Free Banjo Tabs and Tablature

One of the biggest online collections of free Banjo, Bluegrass Banjo and Clawhammer Banjo Tabs. Whether you are a beginner, intermediate or advanced player, enjoy these free popular banjo tabs for all banjo enthusiasts. Check out the Banjo Tab from classics like ‘Auld Lang Syne‘ through to the most popular songs by Mumford and Sons (there’s a whole section at the bottom of the page), and the ever popular ‘Cripple Creek‘, ‘Dueling Banjos‘ (from Deliverance), ‘Happy Birthday‘, ‘American Pie‘ and ‘Rainbow Connection‘.

Banjo Tabs

More Banjo Tabs

Clawhammer Banjo Tabs

Bonus Tabs:

Mumford and Sons Banjo Tabs

Pop and Rock Banjo Tabs

The Pogues Traditional Tunes
[ The Dingle Regatta-Repeal Of The Licensing Laws-
The Battle Of Brisbane ] Ebook of most popular songs by
​The Pogues included.

Video Game Tabs for Banjo

Free Banjo Tabs

Epona’s Song (In GDAE)

Super Mario Bros. Theme (In GDAE)

Even More Free Banjo Tabs

Tenor Banjo Tabs

How To Read Banjo Tabs

Banjo tablature, often shortened to “banjo tab” or “banjo tabs,” offers a clear way to learn banjo songs without needing to know traditional musical notation. Here’s a breakdown to get you picking:

The Staff:

• Banjo tablature uses a staff with five horizontal lines.
• Each line represents a string on your banjo.
• The bottom line corresponds to the thickest string, typically the 5th string (often short).
• As you move up the lines, the strings get thinner (4th, 3rd, 2nd, 1st string). This is the opposite of how you read guitar tablature.

Numbers on the Lines:

• Numbers appearing on the lines indicate the fret you need to press on a specific string to play a note.
• A “0” on a line signifies that you play the string open (unfretted).

Understanding String Order:

• Banjo tabs are read from bottom to top, just like standard musical notation.
• This means you play the strings individually, unlike mandolin tabs which are played in courses (pairs).

Time and Rhythm:

• Similar to other tablature systems, banjo tabs generally don’t explicitly show note durations like quarter notes or eighth notes.
• The rhythm is often learned by ear or through listening to recordings of the song.
• However, some tabs might use basic symbols like slashes (/) for bar lines or dashes (-) to suggest longer note durations.

Additional Markings:

• More complex banjo tabs might incorporate additional markings like:
  • Hammer-ons (h): A small “h” after a fret number indicates you should hammer your finger onto the fret without picking a new string.
  • Pull-offs (p): A small “p” after a fret number indicates you should pull your finger off the fret to create a note without picking a new string. This is useful for creating quick descending melodies.
  • Slides (s): A “s” between two fret numbers indicates you should slide your finger between those frets to create a smooth pitch bend.
  • String bends (b): A small “b” after a fret number might signify bending the string slightly to raise the pitch. This technique is less common in banjo playing compared to guitar.

  Tips for Beginners:

  • Start with simple tabs that focus on open strings and frets close to the nut (where the strings meet the fretboard).
  • Many online resources and instructional books offer banjo tabs for various skill levels.
  • Look for tabs with corresponding audio recordings of the song to understand the rhythm and melody.
  • Pay attention to the string order (bottom to top) when reading the tabs and practice switching between strings smoothly.
  • Practice regularly to develop your fingerpicking technique and build coordination between your fretting and picking hand.

  With dedication and these basic guidelines, you’ll be deciphering banjo tabs and strumming out your favorite tunes in no time!