Hi! I write from France . I bought a banjo 40 years ago when I was a student. I said to me : "i learn to play banjo when I have time ....but with my job ....i had no time enough. Now I am retired (I am 65 years old) and yours videos make me want to learn banjo. Congratulations your videos are very good because they are slow , we see the fingers very well ......and your are a very good teacher. I write a new post when I am able to play "Creeple creeck" ;-) Thanks for your help
A year and a half ago I started playing banjo and this is the first song I learned thanks to this video. I am revisiting this video to see how far I have come, I didn't know anything about the banjo when I first caught this video. Thank you so much for taking time out to make this video, it was a big help and an enormous inspiration for me.
+Giuliano Stroppa Hi Giuliano thanks for taking to time to comment, it's really nice to hear when people are successful in learning to play! Very best wishes, Joff.
Simply the very best tuition video to get you productive on the banjo. I struggled for years and disciplined myself to follow Joff's videos and can now actually play like a real banjo player.
probably the best lesson I have seen. It's hard to find someone who actually tells you what they are doing and showing you rather than just recording themselves playing the banjo and naming it a lesson.
Great instructional. Hits all the small steps without being "boring" or tedious. I'm a double bass, guitarist, mandolin player, and this video helped was me into the terrifying world of using more fingers.
I've been trying to watch youtube videos for a whole year to figure out basic for a kids banjo. The progress from oper and closed strings patterns and adding in thumb and other fingers has given us something to practice that really in one hour is making more sense to us how to play a banjo! thank you
I bought a banjo for myself 2 days ago. I instantly learnt the riff from 'Somebody Like You' by Keith Urban. Following that i decided to give cripple creek a go. And i can now play thanks to this guy :) rock on Joff!
This series is probably the best video tutorial I've seen anywhere. The split-screen detail areas are a great idea. The pauses are most helpful and help things "sink in". One thing would make these lessons perfect- TABLATURE, either overlaid onto the video or posted on your webpage. Without this, I find myself having to carefully follow the right-hand fingers frame-by-frame, while making guesses about the left hand. All this kills the timing relationships and train of thought (I still have'nt worked it out yet). A small tablature would instantly answer all those questions for folks like me who are used to tabs.
Really good teacher man, thanks! Been a guitarist 20 years and got a banjo for my birthday yesterday.. Ill be honest i clicked on your vid by accident when trying to watch another beginner banjo video, but watched it all as soon as you started speaking. Great teacher!
Thanks for taking the time to make this series, Joff! Just got through all three parts and am taking a break (whew!). Been playing guitar for years, but I *finally* picked up a banjo and am loving it! Cripple Creek is my first tune thanks you you!
JoffLowson These three videos were amazing. I bought a banjo a few hours ago, this is my fourth instrument I am learning. Thank you for the incredible videos, they have helped me learn Cripple Creek on this thing. Thank You again!
If you can play guitar you have a head start! The left hand fretting technique and the right hand picking technique are similar to the guitar. The main difference is the note choices and picking patterns are a lot different. Hopefully this video will give you an insight into that!
This guy is actually pretty cool I played songs like cripple creek bout 6 years back in a program at school and I’m buy a banjo and learning all my old music again!
very good job with cripple creek video. you were very detailed and slow enough to follow along with. im new to the banjo and it only took me a week to learn the song thanks to you i hope to see more song tutorials from you soon very good job sir
An interesting problem! Maybe you could look into fretless banjos - they are normally strung with nylon strings. You can get un-plated plain brass hardware as well for the tension hoop and hooks and all the other metal parts.
Been fiddling with the banjo for months on and off. I got my fingers right and some of the rolls. I then did the video and it helps to write down the notes. Happy to say that I am finial y hearing some good beat. It takes time. Thanks for the video. It helped a lot.
Hi there Joff. Thank you for this brilliant video. I can now play Cripple creek perfectly after never playing the banjo before. I really like your style of teaching. I've watched other youtube videos but was not able to follow along. Can you put up another video showing us how to play duelling banjo's or some other banjo classics as I am very hungry for more now? Thanks for all your efforts, Eric
That's great! Thanks for your kind words. I'm starting to make duelling banjos now but these things take time... Will you be the first brave soul to make a video of cripple creek and post it as a video response on this page?
Hey thank you for posting this vid ...... Just bought my first banjo and I'm looking forward to learning and this is the best I've found Thanks again from Toronto Canada
Great video, I can't wait to actually use it. You see, I'm missing a 5th string because I picked it up at a yard sale so I've just been playing around with four string tunes like the intro to dueling banjos. It's been one week, I think I'm picking it up quickly! Anyway, thanks a ton!
