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happybanjodude’s barn-burnin’ banjo workout a guide to scales, melodic style, and taking your technique to the next level.
all rights reserved © 2014 by happybanjodude all material created/arranged by happybanjodude no part of this publication may be reproduced without prior permission of the publisher
A Note From HBD:
Thank you for purchasing “Happybanjodude’s Barn-Burnin’ Banjo Workout”!
A few things to note before you begin: 1. Learn Basic Music Theory. To better understand the material you should be able find any note on the banjo and play a major scale. If you cannot do either, watch my “Music Theory For Banjo” series on YouTube. 2. Take Your Time. Each round of exercises should take at least 1-2 weeks to properly learn and play at a medium to fast tempo. If you’re a beginner, stick to the first two pages of each round as the exercises progress from easy to advanced. 3. Be creative. Your technique is only as good as the music you write. Once you’ve learned a new roll, scale, or lick... try and write a small piece of music with it! 3. The Video Is A Reference. If you’ve ever seen an instructional video where they explain every single detail of every exercise, you’ll know how excruciatingly boring it is to watch. Just like in my YouTube videos, I give you the tab and merely demonstrate in the video. Watch the video, check the tab, practice, repeat. I wrote this book because there is no banjo book that covers the most essential scales, licks, and techniques in a salient and succinct manner. Once you finish this book, you will have a formidable technique and the ability to play any song. Have fun! - happybanjodude
And If you ever get lost, click here to schedule a Skype lesson!
Keep Rollin’ Rollin’ Rollin’
Remember: The best way to increase speed is to practice with a metronome.
Basic Rolls Round 1 1
Forward Roll 0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
. .
0
0
. .
0
. .
0
0 0
0
0
0
0 0
0
0
Forward-Backward Roll
0
0
0
0
0
0 0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Osbourne Roll 0
0
0
0
0
0
0
5
0
0
0
0 0
0
4
0
Alternating Thumb Roll
0
3
0
0 0
2
Repeat each example 4 times.
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
. .
Index Leading Roll 0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
. .
Hybrid Rolls Round 1 1
Forward To Backward 0
0
0
0
0
0
2
0
0
. .
0
. .
0
. .
0
. .
0
. .
0 0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Alternating Thumb To Forward
0
0
0
0
0 0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Alternating Thumb To Forward-Backward
0
0
0
0
0 0
0
5
0
0
Forward To Forward-Backward
0
4
0
0
0
3
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Forward-Backward To Index Leading
0
0
0
0 0
0
0 0
0
0
0
0 0
0
0
Advanced Rolls Round 1 Double D Roll
1 0
0
i
t
2
0
i
0
0 0
0
0
0 0
0
0
0 0
0
0
. .
m
3-3-2 Roll 0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0 0
0 0
0
0 0
0 0
. .
Backwards Alternating Thumb Roll
3
0 0
0
0
0 0
4
0
0
0
0
0
0
0 0
0
0
. .
Rowing Roll
0
t
0
i
0
0 0
t
0
0
0 0
0
0
0 0
0
0
0
. .
m
Arpeggio Roll
5
0 0
0
0 0
0 0
0
0 0
0
0 0
0 0
0
. .
Single String Slingin’
Remember: Always alternate pick with your thumb and index finger.
16th Notes Round 2
Repeat each example 4 times. 2
1
0
0
0
0
t
i
t
i
0
0
0
. .
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
. .
0
3
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
. .
0
4
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
. .
5
0 0
0 0
0 0
0 0 0 0
0 0
0 0
0 0
0 0
0 0
0 0
0 0 0 0
0 0
0 0
0 0
. .
6
0
0
0
0 0
0
0
0 0
0
0
0 0
0
0
0 0
0
0
0 0
0
0
0 0
0
0
0 0
0
0
0
. .
16th Notes Round 2 7
0 0 0 0 2 2 2 2
0 0 0 0 1 1 1 1
0 0 0 0 2 2 2 2
0 0 0 0 2 2 2 2
0 0 0 0 2 2 2 2
0 0 0 0 1 1 1 1
. .
8
0
0
2
2
0
0
2
0
2
0
1
1
0
0
2
2
0
0
1
1
0
0
2
2
. .
9
0 2
0 2
0 2
0 2 0 2
0 1
0 2
0 1
0 1
0 2
0 1
0 2 0 2
0 1
0 2
0 1
. .
