The material that’s part of the traditional banjo repertoire can be divided into different categories.
You have your fiddle tunes – tunes originally written for the fiddle, naturally. Banjoists originally learned these to accompany fiddlers playing for dances. Nowadays they’re often played in jams, sans dancing.
You have your traditional and popular songs adapted for banjo. These are oftentimes played with other musicians as well, where the banjo player might play a mix of lead and backup.
And then you have bonafide banjo tunes. Tunes written by banjo players for the banjo.
Tunes intended to showcase the banjo. Not surprisingly, these sound great when played solo, and are perfect for porch pickin’.
One such favorite is “Marching Jaybird,” a tune that was recorded by Etta Baker as well as her sister in law, Lacey Phillips.
(RELATED: Breakthrough Banjo members will find a collection of more “Solo Fingerstyle Classics” inside The Vault. Click here to learn more