge. This section contains supplemental knowledge about music and the banjo that’s important to know, but needn’t be consumed in order (unlike the Primary Learning Modules), and many of the topics will become increasingly relevant as your skills grow. Feel free to visit this section at any point.
Learning Resources. From jamming with the jam tracks, to working on developing you ear, to the Vault – a growing library of song tutorials for you to add to your growing repertoire – this contains stuff to help you reinforce and grow your fingerpicking skills, and to just relax and have a good time with the world’s greatest instrument!
The Brainjo Virtual Classroom. A new feature launched in Dec. 2018, the virtual classroom hosts regular live workshops on essential topics for banjo players, as well as step by step song tutorials. Click here to learn more about the Virtual Classroom.
You will see additional content appear in these areas as time goes on.
Banjo Basics
| Module 1 | Banjo Basics |
|---|---|
| The "Banjo Basics" Module reviews what you need to know before getting started plucking your first banjo string. | |
| Lesson 1 | The Breakthrough Banjo Course Orientation |
| Lesson 2 | Holding the Banjo |
| Lesson 3 | All About Fingerpicks |
| Lesson 4 | Banjo Type: Resonator or Openback? |
| Lesson 5 | Banjo Strings |
| Lesson 6 | How To Change A Banjo String |
| Lesson 7 | Proper Picking Hand Position |
| Lesson 8 | Fearless Fretting |
| Lesson 9 | Tuning the Banjo |
| Lesson 10 | How To Use The Practice Exercises |
| Lesson 11 | Anatomy of Fingerstyle Banjo |
| Lesson 12 | The Brainjo Tune Learnin' System |
| Lesson 13 | Beats for Banjo - the metronome killer |
Primary Learning Modules
| Module 1 | The Mighty Thumb |
|---|---|
| In this module, you'll learn how to develop a dextrous and dependable thumb, the most pivotal appendage in the world of banjo pickery. We'll begin by reviewing the basic picking motion, then get cranking with some tune exercises to help mold a mighty thumb. | |
| Lesson 1 | The Thumb Strike |
| Lesson 2 | The Thumb Squared (thumb & fifth) |
| Module 2 | First Chords |
| In this lesson, you'll learn your first 3 chords in standard G tuning, unlocking the door to playing a surprising number of tunes! | |
| Lesson 1 | Your First Chords |
| Module 3 | The Index Finger |
| In this module we'll start getting the index finger in on the action, greatly expanding the range of potential amazing sounds we can make on the banjo! | |
| Lesson 1 | The Index Pinch |
| Lesson 2 | Thumb Lead Banjo! |
| Module 4 | 3 Finger Banjo |
| In this module, we'll start add our 3rd and final finger, fretting hand techniques, and then dive into the nitty gritty of the various 3 finger styles of banjo. | |
| Lesson 1 | 3 Finger Banjo - the MIDDLE finger! |
| Lesson 2 | The BAR Chord |
| Lesson 3 | Introduction to Fretting Hand Techniques |
| Lesson 4 | Fretting Hand Technique #1: The Hammer On |
| Lesson 5 | Fretting Hand Technique #2: The Slide |
| Lesson 6 | Fretting Hand Techniques #3: The Pull Off |
| Lesson 7 | Fretting Hand Techniques: Practice Exercises |
| Module 5 | Module 5: Scruggs style banjo |
| In this module series, you'll learn the essential elements of Scruggs style banjo, and then how to use that knowledge to "Scruggs-ify" any arrangement. | |
| Lesson 1 | Scruggs Style Banjo, Part 1 |
| Lesson 2 | Scruggs Style Banjo, part 2 |
| Lesson 3 | Scruggs Style Banjo: Practice Exercises |
| Module 6 | New chord shapes and playing backup |
| In these modules, you'll learn new moveable chord shapes, and we'll review some simple strategies for playing some really effective backup. | |
| Lesson 1 | The "F" and "D" shape chords |
| Lesson 2 | Stupid Simple Backup, Part 1 |
| Lesson 3 | Stupid Simple Backup, Part 2 |
| Module 7 | How To Play By Ear |
| Learning to play by ear is the single best way to accelerate your development as a player, and something that ANYONE can learn how to do. In this series of lessons, we'll break down the process of playing by ear into a series of steps anyone can master. | |