10
0 2
0
2
0 2 0
2
0 2
0
2
0 1 0
2
0 1
0
1
0 2 0
1
0 2
0
2
0 1 0
2
. .
16th Notes Round 2 11
12
0
2
0
4
0
2
. .
0
4
0
13
2
0
4
2
0
4
2
. .
14
0
2
0
4
2
4
2
. .
0
0
2
2
0
0
4
2
4
2
0
2
0
4
0
. .
12 9
. .
15
0
2
0
4
2
4
2
0
0
4
2
0
4
2
. .
16
7 9
8
9
7 9
7
9
7 9
8
9 7 9 7
9
7 9
8
9
7 9
7
9
7 9
8
9
12 10
17
5 7 9
5
7 9
5 7
9
5 7 9
7 8
7 9
10 9 7
8
9 7
8 7 10 8 7
9 7 5
9 7
. .
Triplets Round 2
Repeat each example 4 times. 2
1
0
0
0
3
t
i
0
t
0
0
3
i
. .
t
0
0
0
0
0
3
i
. .
0
3
3
0
0
0
0
0
3
0
0
0
3
0
0
0
3
. .
0
3
4
0
0
0
0
0
3
0
0
0
3
0
0
0
3
0
0
0
3
0
0
0
3
. .
0
3
5
0
0
0
0
3
0
0
0
3
0
0
0
0
3
3
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
3
0
0 0
3
0
0
0
3
0
0
. .
3
6
0
0 3
0
0
0 3
0
0
3
0
0
3
0
0
0
3
0
0
0
3
0
0
0
3
0
0
0
3
0
. .
Triplets Round 2 7
0
0
0
2
2
3
0
0
0
2
0
3
0
1
1
3
0
2
2
3
1
0
2
0
3
0
3
0
0
2
1
1
3
2
3
0
0
1
0
3
0
2
2
3
2
3
. .
2
3
8
0
2
0
0
2
3
0
1
0
0
2
3
0
0
2
3
0
0
2
3
0
0
0
2
3
1
3
0
0
0
1
3
2
3
0
0
2
3
0 0
3
0
0
2
0
0
1
3
0
0
1
3
0
0
2
3
0
3
0
0
3
1
0
. .
3
9
0
2
0
0
3
2
0
0
3
2
0
0
3
2
0
0
3
1
0
0
3
1
0 0
3
2
0
0
3
2
0
. .
3
10
0
2 3
0
2
0 3
2
0
2 3
0
2
0
3
1
0
1
3
0
1
0
2 0
3
2 3
0
2
0
3
1
. .
Triplets Round 2 11
12
0
2
4
0
2
3
. .
4
0
2
3
0
4
4
3
2
. .
3
13
0
2
0
4
2
3
. .
4
3
14
0
2
0
4
2
3
4
2
0
3
0
4
4
3
2
3
15 7
9
8
10
3
8
9
8
3
9
7
9
3
7
9
7
3
9
8
10
3
8
9
12 10
3
12
10
3
12
9
. .
3
16
5
7 3
9
5
7 3
9
7
8
3
10
9
10 12
3
7
9
3
10
5
7
3
8
4
5 3
7
4
5 3
7
. .
Scale-ing Mount Killimanbanjo
Remember: Once you learn a new scale pattern, try to write a melody with it!
Open String Scales Round 3 G Major
1
2
0
2
4
t
i
t
0
2
4
4
2
0
1
0
2
0
2
0
2
0
3
2
0
3
2
0
0
4
2
. .
i
2
3
0
2
0
1
0
2
3
3
2
0
1
0
0
3
2
. .
2
4
0
2
0
2
0
2
4
4
2
0
2
0
0
4
2
. .
D Minor
0
5
2
1
D Major
0
4
0
0
C Major
0
3
Repeat each example 4 times.
2
3
0
2
3
1
0
2
3
3
2
0
1
0
3
2
. .
G Harmonic Minor
0
1
4
0
2
3
1
0
1
4
4 0
1
0
1
4
1
. .
The 5 Patterns Round 3
The 5 Patterns • When played in order, the 5 Patterns represent every possible note that you can play in a given key. They all fit together like pieces of a puzzle. • If you can visualize every note available in a key, it becomes much easier to create new chords and improvise solos. • If you put the red note on G and play all the patterns in order, you will play through all the possible notes in the key of G major.
1
2
4
3
5
The 5 Patterns Round 3 1
Pattern 1
4
2
7
5
7
5
7
5
4
9
7
11
9
14
12
16
14
7
5
. .