Thanks for your great work ! As a beginner this has helped more than any of the other tutorials I have tried to follow ! Your attitude that "slow is the go to help them know" is just the way I learn !! My first ever instrument is becoming a joy thanks to your teaching style..Look forward to finding your other lesson on the other part of Cripple creek. Well Done !!
Megan, you are so right. He says switch between these 2 left-hand positions, but never tells us or show us exactly what they are. Whoops. Otherwise, he's good (so far at least).
This is awesome.. thanks for going slow and written instructions for left and right hands.. I've been tinkering with a banjo for 2 weeks.. lol 3 hours and your help I'm playing a song just slowly!
It's great to see this video. I can vouch for Joff Lowson as a superb musician, and, more importantly for this project, a superb and thoughtful teacher, and perfect for beginners. You can't go wrong with Joff!
You are very patient with we banjo beginners...I'm an acoustic guitar player of lots of busking years & I'm wondering now how or if I'll take to the banjo,I bought one reasonable for our church group from ebay.With videps like this we'll get nicely on our way.Thank you & I note that a previous commenter saying you're an inspiration. That must make efforts so worthwhile.Dig it. Brian Cokayne/ Stockport
WOW! I can't believe I can play this little low section now! I practiced just learning to control the thumb picking mostly for a few days then finally tackled the rest of this video and I'm amazed I can do it now - yay me! Thank you so much for your help in this big accomplishment!!!
Hey Carol, that's the kind of comment that really makes my day! You might like to know there is a traditional style of banjo playing called 'Thumb lead,' which means doing exactly what you did. The entire chorus of Cripple Creek is Thumb Lead because the tune is played by the thumb. Apologies for tardy reply, YT has stopped notifying me when good folks like yourself leave comments!
'Learning banjo from a Limey' there's got to be a song in there somewhere... Someone told me the classic Mastertone banjo was in fact designed by a Londoner in the late 1800s but he couldn't get commercial backing and abandoned the idea, which was picked up by Gibson twenty years later. I don't know if that's true or not...
Hi Joff, thank you very much for this great lessons. i never played an instrument before and startet playing Banjo a few weeks ago with your video lessons. Otherwise, I have probably already given up after a few days. Best Banjo teacher on Web... I'm thinking about visiting your website and take more lessons...
That's great to hear, makes it all worth while for me! Would you like to be the first brave soul to post a video response of your version of Cripple Creek?
Hi Joff! I learned to play this song as my first song on the banjo thanks to you and your videos. Thank you for the time and effort put into this for us banjo-noobs.
Great video, thank you! Have just picked up the banjo as I can no longer play my saxophone in our block of flats. I have quite small hands and struggle with my left hand position so that I don't catch the other strings, do you have any pointers? Just practising relentlessly at the moment!
Your videos are awesome mate. I think I'm getting your views up a fair but by myself. Just picked up a banjo and I'm loving it so far. Looking forward to learning more from your videos :)
Music Theory for Five String Banjo by E. M. Hütter is now available on ebay and Amazon.com. It is the first music theory textbook designed for banjo players. It has over 250 diagrams of chords,scales and modes on over 100 pages of lesson material.
This is a clear tutorial with good exercises and attainable goals for a complete beginner. I'm enjoying my new banjo because of you - thank you! (It was worthy of my first comment on social media ever!) Joff, I like your finger picks - what brand are they?
Thanks Anne, Sorry for slow reply - UA-cam messaging system is notoriously clunky! I'm using National brand metal fingerpicks and the thumbpick is a plastic one by Dunlop. Congrats on launching into social media as well as banjo playing!
Hello. I am going to buy a Washburn B9 this week. I am a beginner. That really is all I can afford. is it a good choice ? You are great by the way, thanks too,
I just found your banjo lessons on utube. I have a mini banjo, I think it is called a banjolele. It has four strings but sounds just like a banjo. How can I learn how to play it? Do I need to look up how to play a yuke, as it has four strings and apparently this instrument is strung like one of those.
Hey Joff, great video! I learned to play all of these three videos in a day. You're a really good instructor! But a thing that I noticed was that the high part is played differently in this video from the seperate video. Which one is the correct one? And another question: any tips on how to get the right pace? I noticed that when i play it, i don't really get the correct pace when picking the strings. If that is something you could teach, I would be very much grateful! Thanks in advance, Fredrik
fredrik nyberg There is no correct High Part! There are many great versions you can listen to, some of them are pretty far out. Pace is so important. My best tip is, practice for a while and when you are confident in what you are doing, slow it down a little bit and try to get smooth, steady rhythm. Once you've done that for a while, speed it up and enjoy yourself!
