I think I have listened to pretty much everything Clifton Hicks has put out...from his banjo songs to his Iraq war stories. For me his wisdom, grace and gentle ways makes this one of my favorite little corners of the internet. As far as his banjo playing, I can't say how he ranks technically against the other players I've listened to, but without a doubt he is the finest banjo musician on youtube. The ability to make music come alive and fill the mind and senses is a rare skill indeed. I've been playing music for 50+ years and I've yet to discover how to find such musicality. Mr Hicks is a true musician. I remember the first time I listened to Mr Hicks talk about going into a 'trance' while playing certain songs. Like a time machine....or maybe better said as a place where time does not exist. I had known this feeling before but could never quite articulate it....until he explained it. And that's where this particular song come in for me. I listen and I'm taken to a place of pure joy. Thank you Mr Hicks. You do more for us than you know.
Clifton Hicks is such a unique Banjo player. I’ve been playing clawhammer Banjo for four years now obeying all the clawhammer rules. His videos have opened the gates of freedom and creativity in my playing. So inspirational. Thanks Clifton. Probably one of the most authentic,and creative players I’ve come across.
I think it goes back to some remote place and time in the American past where banjos and violins were much harder to come by. People used to gather to drink and dance for hours, often with just one lone banjo. The instrument was passed back-and-forth between those who knew how to play it and, after many such evenings, I suspect that people got pretty creative with percussive techniques. "Fanning up the neck" as I do here is one example, another good example might be the drumming of "fiddle sticks" over the fretboard by a second person.
Best version out there wish you had more lyrics in it !!! It's right up there with your version of cumberland gap !!! Nothing but bad ass banjo playing !!! If I could ever get half that good .
Just a fantastic technique. I've been playing banjo now for about 3 years, watching every video I can, but your approach to old time banjo is taking my idea of the clawhammer banjo to another level of creativity and enjoyment. Thank you.
I'm a novice banjo picker that for now relies too heavily on tab to learn new tunes. Your music makes me want to practice learning by ear. You've inspire me to become a better player.
Daryl, I started out with picks over twenty years ago, but quickly threw them away. Have you seen my videos on how to play the traditional overhand (clawhammer), upstroke, and two-finger styles?
@@CliftonHicksbanjo no, I'll check them out. Are the picks a bad habit to start? Feels pretty unnatural without them. Kinda like hiking in flip-flops haha. Love your cackling hen. That is my favorite!
You are fantastic! Love the old time style - thanks for keeping it alive. Can’t keep my feet still listening to your music. Gives me hope knowing young people are realizing this is an endangered style of music and songs and needs to be preserved. I play Appalachian dulcimer & have a great interest in the old music. Come to Florida - we’ll put you up, you can play at some festivals, etc. Serious. We are old folks, so feel safe.
The gentle brush-stroke that you mix in with your finger picking and down-stroke is so great. It adds a lot to the performance by way of physical gesture. I can almost see slow waves of sound emanating from the banjo. It's like you're sweeping the notes toward us, which... I guess you are, really. Anyway, thanks for sharing.
Inspiring as always. Watching you has made me decide I'm never laying my banjo down. I'm trying to learn everyday I can and become more a part of it. Any tidbits I figure out and learn make me feel more concrete and I can see a great confidence and knowledge coming if I keep at it. Thanks!
All your videos are wonderful to listen to and watch, and inspiring! Thank you for making them and also that is one of the most beautiful chairs I have ever seen.
Hey Clifton when are you gonna put out a tutor for your banjo style? You have the best sound of any player I have heard. Would love to play like that!!!
I stay pretty busy with my Patreon service where I have over 1,000 students. For about a year now I've been transcribing tablature with each lesson: https//:patreon.com/cliftonhicks
wow!! all that sound cominig out of one instrument. Are you brushing just down when you're playing on the neck or are you brushing the strings on the up stroke too? it's hard to tell. love this video and your Cumberland Gap ones .
Been listening to your music as I carve and paint, the last few days. Love it! Love the banjos you have made. I've made a few cookie tin banjos, like in the Foxfire books. Going to try some of the others from there too as well as a gourd banjo. Keep doing what you do. All the best!.
Any chance for a breakdown on this one, Cliff? I get the general idea I think, but it'd be nice to hear a more detailed explanation of switching between two-finger and overhand. I'm not sor worried about the tab/details. I picked up a banjo when I was 15 in Washington State then stopped playing in college. I'm 30 now and inspired by your videos so I just picked up another one! Anyway, if you got the time for an evening porch break down of this one, I'd love to see it. Otherwise, just keep on what you're doing. Subbed to your Patreon and enjoying everything.
