BanjoWatch · beginner lessons

learn the basics, over the shoulder

Watch a picker play.

The guided path teaches you the banjo step by step. These hand-picked beginner videos show the same basics on a real banjo — open G and your first lesson, the rolls, and the first chords.

These are wonderful teachers' own videos, chosen for the basics and embedded here with a link to their channels. Atlas gives you the path and the practice; they give you the demonstration.

Your first lesson

Open G, the drone, holding the banjo — pairs with “Meet the Banjo.”

Absolute Beginner Banjo Course — Day 1

Day one of a beloved free course; the perfect over-the-shoulder start.

by Eli Gilbert BanjoWatch on YouTube ↗

Beginning Bluegrass Banjo — Lesson 01

A patient absolute-beginner first lesson for 5-string banjo.

by Mark WardleWatch on YouTube ↗

The rolls

The right-hand patterns that drive the style — pairs with “The Rolls.”

3 Essential Rolls for Beginner Banjo Players

The forward, backward and alternating-thumb rolls — our Rolls room, demonstrated.

by Mason CroneWatch on YouTube ↗

First chords

G, C, D7 and friends — pairs with “First Chords.”

4 Easy Banjo Chords for Beginners

The same open-G shapes from our Chords room, shown by hand.

by Mason CroneWatch on YouTube ↗