--- title: Tips On Learning Banjo Tunes - Breaking Them Into Parts description: Many students are not sure how to learn new songs. I will show that learning new tunes can be fun and not have to be frustrating. image: https://blog.deeringbanjos.com/hubfs/aaron-de-la-rosa-1200x798.jpg --- [![Deering Banjos - The Great American Banjo Company](https://blog.deeringbanjos.com/hubfs/Logos/Deering%20Logo.png "Deering Banjos - The Great American Banjo Company")](https://www.deeringbanjos.com/) - [Hooks & Nuts](https://blog.deeringbanjos.com) - [Banjos](https://www.deeringbanjos.com/collections/banjos) - [Find A Dealer](https://www.deeringbanjos.com/apps/store-locator/) - [Support](https://help.deeringbanjos.com/knowledge) - [Accessories](https://www.deeringbanjos.com/collections/accessories) [Playing Tips](https://blog.deeringbanjos.com/topic/banjo-playing-tips) # Tips On Learning Banjo Tunes - Breaking Them Into Parts by [Aaron De La Rosa](https://blog.deeringbanjos.com/author/aaron-de-la-rosa) on August 9, 2019 ##### Share As a teacher, I sometimes come across frustrated students and get asked “How do I learn new banjo songs? While this sounds like a very general question, it can be because of how it is perceived and approached. Many students, especially beginners, are not sure as to how to learn songs or are even taught how to. While I can’t claim to be the greatest expert on the matter or have all the answers, I can explain how I approach learning new tunes and what works for me and my students. Remember the cliché “Work smarter, not harder?” Well this applies, and I can show that learning new tunes can be fun and not have to be frustrating.  First of all, you should know the form of the song. Most banjo standards are in AABA form, AABB form, or variations of these. (Each letter represents a different section of a tune.) Or when it comes to popular tunes, know how many verses and choruses there are and if there is an intro, outro, and a bridge. Once you know the form of the song, it is much easier to break down and learn the different sections, making it much easier to memorize.  Now that you know the form of the tune, figure out the other elements of the song such as the key signature, time signature, and tempo. Then, start learning the different sections individually. For example, for a song in AABA form, learn the A section first. Take it slow, work with a metronome to a slow but comfortable tempo, and go over it until it is memorized. If the required tempo is too fast, it's ok. Learn the tune at a tempo that’s comfortable for you. It’s better to be slow and musical than fast and sloppy, as you can work on your speed later. Also, don’t be afraid or embarrassed if you have to play it over and over and over again. Remember that our brains learn by repetition, so I can’t stress this enough. If you ever heard me in the process of learning a new tune, you’d probably be sick of it because you would’ve heard it so much, but at the same time you’d be able to hum it! Once you got the A section down, guess what? You’ve already learned three quarters of the song! Remember that most songs repeat sections, so in this case you’re working smarter, not harder! Obviously next you would learn the B section, and again approach it in the same way you did the A section: to a metronome and a slow but comfortable tempo. Regardless of the form or how many sections a particular song has, do not learn any subsequent sections until you got the current section down pat. Now that you have the B section memorized, go over the entire tune as a whole. If you have any problems with a particular phrase, isolate it and work on it. Once that is ironed out, you can fine tune the entire song, adding alternate phrases and “licks”, and increasing the tempo slowly and steady with the metronome. (Working on increasing speed can be approached in the same sort of fashion, but we can explain that in detail in a different article.) As you can see, learning new tunes doesn’t have to be a frustrating chore. If you break the tune down to its basic core elements and sections, it can be much easier to learn and also be a fun process as well. And the more you approach learning new songs this way and learning new songs in general, the process just becomes habit and second nature. And the more tunes you learn, the easier it becomes making you a better banjo player and musician overall.  ## COMMENTS [![Kristin Scott Benson chooses the Deering Golden Series banjos](https://hubspot-no-cache-na2-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/cta/default/1901150/e1746c92-ee50-47bc-9b8c-8cc1edf426a2.png)](https://hubspot-cta-redirect-na2-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/cta/redirect/1901150/e1746c92-ee50-47bc-9b8c-8cc1edf426a2) [![New call-to-action](https://hubspot-no-cache-na2-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/cta/default/1901150/1753c9a8-491f-4b2b-b9ef-50457c195d9b.png)](https://hubspot-cta-redirect-na2-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/cta/redirect/1901150/1753c9a8-491f-4b2b-b9ef-50457c195d9b) ## Search Blog Post ## YOU MAY ALSO LIKE Oct 8.2024 [Playing Tips](https://blog.deeringbanjos.com/topic/banjo-playing-tips) ## [The Importance Of A Warm Up Routine](https://blog.deeringbanjos.com/warm-up-exercises) It doesn't matter what style of banjo playing you do, creating a warmup routine for yourself each time you pick up your banjo will help you progress and... [Read More](https://blog.deeringbanjos.com/warm-up-exercises) May 30.2024 [Playing Tips](https://blog.deeringbanjos.com/topic/banjo-playing-tips) ## [How to Develop Your Unique Banjo Style](https://blog.deeringbanjos.com/how-to-develop-your-unique-banjo-style) Every banjo player dreams of a signature sound, a style that sets them apart and instantly captivates listeners. It's the difference between mimicking your... [Read More](https://blog.deeringbanjos.com/how-to-develop-your-unique-banjo-style) Oct 26.2022 [Playing Tips](https://blog.deeringbanjos.com/topic/banjo-playing-tips), [beginners banjo](https://blog.deeringbanjos.com/topic/beginners-banjo) ## [How Hard Is It To Play the Banjo](https://blog.deeringbanjos.com/how-hard-is-it-to-learn-to-play-the-banjo) One of the biggest myths about the banjo is that it is hard to play. After generations of blisteringly fast bluegrass licks dominating the public's perception... [Read More](https://blog.deeringbanjos.com/how-hard-is-it-to-learn-to-play-the-banjo) May 23.2021 [Playing Tips](https://blog.deeringbanjos.com/topic/banjo-playing-tips), [Banjo Shopping Advice](https://blog.deeringbanjos.com/topic/banjo-shopping-advice), [clawhammer](https://blog.deeringbanjos.com/topic/clawhammer), [old time](https://blog.deeringbanjos.com/topic/old-time) ## [Can You Play Clawhammer Banjo On a Resonator Banjo?](https://blog.deeringbanjos.com/can-you-play-clawhammer-banjo-on-a-resonator-banjo) "Can you [play clawhammer banjo](https://blog.deeringbanjos.com/learn-how-to-play-clawhammer-banjo/) on a resonator banjo?" It's a question that comes up fairly often both on online forums and out in the public. The answer is... [Read More](https://blog.deeringbanjos.com/can-you-play-clawhammer-banjo-on-a-resonator-banjo) ### sign up for our newsletter ### Popular Posts [The Four Essential 5-String Banjo Rolls](https://blog.deeringbanjos.com/the-four-essential-5-string-banjo-rolls) [Ukulele Sizes – Soprano, Concert, Tenor & Baritone](https://blog.deeringbanjos.com/ukulele-sizes) [Celtic Tunes on the 5 String Banjo](https://blog.deeringbanjos.com/celtic-tunes-on-the-5-string-banjo) [Learn Melodic Style 5 String Banjo With G Scales](https://blog.deeringbanjos.com/learn-melodic-style-5-string-banjo-g-scales) [How To Wear Banjo Picks](https://blog.deeringbanjos.com/how-to-wear-banjo-picks) ### Recent Posts [Steve Martin & Alison Brown release new music](https://blog.deeringbanjos.com/steve-martin-alison-brown-timobrien) [The Artisan Elephant Goodtime Banjo - Giving Tuesday 2024](https://blog.deeringbanjos.com/the-artisan-elephant-goodtime-banjo-giving-tuesday-2024) [Buying A Banjo on