-
- Jim Bottorff's Banjo Page
-
- Beginner's Songs
- Click here for
Songs Index
-
- Easy Play-Along
Songs
- Click here
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- Return to Home Page
- Return to Beginner's
Items
- Go to Performer Links
page
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- TUNING
- Pick below
to get in tune:
- All strings are played first,
then each string is played individually.
-
- Plectrum
Banjo: CGBD,
5-String
Banjo: gDGBD,
Tenor Banjo: CGDA
Banjo with Guitar
or Baritone Ukulele tuning: DGBE, Guitar:
EADGBE
Ukulele: GCEA, Mandolin: GDAE, Bass:
EADG
-
- Individual
Notes:
- Each note is played in
4 octaves.
-
- A A#/Bb B C C#/Db D D#/Eb E F F#/Gb G G#/Ab
-
-
- The following songs have
chord structures that should be easy for Beginner's to follow. The
melodies vary from easy to difficult.
- Lots of 4 and 5 string banjo
players have learned to play from these songs. Have
fun and start pickin' and strummin'.
-
-
- Beginner's Songs:
-
- INDEX:
- A B C D E F G
H I J
K L M N O
P Q R S T U
V W X Y Z
-
- Click the "Song
Name" to listen or "Chords"
for the play-along Chord Chart page.
-
- Return to top of Beginner's
Page
- Return to Home Page
- Go to Performer Links
page
- Website Search
- Go to bottom of this page
- A-B
- ALLEY CAT - Key of C - Chords
& Lyrics
- ALL THE GOOD
TIMES ARE PAST AND GONE -
Key of G, 3/4 time - Chords
& Lyrics
- ALPHABET SONG, THE - Key of G - Chords
& Lyrics
- ALOHA OE - Key of G with Verse - Chords & Lyrics
- AMAZING GRACE - Key of G, 3/4 time - Chords & Lyrics
- ARKANSAS TRAVELER - Key of G - Chords
& Lyrics
- BAA! BAA! BLACK SHEEP - Keys of G and C - Chords & Lyrics
- BABY ELEPHANT
WALK - Key of C
- Chords & Lyrics
- BANJO BOOGIE - Key of G - Chords
& Lyrics plus 5-String, Plectrum, and Tenor Tablature
- BANJO BOY - Key of G with Verse - Chords & Lyrics
- BANJO IN THE HOLLOW - Key of G - Chords
and 5-String Tablature
- BANJO SOLO, A - Key of G - Chords
and 5-String Tablature
- BANJO SONG - Key of C, 3/4 time - Chords
- BANKS OF THE OHIO - Key of G - Chords
& Lyrics
- BARN DANCE / RUSTIC DANCE - Key of C and F - Advanced Chords
- BATTLE HYMN OF THE REPUBLIC - Key of C - Chords
& Lyrics
- BATTLE OF NEW
ORLEANS - Key of
G - Chords &
Lyrics
BEAUMONT RAG
- Key of C - Chords
- BEAUTIFUL BROWN
EYES - Key of C,
3/4 time - Chords
& Lyrics
- BEAUTIFUL DREAMER - Key of C, 3/4 time - Chords & Lyrics
- BELL BOTTOM
TROUSERS - Key of
G - Chords &
Lyrics..