Dave Merideth I'm right handed. Picks used to be less than a dollar apiece but I think you can pay over a buck for one now. Most people (me included) like to use two metal fingerpicks and a plastic thumb pick. I like Dunlop and National brands but there are plenty other good makes out there.
Hi. I am still confused on the low melody. Although u are going slow, I get confused on the middle finger to the 3 and 4 string???? HELP!!!!! Are there any tablature to follow each note??? I can not get it at all yet????? Thanks.
Trying to count after 3251 you use a role on 2and 4 a few times then 3&4 is that the correct order, going to re check, learnt this tune with Jim Pankey , but for some reason I sound very robotic, trying your way now
I am recently retired and one of the things I have on my bucket list is to learn to play the banjo. Of course I first need to purchase a banjo. Anyone out there that can advise me on what brand/model I should look for? Anything I should be on the look out for? I would like to take lessons for bluegrass. Thanks
+55Herbie1 I like the Deering Goodtime. If you're in the UK check out the Clipper from Andybanjo in Kent. A lot of people think you need a heavy banjo to play bluegrass but my advice is to get one you feel comfortable with.
Hey JoffLowson I got a banjo for christmas and it is my prized possesion. I find it easier to play with the the finger picks off. Is that a bad thing or should I get used to using the picks?
Samuel Enyeart Everybody recommends you use picks. you can get much more speed and power with them plus greater dynamic range so definitely give them a try and hopefully it will click. Funny thing is I've spent the last few years learning to play without picks and really enjoying it! I play much slower without them though. Hope that helps.
Samuel Enyeart So basically if you want to play Foggy Mountain Breakdown you need to play with picks, it's virtually impossible to play that fast without them.
Hi the square roll is 3251 or 4251. There's a video about it on my website here jofflowson.com/banjo-for-complete-beginners/learn-to-play-the-banjo/square-roll/
you are making fantastic videos, THANK YOU! I have the song down now, I just wish I could get those nice slides in there. are you sliding from the A to the B on the G string? It would be great if you could give us some more tips on that, it really completes the song. Thanks!
Hi Lauren thanks for your comment. There are lots of ways to play the slide (in the chorus), I normally slide from the a to the b flat i.e. 2nd to 3rd fret. The slide is quick, it happens before the index finger plays the 2nd string. It's really important the index finger plays the 2nd string at the normal timing. Have fun with it!
Hi Joff, I lack space at home and looking at an open back Parlor banjo, would you say this is a bad idea when learning or does it not matter..? Thanks...
HI Tanya, I play an open back myself. I used to have a closed back mastertone copy but I prefer the sound and light weight of the open back. I'm not sure what you mean by a parlor banjo, is that one with a very short neck? Those are easy to play for sure. I prefer the sound of a longer neck, make sure to try a few banjos before you buy.
@@JoffLowson As I understand your based in Bristol..? Im in the Midlands near Rugby, if you have any contacts ref teachers that would be great, tried learning from a book and its just not happening sadly....
That's an Ibanez Artist series banjo which was made in the 80s. It's a bit softer sounding than most modern Mastertone style instruments. It has a 12-ply shell and the metal parts, especially the tone ring, are all made of quite cheap metal. I think it's called 'Pot' metal which just means a mixture of anything. Some Gibsons were made from it in the 40s-80s. The best Gibsons from the 30s had a bronze tone ring which they've now managed to replicate, so most modern instruments have a much sharper sound than this old Ibanez.
I really like the enlarged hand part, it makes it easier to follow - but could I suggest you also have a tab chart to spare us endlessly having to keep rewinding and freezing the video to see what strings you hit - cheers
At the end of the video a white box appears in the bottom right hand corner with the words 'Part two' on it. Click that and watch the rest of this three part series.
Hey man this is really good, but the video suffers a little from the pauses you have in between each part, this can easily be sorted through cutting those bits out in editing, everything will flow sooo much better :)
+CBG channel2 I recommend the Grafton electric banjo available from Andy Perkins in Kent, UK. Of course you can also fit a pick up to any banjo you like.
The banjo is coming through a Rode NT2 mic which you can see. That's a budget copy of the industry-standard U87 which a lot of classic vocals were recorded on. Another popular way to record acoustic instruments is with a matched pair of mics check out john williams Asturias (Legend) by Albinez here on youtube
What is your tuning? My book says the 4th string should be C, but everyone else I see with an instructional Banjo tuning video says to tune it to D. Please reply. :D
+Dirty Jesus I'm using standard G tuning with the 4th string tuned to D. A long long time ago most players used C tuning which was called 'Standard Tuning' once upon a time. I guess you have the Pete Seeger book?