Amazon](https://blog.deeringbanjos.com/buying-a-banjo-on-amazon) [Steve Martin & Alison Brown On the Kelly Clarkson Show](https://blog.deeringbanjos.com/steve-martin-alison-brown-on-the-kelly-clarkson-show) [Keith Urban Covers Sabrina Carpenter's "Espresso" on Deering Phoenix Banjo](https://blog.deeringbanjos.com/keith-urban-covers-sabrina-carpenters-espresso-on-deering-phoenix-banjo) ### Archives - [June 2013 (35)](https://blog.deeringbanjos.com/archive/2013/06) - [April 2020 (20)](https://blog.deeringbanjos.com/archive/2020/04) - [August 2020 (15)](https://blog.deeringbanjos.com/archive/2020/08) - [May 2020 (12)](https://blog.deeringbanjos.com/archive/2020/05) - [July 2020 (12)](https://blog.deeringbanjos.com/archive/2020/07) - [March 2020 (10)](https://blog.deeringbanjos.com/archive/2020/03) - [September 2020 (10)](https://blog.deeringbanjos.com/archive/2020/09) - [April 2012 (9)](https://blog.deeringbanjos.com/archive/2012/04) - [June 2012 (9)](https://blog.deeringbanjos.com/archive/2012/06) - [March 2017 (9)](https://blog.deeringbanjos.com/archive/2017/03) - [August 2019 (9)](https://blog.deeringbanjos.com/archive/2019/08) - [June 2020 (9)](https://blog.deeringbanjos.com/archive/2020/06) - [October 2013 (8)](https://blog.deeringbanjos.com/archive/2013/10) - [September 2016 (8)](https://blog.deeringbanjos.com/archive/2016/09) - [August 2018 (8)](https://blog.deeringbanjos.com/archive/2018/08) - [September 2019 (8)](https://blog.deeringbanjos.com/archive/2019/09) - [May 2012 (7)](https://blog.deeringbanjos.com/archive/2012/05) - [May 2013 (7)](https://blog.deeringbanjos.com/archive/2013/05) - [August 2013 (7)](https://blog.deeringbanjos.com/archive/2013/08) - [May 2015 (7)](https://blog.deeringbanjos.com/archive/2015/05) - [June 2015 (7)](https://blog.deeringbanjos.com/archive/2015/06) - [August 2015 (7)](https://blog.deeringbanjos.com/archive/2015/08) - [July 2016 (7)](https://blog.deeringbanjos.com/archive/2016/07) - [December 2017 (7)](https://blog.deeringbanjos.com/archive/2017/12) - [October 2019 (7)](https://blog.deeringbanjos.com/archive/2019/10) - [October 2020 (7)](https://blog.deeringbanjos.com/archive/2020/10) - [September 2012 (6)](https://blog.deeringbanjos.com/archive/2012/09) - [March 2013 (6)](https://blog.deeringbanjos.com/archive/2013/03) - [April 2013 (6)](https://blog.deeringbanjos.com/archive/2013/04) - [July 2013 (6)](https://blog.deeringbanjos.com/archive/2013/07) - [July 2014 (6)](https://blog.deeringbanjos.com/archive/2014/07) - [May 2016 (6)](https://blog.deeringbanjos.com/archive/2016/05) - [August 2016 (6)](https://blog.deeringbanjos.com/archive/2016/08) - [May 2017 (6)](https://blog.deeringbanjos.com/archive/2017/05) - [June 2017 (6)](https://blog.deeringbanjos.com/archive/2017/06) - [June 2018 (6)](https://blog.deeringbanjos.com/archive/2018/06) - [May 2019 (6)](https://blog.deeringbanjos.com/archive/2019/05) - [November 2020 (6)](https://blog.deeringbanjos.com/archive/2020/11) - [December 2020 (6)](https://blog.deeringbanjos.com/archive/2020/12) - [July 2012 (5)](https://blog.deeringbanjos.com/archive/2012/07) - [December 2012 (5)](https://blog.deeringbanjos.com/archive/2012/12) - [September 2014 (5)](https://blog.deeringbanjos.com/archive/2014/09) - [October 2015 (5)](https://blog.deeringbanjos.com/archive/2015/10) - [March 2016 (5)](https://blog.deeringbanjos.com/archive/2016/03) - [April 2016 (5)](https://blog.deeringbanjos.com/archive/2016/04) - [June 2016 (5)](https://blog.deeringbanjos.com/archive/2016/06) - [August 2017 (5)](https://blog.deeringbanjos.com/archive/2017/08) - [September 2017 (5)](https://blog.deeringbanjos.com/archive/2017/09) - [May 2018 (5)](https://blog.deeringbanjos.com/archive/2018/05) - [September 2018 (5)](https://blog.deeringbanjos.com/archive/2018/09) - [October 2018 (5)](https://blog.deeringbanjos.com/archive/2018/10) - [March 2019 (5)](https://blog.deeringbanjos.com/archive/2019/03) - [June 2019 (5)](https://blog.deeringbanjos.com/archive/2019/06) - [January 2020 (5)](https://blog.deeringbanjos.com/archive/2020/01) - [May 2021 (5)](https://blog.deeringbanjos.com/archive/2021/05) - [December 