Billy Strings Flatpicking Medley on his 2009 Roy Noble Dreadnought

When Billy Strings swung by our headquarters, we had a few choice vintage guitars at the ready for him, but we also needed to hear his tried-and-true 2009 mahogany Roy Noble guitar. Here he is playing a little medley on the guitar that includes "Fiddler's Dram" and "Whistling Rufus."
Note: Since we shot this video in 2016, Billy became an endoreser of Preston Thompson Guitars. We look forward to filming him with that guitar the next time he finds himself in Seattle.

[@collinfields9571]

Reading through the comments today I notice a few people believe that this kind of guitar playing isn't very difficult. I've been playing guitar for 40 years. During the Covid lockdown, I was introduced to Billy Strings. I started listening and studying everything of his I could find. 3 years later, I'm finally able to play along with Billy on a few of my favorite songs and while it's not note for note, it's obvious that I have been heavily influenced by him. It took 3 years. So, if you think this guitar style isn't very difficult, then you have no concept of how awesome Billy really is or how his style of flatpicking has changed the genre.

[@openmike4559]

I read through all the comments and I there was only one critical of him for flatpicking. So you’re just making 💩up to sound good. You’re so full of 💩 it’s pathetic. It’s sad how people just make stuff just to get an upvote or a like.

[@steezymongo1270]

I literally don’t think anybody said that dude

[@williamburroughs2273]

@@steezymongo1270 No he's right, you see people who've never played on mediums asking why flatpickers don't play blues and fingerstyle on lights like everyone else.

[@markwilliamson9960]

What an absolute gift he has.

[@jiboz9501]

Love the "Aaaaah" at the end 😍 Like a surfer going out of the barrel dry hair. Billy never stops to amaze me

[@williamcole9040]

Let’s face it he could make a 20 quid guitar sound high end. Billy you are brilliant.

[@dannyadams8281]

How do you play so damn good? Amazing!

[@henryybenryy6575]

20?? That’s a 5000 dollar guitar

[@bzaden]

@@henryybenryy6575 he is not saying that’s a cheap guitar,he is saying it really doesn’t matter what Billy plays,it will always sound great

[@henryybenryy6575]

@@bzaden bro I was tweaking balls… I ain’t even remember saying that

[@QuantumLeap89]

"quid" lol

[@ArmyK9]

Holy cow, quite possibly one of the top flat-pickers in the world!

[@hugo23235able]

This is genius, next level guitar skills right there

[@AirsoftSniper0915]

Billy. You’re a legend man. I’m coming for you!

[@mcmarshall12345]

This reminds me of when Hendrix would close his eyes and go off somewhere and the music that came out would blow your mind!

[@christophermcentee4044]

The kid's got mad skills for sure. Wow

[@oldjoeclarke.]

Rag time Annie was in there too, one of my favourite tunes, keeping old time alive, good job Billy.

[@arumrunner]

I really, really, really enjoyed that! Thanks for sharing...

[@utahprepper8925]

It's so nice to know that the next generation of flatpickers will have someone like him. I put him in the same class as David Grier, which is, simply a monster player. And this young man is in his 20's.

[@gbeck1114]

Completely agree!!!! The future of flatpick guitar is in good hands!!

[@agalligani]

He's great, but David Grier is his own musical genre. That crazy cross-picking that he does is (to me) entirely unique. I think Billy is more along the vein of Doc with a bit of Norman Blake in there for good measure.

[@dmcrisp]

You are high man, he’s no where near David Grier’s level. He’s not even as creative as his own contemporaries his own age. Molly Tuttle, jake workman, and trey Hensley all make billy look like a damn joke

[@joshferguson9703]

@@dmcrisp go say that on Carter Vintage guitars page about him or Marcus King i literally started a race war over there expressing an opinion that was pretty close to yours

[@dmcrisp]

@@joshferguson9703 you can’t say anything the least bit critical about these new age players. I learned that most people that are on comment threads aren’t very good players themselves or they are trolls, or they are on the payroll team for the social media package that’s included with most record deals

[@shaunheaney2267]