| Lesson 1 | How To Play By Ear, Part 1: How to Hear Chord Changes |
| Lesson 2 | How To Play By Ear, Part 2: Finding the Melody |
| Lesson 3 | How To Play By Ear, Part 3: Building A Complete Arrangement from Scratch |
| Lesson 4 | The Playing By Ear Laboratory |
Supplemental Knowledge
| Module 1 | Reading the Tabs |
|---|---|
| Unfamiliar with the conventions of banjo tab? Click here to learn more about how to read them. | |
| Lesson 1 | Reading the Tabs |
| Module 2 | The "Labyrinth" Practice Technique |
| In this module, you'll learn a simple but remarkably effective practice technique that can dramatically shorten the amount of time it takes you to learn new skills and tunes. | |
| Lesson 1 | The "Labyrinth" Practice Technique |
| Module 3 | How To Tune To Any Tuning |
In this module, you'll learn exactly how to get your banjo into any new tuning you might encounter, and learn some practical music theory along the way. | |
| Lesson 1 | How To Tune The Banjo To Any Tuning |
| Module 4 | The "Laws of Brainjo" |
| The "Immutable Laws of Brainjo" is a series of articles, written in partnership with the Banjo Hangout, that outlines the principles of Brainjo. While the Brainjo Method has been "baked in" to the course materials, understanding the theoretical principles behind it will allow you reap even more benefits from the course and your practice sessions | |
| Lesson 1 | The Laws of Brainjo - Deconstructing the Art & Science of Effective Practice |
| Module 5 | Module 4: Singing and Playing |
| There's a very long tradition of banjoists singing and playing with the banjo, and rightly so - it's some of the most fun you can have as a banjo player! In this module, we'll cover the ins and outs of how to provide simple and tasteful backup to the human voice (whether you're doing the singing, or someone else!) | |
| Lesson 1 | Playing and Singing Tutorial and Demo: 2-finger thumb lead style |
| Lesson 2 | How To Play & Sing |
| Module 6 | Essential Music Theory for the Banjo Player |
| Wouldn't it be great if there was a course on music theory that just focused on the useful bits, and showed you precisely how to use them? Well, now there is! In this module, I'm dumping every bit of useful music theory from my brain to yours, including the specific situations where it's most applicable for the clawhammer banjo player. | |
| Lesson 1 | Essentials of Music Theory for the Banjo Player, Part 1 |
| Lesson 2 | Essentials of Music Theory for the Banjo Player, Part 2 |
| Lesson 3 | Essentials of Music Theory for the Banjo Player, the conclusion |
| Module 7 | 9 Ways To Practice Smarter |
In the 9 Ways To Practice Smarter video workshop and ebook, you'll learn the fundamental principles for how to apply the lessons of neuroscience to make the most of your practice time. | |
| Lesson 1 | 9 Ways To Practice Smarter |
| Module 8 | The Elements of Tone |
Learn how all of the various components of the banjo contribute to its sound, and how to adjust them to your liking! | |
| Lesson 1 | The Elements of Tone |
Learning Resources
The Virtual Classroom
The virtual classroom hosts regular live workshops on essential topics for banjo players, as well as step by step song tutorials. Click here to learn more about the Virtual Classroom.
The Lick Library
“Licks” are an essential part of the Scruggs banjo sound. In the “Lick Library,” you’ll learn what licks are, how and when to use them, and review in detail the classic lead-in, fill, backup, and tag licks. Click here to check out the Lick Library (be sure to download the PDF of all the licks).
Beats for Banjo practice tool (the metronome killer!)
I recently created a new tool, Beats for Banjo, which replaces the metronome tracks that used to be here. Why? Because it’s more effective and more fun! Click here to check it out, and watch the video where I review 9 different ways to use it.
