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 Essential Banjo Licks - Ross Nickerson learnrootsmusic.com

Beginnings
Essential Banjo Licks
by Ross Nickerson Beginnnings

Beginnings in G - Example 1
G C

2 3 2
H
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 2
4 0 1 2 2 3 3 0 Sl 0 1 1 1 1
0 2 3 2
4
0 0 0 0

M M M M I 2M T I M T M I T M T I M T I T I M I T M T
I I I 1 2 2 1 1 3 1 2 3 1
1 1

Beginnings in G - Example 2

G C

1 3 2
0 0 H 0 Po 0 2 2
4 0 0 0 H 1 1 1
0 0 0 2 3 3 2 0 0
4 0 2 4 0 2 2
0 0 0 0

I T T T T T I M T I M T 2 I T M T 1 I T M T I T M T I T M T
1 2 2 1 3 1 2 3 1

Beginnings in G - Example 3
G C

1 3 2
0 0 Po 0 0 0 0 2 2
4 H Sl 0 0 Sl 0 1 1 1 1
0 0 2 4 3 2 0 2 4
4 0 0 2
0 0 0 0 0

I T T 2 T T I M T M I T 1M T M T I M T I M T T I M T I M T
2 2 2 1 1 3 1 3 1

Beginnings in C - Example 1

C F

1 3 2
H
2 3 4 5 5 5 7 5 2 3 3 3
4 4 5 5 1 1 1 1
2
4
0 0 0 0 0 0

M M M M T 2M T I M T M M T I M T M T I M I T M I
1 2 3 3 1 3 2 3 4 3 1 3 4 1 4 1 2 4 1

Beginnings in C - Example 2
C F

1 3 2
2 2 2 3 3
4 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
0 0 2 2 0
4 2 3 3
0 0 0

I T T T T T M T I M T I T T I T M T T I M I T M T
2 1 1 3 1 3 1 2 1 2 3 3 1 4 1 3 4 1

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 Essential Banjo Licks - Ross Nickerson learnrootsmusic.com

Beginnings
Essential Banjo Licks
Beginnings by Ross Nickerson

Beginnings in C - Example 3

C F

2 3 2
0 1 2 2 2 2 0 2 3 3
4 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
2
4 3
0 0 0 0 0

T M M M T I M T I M T I M T M M M T I M I T I T
1 1 2 1 3 1 3 1 3 3 4 1 4 1 2 1 3

Beginnings in D - Example 1

D G D

3 2
H
4 4 4 2 2 0 0 0
4 3 3 2 3 3 3 0 0 0
2 2 4
4
0 0 0 0 0 0

I T T T T T 2M T I M T M M T I M T M T I M T I M I
2 1 1 3 2 1 4 2 4 4 1 2 1

Beginnings in D - Example 2

D G D

3 3 2
0 2 4 4 2 0 5 5
4 3 3 3 3
2 4 4
4
0 0 0 0 0

M M M T I M T M M T I T I T I M T I M T
1 4 2 4 1 1 1 1 4 2 1 4 2

Beginnings in D - Example 3

D G

2 2
H H
4 4 5 7 7 7 9 7 7 5 5 5 5
4 6 7 7 6 7 3 3 3 3 3
4
4
0 0 0 0 0 0 0

M M M M T 2M T I M T M M T I 2M T I T M M T M I T M I T M
1 1 2 3 1 3 2 3 4 3 1 3 1 4 1 4 1 4 1 2 I
4
1

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Essential Banjo Licks
Essential Banjo Licks - Ross Nickerson learnrootsmusic.com

by Ross Nickerson Endings

Endings
Endings in G - Example 1
G D G

2 2
2 0 Po 0 9 16 17
4 0 0 0 11 8 Sl
2 0 0 9 7 14
4 2
0 0 0 0

T T I M T M I T I T M T M T I T T M M
3 2 2 I 1 2 1 3 3
1
3

Endings in G - Example 2
G D G
Sl

2
4 5 2 0
4 0 3 2 0
4 4
0 0 0

T M T M T I T M
T T 2 1 3 I
3 3

Endings in G - Example 3
G D G
Po

2
3 2 0 Po 0
4 0 0
0 3 2 0
4 4
0 0

T T M 1 T M I T 1 I T M
3 2 3 I

Endings in C - Example 1

1 2
H H
10 10 7 5 7 7 2 2 0
4 Sl 4 5 4 5 4 1 1 1 1
7 9 9 B 0
4
0 0 0

T M T M M M M I 2 M I 2 T M T I T I M I M T I
2 4 2 4 2 2 4 1 4 1 I 1 1 3 1 1
1
3
Endings in C - Example 2

3
9 9 9 10 12 13 14
4 8 8 Sl
7 7 7 9 10 11 12
4
0

T I M T M I T M T M T M M M
1 2 4 4 2 1 4 1 4 1 3 T T
3 3
1 1
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Essential Banjo Licks - Ross Nickerson
Essential Banjo Licks learnrootsmusic.com