- BIG ROCK CANDY MOUNTAIN,
THE - Key of C
with Verse - Chords & Lyrics
BILE THAT CABBAGE DOWN
- Key of G - Chords
& Lyrics
- BILLY BOY - Key of C - Chords,
Lyrics & Sound Clip
- BILLY IN THE LOWGROUND - Key of G - Chords
and 5-String Tablature
- BLACKBERRY BLOSSOM - Key of G - Chords
& 5-String Tab
- BLACK MOUNTAIN
RAG - Key of G
- Chords & 5-String
Tab
- BLOWIN' IN THE
WIND - Key of D
- Chords, Lyrics
- BLUESY BANJO - Key of G - Chords
and 5-String Tablature
- BOLL WEEVIL - Key of G - Chords
and Lyrics
BUFFALO GALS
- Key of C - Chords,
Lyrics & Sound Clip
- BUNNY HOP -
Key of F - Chords
& Lyrics
- BURY ME BENEATH
THE WILLOW - Key
of G - Chords &
Lyrics
-
- C-D
- CAMPTOWN RACES - Key of C - Chords,
Lyrics, Lead-Sheet
- CARELESS LOVE - Key of G - Chords
& Lyrics
- CARNIVAL OF VENICE - Key of C, 3/4 time - Chords & Lyrics
- CASEY JONES - Key of C with Verse - Chords & Lyrics
- CHICKEN DANCE, THE - Key of C with Verse - Chords & Lyrics
- CINDY
- Key of G - Chords,
Lyrics & Tablature
- CLARINET POLKA - Verse in Bb, Chorus in Eb - Chords
- CLINCH MOUNTAIN
BACKSTEP - Key of
G - Chords, Lyrics
- COLUMBUS
STOCKADE BLUES - Key
of G - Chords,
Lyrics
- COTTON-EYED JOE - Key of G - Chords,
Lyrics
- COTTON FIELDS - Key of G - Chords,
Lyrics
- CRADLE SONG (BRAHMS
LULLABY) - Key of
C, 3/4 time - Chords
& Lyrics
CRIPPLE CREEK
- Key of G - Chords,
Lyrics & Sound Clip
- CUMBERLAND GAP - Key of G - Chords,
Lyrics and 5-String Tablature
- DARLING COREY - Key of G - Chords,
Lyrics
- DARLING NELLIE GRAY - Key of D - Chords,
Lyrics
- DEEP IN THE HEART
OF TEXAS - Key of
F - Chords, Lyrics
- DEVIL'S DREAM - Key of G - Chords
& 5-String Tablature
DIXIE -
Key of C - Chords &
Lyrics
- DOGGIE IN THE WINDOW, THAT - Key of C, 3/4 time - Chords & Lyrics
- DON'T LET THE
STARS GET IN YOUR EYES -
Key of G - Chords
& Lyrics
- DOOLEY - Key of G - Chords
& Lyrics
- DOWN BY THE RIVERSIDE - Key of F - Chords,
Lyrics
- DOWN IN THE VALLEY - Key of C, 3/4 time - Chords & Lyrics
- DUELING BANJOS - Key of G - Chords
-
- E
- EDDIE CUCHA CATCHA
CAMMA SONG - Key
of G - Chords & Lyrics
- EIGHT MORE MILES
TO LOUISVILLE - Key
of G - Chords &
Lyrics
- EIGHTH OF JANUARY - Key of G - Chords
& Lyrics
- EL CONDOR PASA - Key of Em - Chords & Lyrics
-
- F-G
- FEELIN' BAD - Key of G - Chords
& Lyrics
- FIREBALL MAIL - Key of G - Chords
and 5-String Tablature
- FIRE ON THE MOUNTAIN - Key of G - Chords
and 5-String Tablature
- FIVE HUNDRED
MILES - Key of G
- Chords & Lyrics
- FOGGY MOUNTAIN BREAKDOWN - Key of G - Chords
and 5-String Tablature
- FOGGY MOUNTAIN SPECIAL - Key of G - Chords
- FOGGY MOUNTAIN TOP,
THE - Key of G
- Chords
- FOR HE'S A JOLLY
GOOD FELLOW - Key
of G, 3/4 time - Chords
& Lyrics
- FRANKIE AND
JOHNNY - Key of
C - Chords &
Lyrics
- FREIGHT TRAIN - Key of F - Chords
& Lyrics
- FRERE JACQUES - Keys of G, C, F - Chords & Lyrics
- FROGGY WENT A-COURTIN' - Keys of G and C - Chords & Lyrics
- GIRL I LEFT BEHIND, THE - Key of F - Chords
& Lyrics
- GOIN' DOWN
THE ROAD FEELIN' BAD -
Key of G - Chords
& Lyrics