The “Vault” – Your Song Learning Library
Searchable Index of Tabs
The Tab “Walk-Through” Videos
A new feature launched in Dec. 2018, in these videos, which originally air live in the Virtual Classroom, I walk step-by-step through one of the tabs in the Vault. Click here to check them out.
| Module 1 | The Vault - Melody Lines |
|---|---|
| Learning any new song should always start with making sure you know the basic melody. It's also critical to the process of building your ear. In this module, you'll find the basic melodies for all the songs in the course, both sung and played on the banjo, along with the tab for the basic melody on the banjo. | |
| Lesson 1 | Melody lines for banjo, voice, and in tab |
| Module 2 | 2 Finger Thumb Lead Vault |
| The arrangements here are intended to help reinforce the skills you learned up through the "Thumb Lead Banjer" lesson, and give you some more great songs to play! | |
| Lesson 1 | 8 More Miles To Louisville |
| Lesson 2 | Amazing Grace |
| Lesson 3 | Angelina Baker |
| Lesson 4 | Arkansas Traveler |
| Lesson 5 | Cluck Ol' Hen |
| Lesson 6 | Cotton Eyed Joe |
| Lesson 7 | Cripple Creek |
| Lesson 8 | Cumberland Gap |
| Lesson 9 | Darling Corey |
| Lesson 10 | Groundhog |
| Lesson 11 | Handsome Molly |
| Lesson 12 | Julianne Johnson |
| Lesson 13 | Keep on the Sunny Side |
| Lesson 14 | Lazy John |
| Lesson 15 | Little Maggie |
| Lesson 16 | Miss McLeod's Reel |
| Lesson 17 | Mountain Dew |
| Lesson 18 | Pretty Polly |
| Lesson 19 | Raleigh & Spencer |
| Lesson 20 | Red River Valley |
| Lesson 21 | She'll Be Coming Round the Mountain |
| Lesson 22 | Sourwood Mountain |
| Lesson 23 | Short Life of Trouble |
| Lesson 24 | Shortnin' Bread |
| Lesson 25 | Sugar Babe / Red Rocking Chair |
| Lesson 26 | Wild Bill Jones |
| Lesson 27 | You Are My Sunshine |
| Module 3 | 3-finger Banjo Vault |
| Your library of 3 finger style arrangements. Level 2 arrangements will only include techniques covered through the first 3 finger banjo learning module, while level 3 arrangements will also include techniques covered in the Bluegrass Banjo learning module. | |
| Lesson 1 | 8 More Miles to Louisville (3 finger banjo), Brainjo level 2 |
| Lesson 2 | 8 More Miles to Louisville (3 finger banjo), Brainjo level 3 |
| Lesson 3 | All the Good Times are Past and Gone, Brainjo level 3 |
| Lesson 4 | Amazing Grace (3 finger tutorial) - Brainjo level 2 |
| Lesson 5 | Amazing Grace (3 finger banjo), Brainjo level 3 |
| Lesson 6 | Angelina Baker, 3 finger banjo, Brainjo level 3 |
| Lesson 7 | Arkansas Traveler, 3 finger banjo, Brainjo level 3 |
| Lesson 8 | The Ballad of Jed (3 finger banjo), Brainjo level 3 |
| Lesson 9 | Banjo in the Hollow, 3 finger, Brainjo level 2 |
| Lesson 10 | Bile Dem Cabbage Down (3 finger banjo), Brainjo level 2 |
| Lesson 11 | Bile Dem Cabbage Down (3 finger banjo), Brainjo level 3 |
| Lesson 12 | Bill Cheatham, 3 finger banjo, Brainjo level 3 |
| Lesson 13 | Billy in the Lowland, 3 finger banjo, Brainjo level 3-4 |
| Lesson 14 | Blue Ridge Cabin Home (3 finger banjo), Brainjo level 2 |
| Lesson 15 | Blue Ridge Cabin Home (3 finger banjo), Brainjo level 3 |