Endings by Ross Nickerson

Endings
Endings in C - Example 3

2
5 4 3 2 0
4 5 4 3 1 1
2
4 2
0 0

I M T M M M I
I I I I 1
3 3 3 3 3
2 2 2 1 2

Endings in D - Example 1

2
Sl
4 2 3 3 2 3
4 3 2 4
4
0

T I I T T T I T T
2 3 2 1 3 1 2

Endings in D - Example 2

3 2 1 1 1 1 3 2
12 10 11 12
12 10 10 10 10
12 10 11 9 11
12 12

T I I T I T I I T I 4 4
3 3 1 3 1 3 1 2 3 1 2 1
1 2

Endings in D - Example 3

7 Sl 0 0 0
4 9 6 7 H H
5 2
4 6 7 3 4 0
0 0

M I T I M I T 3M T I T M T
1 3 2 1 2 1 2 3

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Essential Banjo Licks
Essential Banjo Licks - Ross Nickerson learnrootsmusic.com

by Ross Nickerson Turnarounds

Turnarounds
Turnarounds in G - Example 1

D G
Po
H
0 2 3 2 2 0 Po 0 0 0
4 2 3 3 3 0 Sl
3 2 0 2 3 0 0
4 0 2 0 2 4
0 0 0 0

T T 2M T I M T M I M T M I T 1M T T I M I T M T T T T
1 2 1 3 2 1 2 2 2 1 3

Turnarounds in G - Example 2

G D G

2 0 Po 0 0 0 0 0
4 Sl 0 0 0 Sl Sl H
2 3 3 2 0 2 4 0 2 3 0 0 0
4 2 2 0 0 2
0 0 0 0

T I M T M I T 1M T I T M T I M T I T I M I T M T T T 2 T
2 1 2 2 2 2 2

Turnarounds in G - Example 3

D G

3 2 3 2
H
0 0 0 H 0 H 0 Po 0 0 0
4 2 3 3 Sl
Sl 2 3 2 3 3 2 0 2 3 0 0
4 2 3 0 2
0 0 0 0 0

T M T T 2M T I M T I 2M T 2M T I 1M T I T I M I T M T
2 1 2 1 1 2 2 2

Turnarounds in C - Example 1

G C

3 2
0 0 2 Po 2 2 0 2 2
4 Sl 0 1 1 H 1 Sl 0 1 1 1 1
0 2 4 2 0 0 2 4 0
4 3 0 2
0 0 0 0 0

T M T I M T I T M T I T M T 2 I T M T I M T I T I M I T M T
T 2 1 3 2 1 4 3 1 3 2 1 1 3 1 3 1

Turnarounds in C - Example 2

C G C

3 2
H H H 0
5 5 5 0 0 2 2
4 4 5 5 2 3 2 3 4 1 1 1 1
0
4
0 0 0 0 0

M T 2M T I M T I 2M T 2M T I M T I T I M I T M T
3 1 3 2 3 1 1 2 1 1 3 1 3 1
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Essential Banjo Licks - Ross Nickerson learnrootsmusic.com

Essential Banjo Licks

Turnarounds Turnarounds by Ross Nickerson

Turnarounds in C - Example 3

C G C

3 2
H
10 10 10 9 9 9 10 5 5
4 8 8 8 8 5 4 5 1
4
0 0 0 0 0 0

M M I T M I T M M I T M I T M M I T I 2M T I
4 4 1 4 1 4 4 2 4 2 4 3 2 1 3 1

Turnarounds in D - Example 1

D A D

3 2
7 7 7 7 7 7 4 4 0
4 7 7 5 5 5 3
4 2
4 4 0
0 0 0 0 0

M M I T I M T I M T M T I M T M T M T I T M T
3 3 2 2 3 1 4 1 4 1 4 I 4 3 1 3
4
1

Turnarounds in D - Example 2

D A D

3 2
H H
4 4 4 2 2 2 4 5 6 7
4 2 3 2 3 3 2 2 2 3 5 6 7
4
0 0 0 0 0

I 2M T 2M T I M T I M T M T I M T M T I M M M
1 4 1 4 2 4 1 1 1 1 1 1 I 2 3 I I
4 3 3
2 2 2

Turnarounds in D - Example 3

D A D

3 2
12 12 12 11 11 11 12 14 15 16
4 10 10 10 10
11 9 11 12 13 14
4
0 0 0 0 0

M T I M T I M T M T I M T I M T I M T I M M M
4 2 1 4 1 4 4 1 2 4 2 4 2 4 1 3 I I
3 3
1 1

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 Essential Banjo Licks - Ross Nickerson learnrootsmusic.com

Must Know
Essential Scruggs
Banjo LicksLicks in G
by Ross Nickerson Must Know Scruggs Licks in G

Must Know Scruggs Licks in G - Example 1

G
H H H H H H
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
4 2 3 2 3 0 2 3 2 3 0 2 3 2 3 0
0
4
0 0 0 0 0 0

I 2M T 2M T I M T I 2M T 2M T I M T I 2M T 2M T I M T I
1 1 1 1 1 1

Must Know Scruggs Licks in G - Example 2

3 2
H
H 0 Po 0 0 0 0 2 0 Po 0
4 0 0 H 0 2 3 3 0
2 3 3 2 0 0 3 2 0
4 0 2
0 0 0 0

T 2 I T M T 1 I T M T 2 I M T I M I 2M T I M T M I T 1M T
1 2 1 2 1 2

Must Know Scruggs Licks in G - Example 3

G

3 2
0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0
4 0 0 Sl
0 0 0 Sl 0 0 2 3 0
4 2 0 2 2 5
0 0 0 0

