Banjo Lessons (For Experts Only): Single String

This is a comprehensive and optimized approach to modal single string scales on the 5 string banjo.
Join the community and get the tablature at my Patreon
/ rickymier
Key Points:
Right Hand:
1. Thumb plays down beats
2. Index plays upbeats
(This keeps your rhythmically oriented)
Left Hand:
3. Start each scale with middle finger
4. End each scale with index (so the next scale starts with middle, this optimizes the shift (the motion of switching left hand position))
These are G modal scales. G Ionian, A Dorian, B Phrygian, C Lydian, D Mixolydian, E Aeolian, and F# Locrian.
My latest album, The New Age Connection is available today.
Tabs: / rickymier
iTunes: / the-new-age-connection
Amazon: amzn.to/2QKgAVP
Spotify: open.spotify.c...
Venmo: Ricky-Mier

[@hegshen]

totally impressed by your banjo knowledge and vids are entertaining.

[@pridgenwatkins2867]

I'm leaving a comment because you asked us to leave a comment. But frankly, I'm speechless after watching this video. No words, man.

[@fatalolive]

you made a great job with your videos Ricky.

[@RickyMier]

Thank you!

[@RobFlaxMusic]

"Vassarline" really works

[@gregorybenton001]

You, sir, are bursting my brain. Thank you.

[@garyhighley9022]

Dude you're a fercking genius....I love it!!!!!

[@RickyMier]

Thanks for watching bruv

[@garyhighley9022]

@@RickyMier oh I'm hooked now....been working on my single string licks a lot this week.

[@CalibSmith]

Dude yes. This is exactly what I’ve been looking for. I’m subbed. Thanks man!

[@RickyMier]

Rock on brother, thanks for the sub!

[@thebagboys6338]

Nice, Ricky! Great content and funny delivery. Keep doing you!

[@stevenyoung2143]

Beyond Cool! Ricky, you are rocking this old dude's world!

[@umbertocapasso67]

Amazing system of knoledge uf neck... Fantastic..

[@RickyMier]

I'm glad you found it!! Diatonic triple stops are an extension of this

[@mitchzeitz]

fantastic video

[@RickyMier]

thanks Mitch!

[@Beadsmon]

Bro... this Fire!

[@RickyMier]

thx bruv

[@eliotgoodwin]

Ricky is ridiculous! And awesome. We need you back on the east coast to push the boundaries of our stodgy existence.

[@RickyMier]

Eliot Goodwin I'll be back one day. Miss you man

[@totama76]

Nice one

[@RickyMier]

Thanks!!

[@umkwaig]

Good info for music theory applied to banjo, and it’s good edits. Cheers!

[@RickyMier]

TheGreatUmKwaig Thanks man

[@burroc5536]

Subscribed. So I’ll learn these modes and patterns... and then what? I’ll wait for the next video to explain.

[@RickyMier]

The best way that I've found to apply these scales is taking melodies I already know and fit them into those scale patterns somehow. When I did a handful of arrangements this way, the neck came together a little better for me.

[@midnighttoker8663]

@@RickyMier Would love to see more examples down the track.

[@gregthroberts]

Definitely interested, you have my attention 😀

[@RickyMier]

Haha thanks Greg!

[@adamzocchi]

Im late to this shit. But grateful i found ya!!

[@RickyMier]

welcome!!

[@Violanjo]

Wow, thank you so much....

[@RickyMier]

it's my pleasure, I hope it helps

[@asafashram]

great playing Ricky, and very important. i'll attempt to learn what I can. a constructive note for you- when you aim to teach- make sure you film both hands so we can learn more. the vid was amusingand thank you

[@RickyMier]

okay, thanks for letting me know, I'll keep that in mind for the next one

[@banjofy]

Man, I gotta practice. Fantastic video BTW.

[@RickyMier]

thanks!

[@kenshort5983]

Bad azzzz man! Love it. Thank you so much for sharing the knowledge and making it entertaining as well. You're a good man!

[@RickyMier]

Ken Short My pleasure Ken!

[@davidsoine1832]

Looking forward to this new lesson

[@RickyMier]

:D

[@LessonsWithMarcel]

Fake. Pretty sure there's not 12 keys and I can't even find the Tony Rice tabs on this guy's website.

[@seanoconnor9096]

Ab A Bb B C Db D Eb E F Gb G

[@doncampos6437]

Wow!! F***n amazing rick. I'm not an expert but will slow down vid and attack as i'm working on single string now. Good stuff!!

[@RickyMier]

Thanks Don! I have a tab that I'll put on my website

[@JakeLoewMusic1]

I think you're hitting your stride with this one

[@RickyMier]

Haha thanks man

[@howiedick6857]

The editing made my eyes cross

[@bloodybill]

"That ain't Bluegrass!" (lel) Nah, fo real, good stuff Ricky. ~Beargrease

[@RickyMier]

Thanks Beargrease!

