happybanjodude’s

barn-burnin’
banjo workout
a guide to scales, melodic style,
and taking your technique to the
next level.

all rights reserved © 2014 by happybanjodude

all material created/arranged by happybanjodude
no part of this publication may be reproduced
without prior permission of the publisher
A Note From HBD:
Thank you for purchasing “Happybanjodude’s Barn-Burnin’ Banjo Workout”!

A few things to note before you begin:

1. Learn Basic Music Theory. To better understand the material you should be able find any
note on the banjo and play a major scale. If you cannot do either, watch my “Music Theory
For Banjo” series on YouTube.

2. Take Your Time. Each round of exercises should take at least 1-2 weeks to properly learn
and play at a medium to fast tempo. If you’re a beginner, stick to the first two pages of
each round as the exercises progress from easy to advanced.

3. Be creative. Your technique is only as good as the music you write. Once you’ve learned
a new roll, scale, or lick... try and write a small piece of music with it!

3. The Video Is A Reference. If you’ve ever seen an instructional video where they explain
every single detail of every exercise, you’ll know how excruciatingly boring it is to watch.
Just like in my YouTube videos, I give you the tab and merely demonstrate in the video.
Watch the video, check the tab, practice, repeat.

I wrote this book because there is no banjo book that covers the most essential
scales, licks, and techniques in a salient and succinct manner. Once you finish this book,
you will have a formidable technique and the ability to play any song. Have fun!

- happybanjodude

And If you ever get lost, click

here to schedule a Skype lesson!
 Keep Rollin’ Rollin’ Rollin’

Remember: The best way to increase speed is to practice with a metronome.

Basic Rolls Round 1
Repeat each example 4 times.

1 Forward Roll

.
0 0 0 0 0 0
0 0 0 0 0 .
0 0 0 0 0

2 Alternating Thumb Roll

.
0 0 0 0

.
0 0 0 0
0 0
0 0
0 0 0 0

3 Forward-Backward Roll

.
0 0 0 0 0 0

.
0 0 0 0
0 0 0 0
0 0

4 Osbourne Roll

.
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

.
0 0 0 0

0 0 0 0

5 Index Leading Roll

.
0 0 0 0

.
0 0 0 0
0 0 0 0 0 0
0 0
Hybrid Rolls Round 1

1 Forward To Backward

.
0 0 0 0 0 0
0 0 0 0 0 0 .
0 0 0 0

2 Forward To Forward-Backward

.
0 0 0 0 0 0

.
0 0
0 0 0 0 0
0 0 0

3 Alternating Thumb To Forward

.
0 0 0 0 0

.
0 0
0 0 0 0
0
0 0 0 0

4 Alternating Thumb To Forward-Backward

.
0 0 0 0 0

.
0 0 0 0
0 0 0
0
0 0 0

5 Forward-Backward To Index Leading

.
0 0 0 0 0

.
0 0 0 0
0 0 0 0 0
0
0
Advanced Rolls Round 1

1 Double D Roll

.
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

.
0 0 0 0
0 0 0 0

i t i m

2 3-3-2 Roll

.
0 0 0 0

.
0 0 0
0 0 0
0 0 0 0 0 0

3 Backwards Alternating Thumb Roll

.
0 0 0 0

.
0 0 0 0
0 0
0 0
0 0 0 0

4 Rowing Roll

.
0 0 0 0

.
0 0 0 0
0 0 0 0
0 0 0 0

t i t m

5 Arpeggio Roll

.
0 0

.
0 0 0 0
0 0 0 0
0 0 0 0 0 0
 Single String Slingin’

Remember: Always alternate pick with your thumb and index finger.
16th Notes Round 2
Repeat each example 4 times.

