I’ve based this tutorial around learning the G major scale on the tenor banjo and mandolin. I sourced the tune from a series where well known people take up the playing of an instrument from zero experience with tuition from equally well known exponents on their respective instruments. Gerry O’Connor (Banjo) teaching Andy Reid(Professional soccer player) on Andy’s new Clareen Celt Tenor Banjo. I hope you enjoy watching the 3 part series and find some inspiration and enjoyment learning and playing the tune yourself……Goodluck.

[huge_it_videogallery id=”2″]

first part

• G A B C    D C B A | G A B C   D- D- | G A B C    D C B A | G A B D   C-  C-  |

second part

• G’ E D C   E-  D-  | G A B C  D- D- | G’ E D C   E-  D-  | G A B D  C-  C-

Andy Reids Polka played slowly

Andy Reids Polka played faster

Glengormley School of Traditional Music Beginner Class.

Here you will find the tunes we are learning for the Spring / Summer term 2016

This term we are learning two jigs and also a tune from the School’s ‘Core Selection’. These are tunes that will be taught throughout the school and will be played by everyone at this years Summer concert. Check back to this page to download PDF documents and audio files to help you with your learning.

If you have any ideas or ways of improving the Pure Banjo site please let me know.

These are the tunes that we have covered since September 2015

Egan’s Polka

Egan’s Polka is most likely to be one of the first tunes you will learn to play. It has similarities to the first part of Dalaigh’s Polka, cross picking between the E and A strings.

first part

• | F# A B A | F# A B A | D E F# – | E D B A |
• | F# A B A | F# A B A | D E F# – | E D D :||

second part

• | F# A’ F# E | E D B A | D E F#- | E D B A |
• | F# A’ F# E | E D B A | D E F#- | E D D :||

Oh! The Britches Full of Stitches

This is the 2nd polka of the set which is in the key of A major.

first part

• | A B C# A | B A C# A | A B C# A | B A  f# |
• | A B C# A | B A C# E | A B A f# | f# e e ||

second part

• | E F# E C# | B A B C# | E F# E C# | B A f# |
• | E F# E C# | B A B C# | A B A f# | f# e e ||

The Dawning of the Day

This is a March in the key of D major. Take your time learning the notes then when you are confident playing the tune through we can then add some chords and slow triplets to enhance the tune.