2021 (5)](https://blog.deeringbanjos.com/archive/2021/12) - [January 2022 (5)](https://blog.deeringbanjos.com/archive/2022/01) - [August 2012 (4)](https://blog.deeringbanjos.com/archive/2012/08) - [October 2012 (4)](https://blog.deeringbanjos.com/archive/2012/10) - [September 2013 (4)](https://blog.deeringbanjos.com/archive/2013/09) - [March 2014 (4)](https://blog.deeringbanjos.com/archive/2014/03) - [April 2014 (4)](https://blog.deeringbanjos.com/archive/2014/04) - [October 2014 (4)](https://blog.deeringbanjos.com/archive/2014/10) - [December 2014 (4)](https://blog.deeringbanjos.com/archive/2014/12) - [March 2015 (4)](https://blog.deeringbanjos.com/archive/2015/03) - [November 2015 (4)](https://blog.deeringbanjos.com/archive/2015/11) - [November 2016 (4)](https://blog.deeringbanjos.com/archive/2016/11) - [February 2017 (4)](https://blog.deeringbanjos.com/archive/2017/02) - [October 2017 (4)](https://blog.deeringbanjos.com/archive/2017/10) - [July 2018 (4)](https://blog.deeringbanjos.com/archive/2018/07) - [November 2018 (4)](https://blog.deeringbanjos.com/archive/2018/11) - [December 2018 (4)](https://blog.deeringbanjos.com/archive/2018/12) - [December 2019 (4)](https://blog.deeringbanjos.com/archive/2019/12) - [February 2021 (4)](https://blog.deeringbanjos.com/archive/2021/02) - [February 2022 (4)](https://blog.deeringbanjos.com/archive/2022/02) - [March 2023 (4)](https://blog.deeringbanjos.com/archive/2023/03) - [August 2023 (4)](https://blog.deeringbanjos.com/archive/2023/08) - [November 2012 (3)](https://blog.deeringbanjos.com/archive/2012/11) - [February 2013 (3)](https://blog.deeringbanjos.com/archive/2013/02) - [November 2013 (3)](https://blog.deeringbanjos.com/archive/2013/11) - [February 2014 (3)](https://blog.deeringbanjos.com/archive/2014/02) - [May 2014 (3)](https://blog.deeringbanjos.com/archive/2014/05) - [June 2014 (3)](https://blog.deeringbanjos.com/archive/2014/06) - [August 2014 (3)](https://blog.deeringbanjos.com/archive/2014/08) - [February 2015 (3)](https://blog.deeringbanjos.com/archive/2015/02) - [April 2015 (3)](https://blog.deeringbanjos.com/archive/2015/04) - [July 2015 (3)](https://blog.deeringbanjos.com/archive/2015/07) - [September 2015 (3)](https://blog.deeringbanjos.com/archive/2015/09) - [December 2015 (3)](https://blog.deeringbanjos.com/archive/2015/12) - [January 2016 (3)](https://blog.deeringbanjos.com/archive/2016/01) - [February 2016 (3)](https://blog.deeringbanjos.com/archive/2016/02) - [December 2016 (3)](https://blog.deeringbanjos.com/archive/2016/12) - [July 2017 (3)](https://blog.deeringbanjos.com/archive/2017/07) - [November 2017 (3)](https://blog.deeringbanjos.com/archive/2017/11) - [March 2018 (3)](https://blog.deeringbanjos.com/archive/2018/03) - [April 2018 (3)](https://blog.deeringbanjos.com/archive/2018/04) - [April 2019 (3)](https://blog.deeringbanjos.com/archive/2019/04) - [July 2019 (3)](https://blog.deeringbanjos.com/archive/2019/07) - [November 2019 (3)](https://blog.deeringbanjos.com/archive/2019/11) - [February 2020 (3)](https://blog.deeringbanjos.com/archive/2020/02) - [March 2021 (3)](https://blog.deeringbanjos.com/archive/2021/03) - [August 2021 (3)](https://blog.deeringbanjos.com/archive/2021/08) - [September 2021 (3)](https://blog.deeringbanjos.com/archive/2021/09) - [November 2022 (3)](https://blog.deeringbanjos.com/archive/2022/11) - [May 2023 (3)](https://blog.deeringbanjos.com/archive/2023/05) - [September 2023 (3)](https://blog.deeringbanjos.com/archive/2023/09) - [May 2024 (3)](https://blog.deeringbanjos.com/archive/2024/05) - [October 2024 (3)](https://blog.deeringbanjos.com/archive/2024/10) - [February 2012 (2)](https://blog.deeringbanjos.com/archive/2012/02) - [March 2012 (2)](https://blog.deeringbanjos.com/archive/2012/03) - [November 2014 (2)](https://blog.deeringbanjos.com/archive/2014/11) - [January 2015 (2)](https://blog.deeringbanjos.com/archive/2015/01) - [October 2016 (2)](https://blog.deeringbanjos.com/archive/2016/10) - [April 2017 (2)](https://blog.deeringbanjos.com/archive/2017/04) - [January 