1 2

. .
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
. 0 0 0 0
0 0 0 0 .

t i t i

.
.
0 0 0 0
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
0 0 0 0

.
0 0 0 0

.
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
0 0 0 0

.
0 0 0 0

.
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
0 0 0 0

.
0 0 0 0

.
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
0 0 0 0
16th Notes Round 2

0 0 0 0 2 2 2 2
0 0 0 0 1 1 1 1
0 0 0 0 2 2 2 2
0 0 0 0 2 2 2 2

.
.
0 0 0 0 1 1 1 1
0 0 0 0 2 2 2 2

.
0 0 2 2

.
0 0 1 1 0 0 1 1
0 0 2 2 0 0 2 2
0 0 2 2

.
0 2 0 2

.
0 1 0 1 0 1 0 1 0 1 0 1
0 2 0 2 0 2 0 2 0 2 0 2
0 2 0 2

10

.
0 0 2 0

.
0 0 1 0 0 1 1 1 0 0 1 0
0 0 2 0 0 2 2 2 0 2 2 2
0 2 2 2
16th Notes Round 2

11 12

. .
0 2 4
0
0 2 4
0 . 0 2 4
0 2 0
4 2
.

13 14

. .
0 2 4
0 2 4 2 0 . 0 2 4
0 2 4 2 0 2 0
4
0 .

15

.
0 2 4
0 2 4 2 0 2 0
4
0 2 0
4 2
.

16

.
.
8 8 8 8 12 10
7 9 9 7 7 9 9 7 9 7 7 9 9 7 7 9 9 12 9
7 9 9 9 7 9 9

17

.
7 9 10 9 7 9 7

.
7 8 8 8 7 10 8 7
5 5 7 5 7 9 9 7 5
5 7 9 7 9 9 9 7
Triplets Round 2
Repeat each example 4 times.

1 2

. .
0 0 0 0 0 0
. 0 0 0
0 0 0 .
3 3 3 3
t i t i t i

.
.
0 0 0
0 0 0 0 0 0
0 0 0

3 3 3 3

.
0 0 0

.
0 0 0 0 0 0
0 0 0 0 0 0
0 0 0

3 3 3 3 3 3

.
0 0

.
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
0 0 0 0

3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3

.
0 0

.
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
0 0 0 0

3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3
Triplets Round 2
7

0 0 0 2 2 2
0 0 0 1 1 1
0 0 0 2 2 2
0 0 0 2 2 2

3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3

.
.
0 0 0 1 1 1
0 0 0 2 2 2

3 3 3 3

0 1 0 0 1 0
0 2 0 0 2 0 0 2 0 0 2 0
0 2 0 0 2 0

3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3

.
0 2 0 0 2 0

.
0 1 0 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 1 0
0 2 0 0 2 0

3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3

.
0 0

.
0 0 0 1 0 1 0 0
0 0 0 2 0 2 0 2 0 2
0 2 0 2

3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3

10

.
0 0 2

.
0 0 1 0 1 1 0 0 1
0 0 2 0 2 2 0 2 2
0 2 2

3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3
 Triplets Round 2

11 12

. .
0 2 4 0 2 4
. 0 2 4
0
4 2
.
3 3 3 3

13

.
0 2 4
0 2 4 .
3 3

14

0 2 4 2 0 0
0 2 4 4 4 2

3 3 3 3

15

.
.
8 10 8 8 8 10 8 12 10 10
7 9 9 9 7 9 7 7 9 9 12 12 9
9

3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3

16

.
9 10 12 7 9 10

.
7 8 10 5 7 8
5 7 9 4 5 7
5 7 9 4 5 7

3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3
Scale-ing Mount Killimanbanjo

Remember: Once you learn a new scale pattern, try to write a melody with it!
Open String Scales Round 3
Repeat each example 4 times.

1 G Major

.
0 2 4 4 2 0

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

t i t i

2 C Major

.
0 2 3 3 2 0

.
0 1 1 0
0 2 2 0
0 2 3 3 2
0

3 D Major

.
0 2 4 4 2 0

.
0 2 2 0
0 2 2 0
0 2 4 4 2
0

4 D Minor

.
0 2 3 3 2 0

.
1 1
0 2 3 3 2 0
0 2 3 3 2
0

5 G Harmonic Minor

.
0 1 4 4 1 0

.
1 1
0 2 3 3 2 0
0 1 4 4 1
0
The 5 Patterns Round 3

The 5 Patterns
• When played in order, the 5 Patterns represent every possible note that
you can play in a given key. They all fit together like pieces of a puzzle.
• If you can visualize every note available in a key, it becomes much easier to
create new chords and improvise solos.
• If you put the red note on G and play all the patterns in order, you will play
through all the possible notes in the key of G major.