9
10
7
9
7
8
7
9
10
9
7
8
7
10
9
. .
10
12
9
11
12
10
12
10
12
10
12
10
12
12
10
. .
Pattern 4
12
5
7
5
Pattern 3
9
4
7
5
7
Pattern 2
7
3
5
4
5
14
11
12
14
12
13
12
14
16
14
12
13
12
11
14
. .
Pattern 5
14
16
17
14
16
17
15
17
16
17
16
17
15
*can also be played one octave lower (starting from 2nd fret)
17
17
16
. .
Diagonal Patterns Round 3 • These two diagonal patterns flow through the 5 patterns, challenging your vision and ability to connect them across the entire neck.
1
2 #
1
Pattern 1
4
2
#
5
7
4
5
7
9
7
8
7
9
10 12 10
8
7
8
7
9
7
5
4
14 12 11
9
7
5
. .
Pattern 2
9 10 12
9 11 12 14
12
13
12 14 16 17 16 14 12
13 12
12 10
. .
Pentatonic Scales Round 3
Pentatonic Scales • Pentatonic scales are five-note scales that are a foundation of soloing in any genre. They have a classic bluesy sound. • Think of 5 pentatonic scales as the skeletons of the 5 patterns. They are the “safer” notes that make up the bulk of most solos. • If you put the red note on G and play all the patterns in order, you will play through all the possible pentatonic scales in the key of G major.
1
2
4
3
5
Pentatonic Scales Round 3 1
Pattern 1
5
2
5
5
7
4
9
7
12
9
14
12
7
. .
9
7
9
8
7
9
7
8
9
. .
12
9
12
10
9
12
9
10
12
. .
Pattern 4
12
5
7
Pattern 3
9
4
7
5
Pattern 2
7
3
7
4
5
14
12
14
12
12
14
12
12
14
. .
Pattern 5
14
17
14
16
15
14
17
15
16
14
17
14
. .
Exotic Scales Round 3 1
G Harmonic Minor
5
2
7
5
7
8
7
5
8
7
. .
7
8
5
6
5
8
7
5
7
8
7
5
7
5
8
6
5
7
6
4
8
7
. .
6
8
4
6
5
7
6
5
6
8
6
5
6
5
8
6
. .
G Super Locrian
5
5
8
8
G Half-Whole Diminished
5
4
8
7
7
G Whole-Half Diminished
5
3
7
5
5
7
6
4
8
6
6
8
5
6
8
6
5
6
8
6
4
8
6
. .
G Whole Tone
5
7
9
6
8
10
8
10
9
11
13
11
9
10
8
10
8
6
9
7
. .
Interval-lar Space Travel
Remember: You can practice any scale pattern using intervals.
Thirds Round 4 Notes Of G Major in 3rds (Ascending)
1
0
4
2
t
i
t
2
i
2
4
0
1
2
0
0
1
2
0
. .
i
i
0
1
0
2
0
2
0
4
2
4
0
0
. .
t
Pattern 4 in 3rds (Ascending)
11
t
14
i
t
12
11
14
12
12
14
13
12
11
12
12
13
14
12
. .
i
Pattern 4 in 3rds (Descending) 14
12
13
i
5
0
1
t
12
4
0
0
Notes Of G Major in 3rds (Descending) 2
3
Repeat each example 4 times.
t
i
12
13
12
14
12
14
14
11
12
12
. .
t
3 Note Per String G Major Scale In 3rds
5 9 7
5
9
7 5 9
7
7
9
8 7
7
8
9
7 10 9
8
7
7 8
9
7
7
9 5 7
9
5
7 9 5 7 4
. .
Fourths Round 4 Notes Of G Major in 4ths (Ascending)
1
0
0
t
2
t
2
4
1
. .
0
0
0
i
1
2
0
0
2
4
0
2
. .
0
0
t
Pattern 4 in 4ths (Ascending)
12
12
t
14
i
14
t
12
11
12
13
12
14
12
14
13
16
. .
12
i
Pattern 4 in 4ths (Descending) 16
14
13
i
5
2
0
i
2
1
i
4
t
0
4
0
1
Notes Of G Major in 4ths (Descending) 4
3
2
2
i
0
t
12
i
12 14
13
12
12
11
14
12
14
12
. .