T I T M T I T M T M T I M T I M T I M T M I T M T
2 2 2 3 2

Must Know Scruggs Licks in G - Example 4

G

0 0 0 0 0 Po 0 0 0 0 2 0 Po 0
4 Sl 0 0 Sl 0 0
Sl 0 0 2 4 3 2 0 2 4 0 3 3 2
4 2 5
0 0 0 0 0 0

T M T I M T I M T I M T M I T 1M T M T I M T I M T I M T M I T 1M
2 2 2 2 2 1 2

0 3 2

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 Essential Banjo Licks - Ross Nickerson learnrootsmusic.com

Essential Banjo Licks

Must
Must Know Know
Scruggs Licks Scruggs
in G Licks in G by Ross Nickerson

Must Know Scruggs Licks in G - Example 5

G

0 0 0 0 0 Po 0 0 0 0
4 Sl 0 0 Sl
Sl 0 0 2 4 3 2 0 2 4 0
4 2 5
0 0 0 0 0

T M T I M T I M T I M T M I T 1 M T M T I M T I M
2 2 2 2

Must Know Scruggs Licks in G - Example 6

G D G

3 2
H
0 0 0 Po 0 0 0 H H Po 0
4 2 3 3 3
3 2 0 2 3 2 3 2 0 0
4 2 0 2
0 0 0 0

3
1 2M T I M T I M T I 1M T I M T M T I 2 I 2 1 I T M T
2 2 2 2 1 1 2

Must Know Scruggs Licks in G - Example 7

Po

3 2
H
0 0 2 3 3 2 0 Po 0
4 2 3 3 3 0
3 2 0
4
0 0 0

M T 2M T I M T M I M 1 T M I T 1M T
1 2 1 3 2 3 2

Must Know Scruggs Licks in G - Example 8

D G

3 2
0 0 0 0
4 0 0 0
Sl
2 3 0 0
4 4 0 2 4 2
0

T I T M T I T M T T I M I T M T
3 1 3 2 2

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Essential Banjo Licks
Essential Banjo Licks - Ross Nickerson learnrootsmusic.com

Must
by Ross Nickerson Know ScruggsMust
Licks inScruggs
Know C Licks in C

Must Know Scruggs in C - Example 1

C G

2
2 Po 2 Po 2 Po 2 2
4 H 1 1 1 1 1
0 2 0 2 0 2 0 0
4 0 2 2 2 2
0 0

T 2 I T M T I T M T I T M T I T M T I M T I
1 3 2 1 2 3 2 1 2 3 2 1 2 3 1 3

Must Know Scruggs in C - Example 2

2 2 2
4 1 1 1 1 1
2 0 2 0
4 2 2

T M T M T I T M T T T I T M
1 3 2 1 1 2 3 1 2 1 2 3

Must Know Scruggs in C - Example 3

3 2
2 2 2 2 2 2 2
4 1 H 1 1 1
0 2 0 2 0 0 0
4 0 2
0 0 0 0 0

T T I M T I M T M T I M T I M T 2 I T M T I T M T
2 3 3 1 3 2 3 3 1 3 1 3

10 LearnRootsMusic.com
 Essential Banjo Licks - Ross Nickerson learnrootsmusic.com

Essential Banjo Licks

Must
Must Know Know
Scruggs Licks Scruggs
in D Licks in D by Ross Nickerson

Must Know Scruggs Licks in D - Example 1

D G

2 3
H H H
0 0 0 0 0 Po 0 0 0
4 2 3 3 2 3 2 3 Sl
Sl 3 2 0 2 3 0
4 2 3 0 2
0 0 0 0 0

T M T T M T I I M T I 2 M T 2 M T I 1 M T I T I M I T M
2 1 2 2 1 1 2 2 2

0 3 2

Must Know Scruggs Licks in D - Example 2

G D

0 0 0 Po 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
4 0 0 H 0
0 Sl 0 0 3 2 0 0 2 2 2 0 0
4 2 5 4 4 2 0 2
0 0 0

T M T I M T I M T 1 I T M T I T M T M T I M T M I T I T M T 2 I I M
2 2 3 1 3 1 1 2

Must Know Scruggs Licks in D - Example 3

D G

3 2
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
4 0 0 Sl
2 2 2 0 2 3 0 0
4 4 4 4 4 4 2
0

T M T M T M T M M T M T T I M I T M T
3 I 3 I 3 I 3 I I 3 2 2
1 1 1

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Essential Banjo Licks
by RossBanjo
Essential Nickerson
Licks - Ross Nickerson Melodic Licks
learnrootsmusic.com