I have both a banjo and a banjolele and I don't think you'll be able to play this on that because they are both tuned differently. If you could tune your banjolele like a banjo you may be able to try this tune out. The banjo on this is tuned to an open G i believe
wearing the fingerpicks is entirely a personal choice. I know some good players who don't wear them. However I recommend everyone to start with them from day one because it's much easier to switch to bare fingers later. If you start with bare fingers it can be very difficult to get used to the picks later one. I hope that's helpful.
Playing the banjo is one of the most rewarding things I've done. It's taken me to some far-out places and met some real interesting people from all different walks of life. It takes a certain amount of effort to start with, but it's not as hard as some other instruments like the violin or the drums. Banjos are really cheap to buy these days, you can get a good one for 200-300 and if you don't have that kind of dough you can get one for under a hundred bucks easy enough. I recommend going to a bricks and mortar store so you can be sure the banjo is set up right. I'm uploading some tips for complete beginners on my website, visit jofflowson.com
Hi! I write from France . I bought a banjo 40 years ago when I was a student. I said to me : "i learn to play banjo when I have time ....but with my job ....i had no time enough.
Now I am retired (I am 65 years old) and yours videos make me want to learn banjo.
Congratulations your videos are very good because they are slow , we see the fingers very well ......and your are a very good teacher.
I write a new post when I am able to play "Creeple creeck" ;-)
Thanks for your help
A year and a half ago I started playing banjo and this is the first song I learned thanks to this video. I am revisiting this video to see how far I have come, I didn't know anything about the banjo when I first caught this video. Thank you so much for taking time out to make this video, it was a big help and an enormous inspiration for me.
+Giuliano Stroppa Hi Giuliano thanks for taking to time to comment, it's really nice to hear when people are successful in learning to play! Very best wishes, Joff.
I did almost exactly the same thing! This was the first tune I learned, also about a year and a half ago, also from this video.
Same story for me! Thanks so much. I love this instrument and I love making little variations on this theme. All thanks to your generosity!
I am new! What did you move to after learning to play this tune?
Simply the very best tuition video to get you productive on the banjo. I struggled for years and disciplined myself to follow Joff's videos and can now actually play like a real banjo player.
probably the best lesson I have seen. It's hard to find someone who actually tells you what they are doing and showing you rather than just recording themselves playing the banjo and naming it a lesson.
Great instructional. Hits all the small steps without being "boring" or tedious. I'm a double bass, guitarist, mandolin player, and this video helped was me into the terrifying world of using more fingers.
Been playing for a month, and I can play this in time with one or two ornaments. YOU ARE MY SHORT TERM PERSONAL SAVIOR.
I've been trying to watch youtube videos for a whole year to figure out basic for a kids banjo. The progress from oper and closed strings patterns and adding in thumb and other fingers has given us something to practice that really in one hour is making more sense to us how to play a banjo! thank you
Hi Sarah Thanks for your comment. Good luck with learning to play.
I bought a banjo for myself 2 days ago. I instantly learnt the riff from 'Somebody Like You' by Keith Urban. Following that i decided to give cripple creek a go. And i can now play thanks to this guy :) rock on Joff!
This series is probably the best video tutorial I've seen anywhere. The split-screen detail areas are a great idea. The pauses are most helpful and help things "sink in". One thing would make these lessons perfect- TABLATURE, either overlaid onto the video or posted on your webpage. Without this, I find myself having to carefully follow the right-hand fingers frame-by-frame, while making guesses about the left hand. All this kills the timing relationships and train of thought (I still have'nt worked it out yet). A small tablature would instantly answer all those questions for folks like me who are used to tabs.
Tablature for Cripple Creek is now up on my website and it's free to download!
Really good teacher man, thanks! Been a guitarist 20 years and got a banjo for my birthday yesterday.. Ill be honest i clicked on your vid by accident when trying to watch another beginner banjo video, but watched it all as soon as you started speaking. Great teacher!
Thanks for taking the time to make this series, Joff! Just got through all three parts and am taking a break (whew!). Been playing guitar for years, but I *finally* picked up a banjo and am loving it! Cripple Creek is my first tune thanks you you!
JoffLowson These three videos were amazing. I bought a banjo a few hours ago, this is my fourth instrument I am learning. Thank you for the incredible videos, they have helped me learn Cripple Creek on this thing. Thank You again!
***** You learnt to play in four hours? Good going!
If you can play guitar you have a head start! The left hand fretting technique and the right hand picking technique are similar to the guitar. The main difference is the note choices and picking patterns are a lot different. Hopefully this video will give you an insight into that!
