Progressions in C — Chicago Tuning Banjo

C major harmonises to C – Dm – Em – F – G – Am – B°; C minor to Cm – D° – D# – Fm – Gm – G# – A#. Each chord links to its Chicago Tuning Banjo voicings, so a tune in C becomes a short list of shapes before the first repeat.

Then run the changes as a rhythm part before you play a note of melody. Backup is the job this instrument does most of the night, and it is almost entirely a right-hand skill.