Melodic Licks
Melodic Licks - Example 1

2
0 4 0 0
4 0 5 0
0 5 5 0
4 7 7
0

I T I T M I M T M T I T M
3 1 2 1 1 3 I

Melodic Licks - Example 2

G D G

3 2 3 2
4 0 0
4 5 5 0
5 0 0
4 7 4
0

T M T I M T I T I T M
2 1 2 1 3 1 I

Melodic Licks - Example 3

9 9 4 0 0
4 10 10 5 5 0
5 0
4 7
0 0 0

M I T M I T I M T I M T I T I M
1 2 1 2 2 1 2 1 3

12 LearnRootsMusic.com
 Essential Banjo Licks
Melodic Licks
Essential Banjo Licks - Ross Nickerson by Ross Nickerson
learnrootsmusic.com

Melodic Licks
Melodic Licks - Example 4

4 0
0 0
4 7
0 0 0 4 4 4 7 9
0 0 0 5 5 5 5 7 10
5 5 5 5 7
7 7
0 0 0 0

I T M I T M I T I T M I T M I T M I M T I M T I M T M I T I M T
3 3 1 3 1 1 2 1 2 1 4 2 1 2 1 3 2 2 1

9 9 12 12 9 9 9 7 4 4 0 0
10 10 12 10 10 10 7 5 5 5
5
10 10 10 10 10 0 0 0 0

I M T I M T M T I M T M I T M I T M I T I M T M I T M I M T I M
2 1 T 1 2 T 4 T 3 4 T 1 2 T 1 2 1 2 2 3 1 2 1 2 1 2

0
5 0
5 5 0
7

T I M T I T I
1 2 1 3

Melodic Licks - Example 5

D G

3 2
7 4 0
4 5 0
5 0
4 7
0

M T M I M T I T I
4 1 2 1 3

Melodic Licks - Example 6

0 0 3 9 9
4 0 5 5 10 10
5 5
4
0 10 0

T I T M I M I M T I M T M I T
2 2 3 3 1 2 1 T 1 2

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Essential Banjo Licks
Essential Banjo Licks - Ross Nickerson learnrootsmusic.com

by Ross Nickerson Melodic Licks

Melodic Licks
Melodic Licks - Example 7

3 2
0 4 4 4 7 9 12
4 5 5 5 7 10
7
4
0 0 0 11

M I M T I M T I M T M I T I M T M
2 1 4 2 1 2 1 3 2 2 1 3 4

Melodic Licks - Example 8

0 0 0 0
4 0 0 0
5 5 5 0 2 0
4 7 7 4
0

M T I M T I T I M T I M T I T M T
1 1 3 1 3 1 3

14 LearnRootsMusic.com
 Essential Banjo Licks - Ross Nickerson
Essential Banjo Licks learnrootsmusic.com

Single String Licks by Ross Nickerson

Single String Licks

Single String Licks - Example 1

2
H
0 0 0
4 0 1 2 3 3 3
0 2
4 0 2
0 0

T I T I T I T T 2M T I M T I
2 2 1 1 2 2

Single String Licks - Example 2

G F E

4 6 4 6 4
7 8 0 5 6 0 4 5 5
7 9 5 7 4 6
7 8 9 5 6 7 4 5 6
0

T I T I T I T I T I T I T I T I T I T I T I T I T I T I T T
1 2 3 1 3 1 2 1 2 3 1 3 1 2 1 2 3 1 3 1 2 1 3 1 3 1 2
D G

2
2 4 2 0 0
2 3 3 Sl H
2 4 4 2 0 2 3 0 0 0
0 2 3 4 4 2 0 2
0

T T I T I T I T I T I T I T I T T I M I T M T T 2 I
1 2 3 1 3 1 2 1 3 1 2 3 1 3 2 2

Single String Licks - Example 3

G
H
3 2 0 3 2 0 0 0 0
4 2 2 3 3 3
4
0 0

T I T I T I T T 2M T I M I M
2 1 2 1 1 1 2 I
2

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Essential Banjo Licks
Essential Banjo Licks - Ross Nickerson learnrootsmusic.com

by Ross Nickerson Single String Licks

Single Strings Licks

Single Strings Licks - Example 4

3 2 0 2 0 Po
4 3 2 0 2 0 3 2 0 0
4 2 0 2 0

T I T I T I T I T I T I T 1 I T I T
2 1 2 1 2 3 2 2 2

Single Strings Licks - Example 5

10 11 12 10
4 10 11 12 12 10
10 11 12 10
4 12 12

T I T I T I T I T I T I T I T
3 1 2 1 2 3 1 2 3 1 3 1 3 1 3

16 LearnRootsMusic.com
 Essential Banjo Licks
Backup
Essential Licks
Banjo Licks - Ross Nickerson bylearnrootsmusic.com
Ross Nickerson

Backup Licks
Backup Licks - Example 1

5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5
4 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3
4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4
4 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5

T 4 T I M T 4 T I M T 4 T I M T 4 T I M
1 1 T 1 1 T 1 1 T 1 1 T
2 4 2 4 2 4 2 4
2 2 2 2

Backup Licks - Example 2

5 9 5 9 5 9 5 9
4 3 8 3 8 3 8 3 8
4 Sl 7 4 Sl 7 4 Sl 7 4 Sl 7
4 5 5 9 5 5 9 5 5 9 5 5 9

