Bluegrass aficionados recognize the pivotal role of banjo instrumentation in crafting its vibrant sound. While instruments like fiddles, upright basses, guitars, and mandolins contribute significantly, it’s the lightning-fast picking and intricate fingerstyles that breathe life into the unique blend of Appalachian, folk, blues, gospel, and jazz influences that define bluegrass. Doubtful? Explore these ten standout bluegrass songs featuring mesmerizing banjo solos.
Videos by American Songwriter
1. “Foggy Mountain Breakdown” by Earl Scruggs
Earl Scruggs was only 25 years old in 1949 when he recorded “Foggy Mountain Breakdown” at Herzog Studio in Cincinnati, Ohio. Bluegrass historians guess that Scruggs held his Gibson Grenada banjo near a light bulb so he could tune the instrument and obtain the proper tension. It’s a fair guess that Scruggs had no idea the song would become one of the most beloved in bluegrass history thanks to Scruggs’ breakneck playing that included 16th-note rolls in a 16-bar chord repeated 13 times during the recording, according to records from the U.S. Library of Congress.
2. “Cripple Creek” by The Dillards
The Dillards may have pretended to be The Darlings, a hillbilly family band featured on The Andy Griffith Show, but their musical talent was authentic. Their time on the show introduced many people to bluegrass for the first time. The group recorded a version of “Cripple Creek” in 1968 and included it on their Wheatstraw Suite album. The song’s highlight is a solo by banjo player and Dillards’ co-founder Doug Dillard. The banjo player uses his fast, three-finger picking style and adds melodic variations that bring complexity and style to the solo.
3. “Dueling Banjos” by Arthur “Guitar Boogie” Smith
It’s true that “Dueling Banjos” is not a traditional bluegrass song. Yet the song is a highlight of the 1972 movie Deliverance. The song is a musical duel between a guitar and a banjo, with the banjo taking the lead during the solo. The banjo solo showcases rapid rolls, pull-offs, slides and other technically precise playing.
4. “Flint Hill Special” by Earl Scruggs
Using his thumb, index finger, and middle finger, Scruggs’ technical expertise on the song, especially in the solo, includes rolls, slides, and melodic variations. Scruggs’ techniques include syncopated rhythms, where he plays off the beat. The result is a dynamic, complex solo.
5. “Rebecca” by Bela Fleck
Virtuoso Bela Fleck is one of the best-known banjo players of his generation, known for pushing the instrument to new levels. He plays traditional bluegrass chords on “Rebecca” but uses a more avant-garde style during the exceptional banjo solo.
6. “John Hardy” by The Country Gentlemen
This traditional bluegrass song features a highly energized banjo solo by the fingerpicking player and group co-founder Bill Emerson. During the solo, Emerson uses intricate and rapid rolls but includes a fair amount of improvisational playing, intertwining soft and loud passages.
