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John Henry- Basic

banjo beginner

In this lesson

This is the basic melody to "John Henry" in the key of G, a PERFECT project for someone unfamiliar with the tune or who is just starting banjo. After you get this down, don't forget to check out the intermediate version!

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5 replies Visit the forum →

  1. MandoMary

    ♥ 8

    I keep losing the timing when I add the backup. Does anyone count this out loud or is that just me?

  2. Mick Stanton

    ♥ 10

    Welcome aboard — you picked a good one to start on.

  3. Ben Clark Instructor

    ♥ 23

    Try measure 3 on its own at half tempo, and keep your right hand rolling even when the left hand is behind. The right hand is the metronome.

  4. Buddy Vann

    ♥ 2

    That's the one that made me finally understand backup. Stick with it.

  5. MandoMary

    Take the capo off and play it in open G a few times, then put it back. Helped me hear it.

  6. Marcy Kern

    ♥ 5

    There's a slower jam track under the resources tab on this lesson, worth grabbing.

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