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Banjo Ben Clark
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Near the Cross

mandolin intermediate

In this lesson

I just love this old melody! It's like it was made for mandolin, and the guitar backup is both challenging and fun! Grab a buddy and give both a try. The final lines in the chorus say, "Till my ransomed soul shall find, Rest beyond the river." Anyone else ready for that?

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  1. Owen Brady

    ♥ 5

    Third time coming back to this lesson over two years. It's amazing what shows up when you're ready for it.

  2. Sam Whitlock

    ♥ 11

    Not just you. I still count this one out loud and I've been at it four years.

  3. Ben Clark Instructor

    ♥ 16

    Memorization comes from playing it at a tempo you can think at. If you need the tab, you're playing it faster than you know it.

  4. FifthStringFred

    ♥ 5

    I had that exact problem. Turned out my thumb was anchoring in the wrong spot.

  5. Deb Carrigan

    Same here at first. What fixed it for me was practicing that measure by itself for a week, no B part at all.

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