Great playing ! Inspiring to watch thsnks

[@xd3athcabx]

I don’t even enjoy this kind of music but my god, this dude is on another planet. Absolutely amazing. Well played Billy

[@chickenkilleramps]

Billy don't like music lol

[@chickenkilleramps]

don't like your music

[@SittinBull]

This man never disappoints

[@stringbender57]

Excellent picking and great sounding guitar! I truly enjoyed this. 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼

[@paulorton8405]

Don't like the sound of that guitar

[@paulorton8405]

Tony Rice and Billy Strings are the two Greatest flatpickers EVER. RIP Tony

[@barryhossin1222]

Fantastic

[@marclalonde7966]

Took me to da next level thanku billy

[@iloverumi]

some serious high level flat picking right there

[@70mjc]

iloverumi no shit

[@dmcrisp]

Not really, just some basic ass doc Watson runs in the c position. But you go ahead and keep confusing average talent with genius just like the rest of the general dumbass public. I bet you’re easily distracted in grocery stores by shiny objects as well lol

[@renatobernal7674]

@@dmcrisp wow, relax dude

[@ev25zv]

@@dmcrisp Well, he can play 50% faster than he is here and just as precise, so then who are the genius bluegrass cats out there? Certainly not the vids of the dude you posted on your channel playing with weak ass time (aka, less than average talent), but if it's the capo that's throwing you off, he can play without one, too.

[@dmcrisp]

@@ev25zv oh ok faster is better lol. Are you still stuck in middle school with your death metal lmao. How much real estate does apologizing for billy take up in your head? There are a ton of bluegrass pickers better than this little kid. Bryson Sutton, David Grier, trey Hensley, jake workman. Oh yeah, turns out you don’t know Jack about bluegrass

[@JG-ct5en]

Doesn't skip a beat. Effortless. Music still lives

[@hammill444]

When did it stop?

[@Brettd57]

Totally so clean and I love how he wraps everything around the melody and strays just far enough to make things fresh! Also a nod to that Roy Noble guitar folks… a not very well known entity but made guitars for Clarence White, Doc and Merle and for a good stretch anyone worthy of playing on in the S Cal bluegrass scene in the 80’s! I’ve got one up for sale a 1991 on Reverb if anyone is interested… it’s fabulous and needs a new picker!

[@thomascox7179]

God gave everyone a gift Billy strings found his great ability

[@deadbeats4894]

His appearance on Austin city limits August 2021 was epic. If he can't get you dancing there's something wrong with you. I love his work in Billy and the kids as well, they're bringing that game to a new level.

[@bobcleversley4768]

What can i say ? Billy you are a friggin legend .

[@antinancopuaneri1893]

I Love this guy!!!!!

[@Profitocracy-]

Just amayzing

[@dgfeeder9801]

He‘s the best!!

[@bandicoot5412]

On your own turf, great to go!

[@nunyanunya6398]

these noble gtrs are insanely good.

[@gui-texzan7477]

Dude's amazing. For those who don't know, he demos instruments for Carter Vintage Guitars. Check their page.

[@FallNorth]

I've been getting thumb pain recently and interesting to note just how little he uses his thumb, watch it. It's over the top, floating, .. that's the future for my thumb! I think i've just always applied a lot of pressure (maybe from lots of classical guitar barre chords etc when I first started) but I'm older and just not getting away with it anymore.

[@SharpEdgeStandardOfficial]

Amazing Billy on my dream guitar. A 10,000 dollar guitar 😢

[@larrybird2637]

Best flat picker in the business…WOW

[@zachariahmelchisedeck2244]

to me Billy strings is the missing link between Norman and Tony ..... I would love to meet this guy one day

[@gutbucket260]

Check out another even younger picker, Presley Barker. Kid flat out tears it up and can't even drive yet. Great to see so many young pickers out there.

[@bluto212]

@@gutbucket260 Great recommend

[@coryCuc]

@@gutbucket260 You are on every thread commenting about Presley Barker. Presley is amazing! But stop with the highjacking of comments to promote Presley's channel. If he's as good as you say is, you won't have to beg for subs.

