Mapping the Fingerboard for Single String, Part 1

from: Contemporary Bluegrass Banjo with Wes Corbett

This lesson is part of the course Contemporary Bluegrass Banjo with Wes Corbett.

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Learn the style of contemporary three-finger banjo used by Béla Fleck, Noam Pikelny, Ron Block, and others. With lessons on single-string and melodic style, fingerboard theory, improvisation, and more. For intermediate to advanced players.

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VARIATIONS ON “CRIPPLE CREEK”

Wes shows you some ways to vary the melody of “Cripple Creek” and introduces the concept of “melodic style” banjo. Melodic-style was invented by banjoist Bill Keith, who devised a way to play linear note-for-note melodies where you never play the same string consecutively. Wes walks you through the variations phrase by phrase, pointing out how each variation relates to the original melody.

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Essential right- and left-hand technique lessons
Theory and fingerboard lessons relevant to contemporary banjo
30 complete tunes to play
Detailed tablature for every lesson
High-quality video with multiple camera angles so you can see closeups of both hands in action
Play-Along Tracks so you can practice what you’ve learned

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MAPPING THE FINGERBOARD FOR SINGLE STRING

Mapping the Fingerboard for Single String, Part 1

Mapping the Fingerboard for Single String, Part 2

Mapping the Fingerboard for Single String, Part 1

Wes shows you his concept of mapping the fingerboard for single-string playing, which involves wide positions that include three notes on the fourth string, three notes on the third string, two notes on the second string, and three notes on the first string (3–3–2–3). Wes shows you how to play a G major scale with this concept running from the fourth string to the first and using three positions: the first starts on the root of the scale, the second position starts on the third of the scale, the third position starts on the fifth of the scale. He also gives you advice on playing scales smoothly, so that each note sustains into the following note.

Mapping the Fingerboard (Available to subscribers)

Previous Lesson

← “Arkansas Traveler” Melodic Style, Part 3: Play-Along Track

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Mapping the Fingerboard for Single String, Part 2 →

Previous Lesson

← “Arkansas Traveler” Melodic Style, Part 3: Play-Along Track

Next Lesson

Mapping the Fingerboard for Single String, Part 2 →

Previous Lesson

← “Arkansas Traveler” Melodic Style, Part 3: Play-Along Track

Next Lesson

Mapping the Fingerboard for Single String, Part 2 →

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