| Lesson 16 | Buffalo Gals, 3 finger banjo (Brainjo level 3) |
| Lesson 17 | Bury Me Beneath the Willow (3 finger banjo), Brainjo Level 2 |
| Lesson 18 | Bury Me Beneath the Willow (3 finger banjo), Brainjo level 3 |
| Lesson 19 | Coal Creek March (3 finger banjo), Brainjo level 3 |
| Lesson 20 | Coke Oven March (3 finger banjo), Brainjo level 2 |
| Lesson 21 | Cripple Creek, 3 finger banjo, Brainjo level 2 |
| Lesson 22 | Cripple Creek, 3 finger banjo, Brainjo level 3 |
| Lesson 23 | Cumberland Gap, 3 finger banjo, Brainjo level 2 |
| Lesson 24 | Cumberland Gap, 3 finger banjo, Brainjo level 3 |
| Lesson 25 | East Tennessee Blues, 3 finger banjo, Brainjo level 3 |
| Lesson 26 | Fireball Mail, 3 finger banjo, Brainjo level 2 |
| Lesson 27 | Fireball Mail, 3 finger banjo, Brainjo level 3 |
| Lesson 28 | Foggy Mountain Top, 3 finger banjo, Brainjo level 2 |
| Lesson 29 | Foggy Mountain Top, 3 finger, Brainjo level 3 |
| Lesson 30 | Goodnight Irene, 3 finger banjo, Brainjo level 3 |
| Lesson 31 | Home Sweet Home (3 finger banjo), Brainjo level 3 |
| Lesson 32 | I'll Fly Away, 3 finger banjo (Brainjo level 2) |
| Lesson 33 | I'll Fly Away, 3 finger banjo (Brainjo level 3) |
| Lesson 34 | John Brown's Dream, 3 finger banjo, Brainjo level 3 |
| Lesson 35 | John Hardy, 3 finger banjo, Brainjo level 2 |
| Lesson 36 | John Hardy, 3 finger, Brainjo level 3 |
| Lesson 37 | John Henry, 3 finger banjo, Brainjo level 2 |
| Lesson 38 | John Henry, 3 finger banjo, Brainjo level 3 |
| Lesson 39 | Let Me Fall, 3 finger banjo, Brainjo level 3 |
| Lesson 40 | Lonesome Road Blues, 3 finger banjo, Brainjo level 2 |
| Lesson 41 | Lonesome Road Blues, Brainjo level 3 |
| Lesson 42 | Long Journey Home, 3 finger banjo, Brainjo level 3 |
| Lesson 43 | Mountain Dew, 3 finger banjo, Brainjo level 3 |
| Lesson 44 | New River Train, Brainjo level 2 |
| Lesson 45 | New River Train, Brainjo level 3 |
| Lesson 46 | Nine Pound Hammer, 3 finger banjo, Brainjo level 2 |
| Lesson 47 | Nine Pound Hammer, 3 finger banjo, Brainjo level 3 |
| Lesson 48 | Old Joe Clark, 3 finger banjo, Brainjo level 3 |
| Lesson 49 | Pretty Polly, 3 finger banjo, Brainjo level 3 |
| Lesson 50 | Red River Valley, 3 finger banjo, Brainjo level 3 |
| Lesson 51 | Redwing, 3 finger banjo, Brainjo level 3 |
| Lesson 52 | Sailor's Hornpipe, 3 finger banjo, 3 finger banjo |
| Lesson 53 | Salty Dog, 3 finger banjo, Brainjo level 2 |
| Lesson 54 | Salty Dog, 3 finger banjo, Brainjo level 3 |
| Lesson 55 | Shady Grove, 3 finger banjo, Brainjo level 3 |
| Lesson 56 | Shortnin Bread, 3 finger banjo (Brainjo level 3) |
| Lesson 57 | Stoney Point, 3 finger banjo, Brainjo level 3-4 |
| Lesson 58 | Soldier's Joy, 3 finger banjo, Brainjo level 3 |
| Lesson 59 | You Are My Sunshine, 3 finger banjo, Brainjo level 2 |
| Module 4 | 3 Finger Banjo - Christmas & Holiday Collection |
| This module includes arrangements and video tutorials for music of the holidays. These are great songs for learning early on, as many will be melodies that you know very well. | |
| Lesson 1 | Angels We Have Heard on High, 3 finger banjo, Brainjo level 2 |
| Lesson 2 | Angels We Have Heard on High, 3 finger banjo, Brainjo level 3 |