[@jimallen4823]

Concise and funny! Question about the left hand fingering: most instructors recommend one finger per fret. Why do you recommend using the index and middle on the second string, instead of the middle and ring fingers? That makes fingering a fiddle tune (e.g., Whiskey Before Breakfast) more difficult. Thanks!

[@mikew5423]

That was pretty sick biznatch, especially with the Punch Brothers harmony. I'm gonna try that with all 12 fingers at once..

[@RickyMier]

Mike W Thanks Mike!

[@mikew5423]

@@RickyMier Thank you Ricky, I have watched a few of your videos and have now subscribed, good luck to you and keep the videos coming.

[@RickyMier]

Mike W I will buddy!

[@midnighttoker8663]

MORE shit like this!

[@RickyMier]

Will do, thanks Rob!

[@dankintner51]

This should be fun for even a hack like me o try out

[@RickyMier]

Do it!!

[@philsequeira3180]

That's some funny ass **it!!!

[@RickyMier]

hell yeah, thanks Phil!

[@shutinsessions5273]

LMAO great lesson brother.

[@RickyMier]

Thanks buddy!!

[@Spookytooth92]

Have some questions. Like this is great and works. Is this the main way you think of scales? These particular modal patterns? As I'm sure you know people make there own scale "shapes" out of notes on the fretboard. I went thru books different shapes a finger here and there different. Different notes per string. Alot of times completed shapes are missed (I do it like cage method with guitar. Each chord is a shape, and can cover the fretboard that way, since banjo doesn't have as many chord shapes I made ones to fill the in betweens) but that means different amount of notes per string alot of times. I'm wondering from a mechanical viewpoint is that way you favor the same amount of notes per string? Do you really think of a modal shape playing or improving or go by the key and chord licks and runs? This seems like a pretty modern approach more explanation technical details why do it this way, or what's missing would be cool. Of course.....it is just a banjo guess we shouldn't over think it. Punch brothers cover sounds spot on.

[@RickyMier]

Hey Spookytooth and thanks for your question. Yeah these scale sets are optimized af and they are the main way mechanically that I navigate closed position single string. As far as improvising goes, I'm more of a rhythmic player naturally and don't think in terms of keys and chords, although I navigate the neck by chord inversion, but that is the subject for two videos from now.

[@paddykiernanmusic]

MORE FLY BANJO CONTENT PLZ

[@RickyMier]

PaddyKiernanMusic Coming right up baby...

[@gregthroberts]

Where can I go to learn more about these Music modes? Especially as they work with the banjo? I have only barely heard of them?

[@RickyMier]

Greg Th Roberts I'll make another follow up video on how to expand on them

[@RickyMier]

but check my website for tablature on this subject

[@stevepeterson8012]

Great lesson! Now, I need to covert these ideas to Plectrum banjo (C G B D). Having a D on the 4th string is pretty handy, but I'm off two frets with a C. What was the name of the song at the end of the video? Thanks.

[@RickyMier]

That song is called Subutai, track number two on The New Age Connection kzbin.info/www/bejne/b5Com56kgM2Kp8k

[@JohnBoulding]

Cool banjo content, butleave up that pic of Katy..bwahahah

[@RickyMier]

hahaha

[@davideisenberger6197]

Absolutely amazing!! How you ever mastered these is just amazing to me!! Did you graduate from Juilliard??

[@RickyMier]

No, I dropped out of Berklee and had time to practice

[@Violanjo]

so when playing the thirds how do you do the fingering? Does one Finger press down two strings at the same time?

[@RickyMier]

violanjo banjoman yes, exactly, those are considered 'bars'. They come in real handy

[@binderbone]

wow punch brother shade! but, true lol

[@RickyMier]

haha you know I love em

[@striperguy61]

I still forget to breathe

[@RickyMier]

Me too Steve, me too

[@jazzcream5423]

What is the name of that fiddle tune you play in the outro?

[@RickyMier]

That' one is called Subutai, track number two on The New Age Connection. kzbin.info/www/bejne/b5Com56kgM2Kp8k

[@stevecampbell8085]

after watching this video, thinking I will sell my banjo and take up tennis.........

[@RickyMier]

Maybe start with Banjo Lessons For Experts For Beginners

[@efrainflores7881]

jajaja =) Great lesson!

[@RickyMier]

efrain flores Thanks man!

[@katieelian8066]

🥰

[@RickyMier]

Katie Elian 😉

[@andrewdeshazo9343]

The 7 dislikes are from Peepaws that want Ricky off their lawn.

[@RickyMier]

#peepaws

[@57chevycha]

bunch of noise