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Blues Banjo Lessons: Licks, Riffs, Songs, and More

Vladimir Nabokov

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Published in Blues Banjo: Lessons Licks Riffs Songs More

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The blues banjo is a unique and soulful instrument that can be used to create a wide range of music. If you're interested in learning how to play blues banjo, there are a few things you need to know.

Blues Banjo: Lessons, Licks, Riffs, Songs & More

by Fred Sokolow

4.2 out of 5

Language	:	English
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Getting Started

The first step is to get a good banjo. There are many different types of banjos available, so it's important to do your research and find one that's right for you. Once you have a banjo, you'll need to learn how to tune it. There are many different tuning methods for the banjo, but the most common tuning for blues banjo is G tuning.

Once you have your banjo tuned, you can start learning some basic chords. There are many different chords that you can play on the banjo, but the most common chords for blues banjo are the G, C, D, and Am chords.

Licks and Riffs

Once you have a few chords under your belt, you can start learning some licks and riffs. Licks are short, melodic phrases that can be used to add some spice to your playing. Riffs are longer, more complex phrases that can be used to create a foundation for your songs.

There are many different licks and riffs that you can learn, but some of the most common licks for blues banjo include the "clawhammer roll," the "Scruggs roll," and the "double thumb." Some of the most common riffs for blues banjo include the "shuffle," the "boogie," and the "turnaround."

Songs

Once you have a few licks and riffs under your belt, you can start learning some songs. There are many different blues songs that you can play on the banjo, but some of the most popular songs include "St. Louis Blues," "Key to the Highway," and "Crossroads Blues."

When you're first starting out, it's a good idea to learn some simple songs. As you progress, you can start learning more complex songs.

In addition to licks, riffs, and songs, there are a few other things that you can learn to improve your blues banjo playing.

Scales: Scales are a series of notes that are played in a specific order. Learning scales can help you to improve your finger dexterity and your understanding of music theory.
Arpeggios: Arpeggios are chords that are played one note at a time. Learning arpeggios can help you to improve your picking accuracy and your understanding of chord structure.
Improvisation: Improvisation is the art of making up music on the spot. Learning to improvise can help you to express yourself more creatively on the banjo.

Learning to play blues banjo can be a rewarding experience. With a little practice, you can learn to play a variety of licks, riffs, songs, and more. So what are you waiting for? Grab your banjo and get started today!

Blues Banjo: Lessons, Licks, Riffs, Songs & More

by Fred Sokolow

4.2 out of 5