| Lesson 3 | Deck the Halls, 3 finger banjo, Brainjo level 2 |
| Lesson 4 | Deck the Halls, 3 finger banjo, Brainjo level 3-4 |
| Lesson 5 | God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen, 3 finger banjo, Brainjo level 2 |
| Lesson 6 | God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen, 3 finger banjo, Brainjo level 3 |
| Lesson 7 | Good King Wenceslas, 3 finger banjo, Brainjo level 2 |
| Lesson 8 | Good King Wenceslas, 3 finger banjo, Brainjo level 3 |
| Lesson 9 | Hark the Herald, 3 finger banjo, Brainjo level 2 |
| Lesson 10 | Hark the Herald, 3 finger banjo, Brainjo level 3 |
| Lesson 11 | Jingle Bells, 3 finger banjo, Brainjo level 2 |
| Lesson 12 | Jingle Bells, 3 finger banjo, Brainjo level 3 |
| Lesson 13 | Joy to the World, 3 finger banjo, Brainjo level 2 |
| Lesson 14 | Jolly Ol' Saint Nicholas, 3 finger banjo, Brainjo level 2 |
| Lesson 15 | Jolly Ol' Saint Nicholas, 3 finger banjo, Brainjo level 3 |
| Lesson 16 | Joy to the World, 3 finger banjo, Brainjo level 3 |
| Lesson 17 | Oh Come All Ye Faithful, 3 finger banjo, Brainjo level 2 |
| Lesson 18 | Oh Come All Ye Faithful, 3 finger banjo, Brainjo level 3 |
| Lesson 19 | Silent Night, 3 finger banjo, Brainjo level 2 |
| Lesson 20 | Silent Night, 3 finger banjo, Brainjo level 3 |
| Lesson 21 | Up on a Housetop, 3 finger banjo, Brainjo level 2 |
| Lesson 22 | Up on a Housetop, 3 finger banjo, Brainjo level 3 |
| Lesson 23 | We Three Kings, 3 finger banjo, Brainjo level 2 |
| Lesson 24 | We Three Kings, 3 finger banjo, Brainjo level 3 |
| Module 5 | 2 Finger Vault - Old Time Classics |
Here you'll find tabs and tutorials for classic tunes and songs of old-time music. | |
| Lesson 1 | Angelina Baker |
| Lesson 2 | Big Eyed Rabbit |
| Lesson 3 | Big Liza |
| Lesson 4 | Bonaparte Crossing the Rhine |
| Lesson 5 | Cluck Ol' Hen |
| Lesson 6 | Cold Frosty Morning |
| Lesson 7 | Cumberland Gap (in D) |
| Lesson 8 | Georgia Railroad |
| Lesson 9 | Golden Slippers |
| Lesson 10 | Gospel Plow |
| Lesson 11 | Julianne Johnson |
| Lesson 12 | June Apple |
| Lesson 13 | Liberty |
| Lesson 14 | Little Sadie |
| Lesson 15 | Mississippi Sawyer |
| Lesson 16 | Nail That Catfish To A Tree |
| Lesson 17 | Ragtime Annie |
| Lesson 18 | Redwing |
| Lesson 19 | Rock the Cradle, Joe |
| Lesson 20 | Shoes and Stockings |
| Lesson 21 | Soldier's Joy |
| Lesson 22 | Spotted Pony |
| Lesson 23 | St. Anne's Reel |
| Lesson 24 | Sugar Hill |
| Lesson 25 | Train on the Island |
| Lesson 26 | Waterbound (aka Stay All Night) |
| Lesson 27 | Willie Moore |
| Module 6 | 2 Finger Vault - Bluegrass Standards |
Here you'll find tabs and tutorials for bluegrass standards. | |
| Lesson 1 | Aint Gonna Work Tomorrow |
| Lesson 2 | All The Good Times Are Past & Gone |
| Lesson 3 | The Ballad of Jed (Beverly Hillbillies Theme) |
| Lesson 4 | Bile Dem Cabbage Down |
| Lesson 5 | Blue Ridge Cabin Home |
| Lesson 6 | Bury Me Beneath the Willow |
| Lesson 7 | Cluck Ol' Hen |
| Lesson 8 | Cripple Creek (2 finger) |
| Lesson 9 | Cumberland Gap |
| Lesson 10 | Earl's Breakdown |
| Lesson 11 | Feast Here Tonight |
