Jams can be great. Jams can be horrible. And all points in between. Keep your expectations open. Be flexible. Be open to taking risks. But my best advice is to listen.
Awesome thanks Jim! Doing a simple roll throughout allows you to focus on one variable at a time - being able to hear chord changes and not worry about if you’re doing the right roll
This is my 215th comment on this channel, and i'm still loving it! This is a fantastic lesson! But i know people, they dont hear the moment when it change the chord. The best thing is when you hear the moment a little bit before it comes..
First couple jams I went to I hung back and listened and did some vamping. Figured out what songs were popular and then got better prepared for the next one.
Exactly right the way learned way back before the internet listening to bluegrass albums playing along over and over I learned all my playing by sound it’s the only way I can learn by ear only
Absolutely awesome, video. I am just learning the banjo and am very far from any jam session but thank you so much for explaining it so simply that someone like myself can understand it. So refreshing to see someone so talented and down to earth. God bless you.
I've just started going back to my country music club near my home town and this video will help me so much, however, being the only banjo player may prove difficult but cant wait until the next meeting :)
Thanks for giving us 2 songs to practice chord changes to. This to me was one of the most helpful sessions. Learned tons of useful insights of chord changes that I have missed.
Thanks for these videos! I started learning from your videos a few years ago but unfortunately stopped after a few months. Now I'm picking it back up. My goal is to be able to reliably play rolling backup in a year so I can sit in for one song with the bluegrass band I'm hiring for my wedding next September. I played bass for many years so I know how to be a member of the rhythm section, but obviously I'm starting from square one with the banjo. Looking forward to coming back to this video when I'm up for it!
This question comes up often enough that I think I should probably do a video on it. First, find a local mom & pop type music store. Those folks are usually familiar with the local musicians. Then, check online. You might be surprised to find various Facebook groups for jams in your area.
I'm a finger-style guitar player and I recently adapted this guitar style - thumb, three fingers - to my banjo playing. This is more usually used for vocal accompaniment but I'm also finding it useful for soloing as I progress with this style of playing. Does anyone else play their banjo using this '4-finger' method or have I invented a new playing style? I also use the typical 3-finger style to some bluegrass banjo solos. However, as I've been told a number of times from died-in-the-wool 5-string banjo pickers - including Jim Pankey - I will NEVER be playing 'bluegrass per se' as long as I don't wear those wretched thumb and finger picks ...which I don't. I simply find them cumbersome. Perhaps if I persevered? Regardless, I still enjoy your videos, Jim!
Look up Greg Liszt. Attend a bluegrass jam; your attitude toward the picks will change. It’s a banjo, so the things that work for guitar are irrelevant. If you’re a life long water skier and take up surfing, you’re gonna need a surfboard.
How do I know what finger roll to do? I'm still learning banjo. I was at the Earl Scruggs bluegrass festival and joined a jam session. I sat behind everyone so I wouldn't mess up everyone else. A song would start and I didn't know how to start. What finger roll? During one song I did an alternating thumb roll and I actually heard it with other banjos if I tuned everything out. So, finger rolls are my problem at the moment.
At around 11:35 I could smell the coffee in my grandma's house.I haven't been there in years. So excited to get back into bluegrass music. All my childhood memories are filled with it
I picked for years, married, kids and jobs took front row, I'm older now and really rusty, but this video helped me more than anything else I have found in a long time, thanks for the simple explanations and examples, I have confidence I can get back to where I once was and go forward from there! Thank s for all you do Jim!
Hey Jim, I've been watching your channel for a while and your teaching style really resonates with me. I wanted to thank you for helping me start learning the banjo cause I picked one up today! (Fresh outta highschool, in 1st year uni). I hope you are doing well and continue to do very well!
With all due respect Jim this is right handed hogwash. It is clear from your narrative that you and others also do not teach from day one with the end result in mind. That some how after learning chords and finger shapes the beginner will somehow magically be able to play with others. This is not so. I said right handed hogwash as you do not address the problematic issue of left handers playing in a jam session. If you were a serious “teacher” your success level would improve if you taught how to play with others on day one for a beginner, not down the road after much inappropriate practicing. Your point of view is singular not inclusive. Your viewers and you would benefit if you considered modifying your approach to instruction.
3 years ago i started banjo by watching your videos, today im going to be practicing jamming with my friends. Thanks jim!
That is awesome!