- GOLDEN SLIPPERS - Key of G - Chords
& Lyrics
- GOOBER PEAS MARCH - Key of C - Chords
& Lyrics
- GOOD BYE, MY LOVER GOOD BYE - Key of G - Chords
& Lyrics
- GOODNIGHT IRENE - Key of G, 3/4 time - Chords & Lyrics
- GOOD NIGHT LADIES - Keys of G and C, - Chords & Lyrics
- GO TELL AUNT
RHODY - Keys of
G and C - Chords
& Lyrics
- GO TELL IT ON
THE MOUNTAIN - Key
of G - Chords
& Lyrics
- GOTTA TRAVEL ON - Key of G - Chords
& Lyrics
- GRANDFATHER'S CLOCK - Key of G - Chords,
Lyrics
- GREENSLEEVES - Key of Em, 3/4 time - Chords & Lyrics
-
- H-I
- HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU - Key of G, 3/4 time - Chords, Lyrics
- HAPPY WANDERER, THE - Key of C - Chords,
Lyrics
- HARD, AIN'T IT HARD, IT'S - Key of G - Chords
& Lyrics
- HARD TRAVELIN' - Key of C - Chords,
Lyrics
- HEY, MR. BANJO - Key of C - Chords,
Lyrics & Sound Clip
- HOME ON THE RANGE - Key of G - Chords
& Lyrics
- HOME SWEET HOME - Key of D - Chords
& Lyrics
- HOT CORN, COLD CORN - Key of G - Chords
& Lyrics
- HOT TIME IN THE OLD TOWN - Key of G - Chords
& Lyrics
- HOW GREAT THOU
ART - Key of C
- Chords, Lyrics
- I LIKE BANJO
MUSIC - Key of F
- Chords & Lyrics
- I LIKE MOUNTAIN
MUSIC - Key of F
- Chords & Lyrics
- I RIDE AN OLD PAINT - Key of G, 3/4 time - Chords & Lyrics
- I SAW THE LIGHT - Key of G - Chords
& Lyrics
- I WALK THE LINE - Key of F - Chords
& Lyrics
- IF I HAD A HAMMER - Key of F - Advanced
Chords & Lyrics
- IRISH WASHER
WOMAN - Key of G,
6/8 time - Chords
- I'LL FLY AWAY - Key of G - Chords
& Lyrics
- I'M GOING BACK
TO DIXIE - Key of
G - Chords &
Lyrics
- IT'S A SMALL WORLD - Key of F with Verse - Chords & Lyrics
- IT'S HARD, AIN'T IT HARD - Key of G - Chords
& Lyrics
- I'VE BEEN WORKING
ON THE RAILROAD - Key
of G - Chords & Lyrics
-
- J-K-L
- JAMAICA FAREWELL - Key of F - Chords
& Lyrics
- JAMBALAYA - Key of C - Chords
& Lyrics
- JESSE JAMES - Key of G - Chords
& Lyrics
- JOHN HARDY - Key of G - Chords
& Lyrics
- JOHN HENRY - Key of G - Chords
& Lyrics
- JUBILEE - Key of G - Chords
& Lyrics
- JINGLE BELLS - Key of G - Chords
and 5-String Tab & Lyrics
- JUST A LITTLE
WHILE TO STAY HERE - Key
of G - Chords &
Lyrics
- KEEP ON THE SUNNY
SIDE - Key of G
- Chords & Lyrics
- LA CUCARACHA - Key of F with Verse - Chords & Lyrics
- LIBERTY - Key of D - Chords,
5-String Tab, & Sound Clip
- LINCOLN AND
LIBERTY - Key of
F, 3/4 time - Advanced
Chords & Lyrics
- LISTEN TO
THE MOCKING BIRD - Key
of G - Chords
& Lyrics
- LITTLE ANNIE
ROONEY - Key of
F, 3/4 time - Chords
& Lyrics
- LITTLE BROWN
CHURCH IN THE VALE, THE -
Key of C - Chords
& Lyrics
- LITTLE BROWN JUG - Key of C - Chords
& Lyrics
- LITTLE DARLING,
PAL OF MINE - Key
of G - Chords
& Lyrics
- LITTLE LIZA JANE (Li'l
Liza Jane) - Key
of G - Chords & Lyrics
- LITTLE MAGGIE - Key of G - Chords
& Lyrics
- LOCH LOMOND - Key of G - Chords
& Lyrics
- LONESOME ROAD,
THE - Key of F
- Chords & Lyrics
- LONESOME ROAD
BLUES, THE - Key
of G - Chords
& Lyrics
- LONESOME VALLEY - Key of C - Chords
& Lyrics
- LOONEY TUNES THEME, THE - Key of C - Chords
& Sound Clip
- L.O.V.E.
