I have done a lot of playing out of G and I’m to the point where if I have some time, I can create my own break to a vocal bluegrass melody in G, trying to incorporate the melody notes and using some standard licks to make it sound Scruggsy. The breaks I create are not amazing but they’re serviceable. This means that I can play in A, Bb, or B with a capo. It’s time for me to get better at playing in C, D, and E. When I’m playing with people, and somebody calls a song in one of these keys, it throws me for a loop. I just throw a bunch of licks together and hope it sounds okay but my break usually has nothing to do with the melody. It sure would be nice if I could just learn how to play out of C better and then I could use a capo to be able to play in C, D, and E. What do you guys think is the next best step for me? Is it to work on creating breaks in C (unlocking C, D, and E with a capo) or is it to work on D (and unlock D and E)? Basically which is easier, C or D?
The next step for me: playing out of C or D?
Great Question @Shad The obvious answer would be to learn tunes in the Key of C which is pretty much what I did. It was many years before I began to tackle tunes in the Key of D simply because so few were teaching tunes in the Key of D back then. @BanjoBen has a few lessons in the Key of D other resources to look to are Alan Munde DVDs and Heath Joyce at https://pickinlessons.com/ Heath’s lessons are mostly Irish Celtic in the Key of D and once you grasp how to fret in D the most challenging part is learning to play triplets, there are a lot of triplets in Irish Music. Because of the limitation of lessons in the Key of D I would also encourage you to do your own research to find out what’s out there. I love playing in D tuning those low tones sound magical to my ear. There are even less lessons in the Key of E. Look to John Hartford’s Lorena and Gum Tree Canoe are two of my favourites.
For me, C is easier for faster stuff, but D is better for grassy/bluesy stuff. If something’s in E I’ll capo for C or D position depending on the style/speed of the song.
I learned the most about the D position by tabbing out and learning Ron Block breaks…Alison has tons of songs that he had to play out of D position. They are tricky!
I think one of the most practical things you can do (besides take my lessons on those keys), is take melodies you know well and practice finding the melody notes in those new keys. Don’t worry about rolls right now, just get used to where the melody notes fall. Use a backing track. Then, work on playing some harmony notes to the melody notes…you’ll grab those from whatever chord is happening. Then, start to put simple rolls to it, then add some licks.
Most important is knowing the usual suspect frets/strings for the melody notes. This is essentially the major scale plus common blues notes, right?
Oh, and don’t forget these lessons bro: https://banjobenclark.com/lessons/red-river-valley-build-a-break-banjo
https://banjobenclark.com/lessons/bury-me-beneath-the-willow-build-a-break-banjo
Hey one thing that I have found is that when I worked on breaks up the neck such as out of the g position starting on the 7th fret, that those leads work for the Key of D. I know you all probably already know this, but it took me a long time to figure that out.
@Shad I would 100% say you should go with D. I think it is more of an opening to play in C than C is to D. Another advantage is that you can play in drop D!
You’ve inspired me to create a lesson this week dealing with this…standby 