2018 (2)](https://blog.deeringbanjos.com/archive/2018/01) - [February 2018 (2)](https://blog.deeringbanjos.com/archive/2018/02) - [January 2019 (2)](https://blog.deeringbanjos.com/archive/2019/01) - [April 2021 (2)](https://blog.deeringbanjos.com/archive/2021/04) - [October 2021 (2)](https://blog.deeringbanjos.com/archive/2021/10) - [August 2022 (2)](https://blog.deeringbanjos.com/archive/2022/08) - [June 2023 (2)](https://blog.deeringbanjos.com/archive/2023/06) - [November 2023 (2)](https://blog.deeringbanjos.com/archive/2023/11) - [November 2024 (2)](https://blog.deeringbanjos.com/archive/2024/11) - [April 2011 (1)](https://blog.deeringbanjos.com/archive/2011/04) - [September 2011 (1)](https://blog.deeringbanjos.com/archive/2011/09) - [January 2012 (1)](https://blog.deeringbanjos.com/archive/2012/01) - [January 2013 (1)](https://blog.deeringbanjos.com/archive/2013/01) - [December 2013 (1)](https://blog.deeringbanjos.com/archive/2013/12) - [January 2014 (1)](https://blog.deeringbanjos.com/archive/2014/01) - [January 2017 (1)](https://blog.deeringbanjos.com/archive/2017/01) - [February 2019 (1)](https://blog.deeringbanjos.com/archive/2019/02) - [January 2021 (1)](https://blog.deeringbanjos.com/archive/2021/01) - [June 2021 (1)](https://blog.deeringbanjos.com/archive/2021/06) - [July 2021 (1)](https://blog.deeringbanjos.com/archive/2021/07) - [March 2022 (1)](https://blog.deeringbanjos.com/archive/2022/03) - [May 2022 (1)](https://blog.deeringbanjos.com/archive/2022/05) - [June 2022 (1)](https://blog.deeringbanjos.com/archive/2022/06) - [July 2022 (1)](https://blog.deeringbanjos.com/archive/2022/07) - [September 2022 (1)](https://blog.deeringbanjos.com/archive/2022/09) - [October 2022 (1)](https://blog.deeringbanjos.com/archive/2022/10) - [February 2023 (1)](https://blog.deeringbanjos.com/archive/2023/02) - [April 2023 (1)](https://blog.deeringbanjos.com/archive/2023/04) - [October 2023 (1)](https://blog.deeringbanjos.com/archive/2023/10) - [December 2023 (1)](https://blog.deeringbanjos.com/archive/2023/12) - [January 2024 (1)](https://blog.deeringbanjos.com/archive/2024/01) - [February 2024 (1)](https://blog.deeringbanjos.com/archive/2024/02) - [June 2024 (1)](https://blog.deeringbanjos.com/archive/2024/06) - [July 2024 (1)](https://blog.deeringbanjos.com/archive/2024/07) - [August 2024 (1)](https://blog.deeringbanjos.com/archive/2024/08) - [September 2024 (1)](https://blog.deeringbanjos.com/archive/2024/09) - [December 2024 (1)](https://blog.deeringbanjos.com/archive/2024/12) - [March 2025 (1)](https://blog.deeringbanjos.com/archive/2025/03) see all [![Deering Banjos - the Great American Banjo Company](https://blog.deeringbanjos.com/hubfs/Logos/Deering%20Logo.png "Deering Banjos - the Great American Banjo Company")](https://www.deeringbanjos.com/) 3733 Kenora Dr. Spring Valley, CA 91977 - [619-464-8252](tel:+619-464-8252) - [info@deeringbanjos.com](mailto:info@deeringbanjos.com) - [HOME](https://www.deeringbanjos.com/) - [BANJOS](https://www.deeringbanjos.com/collections/banjos) - [FIND A DEALER](https://www.deeringbanjos.com/apps/store-locator/) - [ARTISTS](https://www.deeringbanjos.com/blogs/deering-artists) - [CONTACT US](https://www.deeringbanjos.com/pages/contact-us) ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@type" : "BlogPosting", "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "Aaron De La Rosa", "url" : "https://blog.deeringbanjos.com/author/aaron-de-la-rosa" }, "dateModified" : "2019-08-09T16:59:28.272Z", "datePublished" : "2019-08-09T16:58:43.000Z", "headline" : "Tips On Learning Banjo Tunes - Breaking Them Into Parts", "image" : [ "https://blog.deeringbanjos.com/hubfs/aaron-de-la-rosa-1200x798.jpg" ], "mainEntityOfPage" : { "@id" : "https://blog.deeringbanjos.com/tips-on-learning-banjo-tunes-breaking-them-into-parts", "@type" : "WebPage" }, "publisher" : { "@type" : "Organization", "logo" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "url" : "https://blog.deeringbanjos.com/hubfs/Logos/deering-logo-green-406325-800x163.png" }, "name" : "Deering Banjos" } } ```