T 4 T I M T 4 T I M T 4 T I M T 4 T I M
1 3 1 T 1 3 1 T 1 3 1 T 1 3 1 T
2 4 2 4 2 4 2 4
1 1 1 1

Backup Licks - Example 3

G C

5 5 5 10 10 10
4 3 5 3 3 8 10 8 8
3 4 3 4 4 4 8 9 8 9 9 9
4 5 5 5 10 10 10

T M T I T I T I T 4 T 4 T M T I T I T I T 4 T 4
3 4 1 2 1 3 1 2 3 1 3 1 3 4 1 2 1 3 1 2 3 1 3 1
2 2 2 2
D G

12 12 12 5 5 5
10 12 10 10 3 5 3 3
10 11 10 11 11 11 3 4 3 4 4 4
12 12 12 5 5 5

T M T I T I T I T 4 T 4 T M T I T I T I T 4 T 4
3 4 1 2 1 3 1 2 3 1 3 1 3 4 1 2 1 3 1 2 3 1 3 1
2 2 2 2

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 Essential Banjo Licks - Ross Nickerson learnrootsmusic.com

Essential Banjo Licks

by Ross Nickerson Backup Licks Backup Licks

Backup Licks - Example 4

G C

5 9 12 12 -1 10 14 17 17 -1
8 11 8 8 13 16 13 13
Sl 7 9 9 Sl 12 14 14
5 5 9 10 10 14

T M T M T I T M M T T I T T 4 T M T I T M M T T I T
3 4 3 4 1 3 2 4 4 3 2 2 3 4 1 3 2 4 4 3 2 2 3
D G

12 16 19 19 -1 5 9 12 12 -1
15 18 15 15 8 11 8 8
Sl 14 16 16 Sl 7 9 9
12 12 16 5 5 9

T 4 T M T I T M M T T I T T M T M T I T M M T T I T
4 1 3 2 4 4 3 2 2 3 3 4 3 4 1 3 2 4 4 3 2 2 3

8
3 2

Backup Licks - Example 5

G

5 5 Sl 0 5 5 Sl 0
4 3 3 5 8 8 3 3 5 8 8
4 4 9 7 4 4 9 7
4 5 5 9 5 5 9
0 0

T 4 T I M T I I T I T M T 4 T I M T I I T I T M
1 1 T 2 2 3 1 3 1 1 T 2 2 3 1 3
2 4 2 4
2 2

0 3 2

Backup Licks - Example 6

G

17 17 17 17 17 17 17 17
15 15 15 15 15 15 15 15
16 16 16 16 16 16
14 14 14 14 14 14

T M T I M T I M T I M T I T T M T I M T I M T I M T I T
2 3 2 1 3 T 1 4 T 1 3 T 1 2 2 3 2 1 3 T 1 4 T 1 3 T 1 2

18 LearnRootsMusic.com
 Essential Banjo Licks
Essential Banjo Licks - Ross Nickerson learnrootsmusic.com

Backup Licks Backup Licks by Ross Nickerson

Backup Licks - Example 7

Sl 12 12 14 15 14 12 12 Sl 12 12 14 15 14 12 12
10 12 12 12 12 12 12 12 12 10 12 12 12 12 12 12 12 12

T T T I T I T I T I T I T I I T T T T M T I T I T I T I T I I T
1 1 1 1 1 1 1 3 1 4 1 3 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 3 1 4 1 3 1 1 1 1

Backup Licks - Example 8

G T T T T T T
3 2
H H
17 17 14 12 14 12
4 16 11 12 11 12 8
16
4

M T M M M M I 2 M I 2 I
3 2 3 3 2 4 1 3 1 1

Backup Licks - Example 9

G C

1 1

5 -1
5
5 -1
5
10 -1
3 3 3
3 5 5 3 4 3 5 5 3 4 8 10 10
4 3 5 5 3 5 5 8 10

T I T I M T I T 4 T I T I M T I T 4 T I T I M T
1 3 1 3 4 3 1 3 1 1 3 1 3 4 3 1 3 1 1 3 1 3 4 3
2 2
G D

1 1 1
10
5 -1
5
12 -1
12
8 3 10
8 9 3 5 5 3 4 10 12 12 10 11
10 3 5 5 10 12 12

I T 4 T I T I M T I T 4 T I T I M T I T 4
1 3 1 1 3 1 3 4 3 1 3 1 1 3 1 3 4 3 1 3 1
2 2 2
G

1

5 -1
5
3
3 5 5 3 4
3 5 5

T I T I M T I T 4
1 3 1 3 4 3 1 3 1
2

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Essential Banjo Licks - Ross Nickerson learnrootsmusic.com

Essential Banjo Licks

by Ross Nickerson Backup Licks Backup Licks

Backup Licks - Example 10

3 2
17 17 17 17 17 17 17 17 17 14 12 14 9 9
11 8 11 8 8
9
0

T I T I T I T I T T T I T T T M T I T M T
3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 2 4 1 1 3 1 1 2 3 1

