Guitar tabs for Banjo?

[Anonymous]

Hi Mandy!

Hope you’re enjoying the summer!

I started playing about 3 months ago and half gotten over halfway through your beginner course.  So I’m new, but I can do an okay Cripple Creek!

I want to take a break from lessons though and learn a few songs that I’d like to play for my folks when I go home for Christmas.  If I stick at it maybe 3 1/2 months will be enough.

I’m trying to play some guitar-based songs on Banjo.  I got this guitar tab for Deeper than the Holler:

https://tabs.ultimate-guitar.com/tab/randy-travis/deeper-than-the-holler-chords-1666430

and I’ve got a sheet that shows all the chords for banjo. I was  thinking I could use the G string in the boom-chicka for the G chords and the 4th string(D string) for the D chords.

Here’s my problem:  I can’t seem to get the boom-chicka to fit with the lyrics.  I feel like whenever I’m supposed to be switching to a new chord according to the tab I’m not at the end of boom-chicka. It feels like the rhythm of the boom-chicka doesn’t fit with the tab.

Is it not possible to make guitar tabs work for banjo in this way?  Or is there something I can do to alter my timing?

Thanks!

Brad

[Mandy]

Hey Brad,

Oh I love that song!  Ok the easiest thing to do here is just learn the chords and play them alone and sing with it.  Using one string as the chord won’t work because you are playing in open G tuning.  Meaning anytime you strum your banjo in any way you are playing a G chord (if not pressing down frets).  So just learn your chords and play a basic clawhammer stroke through the chords.

The timing is right with the basic stroke using your 1,2, and 3, 4, and count.  Anything in 4/4 time will work (most songs).

 

[Anonymous]

Thanks!  I understand that I can’t use one string for a chord. In the boom-chicka we hit a single string, then strum, then pull off the drone string.  What single string should I hit for, say, an E chord?  or a B?  Just experiment with what sounds good?  or is there one that’s generally used?  I get that I’m trying to do something strange here.  Is it common for people to play songs on banjo that were made for guitar?  Is this something I shouldn’t be trying as a beginner?

[Jane G]

Hi and welcome Brad, go for it with new songs. I am WAY beginner dulcimer player with Mandy and jump out to figure out other songs. And she always helps as needed.  I was planning on October holiday song practice myself. 😎 luckily Mandy already has some of those posted and started last year on them.

[Mandy]

Hey Brad,

It is very common for people to play anything on banjo.  No you should definitely do it.  So what you do is play the chord (the same one the guitar is playing).   So if fretting a B, press down all the frets for that chord and do your clawhammer stroke.  Pick a single string – that sounds good.  For a B I’d probably use the 2nd string.  I’ll use the 2nd or the 3rd on a C, 2nd on a D, 2 or 3 on a D7,  E I’d use 3, F, I’d use 2 or 3, G 2 or 4, A 2.  For the most part.  It depends on what sound you are looking for there.  But you are fretting the chord and that is the first single note I’d use (on that string).  You are not doing anything strange.  Lot’s of tabs and sheet music will have extra chords to fill out the song (beginner stuff will have less chords).  That’s what you want as a beginner.

[Lorrie w]

Hi Brad…

Welcome to the forum…

Such a great place to be!

[Author]

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