This guy is actually pretty cool I played songs like cripple creek bout 6 years back in a program at school and I’m buy a banjo and learning all my old music again!
very good job with cripple creek video. you were very detailed and slow enough to follow along with. im new to the banjo and it only took me a week to learn the song thanks to you i hope to see more song tutorials from you soon very good job sir
An interesting problem! Maybe you could look into fretless banjos - they are normally strung with nylon strings. You can get un-plated plain brass hardware as well for the tension hoop and hooks and all the other metal parts.
One of the best lessens I've ever seen! Thank you very much for uploading
Been fiddling with the banjo for months on and off. I got my fingers right and some of the rolls. I then did the video and it helps to write down the notes. Happy to say that I am finial y hearing some good beat. It takes time. Thanks for the video. It helped a lot.
OMG! that guy's hand is MASSIVE!
Oh, wait...
Lol. Lol.
The claw
Hi there Joff.
Thank you for this brilliant video. I can now play Cripple creek perfectly after never playing the banjo before. I really like your style of teaching. I've watched other youtube videos but was not able to follow along.
Can you put up another video showing us how to play duelling banjo's or some other banjo classics as I am very hungry for more now?
Thanks for all your efforts,
Eric
That's great! Thanks for your kind words. I'm starting to make duelling banjos now but these things take time... Will you be the first brave soul to make a video of cripple creek and post it as a video response on this page?
JoffLowson You know what, I just might do that. Great idea!
Great tutorial, really appreciate the slow how-to beginner speed and patience with your teaching.
Hey thank you for posting this vid ...... Just bought my first banjo and I'm looking forward to learning and this is the best I've found
Thanks again from Toronto Canada
Milkweedlayinlow Always nice to hear from new banjo players, I hope it goes well!
Hey! Let's all give him a big hand.
Aw...never mind...he's already got one. 8-)
Now that is a really good comment.
bought my banjo 2 weeks ago and immediately in love. thanks for the help!!
Joey Martin You're most welcome, let me know how you get on.
Great video, I can't wait to actually use it. You see, I'm missing a 5th string because I picked it up at a yard sale so I've just been playing around with four string tunes like the intro to dueling banjos. It's been one week, I think I'm picking it up quickly! Anyway, thanks a ton!
Thanks for your great work ! As a beginner this has helped more than any of the other tutorials I have tried to follow ! Your attitude that "slow is the go to help them know" is just the way I learn !! My first ever instrument is becoming a joy thanks to your teaching style..Look forward to finding your other lesson on the other part of Cripple creek.
Well Done !!
Nice! I hail from Loooosiana so you can imagine how fun it is to hear a British guy playing the banjo!
Thanks for your kind words and I hope the weather in Louisiana is as good as the UK right now!
fab tutorial Joff. after about 6 weeks of playing banjo i can now play my first tune. i'll be checking out more of your stuff. thanks again :O)
deathbyowls Duelling banjos coming soon!
it would be a lot easyer if there was tab at the bottom, hard to tell if your left hand finger is on the 3rd or the 4th string.
Megan, you are so right. He says switch between these 2 left-hand positions, but never tells us or show us exactly what they are. Whoops. Otherwise, he's good (so far at least).
This is awesome.. thanks for going slow and written instructions for left and right hands.. I've been tinkering with a banjo for 2 weeks.. lol 3 hours and your help I'm playing a song just slowly!
It's great to see this video. I can vouch for Joff Lowson as a superb musician, and, more importantly for this project, a superb and thoughtful teacher, and perfect for beginners. You can't go wrong with Joff!
Thanks mate!
Hi there! Thanks for this great lesson. Lets hope you create more lessons like this, as they are really easy to understand. Thank you for your time!
you produced thus 10 yrs ago ! I keep coming back to this 2023....many thanks 💪👍
You are very patient with we banjo beginners...I'm an acoustic guitar player of lots of busking years & I'm wondering now how or if I'll take to the banjo,I bought one reasonable for our church group from ebay.With videps like this we'll get nicely on our way.Thank you & I note that a previous commenter saying you're an inspiration. That must make efforts so worthwhile.Dig it. Brian Cokayne/ Stockport
Thanks Joff, your videos helped me get going with the banjo.
WOW! I can't believe I can play this little low section now! I practiced just learning to control the thumb picking mostly for a few days then finally tackled the rest of this video and I'm amazed I can do it now - yay me! Thank you so much for your help in this big accomplishment!!!