This "Square Dance Shuffle" toward the end...what are you doing, exactly? Looks a lot like thumb lead at first, but then the index gets busy, with some down-brushes thrown in.
I picked up "Sally Ann" during the five years I lived in North Carolina. The tune is so commonly played in the area that it's referred to as "The National Anthem of Surry County." I learned it by listening to local musicians like Bill Birchfield, Josh Hayes, Martha Spencer, and others.
I think I have listened to pretty much everything Clifton Hicks has put out...from his banjo songs to his Iraq war stories. For me his wisdom, grace and gentle ways makes this one of my favorite little corners of the internet.
As far as his banjo playing, I can't say how he ranks technically against the other players I've listened to, but without a doubt he is the finest banjo musician on youtube. The ability to make music come alive and fill the mind and senses is a rare skill indeed. I've been playing music for 50+ years and I've yet to discover how to find such musicality. Mr Hicks is a true musician.
I remember the first time I listened to Mr Hicks talk about going into a 'trance' while playing certain songs. Like a time machine....or maybe better said as a place where time does not exist. I had known this feeling before but could never quite articulate it....until he explained it. And that's where this particular song come in for me. I listen and I'm taken to a place of pure joy.
Thank you Mr Hicks. You do more for us than you know.
May be the best Clifton Hicks video
Modern banjo legend. Worthy successor to so many that went before him...
Clifton Hicks is such a unique Banjo player. I’ve been playing clawhammer Banjo for four years now obeying all the clawhammer rules. His videos have opened the gates of freedom and creativity in my playing. So inspirational. Thanks Clifton. Probably one of the most authentic,and creative players I’ve come across.
I agree. He proves that there's so much more trail to blaze.. Nice work dude.
I grew up in the Appalachians. I can confirm you are truly in an Appalachian home.
You are objectively the best banjo player on UA-cam.
Along with Josh from Brainjo, i agree
I think it is really apropos that your home predates the plaster/drywall era. It is comforting. Beautiful music.
Really beautiful tune played beautifully. One of your best videos imho. Appears to be a Stewart banjo if I’m not mistaken. You seem at one with it.
With that technique, it sounds like your playing two insterments just listening to it. huge fan here. going to have to pickup that vinyl!
I think it goes back to some remote place and time in the American past where banjos and violins were much harder to come by. People used to gather to drink and dance for hours, often with just one lone banjo. The instrument was passed back-and-forth between those who knew how to play it and, after many such evenings, I suspect that people got pretty creative with percussive techniques. "Fanning up the neck" as I do here is one example, another good example might be the drumming of "fiddle sticks" over the fretboard by a second person.
So glad I stumbled across your channel
You need to write a how-to book on this picking style.
Best version out there wish you had more lyrics in it !!! It's right up there with your version of cumberland gap !!! Nothing but bad ass banjo playing !!! If I could ever get half that good .
Fantastic. This amd grey mule on the mountain banjo made me jealous!!!!
Just a fantastic technique. I've been playing banjo now for about 3 years, watching every video I can, but your approach to old time banjo is taking my idea of the clawhammer banjo to another level of creativity and enjoyment. Thank you.
It's not clawhammer it's a two-finger style with up picking of the index finger, but similar to clawhammer in use of the 5th string.
its got me dancing again.....love that sound of an old banjo........hmmm....never knew i did......jippy..
I'm a novice banjo picker that for now relies too heavily on tab to learn new tunes. Your music makes me want to practice learning by ear. You've inspire me to become a better player.
My favourite tune by Clifton
DOWN that Road… again!
You've become my favourite player, absolutely love the style
The national anthem of Surry County, N.C. 😊👍
Another lively one. Gonna have to learn to play by ear. Love all the right hand work.
Great sound on that banjo very unique.....
kool
RJ
This is fascinating. I'm learning 3 finger bluegrass style but this clawhammer style is amazing. I find it so difficult to play without finger pics.
Daryl, I started out with picks over twenty years ago, but quickly threw them away. Have you seen my videos on how to play the traditional overhand (clawhammer), upstroke, and two-finger styles?
@@CliftonHicksbanjo no, I'll check them out. Are the picks a bad habit to start? Feels pretty unnatural without them. Kinda like hiking in flip-flops haha. Love your cackling hen. That is my favorite!
Playing without picks is more like hiking barefoot. The choice is yours.
posted 3 years ago today Nice! im just now seeing this, its dope how music time travels
Doesn't get any better than that! Nice
The master
Such a great sound. Very inspiring.
Fabulous
You are fantastic! Love the old time style - thanks for keeping it alive. Can’t keep my feet still listening to your music.
