The Theory of Bluegrass: Modal Minor Messup - Page 2

With this fingering position, the tune lays out easily with a combination of melodic and Scrugg's style rolls. Here is one way to do part A of Opus 57:

After that I started looking at ways to use this handy fingering position for other tunes in minor keys. Here is one example, part A of Jerusalem Ridge. Simply capo at the 2^nd fret and use the Gm fingering position. Since you haven't retuned, the sections of the tune played over major chords are no longer a frustrating mystery! It is very handy, lends itself to improvisation, and I'll bet you can find think of several other ways to use it before lunch break is over. Go ahead and try it, you'll thank me later.

Happy picking, and next time I'll get back to some theory of bluegrass that the non-banjo folks can appreciate as well.

Links to the full tab in PDF format of these pieces can be found below

• Lonesome Fiddle Blues
• Jerusalem Ridge
• Opus 57