| Lesson 12 | Foggy Mountain Top |
| Lesson 13 | Long Journey Home |
| Lesson 14 | Man of Constant Sorrow |
| Lesson 15 | Old Joe Clark |
| Lesson 16 | Rocky Top |
| Lesson 17 | Roll In My Sweet Baby's Arms |
| Lesson 18 | Tom Dooley |
| Lesson 19 | Wabash Cannonball |
| Lesson 20 | Whiskey Before Breakfast |
| Module 7 | 2 Finger Vault - Fan Favorites |
| Songs for bringing down the house with only 2 fingers. | |
| Lesson 1 | 8 More Miles To Louisville |
| Lesson 2 | Aint Gonna Work Tomorrow |
| Lesson 3 | All The Good Times Are Past And Gone |
| Lesson 4 | Amazing Grace |
| Lesson 5 | Arkansas Traveler |
| Lesson 6 | The Ballad of Jed (Beverly Hillbillies Theme) |
| Lesson 7 | Bury Me Beneath The Willow Tree |
| Lesson 8 | Cold Frosty Morning |
| Lesson 9 | Cripple Creek |
| Lesson 10 | Darling Corey |
| Lesson 11 | Gospel Plow |
| Lesson 12 | Keep on the Sunny Side |
| Lesson 13 | Lazy John |
| Lesson 14 | Mountain Dew |
| Lesson 15 | Pretty Polly |
| Lesson 16 | Red River Valley |
| Lesson 17 | Redwing |
| Lesson 18 | Rocky Top |
| Lesson 19 | Waterbound |
| Lesson 20 | Wild Bill Jones |
| Lesson 21 | You Are My Sunshine |
| Module 8 | 2 Finger Vault - Mountain Modal |
Classic songs in "modal" (gDGCD) tuning. | |
| Lesson 1 | Cluck Ol' Hen |
| Lesson 2 | Cold Frosty Morn |
| Lesson 3 | The Cuckoo |
| Lesson 4 | Little Sadie |
| Lesson 5 | Pretty Polly |
| Lesson 6 | Shady Grove |
| Module 9 | 2 Finger Vault - Traditional Folk |
Classic, timeless, transcendent music for the people, by the people. | |
| Lesson 1 | Buffalo Gals |
| Lesson 2 | The Cuckoo |
| Lesson 3 | Darling Corey |
| Lesson 4 | Goodnight Irene |
| Lesson 5 | Gospel Plow |
| Lesson 6 | Johnson Boys |
| Lesson 7 | Lazy John |
| Lesson 8 | Man of Constant Sorrow |
| Lesson 9 | Oh Susanna |
| Lesson 10 | Old Kentucky Home |
| Lesson 11 | Railroad Bill |
| Lesson 12 | Raleigh and Spencer |
| Lesson 13 | Red River Valley |
| Lesson 14 | Redwing |
| Lesson 15 | Shady Grove |
| Lesson 16 | Star of Munster |
| Lesson 17 | Star of the County Down |
| Lesson 18 | Tom Dooley |
| Lesson 19 | Walking Cane |
| Lesson 20 | Waterbound |
| Lesson 21 | Wayfaring Stranger |
| Lesson 22 | White House Blues |
| Lesson 23 | Wild Rover |
| Lesson 24 | Yankee Doodle |
| Module 10 | 2 Finger Banjo - Holiday Collection |
The songs of the season in just 2 fingers! | |
| Lesson 1 | The 12 Days of Christmas |
| Lesson 2 | Bar-b-cue |
| Lesson 3 | Christmas Is Near |
| Lesson 4 | White Christmas |
| Lesson 5 | Winter Wonderland |
| Module 11 | 3 Finger Vault - Bluegrass Standards |
Classic hits of Scruggs banjo. | |
| Lesson 1 | Blackberry Blossom |
| Lesson 2 | The Ballad of Jed |
| Lesson 3 | 8 More Miles To Louisville |
| Lesson 4 | All the Good Times are Past and Gone |
| Lesson 5 | Blue Ridge Cabin Home |
| Lesson 6 | Bury Me Beneath the Willow |
| Lesson 7 | Clinch Mountain Backstep |
| Lesson 8 | Cripple Creek |
| Lesson 9 | Cumberland Gap |
| Lesson 10 | Fireball Mail |
| Lesson 11 | Foggy Mountain Top |
| Lesson 12 | Home Sweet Home |
| Lesson 13 | I'll Fly Away |
| Lesson 14 | John Hardy |
| Lesson 15 | John Henry |
| Lesson 16 | Little Maggie |