12
t
3 Note Per String G Major Scale In 4ths
5
5
7
7
9
9
5
7
7
8
9
10 7
9
8
10
7
9 9
10
7
8
5
7 9
9
7
7
Fifths and Beyond Round 4 G Major Scale In 5ths
1
7
5
10
7
2
9
7
5
10
7
8
7
8
5
10
9
5
7
4
8
12
. .
9
7
10
7
G Major Scale In 6ths 9
5
10
5
7
4
7
12
7
5
7
5
7
9
7
7
10
5
6
5
8
14
. .
7
4
12
7
7
G Major Scale In 7ths 7 5
4
4
9
5
5
3
7
8 7
10 9
9 5
10 7
12 9
10 7
9 5
10 9
8 7
. .
G Major Scale In Octaves (8ths) 8 5
10 7
12 9
10 5
12 7
14 9
12 7
10 5
11 9
10 7
. .
Skillin’ It Scruggs Style
Remember: Earl Scruggs was a bonafide badass banjo player.
Scruggs Style Round 5
Repeat each example 4 times.
1
2
0
0 3
0
0
0 0
0
0 0
0
. .
0 0
2
0
2
2
0 3
0
0
0
0
3
2
0
0
0
0
2
0
0
0
. .
0
. .
0
. .
0
. .
0
3 0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0 3
2
0
0
0
3
2
0
4 0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
3
2
0
0
0
2
5 0 2
5
0
0
0 0
0 0
2
0
0 3
3 0
2
0
0
Scruggs Style Round 5 6 0 3
2 0
0
0
3 0
0
0
0
3
2
0
0 3
2
0
3 0
0
0 0
2
0
0 3
2
3
2
. .
0 0
2
0
7 0
0
0
0
0
0
0
2
0
0
2
1
0
2
1
0
0
0
0 3
2
0
2
2
2
1
2
1
0
0
. .
0
0
3
2
0
8 2
0 3
3
2
0
2
3 0
0
0 3
2
3
0
0
0 3
0
3
2
2
0
0
0
0
0
0 0
0 2
5
0
0
0 0
0 0
. .
Scruggs Style Round 5 9 0
0
0
3
2
2 1
0
2
0
8
5
8
5
0
2
1 0
0
0
5
0
2
1
0
0 3
2
. .
0 0
2
0
0
10 0 0
0 2
0
0 5
0
0
3
2
0
0 3
0
2
0
0
i 0
1 0
0
2
2
0
1
0
3
m
0
5
0
2
0
t
m
. .
0
0
3
2
11 3
0
2
2
0
0 3
2
0
2
0
0
0
0
2 0
3
0 0
2
0
0
0
3
2
0
0
0 0
0 0
0 2
0 5
0 0 0
. .
Mellow Melodic Licks
Remember: There are an unlimited amount of ways to play the same notes.
Melodic Style Round 6
Repeat each example 4 times.
G Major Scale
1
0
i
0 7
t
0 5
5
4
4
0
5
7
0
i
t
m
i
m
. .
0
5
t
2
0
0 7
0
0 7
5
0 7
0 5
0
5
0
0
. .
0
. .
7
3
0
0 7
0
0 7
5
0 7
0 5
5
0 5
0
4 0
0
0 7
5
5
0 5
0
0 5
0 7
5
0 7
. .
5
5
5
0 5
0
0 5
0 7
5
0 7
0
0
0 0
. .
Melodic Style Round 6 6 7
0
0
5
0 5
5
0 5
0
0 5
0
0 7
0
. .
7 7 0
5
0
0
5
0 5
5
0 5
0
0
0 7
0
. .
8 0 7
0
0 7
0
0
0 4
0
2
2
3
0
2
0
0
2
0
. .
9 0 5
0
0 5
0 7
5
0 7
0
0
2
0
. .
10
0
0 7
0 5
2
0 3
5 0
0 5
5
0 5
0
0
. .
Melodic Style Round 6 11 9
10
7
0
7
4
0
4
5
0
4
5
5
7
0
. .
0
. .
0
12 0
0
0
0
5
5
7
4
5
9
10
0
5
0
0
13 9
10
9
0
9
10
12
10
0
7
7
7
0
. .
7
9
0
14 9
10
12
0
15
9
10
9
10
10
10
7
7
0
. .
7
0
0
G Major Scale (2 Octaves)
0
0 7
0 5
5
4
10 0
9
15 10
14
17 16
14 16
9
15 10
4
10 0
5
0 5
0 7
. .