1 2 3

4 5
The 5 Patterns Round 3

1 Pattern 1

.
5 7 5

.
5 7 7 5
4 5 7 7 5 4
4 5 7 7 5

2 Pattern 2

.
7 9 10 9 7

.
7 8 8 7
7 9 9 7
7 9 10 10 9

3 Pattern 3

.
10 12 10

.
10 12 12 10
9 11 12 12 11 9
9 10 12 12 10

4 Pattern 4

.
12 14 16 14 12

.
12 13 13 12
11 12 14 14 12 11
12 14 14

5 Pattern 5

.
16 17 16

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

*can also be played one octave lower (starting from 2nd fret)
Diagonal Patterns Round 3

• These two diagonal patterns flow through the 5 patterns, challenging your
vision and ability to connect them across the entire neck.

1 2
# #

1 Pattern 1

.
7 9 10 12 10 8 7

.
7 8 8 7
4 5 7 9 9 7 5 4
4 5 7 7 5

2 Pattern 2

.
12 14 16 17 16 14 12

.
12 13 13 12
9 11 12 14 14 12 11 9
9 10 12 12 10
Pentatonic Scales Round 3

Pentatonic Scales
• Pentatonic scales are five-note scales that are a foundation of soloing in
any genre. They have a classic bluesy sound.
• Think of 5 pentatonic scales as the skeletons of the 5 patterns. They are
the “safer” notes that make up the bulk of most solos.
• If you put the red note on G and play all the patterns in order, you will play
through all the possible pentatonic scales in the key of G major.

1 2 3

4 5
Pentatonic Scales Round 3

1 Pattern 1

.
5 7 5

.
5 5
4 7 7 4
5 7 7

2 Pattern 2

.
7 9 7

.
8 8
7 9 9 7
7 9 9

3 Pattern 3

.
9 12 9

.
10 10
9 12 12 9
9 12 12

4 Pattern 4

.
12 14 12

.
12 12
12 14 14 12
12 14 14

5 Pattern 5

.
14 17

.
15 15
14 16 16 14
14 17 17 14
Exotic Scales Round 3

1 G Harmonic Minor

.
5 7 8 7 5

.
7 7
5 7 8 8 7 5
5 7 8 8 7

2 G Whole-Half Diminished

.
5 7 8 7 5

.
5 7 7 5
5 6 8 8 6 5
5 7 8 8 7

3 G Half-Whole Diminished

.
5 6 8 6 5

.
5 6 6 5
4 6 7 7 6 4
5 6 8 8 6

4 G Super Locrian

.
5 6 8 6 5

.
6 6
4 6 8 8 6 4
5 6 8 8 6

5 G Whole Tone

.
9 11 13 11 9

.
8 10 10 8
6 8 10 10 8 6
5 7 9 9 7
Interval-lar Space Travel

Remember: You can practice any scale pattern using intervals.

Thirds Round 4
Repeat each example 4 times.

1 Notes Of G Major in 3rds (Ascending)

.
0 2 0

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

t i t i

2 Notes Of G Major in 3rds (Descending)

.
2 0

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

i t i t

3 Pattern 4 in 3rds (Ascending)

.
12 14 12

.
12 13 12 13
11 12 11 14 12 14
12 14

t i t i

4 Pattern 4 in 3rds (Descending)

.
14 12

.
13 12 13 12
14 12 14 11 12 11 12
14 12

i t i t

5 3 Note Per String G Major Scale In 3rds

.
7 9 7 10 9 7

.
7 8 7 8 8 7 8 7
5 7 5 9 7 9 9 7 9 5 7 5
5 9 7 9 9 7 9 5 7 4
Fourths Round 4

1 Notes Of G Major in 4ths (Ascending)

.
0 2 4 0

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

t i t i

2 Notes Of G Major in 4ths (Descending)

.
4 2 0

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

i t i t

3 Pattern 4 in 4ths (Ascending)

.
12 14 16 12

.
12 13 12 13
12 14 11 12 14
12 14

t i t i

4 Pattern 4 in 4ths (Descending)

.
16 14 12

.
13 12 13 12
14 12 11 14 12 12
14 12

i t i t

5 3 Note Per String G Major Scale In 4ths

9 10 9
7 8 10 7 8 7 10 8 7
5 7 9 5 7 9 9 7 5 9 7
5 7 9 9 7
Fifths and Beyond Round 4

