Welcome to your free mini-course for Jim Ward’s Jig, where I take a step-by-step approach to mastering the Irish banjo. My teaching method is designed to help you build confidence and skill in a graduated, easy-to-follow way.
We start with the simple melody, focusing on picking patterns and techniques, with all picking directions clearly marked to guide you. Once the foundation is solid, we move on to adding ornamentation, such as triplets, slides, pull offs and hammer ons, to bring the tune to life. From there, we explore chords and double stops, introducing harmony and depth to your playing.
Finally, we put everything together, creating a fully ornamented version of the tune. By layering each element progressively, you’ll not only master the piece but also gain valuable insights into developing your unique style.
This structured approach ensures that you understand every step of the process while building the skills and confidence needed to play Irish banjo with authenticity and flair. Let’s get started!