- Key of G - Chords
& Lyrics
-
- M-N
- MAN OF CONSTANT
SORROW - Key of
G - Chords
& Lyrics
- MARCHING TO
PRETORIA - Key of
G - Chords &
Lyrics
- MARIANNE - Key of F - Chords
& Lyrics
- MARY HAD A
LITTLE LAMB - Keys
of G and C - Chords
& Lyrics
- MATILDA - Key of C - Chords
& Lyrics
- MIDNIGHT SPECIAL - Key of G - Chords
& Lyrics
- MISTER BANJO - Key of G - Chords
& Lyrics
- MOCKIN' BIRD HILL - Key of G with Verse, 3/4 time
- Chords & Lyrics
- MOLLY AND TENBROOKS - Key of G - Chords
& Lyrics
- MOUNTAIN DEW - Key of G - Chords
& Lyrics
- MY BONNIE - Key of C, 3/4 time - Chords & Lyrics
- MY CABIN IN
CAROLINE - Key of
G - Chords &
Lyrics
- MY OLD KENTUCKY
HOME - Key of F
- Chords & Lyrics
- NASHVILLE BLUES - Key of Dm - Chords
- NELLIE BLY - Key of C - Chords
& Lyrics
- NEVER ON SUNDAY - Key of C - Chords
& Lyrics
- NEW RIVER TRAIN - Key of G - Chords
& Lyrics
- NINE POUND HAMMER - Key of G - Chords
& Lyrics
-
- O-P
- O COME ALL YE FAITHFUL - Key of G - Chords
& Lyrics
- O LITTLE TOWN
OF BETHLEHEM - Key
of F - Chords
& Lyrics
- OH, LONESOME ME - Key of C - Advanced
Chords & Lyrics
- OH, MY DARLING CLEMENTINE - Key of C, 3/4 time - Chords & Lyrics
- OH! SUSANNA - Key of G - Chords
& Lyrics
- OH! THEM GOLDEN
SLIPPERS - Key of
G - Chords &
Lyrics
- OKIE FROM MUSKOGEE - Key of F - Chords
& Lyrics
- OLD CHISHOLM TRAIL,
THE - Key of G
- Chords & Lyrics
- OLD DAN TUCKER - Key of G - Chords
& Lyrics
- OLD GREY MARE, THE - Key of G - Chords
& Lyrics
OLD JOE CLARK
- Key of G - Chords
& Lyrics
- OLD MacDONALD HAD
A FARM - Key of G
- Chords & Lyrics
- OLD TIME RELIGION - Keys of G and C - Chords & Lyrics
ON TOP OF OLD SMOKEY
- Key of C, 3/4 time - Chords,
Lyrics
OUR BOYS WILL SHINE TONIGHT - Key of C - Chords
& Lyrics
OVER THE WAVES
- Key of Bb, Eb, 3/4 time - Advanced
Chords & Lyrics
- PAPA JOE'S - Key of C - Chords
& Lyrics
PISTOL PACKIN' MAMA
- Key of G - Chords
& Lyrics
- PLAY A SIMPLE
MELODY - Key of F,
Two Parts - Chords &
Lyrics
- POLLY WOLLY DOODLE - Key of G - Chords
& Lyrics
- PRACTICE SONG, THE - Keys of Gand C - Chords & Lyrics
- PRISONER'S SONG,
THE - Key of G
- Chords & Lyrics
- PUFF THE MAGIC
DRAGON - Key of
C - Chords &
Lyrics
- PUTTING ON
THE STYLE - Key
of F - Chords
& Lyrics
-
- R-S
- RAMBLIN' ROSE - Key of G - Advanced
Chords & Lyrics
- RED-HAIRED BOY - Key of A - Chords
- RED RIVER VALLEY - Key of G - Chords
& Lyrics
- RED WING - Key of C - Chords
& Lyrics
- RICKETT'S HORNPIPE - Key of C - Chords
& Lyrics
- RIDIN' DOWN THE CANYON - Key of G - Advanced
Chords & Lyrics
- RING, RING THE BANJO - Key of C, Verse - Chords & Lyrics
