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Southern Flavor is a classic example of Bill Monroe’s genius. Like all of my favorite Monroe compositions this tune rides a thin line between major and minor sounds. Unfortunately these are the same tunes that tend to get a little “messy” at jam sessions if they’re played at all.

Blake Williams is the banjo player on the original Monroe recording and I do my best to play it similar to the way he did. The song is in the key of Em though it modulates during the second section to include an E major chord. As far as I can tell from the original recording Mr. Williams has his banjo capoed at the second fret with the fifth string spiked at the ninth fret and he plays it out of the “D” position.

The chords for the tune are E, Em, B, D and the bass walk down notes are G & F#.
(Chords capoed at the second fret: D, Dm, A, C & F/Dm, E/Dm).

This example is as slow as I can play it without completely losing the feel. I don’t have any tab for this so when in doubt stick to the basic chord forms with a bouncy forward roll.

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