| Lesson 17 | Lonesome Road Blues |
| Lesson 18 | Long Journey Home |
| Lesson 19 | Nine Pound Hammer |
| Lesson 20 | Old Joe Clark |
| Lesson 21 | Rocky Top |
| Lesson 22 | Salt River |
| Lesson 23 | Salty Dog |
| Lesson 24 | Wabash Cannonball |
| Module 12 | 3 Finger Vault - Traditional Folk |
Traditional songs for the people, by the people. | |
| Lesson 1 | Been All Around This World |
| Lesson 2 | Big Rock Candy Mountain |
| Lesson 3 | Big Sciota |
| Lesson 4 | Blue Moon of Kentucky |
| Lesson 5 | Buffalo Gals |
| Lesson 6 | Darling Nellie Grey |
| Lesson 7 | Goodnight Irene |
| Lesson 8 | GumTree Canoe |
| Lesson 9 | Hard Times |
| Lesson 10 | Hills of Mexico |
| Lesson 11 | Miller's Will |
| Lesson 12 | Oh Susanna |
| Lesson 13 | Paradise |
| Lesson 14 | Pretty Polly |
| Lesson 15 | Red River Valley |
| Lesson 16 | Shady Grove |
| Lesson 17 | Short Life of Trouble |
| Lesson 18 | Walking Cane |
| Lesson 19 | Waterbound |
| Lesson 20 | White House Blues |
| Lesson 21 | Wildwood Flower |
| Lesson 22 | Willow Garden |
| Lesson 23 | Undone in Sorrow |
| Module 13 | 3 Finger Vault - Fan Favorites |
Songs for bringing down the house. | |
| Lesson 1 | 8 More Miles To Louisville |
| Lesson 2 | All the Good Times are Past and Gone |
| Lesson 3 | Amazing Grace |
| Lesson 4 | America the Beautiful |
| Lesson 5 | Andy Griffith Theme ("The Fishin' Hole") |
| Lesson 6 | Big Rock Candy Mountain |
| Lesson 7 | Blue Ridge Cabin Home |
| Lesson 8 | Big Sciota |
| Lesson 9 | Bury Me Beneath the Willow |
| Lesson 10 | Clinch Mountain Backstep |
| Lesson 11 | Cluck Ol' Hen |
| Lesson 12 | Foggy Mountain Top |
| Lesson 13 | Hard Times |
| Lesson 14 | I'll Fly Away |
| Lesson 15 | In My Life |
| Lesson 16 | Paradise |
| Lesson 17 | Pretty Polly |
| Lesson 18 | Rainbow Connection |
| Lesson 19 | Red River Valley |
| Lesson 20 | Shady Grove |
| Lesson 21 | Redwing |
| Lesson 22 | Waterbound |
| Lesson 23 | Wildwood Flower |
| Lesson 24 | You Are My Sunshine |
| Lesson 25 | Let It Be |
| Module 14 | 3 Finger Vault - Solo Fingerstyle Classics |
Classic tunes written by banjo players for banjo players. | |
| Lesson 1 | Banjo in the Hollow |
| Lesson 2 | Baptist Shout |
| Lesson 3 | Coal Creek March |
| Lesson 4 | Coke Oven March |
| Lesson 5 | John Greer's Two-Step |
| Lesson 6 | Marching Jaybird |
| Lesson 7 | Needlecase |
| Module 15 | 3 Finger Vault - Mountain Modal |
Classic songs in "modal" (gDGCD) tuning. | |
| Lesson 1 | Cluck Ol' Hen |
| Lesson 2 | Little Sadie |
| Lesson 3 | Pretty Polly |
| Lesson 4 | Shady Grove |
| Module 16 | 3 Finger Vault - Fiddle Tunes |
Classic fiddle tunes arranged for the 5-string. | |
| Lesson 1 | Angelina Baker |
| Lesson 2 | Arkansas Traveler |
| Lesson 3 | Barlow Knife |
| Lesson 4 | Billy in the Lowland |
| Lesson 5 | Black Jack Grove |
| Lesson 6 | Boatman |
| Lesson 7 | Chinquapin Hunting |
| Lesson 8 | East Tennessee Blues |
| Lesson 9 | Georgia Railroad |
| Lesson 10 | Golden Slippers |
| Lesson 11 | Hog Eyed Man |
| Lesson 12 | John Brown's Dream |
| Lesson 13 | Johnson City Rag |
| Lesson 14 | Julianne Johnson |
| Lesson 15 | June Apple |
| Lesson 16 | Liberty |
| Lesson 17 | Miss McLeod's Reel |
