huggie - Posted - 02/01/2012:  11:24:25

Hi,

Apologies if this is a dumb question and the solution is obvious but i seem to be all fingers and thumbs. 

I've been playing for about three years now and up to now have concentrated on chords and rolls to play.I would now like to extend my playing capabilities by being able to play individual notes on intro's and also musical breaks in the middle of songs.Is there a tried and tested method of knowing where to position your left hand and fingers to get around the fret board in the most efficient way .I presume the fingering for the strings  is the same as for playing rolls?

Any advice would be great.

Huggie.

banjotom2 - Posted - 02/01/2012:  11:44:13

Rule No. 1: B and C are always RIGHT next to each other (no fret between)...

Rule No. 2: E and F are always RIGHT next to each other (no fret between)...

*  *  *

Start on your 4th string D. Progress up the neck alphabetically, D (Open), EF, G, A, BC, D(at the 12th fret)...

It helps to do this on a blank neck diagram... start on your favorite string and progress upwards to the 12th fret.

All open notes repeat at the 12th fret, i.e., the open tuning notes (string names) show up again at the 5th fret.

All B-Cs are right next to each other...

All E-Fs are right next to each other.

Once I fill out one blank neck diagram, I throw it away or save it... and start another one...

Do this every day, or as often as you wish, until you can draw them in with no thinking...

And until you no longer need the diagram to visualize the note placements.

I have such a neck diagram... I'll go find it and be right back...

Tom

banjotom2.com

Edited by - banjotom2 on 02/01/2012 11:45:28

banjotom2 - Posted - 02/01/2012:  11:48:23

Neck Diagrams...

1 is a sample with the notes already in...

The next one is blank... print as many as you like.

I make my student do this...

It really does help you learn those notes!

See attached PDF files...

Tom

banjotom2.com

Edited by - banjotom2 on 02/01/2012 11:51:40

Banjo Neck Diagram with Notes...

huggie - Posted - 02/01/2012:  11:48:53

Thanks Tom,
Well this is a coincidence,I've just recommended somebody to check out your website as they want to play non standard banjo music and i've told them they will find this a very useful resource,
Graham.

huggie - Posted - 02/01/2012:  11:51:54

Thanks for the neck diagram Tom,
Regards,
Graham.

banjotom2 - Posted - 02/01/2012:  11:53:23

Here's the blank one WITHOUT the notes...

See attached PDF...

The more of these you fill out, the faster and better you get...

Tom

banjotom2.com

WITHOUT Notes

banjotom2 - Posted - 02/01/2012:  11:56:17

I always start on the 4th string (D), and progress all the way up that string the the 12th fret.

Then the third all the way up, etc.

The fifth string starts on G, and I do have the starting notes written in to help you.

Do it every day, partner!

When I was learning all of this stuff, me and a date would be sitting in a restaurant on a weekend night... waiting for the food to show up...

I would flip the paper place mat over and works out these types of diagrams... the date never cared...

Good luck...

Any questions, drop me a line...

Tom

Edited by - banjotom2 on 02/01/2012 11:56:47

banjotom2 - Posted - 02/01/2012:  11:58:54

Bar Chords and Closed-Position Chords:

Can be worked out in this manner also...

If you start with first position "F" chord (all notes closed, it's a four-string chord), G will be 2 frets up, etc.

All B-C chords will be right next to each other...

All E-F chords will be right next to each other.

Tom

banjotom2.com

Edited by - banjotom2 on 02/01/2012 11:59:55

Dogfeathers - Posted - 02/01/2012:  12:40:51

Huggie,

Not sure if I understand your question fully but I think I do.  This will be true on any string on your banjo (or guitar or other fretted instrument) and the musical scale in general, but lets concentrate on just your 1st string on your banjo, assuming you play a 5 string banjo  tuned to a G open tuning (gDGBD)

 The half steps on the musical scale and on the banjo fret board are between B and C and E and F, so you only move one fret to go to the next full note for those notes only. No sharps between B and C and E and F, all other notes have a sharp between them and will require  you move two frets to get to the next full note. Drill that into your memory.

 So if your 1st string is tuned to a D, the very next fret will be a D# (1st fret), then E (2nd Fret) then F ((3rd fret), F# (4th fret), G(5th fret),G# (6th fret), A (7th fret), A# (8th fret),  B (9th fret), C (10th fret) and C# (11th fret), and D again at the 12th fret (the octave) That same string plucked open will be a D and at the 12th fret will be another D, but one octave higher. Further up the neck, that same pattern repeats itself over again.

 This same pattern repeats itself on all the other strings also, just remember that the half step (1 fret) is only between notes B & C and E & F. All other notes require a sharp between the notes ( and two fret spaces).

So if you want to play a 1,4, 5 progression on just the D string, (D,G, A) with D being the tonic), then G (sub dominant), then A (dominent 7th) on just the D string, you would pluck it open, then at the 5th fret (G)and then on the 7th fret (A)

Without someone there to show you in the flesh it may be a bit confusing. My explanation is probably clear as mud too as I am really a musical clutz. This pattern is the same for the musical scale no matter what instrument I believe. Look at a piano keyboard, the places where there are two white keys next to each other (without a black key between them) will also be a B or C or a E or F note. So even if you do not play the piano, you can figure out where the correct notes are, providing the piano is in tune of course.

Hope this helps.                         

Dogfeathers

minstrelmike - Posted - 02/01/2012:  15:52:58

If you are somewhat familiar with tab, get Pete Wernick's Bluegrass Songbook.

It has words and chords to familiar songs along with melody notes tabbed out.

Use the chords to frame the song in your head, then play the melody notes, then add rolls using them to express the song. That's one way to do it. I think learning the names of notes is not going to get you where you want to go right now.

Calv - Posted - 02/01/2012:  16:24:30

quote:

---

Originally posted by banjotom2

Here's the blank one WITHOUT the notes...

See attached PDF...

The more of these you fill out, the faster and better you get...

Tom

banjotom2.com

---

 Tom, thank you for these diagrams, especially the blank one.....i've printed it off and laminated them, with a dry marker i can fill them in every night in bed and then just rub them off to start again.

Much appreciated.

Calv.

minstrelmike - Posted - 02/01/2012:  16:50:52

If you want to know which notes are allowed in any major scale, just play the 1,4,5 chords for that key and pay attention to all the fretted notes and all the open strings used.

Chords
   G       C       D
-0--5----2--5----4--7
-0--3----1--5----3--7
-0--4----0--5----2--7
-0--5----2--5----4--7

Scale notes:

-0-2-4-5-7-... do more chords higher
-0-1-3-5-7-...
-0-2-4-5-7-...
4th string same as first string

Key of E: chords E,A,B/B7

   E        A     B  B7
--2--6----2--7----4--1-4
--0--5----2--5----4--0-0
--1--4----2--6----4--2-2
--2--6----2--7----4--4-1

E-scale notes:
-1-2-4-6-...
-0-2-4-5-...
-1-2-4-6-...
4th string same as first string