Progressions in D — Chicago Tuning Banjo

D major harmonises to D – Em – F#m – G – A – Bm – C#°; D minor to Dm – E° – F – Gm – Am – A# – C. Each chord links to its Chicago Tuning Banjo voicings, so a tune in D 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.