Are You Starting Banjo Playing? These songs will help get you going on your banjo playing journey. Learn and practice them until they can be performed without errors or mistakes.
Flatt & Scruggs’ rendition of this tune became the signature tune for The Beverly Hillbillies television show and movie, telling a tale about Jed Clampett and his family. The lyrics tell their tale.
Dueling Banjos
Dueling Banjos is a classic banjo tune that has been featured in many films and television shows, as well as being played frequently at parties by banjo players. Written in 1955 by Arthur Smith and Doug Dillard, it became widely popular after it appeared in 1972 film Deliverance with Jon Voight and Burt Reynolds playing banjos together while singing this tune; Billy Redden from Georgia played banjo in this scene and is also responsible for its creation.
Dueling Banjos is an ideal song for beginners to master on banjo, with its easy melody and chord progressions. Practice this song slowly before speeding it up; if you are having trouble grasping its contents, listening to videos of its performance could help – listening can also help speed things along – giving you more insight into understanding and grasping this piece faster!
Tunefox arrangements of Dueling Banjos come complete with video lessons that break down each part of the tune, helping you learn at your own pace and gain a better understanding of its components. In addition, each video includes practice loops so that you can play through different speeds of the song at various speeds; you can even swap out measures with Scruggs style licks in order to learn improvisation and creating custom arrangements!
Tunefox arrangements of “Dueling banjos” provide real-sounding backing tracks, giving you an opportunity to practice playing banjo with an entire band. In addition, Tunefox members have access to features such as volume adjustment for banjo and metronome for optimal practice sessions – something not available outside Tunefox membership.
Red River Valley
Red River Valley has long been revered as an iconic traditional folk song, beloved for its beautiful melody and heartbreaking lyrics. Recorded by artists including Roy Acuff, Johnny Cash, Bing Crosby and Tex Ritter – as well as coverings in German by Margot Eskens and Croatian by Ana Stefok – and being adopted as their official Slow March by Fort Garry Horse of Canada’s Reserve Line Cavalry regiment as its Slow March!
The song’s origins remain somewhat mysterious; however, speculation suggests that it was written by a Metis woman pining for her soldier lover after Louis Riel was defeated by the Hudson’s Bay Company at the fork of Red and Assiniboine rivers in 1885. At that time of cultural clashes, her use of “adieu” as an expression of sorrow may indicate this sentimentality.
As Gaelic-speaking settlers immigrated to Canada with their instruments and traditions from Scotland, it’s likely that this song was also influenced by Scottish folk songs. The melody recalls several of them and also recalls Irish ballad “Connemara Cradle Song” and Scottish traditional tune “The Drums of Dumbarton.”
Archeological investigations in the Red River Valley have uncovered evidence of human settlement for more than 9,000 years, dating back to harvest of berries, acorns and hazelnuts from forests lining its riverbanks, while freshwater clams, pike catfish and turtles were caught along its banks. Bison deer elk and beaver hunting was also common throughout this region.
Red River Valley’s melody and lyrics resonate with listeners worldwide, resonating with listeners of all generations. Its simplicity yet depth allows listeners to connect emotionally with it – one reason it has endured for so many generations! If you want to learn this timeless folk classic on banjo, take advantage of our lessons or become a Pro member and take advantage of downloading Real Sound Backing Tracks free trial by becoming part of our Real Sound Backing Tracks Family!
The Devil Went Down to Georgia
“The Devil Went Down to Georgia” became perhaps The Charlie Daniels Band’s best-known hit upon its release in 1979. This fiery fiddle-bound story song tells of Johnny who challenges Satan himself in an epic fiddle duel. This incredible tale showcases both their musical fusion abilities and storytelling prowess; Daniels’ vocal style ranges between straight forward recitation and melodic stretches to create an inimitable and unforgettable sound that marks this memorable piece.
This song is also well known for its allusion to New Orleans’ House of the Rising Sun, an iconic folk tune depicting an all-inclusive community where people come from various walks of life to live together peacefully in New Orleans. This song serves as a powerful reminder about community involvement and resisting individualistic desires; The Devil Went Down to Georgia reworks an old myth about crossroads where musicians would meet the devil at crossroads; its message must never be lost sight of.
Mark O’Connor released a sequel to the original song on his album Heroes in 1993. The track depicts Johnny and Satan’s second fiddle duel ten years after their initial contest and features Johnny Cash as its narrator and Marty Stuart playing Johnny.
As testament to its widespread appeal, metal band Korn covered it. Their version features electric guitars tuned down a step while still maintaining the original lyrics and fiddle riff from its origination.
Charlie Daniels Band recorded an animated version of their song for Futurama’s episode “Hell Is Other Robots,” where Leela must challenge the robot devil in a fiddle-playing contest to gain her soul back – with an attractive solid gold fiddle being up for grabs as prize.
The song has also been covered by other artists, such as British punk band The Toy Dolls and Christian parody band ApologetiX who incorporate biblical references about fighting devil.
Avicii
Although this band is best-known for their acoustic pop, they also boast incredible banjo players who add a more rustic and folky sound to their songs with banjo riffs that add emotion to each track. Newcomers may find it challenging at first, but with practice they will soon master this song flawlessly!
Although banjos are typically absent from rock songs, Matchbox Twenty made an exception with their song “Unwell.” The instrument adds a whimsical quality that creates a happier tone – its opening banjo riff sets the mood perfectly as the song talks about not fitting in with society; and its rhythmic playing and hand claps give this track its rustic edge.
Cripple Creek is an easy, classic folk song perfect for beginners looking to develop their banjo skills. Its easy tune will allow them to develop right and left hand coordination as they learn. Furthermore, this piece features straightforward chord progressions and finger picking exercises.
This song boasts a stunning melody that has become immensely popular among banjo players. Beginner banjo players especially benefit from this tune as it helps develop their skills while building their confidence. Furthermore, listening to it as inspiration will motivate them to keep playing their banjo!
“Dueling Banjos” is one of the most famous banjo songs ever recorded and was featured prominently in the film Deliverance. First recorded by Flatt & Scruggs in 1949, “Dueling Banjos” remains an integral component of bluegrass music today.
This song provides an ideal introduction to banjo for beginners as it’s simple and straightforward. Enjoy playing it as you improve your finger-picking techniques while practicing the alternating pattern of the banjo and chord playback with ease, learning chord strumming along the way!