“Gestalt” is the idea that the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. That’s the deal here. They are both great, but when they play together the creative energy, humanity, and musicality shoot right through the roof.
As a banjo player... hobby... this duo is truly on the very tippy-top of that proverbial (musical achievement) shelve. Kudos for their incredible skill, musicality and tasteful presentation... no virtuosity just to dazzle at the expense of melody... just pure goodness. Oh, and blending open-back clawhammer with finger picked resonator was, genius. Cheers!
Me: I'll put this on in the background so I have some great music to listen to while I search for something on the internet. Also Me: watches the whole video straight through without ever opening another tab. wonderful stuff
Niche Marriages of the 21st Century. It's weird when you realize that what are probably the two best banjo players in the world just up and married eachother.
Abby is amazing, far better than i could ever be, but she doesn't come even close to best clawhammer in my opinion. This isn't to detract from her, she's incredible, no denying that, but not the best. Now, Bela being best 3 finger picker around, there is actually something to that claim. In the end they are definitely both top tier banjo players and it's an absolutely joy to hear them play together. Probably the best banjo player in either style alive is some kid in some holler or some dude in India we've never heard of.
So amazing. Fun fact: Bela Fleck has been nominated in more Grammy categories than anyone else. Shows his incredible versatility. (He's been nominated 33 times and won 15.) The Flecktones were unreal too. Top-tier musicians.
So beautiful these folks mend tones like no others! saw this front row in regina many years ago at a banjo workshop with Old Man Ludica another great banjo player...so much love Bela and Abigail thanks so much!
I don't have to imagine: I saw them perform two days ago, in a great theater with great acoustics and a great sound system. They were GREAT. If you get the chance to do the same, don't pass it by.
She plays the clawhammer style vs. his 3 finger style. Totally different styles producing different sounds and a player is generally proficient in just one. It’s pretty interesting.
The tone Abigail gets with that claw technique is so freaking awesome. I’m hoping to get a banjo soon, and while I think I will learn the traditional picking first (for bluegrass utility), I really want to learn to play that claw way too after seeing (hearing) this. Are they both playing resonator banjos? A great banjo (or better yet two!) in the hands of great players with a great recording setup is the most pleasant tone in music to me.
No, abigail's banjo is not a resonator, should be a open back one. Also, I don't think I'd ever consider bluegrass the "traditional" picking if that is what you mean, 2 fingers or traditional 3 fingers are older and with deeper roots, scruggs style came quite some time later
We are such strange monkeys. Such a strange lot. And I wish my existance was filled with beauty, harmony, love. But it is not. And when I look back on my life, scrabbling in the dirt, trying to find something to call my own. So many I have upset. And so many have upset me. And then I hear this. I hear this. And I wish I was more than I am. I wish us humans were more than what we are. That there is a higher, better place. But there is not. But oh, how my heart sings that there is - and in the song, there it is. This sings this to me - and in the song I am lost and dream of better things. The true call of America. Not the truth. Not the reality of it - but of the dream, the song, that there is a place, a beautiful place where we all can throw off our shackles and say: This is where I belong. I have arrived. I belong. And for short, fleeting moments? I do.
I guess you have to like banjo a lot to listen to this but how can you not like banjo when you hear such masters of the instrument go at it like that? I like how Bela tweaks his fifth string tuner just a bit during the performance and you almost don’t even notice it.
The way she kept looking at him, I was like "woah, that girl is into Bela", then I noticed the rings and was like "oh no, that ain't right, they're each in marriages". Then I looked up Bela Fleck, and sure enough they're married to each other, so that explains it. Wish my wife looked at me like that when I play my banjo instead of a look of judging disgust because my music isn't on the radio or tiktok. She's a wonderful woman, but her taste in music is awful.
People are often bored by things too complex for their inferior brains to comprehend. For instance, I'm sure that a chimpanzee would find boring a virtuosically-played game of chess.
I think I've watched this over a hundred times. Fantastic performance by this incredible duo
The definitive banjo duet of our time. Just splendid!
John have you listened to the Banjophony Album? Ron Block and Damien O’Kane. I’d recommend giving it a listen. You’ll thank yourself.
John you show your ignorance. She is at best an intermediate player. She is riding her husband’s coattails.
@@Chance-ry1hq Way to unnecessarily escalate. Real class.
Tim Knapp wtf??? Oh I get it you learned a new word today, and you were dying to use it.