Backup Licks - Example 11

D G

3 2
4 4 4 0 0
4 3 3 3 Sl
2 2 4 3 2 0 2 3 0 0
4 4 2
0

T M T M T I T M T T T T T T I M I T M T
2 4 1 4 1 2 3 4 2 3 2 1 2 2

20 LearnRootsMusic.com
 Essential Banjo Licks - Ross Nickerson learnrootsmusic.com

Up theEssential
Neck Licks Banjo Licks
Up The Neck Licks by Ross Nickerson

Up the Neck Licks - Example 1

3 2
0 0 0 0 0 -10
4 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 8
4
0 0 0 0 0 0

I T M T I M T I T M T I M T I T M T I M T I
2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 1

Up the Neck Licks - Example 2

3 2
H
Sl 17 17 Sl 21 21 Sl 17 0
4 13 15 15 15 15 20 20 20 12 15 15 1112 8
4
0 0 0 0 0 0

I T M T I M T I T M T I M T I T M T I 2M T I
1 1 3 1 3 1 1 2 1 2 1 1 3 1 1

Up the Neck Licks - Example 3

3
9 9 9 9 12 9 9
4 0 8 11 8 8 11 8 8 11 8
7 9 9 9 9
4
0 0 0 0

T I T M T T I M I T M I T M T I T I M T I M T I T M
1 2 3 1 4 3 1 2 3 1 4 3 1 2 1 4 4 3 1 2 3

8
3 2

T
1

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Essential Banjo Licks - Ross Nickerson learnrootsmusic.com

EssentialUp
Banjo Licks
the Neck Licks
by Ross Nickerson Up The Neck Licks

Up the Neck Licks - Example 4

G G

3 2
H H 9
12 12 12 14 12 12 9
4 1112 12 1112 8 11 8 8
9
4
0 0 0 0 0

M T 2M T I M T M M T I M T I T I M I T M I
3 1 3 1 3 4 3 1 3 1 4 3 1 2 3 1

Up the Neck Licks - Example 5

G

12 12 9 9 12 12 9
4 11 8 8 8 11 8 11 8 8 8 11 8
9 7 9 9 9 7 9 9
4

M M T I I T T I T M M T M M T I I T T I T M I T
2 2 1 1 1 2 2 2 1 I I 2 2 2 1 1 1 2 2 2 1 I 1 2
1 3 1
3 1 3

Up the Neck Licks - Example 6

C G

10 10 12 12 12 9 9
4 Sl 8 8 11 11 11 8 11 8 8
8 9 9
4
0 0 0 0 0

T I M T I M T M M T I M T I T I M I T M T
2 1 3 1 3 I I 1 3 1 4 3 1 2 3 1
3 3
1 1

Up the Neck Licks - Example 7

D G

3 2
12 12 12 12 12 9 9 9
4 Sl 10 10 11 11 11 8 11 8 8
9 11 9
4
0 0 0 0 0

T I M T I M T I M T M T I M T I M T M T I T M T
2 1 3 1 3 1 3 1 3 1 3 1 3 4 3 1 2 3 1

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 Essential Banjo Licks - Ross Nickerson learnrootsmusic.com

Slow Banjo Styles Banjo Licks

Essential
Slow Banjo Styles by Ross Nickerson

Slow Banjo Styles - Example 1

3
7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7
3 5 5 5 6 6 6 7 5 7 7
5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5
4

M T M T M T M T M T M T M T M T M T M
I 1 I 1 I 1 I 1 I 1 I 1 I 1 I 1 I 1 I
4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4
1 1 1 2 2 2 3 3 3 3

Slow Banjo Styles - Example 2

3 2 3 2
9 8 7 5
4 Sl 3
5 7 7 6 6 5 5 4
4

T M T T M T T M T 4
1 4 1 1 4 1 1 4 1 1
2

Slow Banjo Styles - Example 3

5 5 7 8 8 9 10 10 12 13 13 14 12 12 10 9 9 7
3 4 5 5 6 7 7 9 10 10 11 12 12 11 9 9 7 5 5
4

3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3
M T M T M T M T M T M T M T M T M T M T M T M T M T M T M T M T M T M T
4 1 4 1 4 1 4 1 4 1 4 1 4 1 4 1 4 1 4 1 4 1 4 1 4 1 4 1 4 1 4 1 4 1 4 1

5 5 4 5 5
3
4 2 2 4

3 3
MTM TMT M 4
4 1 4 1 4 1 4 1
2

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 Essential Banjo Licks - Ross Nickerson learnrootsmusic.com

Essential Banjo Licks

by Ross Nickerson Blues Licks Blues Licks

Blues Licks - Example 1

3 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 -10
4 1 1 1 H 1 1
3 0 0 3 3 0
4 3 0 3
0 0 0