Melodic Style Round 6 16 The Melodic Gauntlet or “Melauntlet”
7
5
0
5
7
12
10
0
0
19
13
17
19
12
13
16
9
8
7 0
12
5
9
9 0
5 7
0
14
20
15
16
12 10
7
19
17
10
15
21
16
12
14
22
14
15
9
16
21
0
10
12
19
20
17
17
17 16
19
10 10
14
15
0
16
14
10
13
19
7
12
0
17
19
10
0
7
21
17
12
12 14
19
17
14
10 9
17
9
10 0
16 14
19
8
9
12
0
16
7
17
19
14
8
13
0
21
12
0
16
7
9
12
17
19
10
0
19
17
0
10 12
17
7
8 0
14
16
7
7
12
17
0
9
10 10
9
Chordal Cooldown
Remember: Add or take away a note in any chord to create a new one!
Triads Round 7
Repeat each example 4 times.
1 0 0 0
2 1 0
4 3 2
2 0 0
2 1 0
0 0 0
2 1 0
4 3 2
. .
5 3 4
4 3 4
4 3 2
2 1 2
2 1 0
2 0 0
0 0 0
4 3 2
. .
9 8 7
7 7 7
5 5 5
5 3 4
7 5 5
5 5 5
9 7 7
7 7 7
. .
12 12 12
14 13 12
10 10 11
12 12 11
10 10 9
7 7 7
9 8 9
. .
2
3
4 9 8 9
Triads Round 7 5 0 0 0
1 0 2
3 2 4
0 0 2
1 0 2
0 0 0
1 0 2
3 2 4
. .
3 4 5
3 4 4
3 2 4
1 2 2
1 0 2
0 0 2
0 0 0
3 2 4
. .
8 7 9
7 7 7
5 5 5
3 4 5
5 5 7
5 5 5
7 7 9
7 7 7
. .
12 12 12
13 12 14
10 11 10
12 11 12
10 9 10
7 7 7
8 9 9
. .
6
7
8 8 9 9
Suspended Chords Round 7 1 2 1 0
3 1 0
5 3 4
5 3 2
3 1 2
3 1 0
0 1 0
0 0 0
. .
5 3 4
5 3 5
5 5 4
4 5 4
2 1 0
0 1 0
5 3 2
4 3 2
. .
12 10 11
12 10 12
10 8 9
10 8 10
9 8 7
10 8 7
7 8 7
7 7 7
. .
17 15 14
16 15 14
14 15 14
12 12 12
12 10 12
12 10 11
12 10 9
. .
2
3
4 14 14 14
Suspended Chords Round 7 5 1 0 2
1 0 3
3 4 5
3 2 5
1 2 3
1 0 3
1 0 0
0 0 0
. .
3 4 5
3 5 5
5 4 5
5 4 4
1 0 2
1 0 0
3 2 5
3 2 4
. .
10 11 12
10 12 12
8 9 10
8 10 10
8 7 9
8 7 10
8 7 7
7 7 7
. .
15 14 17
15 14 16
15 14 14
12 12 12
10 12 12
10 11 12
10 9 12
. .
6
7
8 14 14 14
Seventh Chords Round 7
1
5
12
16
9
2
7
14
17
11
4
9 7
9
7
16 13 14
19 17 14
16
9
7
0
2
11
9
16
12 10
5 3
10 8
17 15 16
17 15 12
14
2
19 17
16 13
4
9 7
14 12
7 5
5
4
4
21 19
12
10
5 3
14 12
19
17
7
5
12
10
17
10 8
4 1
12 10
5
7 5
. .
D
G
B
D
C E
A
F
E D
F
E
G
B G
C
F
Complete Fretboard A
A
D G
B
E
C
F
A
C
D
G
B
D
B
Complete List Of Chords In Every Key
Relative Minor
I Major
ii minor
iii minor
IV Major
V Major
vi minor
vii diminished
C
D
E
F
G
A
B
G
A
B
C
D
E
F#
D
E
F#
G
A
B
C#
A
B
C#
D
E
F#
G#
E
F#
G#
A
B
C#
D#
B
C#
D#
E
F#
G#
A#
F#
G#
A#
B
C#
D#
E#
Db
Eb
F
Gb
Ab
Bb
C
Ab
Bb
C
Db
Eb
F
G
Eb
F
G
Ab
Bb
C
D
Bb
C
D
Eb
F
G
A
F
G
A
Bb
C
D
E
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