Hey Carol, that's the kind of comment that really makes my day! You might like to know there is a traditional style of banjo playing called 'Thumb lead,' which means doing exactly what you did. The entire chorus of Cripple Creek is Thumb Lead because the tune is played by the thumb. Apologies for tardy reply, YT has stopped notifying me when good folks like yourself leave comments!
'Learning banjo from a Limey' there's got to be a song in there somewhere...
Someone told me the classic Mastertone banjo was in fact designed by a Londoner in the late 1800s but he couldn't get commercial backing and abandoned the idea, which was picked up by Gibson twenty years later. I don't know if that's true or not...
This is a great tutorial. Do more! Thanks Joff!
Hi Joff, thank you very much for this great lessons. i never played an instrument before and startet playing Banjo a few weeks ago with your video lessons. Otherwise, I have probably already given up after a few days. Best Banjo teacher on Web...
I'm thinking about visiting your website and take more lessons...
Do you have any video on the more advanced cripple creek? With the hammer/slides?
Fantastic instructional video. I learned to play this the second day I had my banjo using just your video and written instruction. Great job!
That's great to hear, makes it all worth while for me! Would you like to be the first brave soul to post a video response of your version of Cripple Creek?
Hi Joff! I learned to play this song as my first song on the banjo thanks to you and your videos. Thank you for the time and effort put into this for us banjo-noobs.
That's fantastic! Make my day and post a video of yourself playing it!
Great video, thank you! Have just picked up the banjo as I can no longer play my saxophone in our block of flats. I have quite small hands and struggle with my left hand position so that I don't catch the other strings, do you have any pointers? Just practising relentlessly at the moment!
Your videos are awesome mate. I think I'm getting your views up a fair but by myself. Just picked up a banjo and I'm loving it so far. Looking forward to learning more from your videos :)
Kris McDonald Visit my website for plenty more learning banjo videos. Good luck with the picking!
Great lesson but I'm struggling a bit with which strings to press at the top when playing the combo. I couldnt quite see that and I was a bit lost
Music Theory for Five String Banjo by E. M. Hütter is now available on ebay and Amazon.com. It is the first music theory textbook designed for banjo players. It has over 250 diagrams of chords,scales and modes on over 100 pages of lesson material.
I'm really interested in this book if 'Hiram Banjo' would like to get in contact with me I'll do a review.
Very helpful video. Nice, clear instruction.
This helped me so much it is extremely helpful cheers.
What a magic sound love it so much
Hi and thanks for your banjo lessons.
Do you sell banjo lessons for beginners on a dvd ?
Thanks
This is a clear tutorial with good exercises and attainable goals for a complete beginner. I'm enjoying my new banjo because of you - thank you! (It was worthy of my first comment on social media ever!) Joff, I like your finger picks - what brand are they?
Thanks Anne, Sorry for slow reply - UA-cam messaging system is notoriously clunky! I'm using National brand metal fingerpicks and the thumbpick is a plastic one by Dunlop. Congrats on launching into social media as well as banjo playing!
Hello. I am going to buy a Washburn B9 this week. I am a beginner. That really is all I can afford. is it a good choice ? You are great by the way, thanks too,
I just found your banjo lessons on utube. I have a mini banjo, I think it is called a banjolele. It has four strings but sounds just like a banjo. How can I learn how to play it? Do I need to look up how to play a yuke, as it has four strings and apparently this instrument is strung like one of those.
Excellent Instruction ! Thank you 😊😊
Learning banjo to outplay my friend and make him depressed he’s my best friend
Hi Joff, I was wondering when you were picking around 8:30 in the video if I needed to follow that pattern or if I can make up my own
Sandra Enyeart Make up your own! The actual Cripple Creek Low Melody starts around 10 minutes in
great thanks Joff!
You are a fantastic teacher thank you so much ! Do you have a tutorial for foggy mountain breakdown . Enjoyed the version you did in the other video
I am getting lost even at the slow speeds do you have a tab?
Thank you for sharing this with us noobs
Thanks a lot Joff - your really know how to teach, slow patient and accurate!
Thanks . Cheers to you mate
Hi, very good lesson.
It's possible to have the tablature for this easy version of Cripple Creek ?
Hey Joff, great video! I learned to play all of these three videos in a day. You're a really good instructor! But a thing that I noticed was that the high part is played differently in this video from the seperate video. Which one is the correct one?
And another question: any tips on how to get the right pace? I noticed that when i play it, i don't really get the correct pace when picking the strings. If that is something you could teach, I would be very much grateful!
Thanks in advance,
Fredrik
fredrik nyberg There is no correct High Part! There are many great versions you can listen to, some of them are pretty far out.
