MOUNTAIN BANJOS by Clifton Hicks
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- Опубліковано 31 лип 2021
- Banjo Heritage 👉 / cliftonhicks
In this video I compare my two latest mountain banjo builds: a rare hexagonal type that emerged in Kentucky before World War 1, and a West Virginia type dating to the Great Depression.
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#CliftonHicks #BanjoHeritage #banjo #oldtimemusic #bluegrass #folkmusic #countrymusic #blues #tradmusic #worldmusic #afrobeat #rootsmusic #appalachia #americana #clawhammerbanjo #oldtimebanjo #OldLeatherstocking #mountainbanjo
Where do I need to sign up at to get the UA-cam videos that say I need to join the channel to get members only content and exclusive perks? I’ve looked a few times but can’t figure out where to join at. Thanks to whoever can help me out.
Here's the join link: ua-cam.com/channels/0fRKB_T-2yrNajqoz9VWAg.htmljoin The only exclusive content I've done there so far are behind-the-scenes videos and stuff like that.
@@CliftonHicksbanjo okay thank you! I had found them on your Patreon but still couldn’t view them. Thank you so much!
Fine craftsmanship and playing.
Yes, it is always nice to admire well made woodwork.
Those are beautiful, sound beautiful and you have a nice singing voice that goes with it well. Enjoyed it.
I like how the framerate of the video and the vibrations of the strings coincide to make it look like they are slowly waving back and forth.
thank you for explaining.
Dude I always thought he was doing something crazy with the playing or string type. I feel silly lol
That's actually the way the sun reacts with the camera lense and the vibration of the strings
Useless fact but interesting
@@Popcorn_Kernel The sun has nothing to do with it. How the fuck did you come up with that idea?
@@Willy_Tepes The sinusoidal vibrations are real, and an illusion created by the sun in the camera lens allows you to see them. The strings on a Banjo create sound by vibrating, and each string vibrates at different frequencies to produce a different pitch.
These earthy toned banjos speak to the soul! It’s a replication of something special and I am happy to be able to listen to this unique sound.
Congratulations. They're beautiful. I got into a fantasy argument with myself about which one I'd choose.
great singing and playing just great
My grandma would have loved the sound off those.
The sound of the WV banjo, is just wonderful, I could listen to that all day ❤
Thanks Clifton for presenting this beautiful music and your great craftsmanship. I hope your instruments are in the Smithsonian someday so alot of people without ties to this regional culture will be exposed to it.
Growing up around “birch river West Virginia” I have seen some of these banjos and they always sound good!!
my dad grew up in a single room dirt floor shack in northeastern oklahoma. he always had trouble finding the music he grew up with but shared what he could find with me. he died almost two years ago, and i just found this channel so i cant share it with him but i appreciate it so much because it makes me feel happy and close to him. this music lives deep in my soul.
WVa gets positive attention. Thank you
Those are gorgeous, they sound beautiful too. You're such a beautiful player and singer. Thank you for bringing joy to our ears and hearts.
I didn't know these things existed, but I love the sound they make.
Love those old-style mountain banjos. Been playing one for 37 years, and don't see any reason to get a modern one! What's wrong with me?
As a hobby wood worker that was very interesting information. I’ve thought many times of trying to build a mountain banjo.
I originally picked up the banjo because I moved to Pennsylvania from Kentucky (Louisville) and was feeling homesick. Now I just gotta get me one of those Kentucky mountain banjos.
Ive been looking for an old banjo to fix up but after seeing this Id really like one you made. Youre a living legend Clifton, itd be an honor to learn and play a banjo you crafted.
Being a WV resident, the title of this video caught my eye. And, I love the sound of a banjo. Thanks for sharing.
Unusual instruments for here in Australia .
Very interesting indeed
You should play a version of Brushy fork of johns creek with the east Kentucky banjo, considering the song is based on a place in East Kentucky, specifically Pike County..
Love that eastern KY sound! Beautiful work, Clifton. Thanks for posting this. Wonderful.
I got my first banjo 24 days ago, all of your videos are an inspiration. Those banjos are beautiful and I’d love to build one like that some day.