[@digitalsketchguy]

@@gutbucket260 Named after Elvis! He has to be good.

[@alan4sure]

Dang, wish I could play like that.

[@marcusrutherford5324]

Practice practice practice

[@nards656]

Practice matters, but it takes a little more than just practice... :)

[@mikesaroglou4999]

in the end he is laughing thinking, oh man i am so good lol

[@francismeehan5298]

Angus young of folk

[@alexandergriggs9934]

Angus is a cavemen compared to this kid.

[@fuckdott7308]

@@alexandergriggs9934 haha

[@Wethelees369]

Where can I buy a Roy Noble guitar ? any help would be appreciated.

[@nige2410]

So f*****g good buddy 👍

[@BrandonPetrucci]

He's just a fucking WIZARD! My god I can't get over how amazing this kid is...

[@dmcrisp]

You should get out more

[@Emmetgriffin9]

❤❤❤

[@lucashack5318]

My brain just fried

[@agalligani]

Well, if he's not using that Noble anymore I could take it off his hands.

[@tristannolan85]

he plays preston thompson these days

[@robertclymer6948]

He has been playing that Thompson lately, which I do not care for the sound all that much. Like his Martin and the Noble much better.

[@stevenefthim6978]

About as good as flat picking can get right there on a beautiful guitar

[@billdedrick1914]

very nice.. what strings/type/gauge do you like to use?

[@endocry]

He did a rig rundown video and said he uses D'addario Phosphor Bronze Mediums.

[@micosenor3148]

billy strings

[@timofeyalyoshin8173]

Did learn the first half (fiddler's dram) by ear, let me know if someone needs a tutorial or smth

[@235buz]

my God.

[@bodhi47]

nice microphone close-micing the guitar. How come it sounds like it was recorded on someone's iPhone?

[@bluto212]

Because you're listening on your iphone?

[@wackyduck3]

@@bluto212 bahaha

[@simplyorange8553]

Yeah it sounds like that mic isnt' on.

[@nards656]

Mic could have been feeding a small PA.

[@Its_LumberJack]

So fucking good. And such a good dude too.

[@coreymihailiuk5189]

That's some pretty highly caffeinated flat picking!

[@andrewbazeley6057]

Was the second tune Ragtime Annie?

[@brianmilligan1787]

You think he was playing that before he was thought of perfection

[@jerrymorganjr]

Billy Ears

[@kyleberlin6990]

I hate you billy. But I also love you. great work on making the most difficult collection of 3 songs look like breathing

[@SNCKPCK]

yeeehaw

[@RantzBizGroup]

Interesting watching his technique compared to, say, Tony Rice. Rice has very low finger lift on his runs - very efficient. Billy really lifts his attack fingering... whatever works and more than one way to skin a cat!

[@als1023]

Tony Rice relaxes his fingers off the strings, Bill pulls them up with power, like the est of his great playing. Bluegrass music is in great hands going forward, pun intended.

[@siberianfastfood]

Can someone tell me what kind of Capo this is? I've seen it on different videos, but never saw it in a shop so far.

[@siberianfastfood]

And insanely good playing by the way 😀

[@stephengilley6836]

It’s a cradle capo by daddario

[@siberianfastfood]

@@stephengilley6836 thanks !

[@skullduggery3377]

are we sure there's not a whole band in there too?

[@benpike3359]

What songs are these?

[@wolfie316781]

The best of the new generation of pickers Wow

[@dmcrisp]

Not quite. He can’t touch the guys a few years older than him like jake workman or trey Hensley. They make billy look like a repetitive amateur

[@Jay-lr3me]

@@dmcrisp I disagree, they just have different style, trey is a total monster but Billy has just as impressive licks he's just not quite as fast. And Billys rhythm playing is great. Listen to Billy and trey play solo, it's hard to say treys better imo. And I love trey man.

