Old Time Banjo Tablature & Online Lessons
Want to learn some old time banjo tunes? Here you can download handwritten banjo tablature (tab) to learn at your own pace. Please note that all versions of tunes here are interpretations and may have, in some cases, drifted a bit from the sources (noted where known). If you have any questions about the tab notation system used, please get in touch.
You can either buy the tabs on their own for £2.00 or purchase a tab and video lesson bundle for £5.00. The videos are usually around 20 minutes long and will guide you through each tune, bar by bar. Detailed information on tunings, finger positioning, right hand technique and chord shapes is given in each video.
Below you will find links to the video lessons and tablature arranged by difficulty. You can use the tags at the bottom of the product pages to determine the video difficulty levels and quickly find other videos of a similar level. You can also use the tags to find other videos or tabs in a particular banjo tuning.
You can pay via PayPal or directly using your credit/debit card via Stripe. You will be able to access your tune lesson video link and download your tab in PDF format at the end of the payment process. Lookout for the download links so you don’t miss them before closing your browser page. Please get in touch if you encounter any problems.
Online Banjo Lessons
Old-time banjo video lessons. Each video is around 20 minutes long and comes with downloadable tablature. I’ll guide you through the tune, bar by bar, giving you detailed information on tunings, finger positioning, right hand technique and chord shapes in each video.
Buy Online banjo lessonsOld time banjo Tablature
Browse by difficulty level
Difficulty levels are subjective, but the following should give some guidance on what to expect:
Beginner Banjo Tab
Beginner old-time banjo tab is suitable if you have been playing banjo for a few months. Tunes mostly in standard G tuning, using “bum-ditty” rhythm with brush strokes. May contain some ornamentation (slides, hammer-ons, pull-offs).
Buy Beginner Tablature
Post-beginner Banjo Tab
Post-beginner old-time banjo tab is for you if you have been playing for a few months up to around a year. May use alternative tunings (e.g. Double C) or alternate rhythms (double thumb, skips). Introducing more advanced techniques (e.g. drop thumb) and plenty ornamentation.
Buy Post-Beginner Tablature
Intermediate Banjo Tab
Intermediate old-time banjo tab is suitable if you’ve been playing for upwards of a year to several years (or fancy a bit of a challenge). Tunes in a variety of alternate tunings (e.g. Double C, Sandy River Belle tuning etc). Regular use of more complex rhythms and playing techniques (e.g. drags/”Galax lick”, alternate string pull-offs).
Buy Intermediate Tablature
Advanced Banjo Tab
Advanced old-time banjo tab includes harder to play tunes. This level is suitable if you’ve been playing for a few years (or fancy a bit of a challenge). Tunes in a variety of alternate tunings (e.g. Double C, Sandy River Belle tuning etc). Regular use of more complex rhythms and playing techniques (e.g. drags/”Galax lick”, alternate string pull-offs). These arrangements should be challenging to play at speed.
Buy Advanced Tablature