| Lesson 18 | Nail that Catfish to a Tree |
| Lesson 19 | Natchez Under the Hill |
| Lesson 20 | Ragtime Annie |
| Lesson 21 | Rock the Cradle, Joe |
| Lesson 22 | Sail Away Ladies |
| Lesson 23 | Sailor's Hornpipe |
| Lesson 24 | Salt River |
| Lesson 25 | Sara Armstrong's Tune |
| Lesson 26 | Shoes and Stockings |
| Lesson 27 | Shortnin' Bread |
| Lesson 28 | Soldier's Joy |
| Lesson 29 | Spotted Pony |
| Lesson 30 | St. Anne's Reel |
| Lesson 31 | Stoney Point |
| Lesson 32 | Sugar Hill |
| Module 17 | 2 Finger Vault - Easy But Awesome Songs |
A collection of songs that aren't too challenging to play, but that sound fantastic, along with step by step tab tutorial videos. Great for adding to your repertoire early on. | |
| Lesson 1 | Amazing Grace |
| Lesson 2 | The Cuckoo |
| Lesson 3 | Long Journey Home |
| Lesson 4 | Pretty Polly |
| Lesson 5 | Roll In My Sweet Baby's Arms |
| Lesson 6 | Worried Man Blues |
| Lesson 7 | Will the Circle Be Unbroken |
| Lesson 8 | You Are My Sunshine |
| Module 18 | 3 Finger Vault - Easy But Awesome Songs |
A collection of songs that aren't too challenging to play, but that sound fantastic, along with step by step tab tutorial videos. Great for adding to your repertoire early on. | |
| Lesson 1 | 8 More Miles To Louisville |
| Lesson 2 | Amazing Grace |
| Lesson 3 | Blue Ridge Cabin Home |
| Lesson 4 | Bury Me Beneath the Willow |
| Lesson 5 | Long Journey Home |
| Lesson 6 | Pretty Polly |
| Lesson 7 | Roll In My Sweet Baby's Arms |
| Lesson 8 | Will the Circle Be Unbroken |
| Lesson 9 | Worried Man Blues |
| Lesson 10 | You Are My Sunshine |
| Module 19 | 3 Finger Vault - Pop & Rock |
Want to play pop and rock "radio" hits on your banjo? Of course you do! | |
| Lesson 1 | Dancin' in the Moonlight |
| Lesson 2 | I And Love And You |
| Lesson 3 | In My Life |
| Lesson 4 | Let It Be |
| Lesson 5 | Superman |
| Lesson 6 | Sweet Home Alabama |
| Lesson 7 | Swept Away |
| Lesson 8 | Tiny Dancer |
| Lesson 9 | The Weight |
| Module 20 | 2 Finger Vault - Pop - Rock |
Pop and Rock songs for 2 finger thumb lead banjo. | |
| Lesson 1 | Boulevard of Broken Dreams |
| Lesson 2 | Time To Move On |
The Jam Dojo
Click here to enter the Jam Dojo, containing the ultimate banjo backup tracks, where you can work on your entire gamut of developing skills (playing solos, changing chords, playing backup, jamming, improvising, and so on).
The Ear Laboratory
Click here to enter the “Playing by” Ear Laboratory, containing exercises plus an ongoing video lesson series. Everything you need to learn to play by ear! (recommended to start after completing the 3 Primary Lesson modules on playing by ear.
Singing & Playing Tutorials
In these videos, which are an extension of the learning modules on playing and singing, and part of the live Brainjo Virtual classroom series of workshops, we’ll walk step by step by how to play and sing a song inside of The Vault.
Click here to view the Playing & Singing Tutorial video archive.
Coming to the Learning Resources section: “Rolling” backup, and many more song tutorials in the Vault.
Questions? Contact me at josh@fingerstylebanjo.com