Jim Bottorff's Banjo Page
EASY PLAY-ALONG SONGS
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Click on the "Song Title" to play.
Click on "Chords" for a Chart and Lyrics.

 
AMAZING GRACE  -  Key of  G, 3/4 time - Chords & Lyrics
BAA! BAA! BLACK SHEEP  -  Keys of  G and C - Chords & Lyrics
BILLY BOY  -  Key of  C - Chords, Lyrics & Sound Clip
BUFFALO GALS  -  Key of  C - Chords, Lyrics & Sound Clip
BURY ME BENEATH THE WILLOW  -  Key of  G - Chords & Lyrics
CAMPTOWN RACES  -  Key of  C - Chords, Lyrics, Lead-Sheet
CINDY  -  Key of  G - Chords, Lyrics & Tablature
CRADLE SONG  -  Key of  C, 3/4 time - Chords & Lyrics
DARLING COREY  -  Key of  G - Chords, Lyrics
DOWN IN THE VALLEY  -  Key of  C, 3/4 time - Chords & Lyrics
FRERE JACQUES  -  Keys of  G, C, F - Chords & Lyrics
FROGGY WENT A-COURTIN'  -  Keys of  G and C - Chords & Lyrics
GOLDEN SLIPPERS -  Key of  G - Chords & Lyrics
GOOD BYE, MY LOVER GOOD BYE  -  Key of  G - Chords & Lyrics
GO TELL AUNT RHODY  -  Keys of  G and C - Chords & Lyrics
IT'S HARD, AIN'T IT HARD  -  Key of  G - Chords & Lyrics
LITTLE BROWN JUG  -  Key of  C - Chords & Lyrics
LONESOME ROAD BLUES, THE  -  Key of  G - Chords & Lyrics
MAN OF CONSTANT SORROW  -  Key of  G - Chords & Lyrics
MARY HAD A LITTLE LAMB  -  Keys of  G and C - Chords & Lyrics
MY BONNIE -  Key of  C, 3/4 time - Chords & Lyrics
MOUNTAIN DEW  -  Key of  G - Chords & Lyrics
NINE POUND HAMMER  -  Key of  G - Chords & Lyrics
OH, MY DARLING CLEMENTINE  -  Key of  C, 3/4 time - Chords & Lyrics
OH! SUSANNA  -  Key of  G - Chords & Lyrics
ON TOP OF OLD SMOKEY  -  Key of  C, 3/4 time - Chords, Lyrics & Sound Clip
PRACTICE SONG, THE -  Keys of  Gand C - Chords & Lyrics
PRISONER'S SONG, THE  -  Key of  G - Chords & Lyrics
RED RIVER VALLEY  -  Key of  G - Chords & Lyrics
ROW, ROW, ROW YOUR BOAT  -  Keys of  G and C, 3/4 time - Chords & Lyrics
SKIP TO MY LOU  -  Key of  C - Chords, Lyrics & Sound Clip
SWING LOW, SWEET CHARIOT  -  Key of  G - Chords & Lyrics
THIS LAND IS YOUR LAND  -  Key of  G - Chords & Lyrics
TOM DOOLEY  -  Keys of  G and C - Chords, Lyrics
TURKEY IN THE STRAW  -  Key of  G - Chords & Lyrics
WABASH CANNONBALL  -  Key of  G - Chords & Lyrics
WHERE HAS MY LITTLE DOG GONE?  -  Key of  G, 3/4 time - Chords & Lyrics
WORRIED MAN BLUES  -  Key of  G - Chords & Lyrics
 

Tips for playing along with these songs:
 
FIRST - Learn to strum and change the chords.
If finger picking, play some easy roll patterns as you change chords.
For clawhammer or frailing, use a simple basic strumming rhythm as you change chords.
If playing with a flat pick, play all down strokes as you strum the rhythm and change chords.
 
SECOND - Try picking out the melody on single strings by using your ear or by reading the music notation.
 
THIRD - Combine the chords and melody to suit your style of playing.
 
Notation for the above songs can be viewed by clicking the icon below my name on each song page.
 
Arranged by Jim Bottorff
Sample of song notation (pdf)
 
Click here for some help on how to read music notaion and play by ear.
(Thanks to Mike Moxcey)
 

My advice for beginner's using visual materials such as music notation, tablature, and chord diagrams:
 
 Use the music to learn the song.
Use your ears to play the song.
 
 When playing with others, listen and watch what is going on around you, notice how everyone is playing.
Practice a lot so that you don't need to look at any music notation while playing.
 
The above guidance is for beginner's and students.
Advanced players often read music notation for a band or orchestra arrangement.
 
Happy Picking and Strumming,
Jim Bottorff

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