Great craftsmanship. Beautiful sound
I would love to get an updated full version of Boots & leggins on that first banjo! Great work Clifton sounds great like always !
The hexagonal banjo is absolutely beautiful.
Georgia black walnut.
Nice.
Your videos have brought a lot of... moments...to my life since I found your channel. I was combing through UA-cam searching for an old archive video of my grandfather and his sister playing on the Bobby Lord show in the 60's, and for anything I could find about my family and their involvement in the Dunbar cave music scene.
I came across this wonderful channel, and I am so glad I did. Thank you.
I definitely dont need a banjo, but i need a banjo now
Love both of them, but the KY one was my fave, and very impressive builds on both
The starting song sounded like Morgan Sexton's "Old Grey Beard"!
Sweet banjos neighbor. I love that sound. I am studying to build an old time bass banjo and found your work. Vivat!
Great job! Love hearing you play them as well.
Thank God, I was just looking at this documentary that had an old banjo player and was wondering what technique he used. Your playing sounds and looks to be the same with clearer footage.
Pure inspiration! Bright blessings to you
That WV banjo has a real nice sound to it.
Awesome 👍
That walnut neck is awesome man. Those are pretty banjos.
Nice work.
Awesome job. Never stop learning
awesome !
Lovely
Great banjos, great playing and I also like the the singing! awesome!
Ok I’m starting mine now
I was subscribed and I looked for your channel and I wasn't subscribed all of a sudden.
I re-subscribed.
Thank you for your teaching.
Well I simply MUST subscribe. Cheers!
Hey Clif. I absolutely love your material. Been a watcher for about a year now. You've inspired me to create my own channel and this winter/spring I'm going to make a gourd banjo. Currently I just have a cheap 1920s style clawhammer/commercialized minstrel style banjo. I'll be playing/singing a lots of your songs once I make a gourdy. learn the tunes from your videos but also Noah Cline and Nora Brown. I'm just a kid, so the funds are not there yet, but someday I'm going to be a patreon. I'll get a banjo heritage shirt though really soon and wear it in my videos!
This video came along at a good time, I've been wondering about using up some of the hardwood offcuts I've got lying around from other projects to put together something like the Kentucky design! Should turn a few heads at folks jams over here in England on top of sounding good!
Beautiful!
So badass. Keep it up Clifton.
Clifton,
On the “ West Virginia” style banjo, did you use regular cut tacks to nail down the skin or peg it ?
Thank you for all your videos !!!!
Love the sound!
Absolutely beautiful sounding. I want one!! :) Have a good day!
you will never steal his bajo.i tried and almost died.
Are they tuned like a regular five string banjo?
Amazing.
Love em but the gourds are best
Kind Thanks Clifton! Fine instruments indeed! DaveyJO in Pennsylvania
Man I'd love to have one of those.
My home style music , Bravo !
Nice banjos and great sound!
enjoyed this - thanks. love the tone s
Wow, look at those tiny pegs in the overlay!! Amazing, Clifton! ❤️
Those sound amazing!!
I would be interested in purchasing one like the hexagon one if you built me one.
Beautiful stuff Cliff. 👌 - tadpole Tallahassee misses your bardship.
Fine job Clifton , you look like the cat that got all the cream
Man, those banjos are handsome.
Is it complicated to replace the hide?
This is one of the easiest hides to replace. Tap the thin wooden ring off with a chisel and hammer, clean off excess glue/hide, then glue down flat a fresh piece of _dry_ rawhide, glue/peg the wooden ring back on PRESTO you're done.
Nice work! I originally came here (via Shrunken Planet on WFMU) mainly for the songs and the playing. But I really enjoy seeing the banjo builds, and the old ones too! Keep 'em comin' Clifton! Much obliged.
At first I thought WFMU was the college radio station at Florida A&M University, but I'll take Jersey City also.
Just wondering if you have any sound holes on the banjos?
do you have any schematics that you used to make the west virginia style banjo? i am wanted to make my own and am a little lost on finding some plans i can base off of
Very cool...
👍
I need one please.🙏🙏🙏
Please do a complete cover of that intro song, it's beautiful.
