5-String Bluegrass Banjo Lesson: "Rocky Top"

Hear this tune played with guitar rhythm backup (slow, medium, fast) starting at 7:51.

This is an instructional tutorial YouTube video lesson teaching my 5-string banjo version of the popular bluegrass tune "Rocky Top" on 5-string bluegrass banjo. "Rocky Top" is an "American country and bluegrass song written by Felice and Boudleaux Bryant in 1967 and first recorded by the Osborne Brothers later that same year." (Wikipedia). Sonny Osborne recorded the banjo part capoed on the fourth fret (key of B); I teach it here in open G.

As usual, I teach the instrumental tune lick by lick using on-screen tablature, then put it together -- slowly at first, then faster toward the end, adding guitar audio overlay, as well as guitar chords.

This is my own version, which reflects my desire not only to teach the melody of the song, but also to teach certain licks that I deem to be important (at least to me) and fit the given space. So there are parts where I stray from the pure melody, such as the ending sequence, in this case. My main goal, as always, is to have fun playing the banjo.

I have posted this teaching video for instructional purposes only and, in my opinion, it constitutes fair use:

"The fair use of a copyrighted work, including such use by reproduction in copies or phonorecords or by any other means specified by that section, for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching (including multiple copies for classroom use), scholarship, or research, is not an infringement of copyright."

Free tab and play-along tracks at different speeds are available at my website, littlerockbanjo.com.

Hope you enjoy.