Progressions in A — Tenor Banjo

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