The G Major Scale and “Dueling Banjos,” Part 1

This lesson is part of the course Beginning Banjo with Bill Evans.

Get immediate access to this lesson and all of the lessons in this course when you subscribe.

Start Course
Browse Courses

About This Course

The driving sound of the banjo is at the heart of many styles of roots music. Get started with basic chords, strums, and fingerings, along with simple bluegrass rolls, accompaniment patterns, clawhammer style, and more.

Try a Sample Lesson

How to Play “Wagon Wheel”

In this lesson you’ll learn to play the jam-session favorite “Wagon Wheel,” using two different roll patterns, the alternating thumb roll and the forward reverse roll. Bill gives you advice on changing chords and keeping the roll going even if your fingers haven’t quite managed to finger the complete chord yet.

Try a sample lesson

The Beginning Banjo Subscription Includes:

35extensive Beginning Banjo video lessons
30 complete songs and tunes to play
Tablature for every lesson
Essential technique lessons for both hands
Lessons on accompaniment and playing with others
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.

$20/Month For One Course

Additional courses only $10/month each! • Save 20% with an annual subscription

Start Course

Get started now!
Use promo code BillLand at checkout

and get your first month free or $20 off an annual subscription.

Dueling Banjos

The G Major Scale and “Dueling Banjos,” Part 1

Dueling Banjos, Part 2

The G Major Scale and “Dueling Banjos,” Part 1

“Dueling Banjos” was made popular in the movie Deliverance and even reached #2 on the pop charts in 1972. The popular version was recorded by Eric Weissberg and Steve Mandell for the movie, but it was originally written in the 1950s by banjo great Don Reno and Arthur “Guitar Boogie” Smith, who called it “Feuding Banjos.” You’ll learn the movie version in this lesson. It’s also a great tune for learning the G major scale, so Bill starts by showing you the G major scale, as well as a couple variants that start on the C note (at the fifth fret) and D note (at the seventh fret), all of which you’ll play in this arrangement of “Dueling Banjos.” Then he walks you through all of the melodies you’ll use to play the first part of “Dueling Banjos” and finishes by playing it through with guitarist Scott Nygaard, so you can play along.

"Dueling Banjos" (Available to subscribers)

"Dueling Banjos" Part 1 MP3 Download (Available to subscribers)

Previous Lesson

← D Tuning and “Reuben,” Part 2

Next Lesson

Dueling Banjos, Part 2 →

Previous Lesson

← D Tuning and “Reuben,” Part 2

Next Lesson

Dueling Banjos, Part 2 →

Previous Lesson

← D Tuning and “Reuben,” Part 2

Next Lesson

Dueling Banjos, Part 2 →

Banjo Articles

1927 Gibson Style 5 Deluxe

Bill Evans demonstrates a classic Gibson banjo.

Soggy Bottom Boys: “I Am a Man of Constant Sorrow”

Peghead Nation mandolin instructor Mike Compton plays this iconic song with the original band that gave “O Brother, Where Art Thou” its authentic sound.

The G Major Scale and “Dueling Banjos,” Part 1

About This Course

Banjo Articles

Banjo Videos