Pace is so important. My best tip is, practice for a while and when you are confident in what you are doing, slow it down a little bit and try to get smooth, steady rhythm. Once you've done that for a while, speed it up and enjoy yourself!
I will be uploading the tablature to my website very soon.
Great video! What is the very last part at the end called, and how to play that? @12:16
That's called 'Shave and a haircut.'
Very good video. I love the banjo, unfortunately, I have a severe nickle allergy and cant handle one. I break out with a weird rash.
Hey Mr Uptown, any chance you could post a video of your version of Cripple Creek?
I don't have a banjo but I still subscribed because this video made me want to get one in the future!
hey that was great lessons! your style of teaching worked great for me! subscribed.
hi i was wondering how much banjo picks are and and are you left or right handed cause i'm right handed and a little lost but you sound great
Dave Merideth I'm right handed. Picks used to be less than a dollar apiece but I think you can pay over a buck for one now. Most people (me included) like to use two metal fingerpicks and a plastic thumb pick. I like Dunlop and National brands but there are plenty other good makes out there.
Great lesson/teacher
Hi. I am still confused on the low melody. Although u are going slow, I get confused on the middle finger to the 3 and 4 string???? HELP!!!!! Are there any tablature to follow each note??? I can not get it at all yet????? Thanks.
Go here for free banjo TAB jofflowson.com/free-online-banjo-video-lessons/banjo-tablature-downloads
Trying to count after 3251 you use a role on 2and 4 a few times then 3&4 is that the correct order, going to re check, learnt this tune with Jim Pankey , but for some reason I sound very robotic, trying your way now
I'm not sure what your question is, but you can get a tab at jofflowson.com
I am recently retired and one of the things I have on my bucket list is to learn to play the banjo. Of course I first need to purchase a banjo. Anyone out there that can advise me on what brand/model I should look for? Anything I should be on the look out for? I would like to take lessons for bluegrass. Thanks
A deering GoodTime
Thank you for the feedback. Now I know where to get started.
+55Herbie1 Specifically, the Deering Goodtime Two, if you're wanting to play 5-string Scruggs-style Bluegrass.
+SilentGloves Thanks for the feedback. Much appreciated!
+55Herbie1 I like the Deering Goodtime. If you're in the UK check out the Clipper from Andybanjo in Kent. A lot of people think you need a heavy banjo to play bluegrass but my advice is to get one you feel comfortable with.
Hey JoffLowson I got a banjo for christmas and it is my prized possesion. I find it easier to play with the the finger picks off. Is that a bad thing or should I get used to using the picks?
Samuel Enyeart Everybody recommends you use picks. you can get much more speed and power with them plus greater dynamic range so definitely give them a try and hopefully it will click. Funny thing is I've spent the last few years learning to play without picks and really enjoying it! I play much slower without them though. Hope that helps.
Samuel Enyeart So basically if you want to play Foggy Mountain Breakdown you need to play with picks, it's virtually impossible to play that fast without them.
Can you play this on the four string banjo?
Could you tell me what strings your hitting for high- low & roll like 3524 with that I can play.
Hi the square roll is 3251 or 4251. There's a video about it on my website here jofflowson.com/banjo-for-complete-beginners/learn-to-play-the-banjo/square-roll/
Terrific video. Thanks so much!
great video, although I'll admit clicking on it mainly to see if it was a dude with a freakish arm giantism affliction :)
ive just got myself a banjo and am trying to learn myself. Do you have the tablature for this though?
you are making fantastic videos, THANK YOU! I have the song down now, I just wish I could get those nice slides in there. are you sliding from the A to the B on the G string? It would be great if you could give us some more tips on that, it really completes the song. Thanks!
Hi Lauren thanks for your comment. There are lots of ways to play the slide (in the chorus), I normally slide from the a to the b flat i.e. 2nd to 3rd fret. The slide is quick, it happens before the index finger plays the 2nd string. It's really important the index finger plays the 2nd string at the normal timing. Have fun with it!
thanks! you are awesome, Im gonna try that out
Lauren Sonk Nicest thing anybody's said to me for ages!
Hi Joff, I lack space at home and looking at an open back Parlor banjo, would you say this is a bad idea when learning or does it not matter..? Thanks...
HI Tanya, I play an open back myself. I used to have a closed back mastertone copy but I prefer the sound and light weight of the open back. I'm not sure what you mean by a parlor banjo, is that one with a very short neck? Those are easy to play for sure. I prefer the sound of a longer neck, make sure to try a few banjos before you buy.
@@JoffLowson Yes a Parlor banjo is basically a travel banjo, same G turning but shorter..
@@tanyano9 With the short neck it can be hard to play in tune. You can compensate for that by using heavier strings.
