Pike County Breakdown

Pike County Breakdown is a Bill Monroe tune that Earl Scruggs made popular. It has a single string lick that can be a little tricky but it's an essential part of the melody. I use my thumb and index finger to play this lick though you could use thumb and middle or even incorporate a forward roll. The Chord structure is similar to Old Joe Clark and is played out of the G position with the capo at the 2nd fret. This tune tends to get butchered at jams since there are countless ways to play the backup. When in doubt play the tonic and avoid heavy accents.

Tab available at http://www.seanray.com

Category:

Music

Tags:

• earl
• scruggs
• bill
• monroe
• pike
• county
• breakdown
• jd
• crowe
• bluegrass
• banjo
• lesson
• reno
• single
• string

[carteru93]

Great lesson!! I see you got a new banjo, sounds great, is that the new Neat?

[ludwigtrap]

Hey Carter,

Yup that's my new Neat~Kentucky. Frank sure knows how to build a banjo.

[dbanjoman]

thanks man i have had trouble with this song with you until viewing this

[banjoman1437]

wish i could play so evenly, I can't keep a tempo, even if I put my life on it!

[mandobanjoguitar]

this guy's one of the best banjo players on you tube.

[vcp430]

Writing credits go as written by Rupert Jones aka Bill Monroe. (Psuydenoym used by Monroe.)

[MrLongtimegone]

Hey man nice clean job.That banjo sounds so good even with the capo. sounds like open G.

[pitlcat]

Yes thanks, I started learning this last night, you make it very clear how to play it! That fretboard looks comfy ;)

[shortattentionspan1]

.... you are one gifted dude, dude. i jus' kick back and listen, it's nice ,,,,

[BilboScotland]

Fantastic tune -- cant say I know that tune --great playing every note ringing loud and clear--nice use of dampening in the mid section

[edschis]

Thanks a bunch for this one. Love this song. Trying to learn it and it isn't easy.

5 Stars.

[flatpikinguitar]

you should put this up for lead guitar as well