Gives me hope knowing young people are realizing this is an endangered style of music and songs and needs to be preserved.
I play Appalachian dulcimer & have a great interest in the old music.
Come to Florida - we’ll put you up, you can play at some festivals, etc. Serious. We are old folks, so feel safe.
I guess a mix of 2 finger and clawhammer.. what a sound, wow...
The gentle brush-stroke that you mix in with your finger picking and down-stroke is so great. It adds a lot to the performance by way of physical gesture. I can almost see slow waves of sound emanating from the banjo. It's like you're sweeping the notes toward us, which... I guess you are, really. Anyway, thanks for sharing.
Awesome technique. Never seen anything like it!
Would love a lesson on this one Cliff
Inspiring as always. Watching you has made me decide I'm never laying my banjo down. I'm trying to learn everyday I can and become more a part of it. Any tidbits I figure out and learn make me feel more concrete and I can see a great confidence and knowledge coming if I keep at it. Thanks!
All your videos are wonderful to listen to and watch, and inspiring! Thank you for making them and also that is one of the most beautiful chairs I have ever seen.
Thanks, it's really old.
Hey Clifton when are you gonna put out a tutor for your banjo style? You have the best sound of any player I have heard. Would love to play like that!!!
I stay pretty busy with my Patreon service where I have over 1,000 students. For about a year now I've been transcribing tablature with each lesson: https//:patreon.com/cliftonhicks
man that banjo screams!
wow!! all that sound cominig out of one instrument. Are you brushing just down when you're playing on the neck or are you brushing the strings on the up stroke too? it's hard to tell. love this video and your Cumberland Gap ones .
Wie immer einfach phantastisch👌
Sally Ann 👍
Very special player
Been listening to your music as I carve and paint, the last few days. Love it! Love the banjos you have made. I've made a few cookie tin banjos, like in the Foxfire books. Going to try some of the others from there too as well as a gourd banjo. Keep doing what you do. All the best!.
Hot Damn Cliff how'd this video pass me by?! Man you're the best that made my day :-)
Wow Cliff.....Your a Monster On That Banjer!!!!!GREAT Stuff Man......
Dang dude your killing it son!
Any chance for a breakdown on this one, Cliff? I get the general idea I think, but it'd be nice to hear a more detailed explanation of switching between two-finger and overhand. I'm not sor worried about the tab/details. I picked up a banjo when I was 15 in Washington State then stopped playing in college. I'm 30 now and inspired by your videos so I just picked up another one! Anyway, if you got the time for an evening porch break down of this one, I'd love to see it. Otherwise, just keep on what you're doing. Subbed to your Patreon and enjoying everything.
Think he's up picking. Not overhand per se, though I'll happily be corrected.
Excellent per usual.
Good one buddy, like the haircut too!
This "Square Dance Shuffle" toward the end...what are you doing, exactly? Looks a lot like thumb lead at first, but then the index gets busy, with some down-brushes thrown in.
Is there any reason you never have a resonator on your banjos?
Here's some resonators:
1867 Dobson
ua-cam.com/video/6XQIlOwEaFU/v-deo.html
1910s White Ladye
ua-cam.com/video/GJcyiPUJbHM/v-deo.html
1930s Broadkaster
ua-cam.com/video/ekY5idD2_Bc/v-deo.html
That is really cool....thanks man!
Nice channel
I reckon so
Iv always had a love for the banjo but I'm getting older and noticing different styles but what is it called when you strum the neck like that?
Jason, we call that "walking the fingerboard." I explain it here: ua-cam.com/video/yucIqWJ0WVU/v-deo.html
@@CliftonHicksbanjo can you do a breakdown of this for a video it’s one of my favorites.
hey do you think you could do a lesson on this one?
i second this, would love to learn this one.
gCGCD tuned a step down so fA#FA#C
godsdamn Clifton you rock this one hard. Where'd you learn it from?
I picked up "Sally Ann" during the five years I lived in North Carolina. The tune is so commonly played in the area that it's referred to as "The National Anthem of Surry County." I learned it by listening to local musicians like Bill Birchfield, Josh Hayes, Martha Spencer, and others.
Nice haircut, buddy. ☺. (Not bad banjo plaing either.)
Kindly makes you want to take a pint o' the cure and then holler about.
🌶💥
I can’t believe my ears
Just Enough Lyrics To Keep It Honest......Your a Bad Motor Scooter Cilff...
Sounds like a Jew's Harp accompanying you.... Must be the tuning....
God bless ol’ time America, time to get rid of the zog and bring back the America we love .