“Gestalt” is the idea that the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. That’s the deal here. They are both great, but when they play together the creative energy, humanity, and musicality shoot right through the roof.
well said
Yup😊
Thank you for posting this x/tra wonderful recording😊
Saw them perform together. It was amazing. Just as amazing is that they both found their soulmate in this life. I love that.
As a banjo player... hobby... this duo is truly on the very tippy-top of that proverbial (musical achievement) shelve. Kudos for their incredible skill, musicality and tasteful presentation... no virtuosity just to dazzle at the expense of melody... just pure goodness. Oh, and blending open-back clawhammer with finger picked resonator was, genius. Cheers!
Superb. And they love each other...so this is a joy beyond belief.
Close your eyes and youre are in heaven??
Me: I'll put this on in the background so I have some great music to listen to while I search for something on the internet.
Also Me: watches the whole video straight through without ever opening another tab.
wonderful stuff
Niche Marriages of the 21st Century.
It's weird when you realize that what are probably the two best banjo players in the world just up and married eachother.
yea and I hope the talent doesn"t skip a generation
@Oregon Patriot gross.
@Oregon Patriot just because it was a joke doesn't mean it was a good one bootlicker.
Abby is amazing, far better than i could ever be, but she doesn't come even close to best clawhammer in my opinion. This isn't to detract from her, she's incredible, no denying that, but not the best.
Now, Bela being best 3 finger picker around, there is actually something to that claim.
In the end they are definitely both top tier banjo players and it's an absolutely joy to hear them play together.
Probably the best banjo player in either style alive is some kid in some holler or some dude in India we've never heard of.
I am blown away. Thank you
So amazing.
Fun fact: Bela Fleck has been nominated in more Grammy categories than anyone else. Shows his incredible versatility. (He's been nominated 33 times and won 15.)
The Flecktones were unreal too. Top-tier musicians.
From about 6:00 on, holy sugar! I had the pleasure of seeing them live in San Antonio. So great, so charming.
I love this so much. Even without lyrics, you can feel the heart and soul that will make a grown ass man tear up. Thank you.
Big Country is righteous. I can hear Vic Wooten playing invisibly in the background 🤩
Just amazing. Love your way of mixing Scruggs & clawhammer
He’s not playing Scruggs style, he is playing 3 finger melodic.
What an amazing and beautiful marriage of people & styles...magical - thanks Abigail & Bela !
Whew, fantastic! Thanks
Always a great mix, Big country is a fav and having both styles on it was awesome as it ever is when they play together..
AMEN
Thank you. Just, thank you!
🤩
So beautiful these folks mend tones like no others! saw this front row in regina many years ago at a banjo workshop with Old Man Ludica another great banjo player...so much love Bela and Abigail thanks so much!
WOW
I really really hope I get to live next door to them some day.
I can just imagine that. I'd leave my windows wide open, no matter the weather. I wouldn't want to miss out on an impromptu jam.
Excellent teamwork, fun and nice recording. Thank you.
could you imagine how good it sounded before youtube compressed the sound, oh my
I don't have to imagine: I saw them perform two days ago, in a great theater with great acoustics and a great sound system. They were GREAT. If you get the chance to do the same, don't pass it by.
The album version of it is entrancing.
Very nice I see the love 1 million likes
So much complicity and precision surrounded with love of music!...
A perfect "Direct to disc" - Recording. Amazing artists and performance as well! Thx a lot for submitting.
🌞
You are both amazing, thank you
You two are a match made in Heaven. WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
A joy to the ears.
So awesome! Thank you.
Magnificent! Im on the 3 finger pickin', clawhammer is sooo sweet (of course, Abigail is playing...). Here, the best of both techniques!!
Stopped me in my tracks when they went into Big Country
Coming here from Civilization VI!
Her tone is so great. Well both of them, but I guess her style and tone just resonate with me more, personally.
Matt H same, and I just learned about her. Loved Bela all my life, but wow she really makes her banjo sing
She plays the clawhammer style vs. his 3 finger style. Totally different styles producing different sounds and a player is generally proficient in just one. It’s pretty interesting.
@@prairyerth9 She plays 3 finger round peak style clawhammer
Man you can see the smoke coming off that fingerboard, well done👍
anyone have a tab for Abigail's first portion of this video?
Pure gold.
The tone Abigail gets with that claw technique is so freaking awesome. I’m hoping to get a banjo soon, and while I think I will learn the traditional picking first (for bluegrass utility), I really want to learn to play that claw way too after seeing (hearing) this.