Thanks Jim, this is the kind of stuff I need. Helps to improve my confidence. You are a great teacher. Thanks again
Glad to help
Jams can be great. Jams can be horrible. And all points in between. Keep your expectations open. Be flexible. Be open to taking risks. But my best advice is to listen.
Excellent tips!
That all depends on the egos that are involved
@@scottwaterman5436 💯
Good evening Jim, thank you for your time
Thanks for watching!
I just started Jamming. Best advice you gave is "The only way you're gonna do it is to do it"🤠
Sometimes it’s the simple things. 😃
Nice, this inspired me to make my own break for the old home place, it’s the fourth original break i’ve made. God bless you Jim!
Fantastic!! 😎
Thanks Jim. This is great information and experience you are passing on as well as confidence that we will OK. Looking forward to your next video. 😀
I know you can do it!
What a great lesson on how to train your ear quickly.
Thanks 😊
I love these live sessions
Thanks
Outstanding!!!!! This is really good stuff
Glad you like it!
More like this Jim! Great stuff! Perhaps in other common keys?
Thanks. Thing is, most of this is the same, and if you can work thru this you can sort out the other keys... I promise.
Awesome thanks Jim! Doing a simple roll throughout allows you to focus on one variable at a time - being able to hear chord changes and not worry about if you’re doing the right roll
Yup! That's my strategy.
Jimbo you are the best teacher beyond a doubt
I hope Princess is OK
Thanks!
This is my 215th comment on this channel, and i'm still loving it! This is a fantastic lesson! But i know people, they dont hear the moment when it change the chord. The best thing is when you hear the moment a little bit before it comes..
Yes! It takes a little time, but eventually you hear it before it happens.
First couple jams I went to I hung back and listened and did some vamping. Figured out what songs were popular and then got better prepared for the next one.
Great tip!
Thanks!
Thanks so much!
Current survival technique is ASAP As Simple As Possible quietly vamp, using the same chord shape.
That’s a very good strategy.
Exactly right the way learned way back before the internet listening to bluegrass albums playing along over and over I learned all my playing by sound it’s the only way I can learn by ear only
Thanks 😊
I use the internet now to jst throw the grass on shuffle and play along. It's helped develop my ear big time over the last few years!
Playing " back up
" is the foundational to " jam circle i didnt know what off beat was for couple years ...now i breath off beat.
😁
Absolutely awesome, video. I am just learning the banjo and am very far from any jam session but thank you so much for explaining it so simply that someone like myself can understand it. So refreshing to see someone so talented and down to earth. God bless you.
Happy to help!
I went through your intro playlists and I'm moving on to the backup one now! Not at the jam sesh point but I'm excited for the advice!
You can do it 😊
I've just started going back to my country music club near my home town and this video will help me so much, however, being the only banjo player may prove difficult but cant wait until the next meeting :)
You’ll do just fine!
Thanks for giving us 2 songs to practice chord changes to. This to me was one of the most helpful sessions. Learned tons of useful insights of chord changes that I have missed.
Happy to help!
Thanks for these videos! I started learning from your videos a few years ago but unfortunately stopped after a few months. Now I'm picking it back up. My goal is to be able to reliably play rolling backup in a year so I can sit in for one song with the bluegrass band I'm hiring for my wedding next September. I played bass for many years so I know how to be a member of the rhythm section, but obviously I'm starting from square one with the banjo. Looking forward to coming back to this video when I'm up for it!
Thanks for letting me help you learn
Hey Jim, thanks for all you do! I have learned a lot from you! How can I find jam sessions around me? I’m in South Georgia. Thanks for your advice.
This question comes up often enough that I think I should probably do a video on it.
First, find a local mom & pop type music store. Those folks are usually familiar with the local musicians.
Then, check online. You might be surprised to find various Facebook groups for jams in your area.
@@JimPankey looking forward to that video!
Hi Jim! Thank you for posting your videos. Your advice, lessons, tips and time , are greatly appreciated!
Have a blessed day!
Glad you like them!
Jim I think you are the best teacher I've been playing for 24 years now and I'm learning new stuff watching you . Thank you for the content !!!!!!
Thanks for letting me help!
Great information !!
Glad it was helpful!
Love the vid Jim! I’ve missed the past couple of your live streams, but I’m notified for next time so there’s no missing!
Awesome thank you!
