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Begin Learning Duelling Banjos

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‘Duelling banjos’ is the most well-known five-string banjo tune of all time.

Featured in the film ‘Deliverance’ ‘Duelling Banjos’ sounds fabulous with a banjo and guitar duo. Plus, you can play it with a whole band, if you want to.

You can make it sound good with one banjo. Of course, it’s more fun if you play with someone else. Because you can bounce the riffs back and forth, while you duel it out.

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5-string banjo tablature for the walk up and down section of Duelling Banjos played in G.

"I have purchased dueling banjos all lessons. I love the videos I have only been playing for a couple of months and can almost play the whole thing."

Dave Gloster

"Hi Joff, I bought your Duelling Banjos tutorial today and I am well pleased. I tried a few other guys on Youtube and couldn’t get along easy because I never have played a musical instrument. I have only done the first two vids today, I need to go slow, but I am confident now I will be able to produce something that sounds similar to yours eventually! Just thought I would say thanks and money well spent."

Steve

Want to practice Duelling Banjos?

5 Audio Practice Loops to help you play

Here are five different audio loops for you to practice with. The slowest is a molasses-like at 20bpm. The fastest is at 72bpm. 72bpm is the same speed as Cripple Creek. Learn to play Cripple Creek here. Find the speed which suits you best. Once you can play the walk up and down part comfortably, try increasing the speed.

Audio loop #1: Duelling Banjos Walk Up and Down 20bpm

Audio loop #2: Duelling Banjos Walk Up and Down 30bpm

Audio loop #3: Duelling Banjos Walk Up and Down 40bpm

Audio loop #4: Duelling Banjos Walk Up and Down 60bpm

Audio loop #5: Duelling Banjos Walk Up and Down 72bpm

Getting technical with Duelling Banjos

How is Duelling Banjos Arranged?

The arrangement is a little more complicated than Cripple Creek. In Duelling Banjos there are four short pieces of music. Each piece of music is played round slowly first, then there’s a fast bit which is taught in video 7 (included with the beginners package), and finally, you have to play these four short pieces again fast.

You call the four short pieces:

  1. The G/C/G strum.
  2. The opening lick.
  3. The walk up and down.
  4. The Yankee Doodle lick.

You can learn to play these pieces in any order you like.

This free instruction video shows you how to play the walk up and down part, which is a good place to start.  This piece needs to be played in three different ways, in G, in C, and in D. In this video we only look at playing it in G.

Left-Hand Fingering positions to make Duelling banjos easy…

 

This image is a diagram of the left-hand fingering positions. By using the same simple hand shapes you can start playing duelling banjos easily. I teach you these hand shapes all through the site.

Learn to Play Duelling Banjos
Even if you've never played banjo before!

Now you've learnt the 'walk up and down lick', it's time play the rest of this classic tune. Click the button above to get the full Joff Lowson's Dueling Banjo package.

"I purchased your videos of Duelling Banjos for beginners it is clear and easy to follow.  I have always wanted to learn, your videos have helped me it's boosted my confidence seeing that I can do this so thank you very much."

Mark Ross

"I purchased dueling banjos from you and am now ready to go again. ...I haven't had this much fun since my first guitar. Many, many years ago!"

Scott Steinetz

"I have the Dueling Banjos package and everything Joff said is true. I'm enjoying playing it and I'm close to playing it with my eyes shut."

George Senter

Each video breaks down the section so you can take this famous banjo song bit-by-bit. You can purchase all 7 videos as one package, buy once, own it forever!
Click below to find out more.

Check out Francis Wood

Francis learnt to play from this series of videos. He says 'I am enjoying my new banjo rather a lot, thank you.'

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Please allow the video 5-10 seconds to fully load.

Realize Your Dream of Playing the Banjo With Joff’s Integrated Teaching System

“…whether playing a party piece in front of your friends and family, jamming with other people or just playing alone in the comfort of your home…” — Joff Lowson.

Come & Check Out the Store Where You Can Purchase Individual Songs, Bundles, and Access to My Famous Banjo Academy. Click Below Now.


Other cool facts and helpful blog posts about Duelling Banjos for you…

Below you’ll find some more interesting facts and ideas around this marvellous song. The below blog posts and pages will help you know more about the history and which instruments sound best together.

You’ll also discover why this song is perfect for beginners and learn some of the fingering and hand positions used.

Join the Banjo Academy

Get Dueling Banjos included plus 17 other songs

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Discover my revived 3—finger banjo technique. If you practice daily, you can play any banjo song you want.

It’s not just possible—it’s easy using these simple hand positions.

Most banjo books try to make you run before you can walk. That can often put people off. I’ll tell you now if you practice using what I show you in the academy—you’ll be able to play almost any song you want. Click below to get access today