Are they both playing resonator banjos?
A great banjo (or better yet two!) in the hands of great players with a great recording setup is the most pleasant tone in music to me.
No, abigail's banjo is not a resonator, should be a open back one. Also, I don't think I'd ever consider bluegrass the "traditional" picking if that is what you mean, 2 fingers or traditional 3 fingers are older and with deeper roots, scruggs style came quite some time later
The clawhammer style is actually the traditional one!
Realy nice!
👏❤️👏❤️👏❤️👏❤️👏❤️
I love Abigail's Big Country. She's playing with a Guy who can pick a tune or two 🙂....Jack Baker NYC
The living definition of "Marriage Made in Heaven"
These two go together like peas and carrots 🥕
Beautiful!
oh, YEAH!
Sweet,sweet picking!
Magicians.
Love this tune
how is?
i love Big Country.
wow wow wow ... oh wow
One is incomplete without the other.
We are such strange monkeys. Such a strange lot. And I wish my existance was filled with beauty, harmony, love. But it is not. And when I look back on my life, scrabbling in the dirt, trying to find something to call my own. So many I have upset. And so many have upset me. And then I hear this. I hear this. And I wish I was more than I am. I wish us humans were more than what we are. That there is a higher, better place. But there is not. But oh, how my heart sings that there is - and in the song, there it is. This sings this to me - and in the song I am lost and dream of better things. The true call of America. Not the truth. Not the reality of it - but of the dream, the song, that there is a place, a beautiful place where we all can throw off our shackles and say: This is where I belong. I have arrived. I belong. And for short, fleeting moments? I do.
❤
Gorgeous!
🌚🌻
Enchanting!!!
Wish I could learn claw hammer bela been my friend for 40 years he just don't no it
great composition
Wonder, thanks.
Hey I never get tard of this ty
The melody that Abigail starts playing at 4:02ish, is that to a particular song? Its v nice
Big country!
Abigail's good !
WOW I like Mucho
In the (hopefully) distant future-If this video was the only surviving artifact of western culture. Yep, I’d be good with that.
I guess you have to like banjo a lot to listen to this but how can you not like banjo when you hear such masters of the instrument go at it like that? I like how Bela tweaks his fifth string tuner just a bit during the performance and you almost don’t even notice it.
starting at around 2:50.. what is that tune? I know I've heard it in something like a Bellowhead song, but I can't place it....
big country ( ua-cam.com/video/WbGsiuZ3L6o/v-deo.html )
Big country by Béla Fleck
Anyone know what key she’s in?
C minor
Probably double C tuning gCGCD
Thanks, C Minor was it for sure. ‘bout got this one down now!
the key of awesome
How’s Bela tuning his banjo for this, I wonder.
It's open C. Same as open G but lower. cGCEG
It's a baritone banjo tuned to open C!
I know he plays a Gibbie but what does she play?
He’s actually playing on his Goldtone Baritone banjo. She plays on an Ome.
@@kevinweger9857 Blasy, I have an Irish tenor Goldtone:-)
Thanks.
Civ VI American Empire Theme! :D
This is what marriage is like.
Bela was patient and found him an old time-banjo playin’ gal
I do believe she had an uncle named Earle
I don't love to hear the old timey played at brake neck speed, it never was meant to be that way. Sally in the Garden was amazing though.
More like Sally in the garden and a tornado touched down 😂
I mean. I think the only word here is, "wow..."
🩷
I hear a little Turkey in the Straw!
civilization 6 brought me here
Came for Sally in the 🪴, stayed for Big Country 😅
he's got his snark on while he's playing, what a noob
Ha!
The way she kept looking at him, I was like "woah, that girl is into Bela", then I noticed the rings and was like "oh no, that ain't right, they're each in marriages". Then I looked up Bela Fleck, and sure enough they're married to each other, so that explains it.
Wish my wife looked at me like that when I play my banjo instead of a look of judging disgust because my music isn't on the radio or tiktok. She's a wonderful woman, but her taste in music is awful.
It was good till the guy started playing 👎
Poor Bela, a banjo virtuoso, reduced to trying to make an intermediate clawhammer player sound good.
Shit take
These two are even more boring when they play together.
Wow you suck
what is an example of something you find interesting?
People are often bored by things too complex for their inferior brains to comprehend. For instance, I'm sure that a chimpanzee would find boring a virtuosically-played game of chess.
@@chrisbaldwin3148 Based!
WOW