[@dmcrisp]

@@Jay-lr3me it’s not a different style lol. It’s called being more versed. Both trey and jake workman have a way more diverse bag of tricks to pull from than billy does. Billy plays the same licks over and over again, these other guys have endless ways to express themselves. The phrasing, melodic approach is just way more mature. Billy is also much younger than those other two guys I mentioned. He’s 25, the other two are 31 and 33. So yeah naturally they’re farther ahead in the craft, give credit where credit is do. They’ve been at it for longer and it shows in there playing. Billy almost never leaves granny chord positions and that pretty much proves everything I just said

[@Jay-lr3me]

@@dmcrisp I disagree, Billys rhythm playing is above treys. Trey has more licks that's true. Just cause u think you're right, doesn't mean you are. We all like different things

[@dmcrisp]

@@Jay-lr3me it’s not above treys. Just because you think so doesn’t make it true either. The same crap applies to you to bud. It’s not subjective. Trey knows way more cool lead in and outs (Clarence & tony style) in his rhythm playing. So does jake, who you seem to completely ignore in your dumb billy fan boy argument.

[@chrisclark165]

00:37

[@skippyrx21]

TEST HIM ! THAT'S NOT HUMANLY POSSIBLE !

[@collinfields9571]

Does anyone know what song this is...?

[@stephengilley6836]

Fiddlers dram and 2 others. Look in show notes

[@stephengilley6836]

Whistling Rufus and a little of another song near the end.

[@maxcuthbert100]

Someone downvoted this...WTF ? If you don't like it, move along, no need to spread any hate.

[@TerraIndomitus]

If you look closely you'll see he's got an extra joint in each finger

[@Rickybobby6280]

2:45 reminds me of Marty Robbins

[@bluto212]

If I could play like that I wouldn't stop at 3 minutes; I'd just keep going and going .

[@digitalsketchguy]

Everyone's aunt Fanny can dance to this.

[@JD-lq2ef]

You got that right, and uncle Ronnie!

[@nunyanunya6398]

tasty!

[@markbegley1564]

I could do that if I was him

[@maxsutley6444]

i did this too just the cameras werent rolling

[@resolute7627]

See ? . . now . . I just want to go smash my guitar. lol

[@Phasev3]

Man I would pay for those tabs

[@briggshardy6899]

Just learn it the ol fashioned way or slow it down

[@TheTinker6871]

Its not really that tough. Use your ears.

[@agalligani]

... and Ragtime Annie

[@tommyharkins6874]

I just went outside and smashed my guitar. :(

[@bobareeniobobareenio2935]

PLEASE , for all that love this: Check out Tony RIce “ Nine Pound Hammer”. You will thank me ~ ~ ~. 🎶

[@jbilly24]

Don't think that mic is working. Sounds like a iPhone mic

[@oldmanofcotati]

I've always said that Bill Strings cheats when he plays. I don't know how, but it's obvious that he does. I mean, just listen to him.

[@SWIFTY5150]

I slow this video down to 0.25x speed and I still couldn't play as fast. 😄

[@stephengilley6836]

How do you slow it to 25? My phones only slow option is 50

[@bobareeniobobareenio2935]

Excellent ; For all of you that enjoyed this: go look up Tony Rice. You will thank me .

[@Cavemanfbs1]

Didnt know mCcouy culkin played a banjo

[@parachute82nd]

This isnt so hard. I could do this....................

[@dmcrisp]

All you see on his videos is a bunch of middle aged losers commenting on how amazing these simple ass doc Watson runs are

[@patwilliams3624]

Please pray for my sister not to Please me pleas elord

[@patwilliams3624]

Not to die thank you

[@MrZiggy-pm9rz]

8 thumbs down? What? Hip-Hoppers? Rappers? If you don't appreciate Billy Strings your music IQ is very LOW.

[@Camboge]

Dont be so quick to judge, lots of rappers grew up on hee haw and soul train. Lol. Those 8 people are probably jealous guitar players with tiny dicks

[@poltorn4580]

Maybe if he put more practice and attention into his technique and not his tattoos then maybe, just maybe, he could amount to something.

[@paulorton8405]

He's a great flat picking guitar guy but I don't like the sound of that guitar it sounds cheap