- ROCKY TOP - Key of G - Advanced
Chords & Lyrics
- ROVING GAMBLER - Key of G - Chords
& Lyrics
- ROW, ROW, ROW YOUR
BOAT - Keys of G and C, 3/4 time - Chords & Lyrics
- RUSTIC DANCE / BARN DANCE - Key of C and F - Advanced Chords
- RYE WHISKEY - Key of G, 3/4 time - Chords & Lyrics
- SAILOR'S HORNPIPE - Key of G - Chords
& Lyrics
- SALLY ANN - Key of G - Chords
& Lyrics
- SALLY GOODIN' - Key of G - Chords
& Lyrics
- SALT CREEK (SALT RIVER) - Key of G - Chords
- SALTY DOG - Key of G - Advanced
Chords & Lyrics
- SANTA LUCIA - Key of C, 3/4 time - Chords & Lyrics
- SCARBOROUGH FAIR - Key of Dm, 3/4 time - Chords & Lyrics
- SEEING NELLIE
HOME (Quilting Party) -
Key of C - Chords
& Lyrics
- SHADY GROVE - Key of Em - Chords & Lyrics
- SHE'LL BE COMIN' ROUND
THE MOUNTAIN - Key
of G, Verse - Chords &
Lyrics
- SHENANDOAH - Key of F - Chords
& Lyrics
- SHE WORE A YELLOW
RIBBON - Key of
C - Chords
& Lyrics
- SHORTNIN' BREAD - Key of C - Advanced
Chords & Lyrics
- SILENT NIGHT - Key of C, 3/4 time - Chords and Lyrics
- SILVER BELL - Verse in G, Chorus in C - Chords & Lyrics
- SINGIN' IN THE
RAIN - Key of G
- Chords & Lyrics
- SIOUX CITY SUE - Key of F with Verse - Chords & Lyrics
SKIP TO MY LOU
- Key of C - Chords
& Lyrics
- SLOOP JOHN B - Key of G - Chords
& Lyrics
- SOLDIER'S JOY - Key of D - Chords
and 5-String Tablature
- SOMEBODY TOUCHED
ME - Key of G
- Chords & Lyrics
- SPANISH EYES - Key of C - Chords
& Lyrics
- SPANISH TWO-STEP
(NEW) - Key of C
- Chords, Lyrics
- ST. ANNE'S REEL - Key of D - Chords
- ST. JAMES INFIRMARY - Key of Dm - Chords & Lyrics
- SWEET BETSY
FROM PIKE - Key
of C, 3/4 time - Chords
& Lyrics
- SWEET BY AND BY - Key of G - Chords
& Lyrics
- SWING LOW, SWEET
CHARIOT - Key of
G - Chords &
Lyrics
-
- T
- TA-RA-RA BOOM-DER-'E - Key of F - Chords
& Lyrics
- TENNESSEE WALTZ - Key of C, 3/4 time - Chords & Lyrics
- THERE IS A TAVERN IN THE
TOWN - Key of C
- Chords, Lyrics
- THERE IS A TIME
(aka Wayfaring Stranger) -
Key of Em - Chords
& Lyrics
- THERE'S A
TEAR IN MY BEER - Key
of D - Chords & Lyrics
- THIS LAND IS YOUR LAND - Key of G - Chords
& Lyrics
- THIS LITTLE LIGHT
OF MINE - Key of
C - Chords &
Lyrics
- THREE LITTLE
FISHIES - Key of
F - Advanced
Chords & Lyrics
- TIAJUANA JAIL, THE - Key of G - Chords
& Lyrics
- TIE ME KANGAROO
DOWN, SPORT - Key
of F - Chords &
Lyrics
- TOM DOOLEY - Keys of G and C - Chords & Lyrics
- TURKEY IN THE STRAW - Key of G - Chords
& Lyrics
- TWINKLE TWINKLE LITTLE
STAR - Keys of C
and F - Chords, Lyrics
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- U