15 Easy Banjo Songs for Beginners

Are you a beginner banjo player? If so, learning easy banjo songs would be a good start. In this blog post, we will share 15 easy banjo songs for beginners. These songs are simple to learn and fun to play. So, grab your banjo, and let’s get started.

15 Easy Banjo Songs are listed below that would help you learn banjo if you are just starting out:

1. Cripple Creek
2. American Pie
3. Blowing in the Wind
4. Hallelujah by Leonard Cohen
5. Take Me Home, Country Roads by John Denver
6. Hush Little Baby
7. House of the Rising Sun
8. Dirty Old Town
9. Buffalo Gals
10. She’ll Be Coming Round the Mountain
11. Ground Speed
12. Wagon Wheel
13. Cotton Eyed Joe
14. Brown Eyed Girl
15. Amazing Grace by John Newton

1- Cripple Creek

This song is associated with The Band and Levon Helm, who reportedly played it so often that audiences called it “Levon.” The Band recorded the original version on their self-titled 1969 album The Band.

This easy banjo song is rated intermediate/advanced because of its tempo and rhythm. It can be played on the beginner banjo, but the player must have a solid knowledge of chords.

2- American Pie

This is one of the most popular easy banjo bluegrass songs for beginners. This decent quality song is played with basic chords, easy strumming patterns, and an easy melody line. However, there are some challenging solos associated with this decent-quality song.

American Pie is a 1971 epic song written by Don McLean. McLean wrote it about the death of Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, and The Big Bopper in a plane crash on February 3, 1959. Don McClean called it “the day the music died.” It was recorded by Don McClean in 1971 and was the first single to be released off his second album, American Pie. This easy banjo master song is perfect for first-time banjoists because it only uses basic banjo playing techniques of chords and strumming patterns. 

3- Blowing in the Wind

This is an easy banjo song because it only contains open-string chords, which are played on the beginner banjo without any problem. Beginner players can easily learn this song’s chord progression.

Blowing in the Wind was written by Bob Dylan in 1962. He was inspired by the image of people answering a question that he felt had no answer. This easy banjo song is perfect for beginner banjoists because it only uses open-string chords, which are simple to learn.

4- Hallelujah (Leonard Cohen)

This song is an easy banjo player for absolute beginners because it is in 6/8 time and uses only open-string chords. Hallelujah was written by Leonard Cohen in 1984 for his album Various Positions, and hundreds of artists have covered it over the years.

5- Take Me Home, Country Roads

This banjo song is for beginners because of its simplicity. It has an iconic melody line which makes it approachable for all beginner banjoists. Take Me Home, Country Roads was written by John Denver in 1969. The song is the state anthem of West Virginia, where the song’s story takes place.

6- Hush Little Baby

This is easy to learn bright sound quality banjo song because it has a simple melody line and simple chord progression. Hush Little Baby was written in the 19th century, but it gained popularity in the late-1930s when The Golden Gate Quartet recorded its version of this traditional lullaby. In 1965, The Beach Boys released the most famous version of this entire song. These popular banjo songs help beginner players practice chord changes essential to playing simple songs on the banjo.

7- House of the Rising Sun

This banjo entire song uses open-string chords and a single strumming pattern. House of the Rising Sun was released as a traditional folk song in 1736, but it gained popularity in the 1920s with folk singers like Leadbelly and Josh White.

8- Dirty Old Town

Dirty Old Town was written in 1945 by Ewan MacColl, who wanted to capture the grime of English cities during World War II. This easy banjo song is perfect for beginner players because it uses basic banjo playing techniques of open-position chords & scales and a simple melody line.

9- Buffalo Gals

Many different musicians and bands have covered this traditional American folk music since its release in the early 19th century. First-time banjoists can use this simple banjo song to develop strumming patterns that are enjoyable to perform.

10- She’ll Be Coming Round the Mountain

She’ll Be Coming Round the Mountain was written as a folk song in 1864 by James Pierpont, who wrote Jingle Bells. Only open banjo string chords are used in this simple banjo signature song, making it ideal for beginners.

11- Ground Speed

Tim Carbone wrote ground Speed of Railroad Earth for their album Amen Corner. This easy banjo music is perfect for beginner players because of its steady pulse and consistent strumming pattern.

12- Wagon Wheel

Wagon Wheel was written by Bob Dylan in 1971, but the most popular version of this song was recorded by Darius Rucker in 2013. This simple and amazing music of banjo melody uses open-string chords and a single strumming pattern. Because of the short melody line and chord changes, this is a quick banjo song to learn.

13- Cotton Eyed Joe

This song uses open-string chords and a single strumming pattern. This is an easy banjo song to learn because it has a simple melody line and chord changes. Cotton Eyed Joe was written in the late 19th century as a folk dance, but this traditional American folk song became popular with cowboy singers in the 1950s. Because of the short melody line and chord changes, this banjo original song is simple to master.

14- Brown Eyed Girl

This popular banjo song also uses open-string chords, hammer-ons, pull-offs, slides, and a single strumming pattern. Van Morrison wrote brown Eyed Girl in 1967 as a love letter to his then-girlfriend, and this pop song was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2008.

 15- Amazing Grace by John Newton

Amazing Grace was written by English poet, clergyman, and hymn writer John Newton in 1779. Beginner banjo players or advanced players can use these simple banjo melodies to practice strumming patterns that are enjoyable to perform.

FAQs

Should I choose a book, DVD, or online course for learning to play Easy Banjo Songs?

A: There’s no one-size-fits-all answer to this question, as the best way to learn to play Easy Banjo Songs may vary depending on your skill level, interests, and goals. However, if you are just starting out and are looking for a gentle introduction to the banjo, a book would be a good place to start. There are also many DVDs and online courses that can teach you the basics of banjo playing.

Which is better: audio or video lessons for beginners learning how to play Banjo Songs?

Audio lessons are a great way for beginners to learn how to play Banjo Songs, as they are easy to follow and provide a lot of helpful tips and information. Additionally, audio lessons can be downloaded and played on your own time, which can be convenient if you are busy or have other commitments.

Can I learn to play Banjo by myself or do I need an instructor?

There is no need to be intimidated by learning to play the banjo – you can do it by yourself! One of the best ways to learn is by watching instructional videos or listening to audio lessons. There is also a variety of banjo- Instructional Materials available on the internet, which can help you get started. Additionally, there are many banjo clubs and instructional groups available that can help you meet other banjo players and practice your skills. If you are feeling more confident, you can try taking online banjo lessons. Finally, don’t be afraid to ask a friend to teach you how to play – they may be more than happy to oblige!

Is it possible to learn Banjo without any prior musical experience?

Absolutely! With just a little bit of practice, you can learn how to play Banjo. Banjo is an easy instrument to learn, and it can be enjoyed by people of all ages and musical abilities. In fact, many people who are not traditionally musicians learn to play Banjo as a fun hobby.

CONCLUSION

Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced banjo player, we hope you found this list of easy banjo popular songs helpful. There are various other catchy tunes as well. Good Luck!