1 G Major Scale In 5ths

9 10 12
7 8 10 5 7 8
7 9 4 5 7
5 7

.
10 9

.
7 5 10 8 7
7 5 4 9
7

2 G Major Scale In 6ths

5 7 9 10 12 14
5 7 5 7 8
4 5 7
5 7

.
12 10 9 7 6

.
7 5 7
7 5 4
7

3 G Major Scale In 7ths

.
9 10 12 10 9

.
7 8 10 10 8
5 7 9 7 5
5 7 9 9 7

4 G Major Scale In Octaves (8ths)

.
10 12 14 12 10

.
8 10 12 11 10
5 7 9 7 5
5 7 9 9 7
 Skillin’ It Scruggs Style

Remember: Earl Scruggs was a bonafide badass banjo player.

Scruggs Style Round 5
Repeat each example 4 times.

.
0 0 0 0

.
0 0 0
2 3 0 0
0 2
0 0 0

.
0 0 0 0 0

.
0 0 0 0
2 3 3 2 0 0
2
0 0

.
0 0 0 0 0 0

.
0 0
0 0 0 2 3 3 2
0 0 0

.
0 0 0 0 0 0
0 0 0 0 2 3 0
2
.
0 0 0

.
0 0 0 0 0

.
0 0
0 0 2 3 3 2 0
2 5
0 0 0
Scruggs Style Round 5

0 0 0 0 0
2 3 3 2 3 2 3 3
0
0 0 0 0

.
0 0 0 0
0 2 3 0
2
0 2 3 0
2
.
0 0

0 0
0 0
0 0
0 2 2 2
1 1
0 0
0 2
0

.
2 2 0 0 0

.
1 1 0 0
2 0 2 3 3 2
0 0 0

0 2 0 0 0
2 3 3 3 0 0
2 3 3 2 0
0 0 0

.
0 0 0 0 0

.
0 0
2 3 3 2 0 0 0
2 5
0 0 0
 Scruggs Style Round 5
9

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

.
8 8 0 0 0

.
5 5 5 0
2 3 0
2 0
0 0 0

10

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

i m t m

.
0 0 3 0 0

.
1 1 5 0
0 2 0 0 3 2
0 2 2

11

2 2 0 0 0
0 0 0
3 3 2 0 2 3
2 0
0 0 0

.
0 0 0 0 0 0
0 2 3 0
2 0
0
2
0
5
0 .
0 0
 Mellow Melodic Licks

Remember: There are an unlimited amount of ways to play the same notes.
Melodic Style Round 6
Repeat each example 4 times.

