Find a Teacher
Find a Dealer

Banjo for the Young Beginner
by Alan Munde

---

     Print this Article (PDF)         Email Article to a Friend

by Alan Munde

Many banjo players are apprehensive about playing in the keys of open F and D. Here is the old tune Sleepy Eyed John from my Banjo Sandwich album released in the early 1970s and recently re-released on CD. (Available at http://AlMundesBanjoCollege.com)

I played this tune in the keys of F and D. It’s in standard G tuning except that the fifth string is tuned to an A note. It’s a fun tune and gives you some insight into how the melody fits into F and D chord positions. There’s a bit of single string work too!

Sleep Eyed John MP3
Download the MP3:
SleepyEyedJohn.mp3

---

About the Author

Alan Munde needs no introduction to long-time Bluegrass fans. From his early creative work with Sam Bush in Poor Richard’s Almanac to his traditional bluegrass apprenticeship with Jimmy Martin and the Sunny Mountain Boys to his 21-year stint anchoring the landmark Country Gazette, Alan has blazed a trail as one of the most innovative and influential banjo players of all time. Along the way, Alan also recorded and contributed to numerous instrumental recordings, including the 2001 IBMA Instrumental Album of the Year - “Knee Deep in Bluegrass”. Alan has supplemented his recorded work with several instructional publications for the banjo, and, since 1986, Alan has taught Bluegrass and Country Music at South Plains College in Levelland, Texas, a program which has produced many professional musicians nationwide. In recent years, Alan has performed and recorded as a duo with his South Plains faculty colleague (and former Gazette-mate) Joe Carr and is currently the leader of The Alan Munde Gazette (http://AlanMundeGazette.com) Alan’s extensive body of recorded work, his instructional materials, and his work at South Plains has solidified his status as one of the true “gurus” of the 5-string.
See Alan at http://AlMundesBanjoCollege.com

[ top ]