Thanks. That is "Boots and Leggings" (gDGBD) from the singing of Aunt Molly Jackson. Here's a performance I did on gourd banjo years ago: ua-cam.com/video/Vz3Y8KcsNtE/v-deo.html
@@CliftonHicksbanjo appreciate it sir! Wonderful playing and voice as always!
What is a reasonable head tension for a mountain banjo?
As tight as you can get it without making it bust.
Charlie Glenn, NC
Do you make the banjo necks too?
I surely do. Hand-carve each neck from 2.5" x 2.5" x 24"+ turning blanks.
awww good work cliff. you's a good one. keep doing the good work man
What was the song played in the beginning?
"Boots and Leggings" from Aunt Molly Jackson.
What's the song about taking morphine called? Thanks for your work.
"Morphine" 👉 ua-cam.com/video/abAxPUbXgHY/v-deo.html
Very cool Clifton
Whats up with that last song about morphine?
Like to see you do a video with that whole number, sounded 👍 !
That's called "Morphine Blues" or just "Morphine." Old recording by Banjo Bill Cornett: ua-cam.com/video/JUHJ0aF3tTs/v-deo.html ... and here's my version: ua-cam.com/video/JUHJ0aF3tTs/v-deo.html which I learned from George Gibson of Knott County, Kentucky.
KILLER
How do you get the break angle on the headstock… did you just carve that out of one piece of wood? This stuff is really cool. Hope to see more DIY videos on the channel in between the songs.
Thanks for the encouragement! Yes, I carve the necks from one block of wood. I purchase black walnut scraps from a local furniture maker, or I order pre-cut "turning blanks" online. I prefer walnut, but maple, cherry, beech, apple, poplar, oak, heart pine, etc. etc. etc. are all suitable.
Here's a sneak peak at my next DIY banjo building video: ua-cam.com/video/XEf5tyGii10/v-deo.html
@@CliftonHicksbanjo good day, what woods did you use for what main parts for the Kentucky and round mountain builds? What does a narrow vs thick dowel do?
I think the one guy who thumbed down had his or her phone upside down
What is the significance of the dark colored 4th string on the West Virginia banjo?
That's just a different pack of strings that comes with a dark red bass string for some reason.
@@CliftonHicksbanjo oh ok. I was just curious. Didn't know if that was the case or if it had any historical significance. Thanks for letting me know.
Do you sell these ?? I would love to have one made.
Awesome video, as usual. I do have a question. Was there an intentionally large gap between the 1st and 2nd string on the west Virginia banjo? If so, what is the significance? I don't play banjo, im currently just a dreamer, which means that my ignorance is plentiful . Thanks mane!!
That "large gap" you're seeing is actually just a dark brown bass string disappearing on-camera next to the other strings, which are bright white. No difference in string # or spacing on these two banjos.
@@CliftonHicksbanjo Gotcha. Thanks for taking the time to answer, much appreciated.
Ooh whats that first song you played?
Clifton I would be interested I buying one,
Cliff do you inscribe a date , put your signature on or number your banjos that you personally build? Be a neat idea to design a special small stamped brass tag that identifies each banjo as a true genuine "Clifton Hicks" banjo so 100 years from now all the banjos you produced can be identified by future generations 👍👍 🪕
Yes, I write my name & date inside each one (where it's hard to see). I also carve a simple maker's mark near the heel of most banjos I build.
@@CliftonHicksbanjo True beautys.... they each have an awesome distinct sounding personality
I have a wooden banjo.
🌱😎❤⚠️🇺🇸 Awesome
Hey clifton i would like to get in contact with you about a vintage banjo that needs repair.how can i get in contact with you?
Hi Clifton! Those are 2 great looking banjos and they sound even better!😊👍👍 If you get a chance, go on Instagram and check out a lady who goes by Cousin Bailey. She plays old time banjo and has a picture of a banjo she got that looks like it was carved and may have come from Africa. She said she did'nt know it's history but it is obviously very old.
Beautiful instruments.
Cool! Works of art. I guess they were too poor to buy or make metal parts
That's what I'm going for: either built by someone who couldn't afford hardware, or who lived in a place/time where hardware was scarce.
What was that first tune?
That's "Boots and Leggings" from Aunt Molly Jackson (gDGBD): lomaxky.omeka.net/items/show/1363