T I M T M I T M T I T M T 3 I T M T I M T M I T M T
1 4 1 3 1 3 1 3 1 1 3

Blues Licks - Example 2

3 2
4 -3 0 0 4 -3 0
4 6 6 0 0 6 6 0
5 0 0 5 5 0
4 8 3 8 8 3
0 0 0

T M T I M T I T I T I T I T M T I M T I M T I T I T
3 1 3 1 4 1 4 1 3 1 3 1 3 1

0
0

Blues Licks - Example 3

3 1
10 12 10 10 10 10 8 0 0
4 11 11 11 11 11 6 6 6 6
5
4
11 11 11 11 0 0 0 0

I M T M T M I T M I T M I T M I T I M T I M T I M T I
2 1 T 3 T 1 1 T 1 2 T 1 2 1 2 2 4 2 2 1 2

2
0 0
5 0
8

M I T M T
1 4 4

24 LearnRootsMusic.com
Essential Banjo Licks - Ross Nickerson learnrootsmusic.com

Essential Banjo Licks

Blues Licks Blues Licks by Ross Nickerson

Chromatic Lick - Example 4

3 2
12 10 8 10 8 7 9 7 7
4 12 10 10 9 9 9 8
4
11 0 9 9 0 8 8 0 0

M T M I T I M T M T M I T I M T M T M I T I M T I
3 T 1 3 3 1 T 3 T 1 3 3 1 T 3 T 1 3 3 1 1

Blues Licks - Example 5

G
Po
H Po
Sl 3 3 3 3 2 0 0 0 0
0
4 2 3 3 3 3 1 1 2 2 1 1
3 3 0
4
0 0 0 0 0

T M T I M T I M T I M 1 T M I T M T 2M T I 1M I T M T
2 3 2 3 2 3 2 3 1 3 1 2 1 3

Blues Licks - Example 6

17 15 12 10 8 5 3
0
4 15 15 13 11 10 6 3 1
3 0
4
0 0 0 0 0 0 0

M I T M I T M I T M I T M I T M I T M I T I T M T
3 1 3 2 1 2 1 2 1 3 1 2 3 2 1 3

Blues Licks - Example 7

3 2
0
4 Sl 0 3 0 6 5 3 0
H
0 3 2 0
4 3 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 0 3 3 3 3

T I M T I T I T I T I T I T I T 2 I T I T I T I
3 3 1 3 3 4 3 4 3 1 3 2 3 2 1 2

LearnRootsMusic.com 25
Essential Banjo Licks
Essential Banjo Licks - Ross Nickerson learnrootsmusic.com

by Ross Nickerson Bending the Strings

Bending the Strings
Bending the Strings - Example 1
G

0 0 0 -1 0 0 0
4 0 0 H 0
2 2 0 0
4 2 0 2
0

T I M T M I T M T I T M T I T M
2 2 2 2

Bending the Strings - Example 2

0
2 0 -1
0 0 Po 0
4 0 0
3 3 0 3 2 0
4 2
0 0 0

T I M T M I T M T I T M T I 1M T I
2 1 2 2 2

Bending the Strings - Example 3

3 2
12 0 0 0
4 10 10 10 10 10 8
4
0 0 0 0 0 0

I T M I I T M T I T M T I M T I
1 3 1 1 1 1 1

Bending the Strings - Example 4

G

2
8
0 8
0 8
0
4 10 10 10 0
4
0 0 0

T I T M T I T M T I T M T
3 1 3 1 3 1

Bending the Strings - Example 5

G

3 2
4 -3 0
4 6 6 0
5 0
4 8
0

I M T I M T I T I
3 1 3 1 4
26 LearnRootsMusic.com
Essential Banjo Licks - Ross Nickerson learnrootsmusic.com

Bending Essential
the Strings Banjo Licks
Bending the Strings by Ross Nickerson

Bending the Strings - Example 6

2
17 17 12 12 10 10
4 18 13 11 8
4
0 0 0

M I M T M I T M M I T M I
1 2 1 1 2 1 1 2 1 1

Bending the Strings - Example 7

3 3 -1 3
4 5 5 3
4
0 0

M T M T I M T I
1 3 1 3 1 1

Bending the Strings - Example 8

10
12 -110
12 7 7
4 10 10 7
9 9 7 7 7
4

T I M I T I M T T M T I M T
1 2 4 2 1 2 4 1 1 1 1 1 1 1

Bending the Strings - Example 9

3 8
10 -1
10 10
3 8 8 8
10 10 8 9 9
4 10

T I M I T I T 4 4
3 1 4 1 3 1 3 1 1
3 3

LearnRootsMusic.com 27
Essential Banjo Licks - Ross Nickerson learnrootsmusic.com

Essential Banjo Licks

Triplets
by Ross Nickerson Triplets

Triplets - Example 1

3 2 3 2
4 4 0 0
4 5 5
7 2 0
4 4
0 0

3
T I M T I M T M I T M T
4 2 1 2 1 1 3

Triplets - Example 2
4
5 5 5 5 4
4 3 3 3 3
4 4
4
0 0 T

3 3 3 3
T I M T I M T I M T I M
2 1 4 1 4 2 1 4 1 4

Triplets - Example 3

0 0 0 0
4 Sl 0
0 0 0 2 3 0 0 0 0
4
0 0

3 3
T I M T M T I M T I T I M T
T 2

Triplets - Example 4

9 9 9 0
4 1010 10 10
11 0
4
12 12 0 0 0

3
T I M T M I T M I T I T M T
2 2 1 3 1 2 3 1 2 3 T

Triplets - Example 5

0 0 2 4 5
4 0 0 1 2
0 0 2 3
4 0 2 4

3 3 3 3
T I T I T I T I T I T I T I T I
1 3 1 2 1 2 1 3 4

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 Essential Banjo Licks - Ross Nickerson
Essential Banjo Licks learnrootsmusic.com