I'm a finger-style guitar player and I recently adapted this guitar style - thumb, three fingers - to my banjo playing. This is more usually used for vocal accompaniment but I'm also finding it useful for soloing as I progress with this style of playing. Does anyone else play their banjo using this '4-finger' method or have I invented a new playing style? I also use the typical 3-finger style to some bluegrass banjo solos. However, as I've been told a number of times from died-in-the-wool 5-string banjo pickers - including Jim Pankey - I will NEVER be playing 'bluegrass per se' as long as I don't wear those wretched thumb and finger picks ...which I don't. I simply find them cumbersome. Perhaps if I persevered? Regardless, I still enjoy your videos, Jim!
Look up Greg Liszt. Attend a bluegrass jam; your attitude toward the picks will change.
It’s a banjo, so the things that work for guitar are irrelevant.
If you’re a life long water skier and take up surfing, you’re gonna need a surfboard.
I survived my first banjo jam session last night. I learned a lot just by playing with other musicians. Thanks Jim!
Awesome!!
You are the best
Thanks 😊
Hey jim ,,,,, jam I've found the right handed piano buddy,,,,,, 👍😎
Nice 👍
I think it’s time for another toke.😂
Thanks
Welcome
I remember the Dillards saying to Andy Griffith in a jam to just hang on!
Solid advice. 😆
Great video Jim! Thanks for sharing 😊
Thanks for watching
Thanks as always a great help 👍
Glad to help
Yes!!
Thanks
How do I know what finger roll to do? I'm still learning banjo. I was at the Earl Scruggs bluegrass festival and joined a jam session. I sat behind everyone so I wouldn't mess up everyone else. A song would start and I didn't know how to start. What finger roll? During one song I did an alternating thumb roll and I actually heard it with other banjos if I tuned everything out. So, finger rolls are my problem at the moment.
Pick a roll, try it. Listen. Does it sound good? If not, try something else.
@@JimPankey Thank you, sir.
Good stuff!
Thanks 😊
Have you ever done Rank Stranger? I've looked and can't find one😊
I teach the technique Ralph uses for that in my backup series.
@@JimPankey thanks I'll check it out
What roll would you recommend for Rank stranger? Thank you!
At around 11:35 I could smell the coffee in my grandma's house.I haven't been there in years. So excited to get back into bluegrass music. All my childhood memories are filled with it
Glad to help bring up a good memory.
I picked for years, married, kids and jobs took front row, I'm older now and really rusty, but this video helped me more than anything else I have found in a long time, thanks for the simple explanations and examples, I have confidence I can get back to where I once was and go forward from there! Thank s for all you do Jim!
Glad it helped!
Aside from the topic, I learned a lot in general from this
Awesome! I always have this notion that there's more to learn than just the basic topic. :)
No jams yet but this makes sense to me!
Glad I could help 😊
I wish you would make a tab of Have Nagila For sale
Did you look in the description of the lesson video I did?? ua-cam.com/video/bS6MNf5kmmg/v-deo.html
Thanks!
You bet!
Hey Jim, I've been watching your channel for a while and your teaching style really resonates with me. I wanted to thank you for helping me start learning the banjo cause I picked one up today! (Fresh outta highschool, in 1st year uni). I hope you are doing well and continue to do very well!
Awesome! Thanks for letting me help you learn. 😊
@@JimPankey thank you for teaching us. And have you done Waltzing Matilda on Banjo? Cause I'd love to learn how play it!
What banjo and guitar are those?
The banjo is the Recording King M5. Not even sure which guitar... it's one of the Dirty 30s models. :)
Jim, what kind of banjo do you have? I've been looking around, but I can't seem to find a banjo with 5 strings.
It’s a Recording King
@@JimPankey Is it a plectrum?
No. It’s a 5 string.
@@JimPankey Ah, okay. Thanks
With all due respect Jim this is right handed hogwash. It is clear from your narrative that you and others also do not teach from day one with the end result in mind. That some how after learning chords and finger shapes the beginner will somehow magically be able to play with others. This is not so. I said right handed hogwash as you do not address the problematic issue of left handers playing in a jam session. If you were a serious “teacher” your success level would improve if you taught how to play with others on day one for a beginner, not down the road after much inappropriate practicing. Your point of view is singular not inclusive. Your viewers and you would benefit if you considered modifying your approach to instruction.
Good luck with finding a right handed piano.
Fair Point Budd ,,,,, irrelevant? 👍😎