@@JoffLowson As I understand your based in Bristol..? Im in the Midlands near Rugby, if you have any contacts ref teachers that would be great, tried learning from a book and its just not happening sadly....
What is the brand banjo you are playing has great sound and tone
That's an Ibanez Artist series banjo which was made in the 80s. It's a bit softer sounding than most modern Mastertone style instruments. It has a 12-ply shell and the metal parts, especially the tone ring, are all made of quite cheap metal. I think it's called 'Pot' metal which just means a mixture of anything. Some Gibsons were made from it in the 40s-80s. The best Gibsons from the 30s had a bronze tone ring which they've now managed to replicate, so most modern instruments have a much sharper sound than this old Ibanez.
It'd be nice to have some tabs along with the video
I really like the enlarged hand part, it makes it easier to follow - but could I suggest you also have a tab chart to spare us endlessly having to keep rewinding and freezing the video to see what strings you hit - cheers
Visit my website and you will find tab.
Thank you ......I wish I had seen that sooner. Been driving me nuts. Love the site btw.
Is that the Ibanez B50 you've got there?
where is the other part? I just want to see the demonstration of both parts.
At the end of the video a white box appears in the bottom right hand corner with the words 'Part two' on it. Click that and watch the rest of this three part series.
that is a funny Appellation accent? is that from like Tennessee?
I think you need to learn how to spell, its Appalachian
Hey man this is really good, but the video suffers a little from the pauses you have in between each part, this can easily be sorted through cutting those bits out in editing, everything will flow sooo much better :)
do you have regular tabs instead of the written instructions?
+Cameron Gros Tabs are available on my website www.jofflowson.com
best teaching video I've seen
i am looking for a banjo to buy and i want to know if it is possible to get a banjo that will plug in to an amp
+CBG channel2 I recommend the Grafton electric banjo available from Andy Perkins in Kent, UK. Of course you can also fit a pick up to any banjo you like.
JoffLowson okay thanks!
Hey man, great video! Just wondering, what microphone do you use to record? Looking into getting one for at home recording.
The banjo is coming through a Rode NT2 mic which you can see. That's a budget copy of the industry-standard U87 which a lot of classic vocals were recorded on. Another popular way to record acoustic instruments is with a matched pair of mics check out john williams Asturias (Legend) by Albinez here on youtube
completely lost at 8:12
I'm very lost, I don't know what strings you're hitting and how many times, or when you holding stings down and what you're picking.
What is your tuning? My book says the 4th string should be C, but everyone else I see with an instructional Banjo tuning video says to tune it to D. Please reply. :D
+Dirty Jesus I'm using standard G tuning with the 4th string tuned to D. A long long time ago most players used C tuning which was called 'Standard Tuning' once upon a time. I guess you have the Pete Seeger book?
I have "An Alfred Handy Guide: How to play the banjo." It gave me two tunings.
G,C,G,B,D or A (or F#), D,F#,A,D
But thank you for your reply, man!
I think I love you. I could get the hang of this if I keep watching your videos!!!
Jeanna Duryee Thank you! And don't forget to check out my website jofflowson.com to see how 40 well known songs can be played on the 5-string!
wow you're a very good teacher :) ,but i want to learn it on my banjolele, do i have to change the chord then?
/Anna
I'm not sure how to play it on the banjolele, sorry.
I have both a banjo and a banjolele and I don't think you'll be able to play this on that because they are both tuned differently. If you could tune your banjolele like a banjo you may be able to try this tune out. The banjo on this is tuned to an open G i believe
Do you need those hand pick thingies?
wearing the fingerpicks is entirely a personal choice. I know some good players who don't wear them. However I recommend everyone to start with them from day one because it's much easier to switch to bare fingers later. If you start with bare fingers it can be very difficult to get used to the picks later one. I hope that's helpful.
THANK YOU MAN! I really appreciate it. You have no idea.
I am interested in buying a banjo and learning how to play it. Is it worth it? Is it a hard instrument to play?
Playing the banjo is one of the most rewarding things I've done. It's taken me to some far-out places and met some real interesting people from all different walks of life. It takes a certain amount of effort to start with, but it's not as hard as some other instruments like the violin or the drums. Banjos are really cheap to buy these days, you can get a good one for 200-300 and if you don't have that kind of dough you can get one for under a hundred bucks easy enough. I recommend going to a bricks and mortar store so you can be sure the banjo is set up right.
I'm uploading some tips for complete beginners on my website, visit jofflowson.com
Thank you
go for it :) its not as complicated as the instrument sounds which makes it great fun to play with even just a few chords :)