1 G Major Scale

.
0 4 4 0

.
0 5 5 0
0 5 5
7 7
0

i t i t m i m t

.
0 0

.
0 0 0 0 0
0 0 5 5 5
7 7 7 7

.
0 0 0

.
0 0 0 5 0
0 0 5 5 5
7 7 7

.
0 0

.
0 0 5 0 0 0
0 5 5 5 5
7 7 7

.
0 0 0

.
5 0 0 0 0
5 5 5 5 0
7 7
0
Melodic Style Round 6

.
0 0 0 0 0

.
7 5 5 0 0
5 5 5
7
0 0

.
7 0 0 0 0

.
5 5 5 0 0
5 5
7
0 0 0

.
0 0

.
0 0 0
0 0 2 2 3 0 0
7 7 4 2
0

.
0 0

.
0 0 0 0
5 5 5 0 2 0
7 7 2 0

10

.
0 0 0 0 0

.
0 2 3 5 5 0
0 5 5 5
7
0
 Melodic Style Round 6

11

.
9 7 4 4 4 0

.
10 7 5 5 5
7
0 0 0 0

12

.
0 0 4 9 0

.
0 5 5 10 5
0 5
7
0 0 0

13

.
9 9 9 7

.
10 10 10 7 7 7
9
0 12 0 0 0

14

.
9 12 9 9 7

.
10 10 10 7 7

0 10 10 0 0 0

15 G Major Scale (2 Octaves)

.
0 4 9 14 17 14 9 4 0

.
0 5 10 15 15 10 5 0
0 5 5
7 7
0 10 16 16 10 0
Melodic Style Round 6

16 The Melodic Gauntlet or “Melauntlet”

5 9 5 7 10 7 9 12 10
7 7 8 8 10 9

0 7 7 0 9 9 0 10 10

10 14 10 12 16 12 14 17 14
12 12 13 13 15 15

0 12 12 0 14 14 0 16 16

16 19 16 17 21 17 19 22 19
17 17 19 19 20 20

0 17 17 0 19 19 0 21 21

17 21 17 16 19 16 14 17 14
19 19 17 17 15 15

0 19 19 0 17 17 0 16 16

12 16 12 10 14 10 10 12 10
13 13 12 12 9 9

0 14 14 0 12 12 0 10 10

7 10 7 5 9 5
8 8 7 7

0 9 9 0 7 7 0
 Chordal Cooldown

Remember: Add or take away a note in any chord to create a new one!
Triads Round 7
Repeat each example 4 times.

.
0 2 4 2 2 0 2 4

.
0 1 3 0 1 0 1 3
0 0 2 0 0 0 0 2

.
5 4 4 2 2 2 0 4

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

.
9 7 5 5 7 5 9 7

.
8 7 5 3 5 5 7 7
7 7 5 4 5 5 7 7

.
12 14 10 12 9 10 7 9

.
12 13 10 12 8 10 7 8
12 12 11 11 9 9 7 9
Triads Round 7

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

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

.
.
8 7 5 3 5 5 7 7
7 7 5 4 5 5 7 7
9 7 5 5 7 5 9 7

.
.
12 13 10 12 8 10 7 8
12 12 11 11 9 9 7 9
12 14 10 12 9 10 7 9
Suspended Chords Round 7

.
2 3 5 5 3 3 0 0

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

.
5 5 5 4 2 0 5 4

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

.
12 12 10 10 9 10 7 7

.
10 10 8 8 8 8 8 7
11 12 9 10 7 7 7 7

.
17 16 14 14 12 12 12 12

.
15 15 15 14 12 10 10 10
14 14 14 14 12 12 11 9
Suspended Chords Round 7

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

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

.
.
10 10 8 8 8 8 8 7
11 12 9 10 7 7 7 7
12 12 10 10 9 10 7 7

.
.
15 15 15 14 12 10 10 10
14 14 14 14 12 12 11 9
17 16 14 14 12 12 12 12
Seventh Chords Round 7

9 10 12 14
7 8 10 12
7 9 11 12
5 7 9 10

16 17 19 21
13 15 17 19
14 16 17 19
12 14 16 17

19 17 16 14
17 15 13 12
17 16 14 12
16 14 12 10

12 10 9 7
10 8 7 5
11 9 7 5
9 7 5 4

.
5 4 5 7

.
3 1 3 5
4 2 4 5
2 0 2 4
 D G B D

E A E

F D F

G C E G

F
Complete Fretboard
A D A

B E B

C F A C

D G B D
Complete List Of Chords In Every Key Relative Minor

I ii iii IV V vi vii
Major minor minor Major Major minor diminished

C D E F G A B

G A B C D E F#

D E F# G A B C#

A B C# D E F# G#

E F# G# A B C# D#

B C# D# E F# G# A#

F# G# A# B C# D# E#

Db Eb F Gb Ab Bb C

Ab Bb C Db Eb F G

Eb F G Ab Bb C D

Bb C D Eb F G A

F G A Bb C D E
Hope You Enjoyed It!

Also available...
Winston Style is the ultimate no-nonense method to
learning how to play every chord in every key. With this
invaluable skill you’ll be able to write your own banjo
solos and visualize the instrument in a way you never
thought possible.

- 4-6 months worth of learning material for an intermedi-

ate player.

- Over 100 examples.

- How to play major, minor, and diminished chords across

the neck.

- A complete chart of every chord in every key.

- 8 example solos to help you get started.

1

- Download instantly from anywhere in the world.