Miscellaneous LicksMiscellaneous Licks by Ross Nickerson

Miscellaneous Licks - Example 1

12 12 10 10 9 9 7 7 5 5 4 4 2 2 0 0
4 12 10 8 8 5 3 1 0
4
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

M I M T M I M T M I M T M I M T M I M T M I M T M I M T M I M T
3 2 3 3 2 3 3 1 3 1 2 1 3 2 3 3 1 3 3 1 3

Miscellaneous Licks - Example 2

0 0 2 2 4 4 5 5 7 7 9 9 10 10 12 12
4 0 1 3 5 7 8 10 12
4
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

M I M T M I M T M I M T M I M T M I M T M I M T M I M T M I M T
3 1 3 3 1 3 3 2 3 3 2 3 3 1 3 3 2 3 3 2 3

2
14 14 16 16 17 17 17
13 15 15

0 0 0

M I M T M I M T M I M T M
3 1 3 3 1 3 3 1 3 3

LearnRootsMusic.com 29
 Essential Banjo Licks - Ross Nickerson learnrootsmusic.com

Essential Banjo Licks

by Ross Nickerson Miscellaneous LicksMiscellaneous Licks

Miscellaneous Licks - Example 3

3 2
3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11
4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13
4
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

M I T M I T M I T M I T M I T M I T M I T M I T M I
1 3 1 3 1 3 1 3 1 3 1 3 1 3 1 3 1 3

3 2
12 13 14 15 16 17
14 15 16 17 18

0 0 0 0 0 0

T M I T M I T M I T M I T M I T M
1 3 1 3 1 3 1 3 1 3 1

Miscellaneous Licks - Example 4

3 2 3 2
9 9 9
4 10 10 10
11
4
0 12 0 0

I M T I M T M I T I T
2 1 2 1 3 1 2 3

30 LearnRootsMusic.com
 Essential Banjo Licks - Ross Nickerson
Essential Banjo Licks learnrootsmusic.com

Ross Nickerson
Ross Nickerson is an award winning banjo player and teacher. His CD
Blazing the West was named one of the top ten CDs you can pick up by
Country Music Television in 2003. His book,The Banjo Encyclopedia,
Bluegrass Banjo from A to Z has already sold out its first printing. Ross
has always been dedicated to helping others learn the five-string banjo
and offers many more Lessons, Books, DVDs, CDs, accessories and ser-
vices for banjo students at his website BanjoTeacher.com

The Banjo Encyclopedia Bluegrass Banjo from A to Z

By Ross Nickerson
240 page book with 99 track CD
Spiral bound versions available only at BanjoTeacher.com
...What a book!!! Blown away at the content..this book is gold...great curriculum!!!
...Ross leadership and clarity of instruction is tremendous.
...world class player...an exemplary teacher...tailored instruction...great resource.
...most comprehensive work...a must have
....It will in my opinion become the seminal book on banjo.
...Its a superb book by a knowledgeable and nice guy!! ... well worth the money.
...I think that what you have created is the new gold standard for banjo instruction.
....I would say this is the first book/CD that anyone who knows they want to learn 5
string should have.
....If I could only bring my banjo and ONE book to a desert island, THIS would be the
book!

DVD 1/Playing Banjo By Ear and Learning the Chords

Learn to play without tablature, memorize, learn the chords bet-
ter and loads of practical tips for the student trying to reach the
next level. Includes instruction on learning, playing rolls and
chords, up the neck chords, minor, major, seventh chords and
learning the chords to a song. Includes tips and exercises to im-
prove your chord changing ability, how to improve timing, pick
steady, simple improvising, add slides, hammer-ons, and pull-
offs to chords and chord changes in the song and much more.
.....This format is so different from the mass of lessons on the market, it
definitely is a jewel that stands alone. Thanks for sharing your talent with
all of us.

DVD 2/Banjo Jamming and Play Along DVD with Bonus Learning the Chord Forms Video
Play along with Ross Nickerson on seven important standards at three different speeds. First you are taught the chords to
each song, then when the songs begin, Ross plays a solo and then plays backup for you while you take your turn. The high
quality audio includes bass and guitar so you can learn and hear what it feels like to be in the groove. The DVD also comes
with a 25 minute bonus video lesson on learning all the chord forms without using a chord chart.

The DVD comes with written tablature arrangements for the songs and instruction on how best utilize the DVD. Songs are
Cripple Creek, Blackberry Blossom, Salt Creek, Old Joe Clark, Boil the Cabbage Down, Amazing Grace and I'll Fly
Away. Seven all together.!
....Superb help and many valuable thoughts and tips...the bonus track on the "jamming" DVD is worth the entire cost.
.....Ross, You have hit a double homerun! The DVD's are excellent, whatever level you happen to be playing at. I was not aware of some
timing issues until your play along DVD. Your instruction is concise and very helpful causing immediate progress with a little effort and
practice.

LearnRootsMusic.com 31