Old Reuben (Train 45) Clawhammer Banjo Lesson

[@Tbowie13]

Man, what a stroke of providence, to have access to George Gibson at 14 yrs old, and have the wherewithall to take full advantage of that situation! I'm a bit jealous...well, maybe more than a bit. 😅

[@CliftonHicksbanjo]

Yes, I was fortunate to have met him when he was in his 60s and at the top of his musical prowess. It was a bit of a perfect match with me being young and malleable, and obsessed with the music/history/culture. Sadly, George became upset with me during the Corona virus pandemic after I spoke out against mask and vaccine mandates. He actually told me that he held me personally responsible for the deaths of some of his relatives. After that, he distanced himself from me more and more. And then I wrote "The Ballad of Kyle Rittenhouse." The last time I spoke on the phone with him, he screamed into my ear that I was no longer to use his name, or credit him as a source for my music. I agreed readily; after all, he has a right to determine how his name is spread. But then he told me that my ballad was "reprehensible." I took offense to this. When I pointed out that my lyrics were all based on documented court records, and were _true,_ he responded, "I DON'T GIVE A F*** ABOUT THE TRUTH," and hung up. I have not spoken to him since that phone call.

[@MarkWYoung-ky4uc]

One of the things I really like about you Clifton is that you encourage those learning banjo to experiment and come up with their own way to play rather than try to copy someone else's style. There are "rule bookers" out there who have tried imposing rules on the banjo and how it is played. You have to have a certain type of banjo to play a certain type of music and you can only play it a certain way ect. A while back, I was watching a gentleman from the Deering Banjo Company demonstrating one of their plectrum models and he was finger picking it. A "rule booker" attacked him in the comments stating that the only way to play a plectrum banjo is with a flat pick strumming it. Dom Flemons has made a good living going around the world playing a plectrum banjo as well as a 6 string and he uses a thumb pick only and has a style that incorporates both strumming and finger picking. As you have demonstrated many times over, the 5 string banjo can be played in several different ways and often in the same song like Uncle Dave did. Two finger and Scruggs style are here today because people dared to experiment. Keep up the great work my friend!

[@gogotrololo]

man there are so many lyrical versions of this song, it's nuts

[@Mamlishways]

This tune bares resemblance to lemon Jefferson’s jack of diamonds.

[@davidjerezgomez]

So glad I found this! I wanted to learn it for a while but I didn’t realize it is on the same tuning as other tunes I have been practicing. “Last possum up the tree” is a great album! Thank you, Clift!

[@davetoepfer]

I was recently looking into the variety of lyrics associated with “In the Pines” and it’s interesting how many of its variants have of not entire lines then certainly much thematically in common with “Old Reuben”. I have a feeling this won’t be the last time I see something like this.

[@crescentwalker]

I've played rhythm guitar behind a Scruggs picker and we did this classic out of dM with my guitar in DropD. I've never heard anyone sing lyrics before, so this is a revelation to me. I've since moved on from that duet and want to sharpen my pitiful clawhammer skills, so this is a natural fit for me. And bless you for the tuning. I'm all inspired now, thank you!!

[@BLane-xr1ic]

Go on!!! I love this. God Bless you all across the pond, Love from the UK 🇬🇧

[@MusicGeekmcgrath]

Cluck old hen and this tune have helped me out tremendously with learning the overhand banjo style I would defiently recommend these 2 tunes to anyone thats new to playing overhand banjo

[@ShitaviousJenkins]

Excellent and informative as usual, always dig the way you deftly breathe life back into so many near-forgotten audio artifacts! Heard many of them for the first time on your channel! Keep it up,man! Edit : I'm not sure its your cup of tea,but I'd be interested to see your interpretation of Little Maggie. Some find the Kingston Trio cringe,but I love them!

[@CliftonHicksbanjo]

"Little Maggie" is a good one, and I've actually never heard the Kingston Trio rendition. I'm familiar with Ralph Stanley's, of course, and I think Tommy Jarrell also recorded it.

[@ShitaviousJenkins]

@@CliftonHicksbanjo Showing my ignorance here,haha. Thought that was an original of theirs!! But excited for you to check it out!

[@carterwoodson8818]

Have never heard Reuben in this style! You always have a new surprise Clif thank you!

[@aforerunner1773]

I love this song, so thank you very much!

[@landonshanerthebanjokid5906]

Thanks Mr.Hicks🤠

[@beercrawlerrc]

Man you are so easy to watch Great job 🍻🍻🍻🍻🍻

[@BigSkyForester]

Incredible teaching, keep up the good work

[@dasglasperlenspiel10]

Thank you!

[@allenhughes60]

I don't know if you have heard it, but Rag n Bone man did a version of Ruben's train that was pretty good. It's not like any version I've found of it.

[@EvilJesus33]

Thank you for keeping me entertained brother

[@Deletedaccount-i5w]

🤠

[@apancher]

Such a cool sound. Another one well done!

[@5kehhn]

Good stuff!

[@Worthless-xw1jz]

YOU SHOULD DO THE HEARSE SONG IN THE DEATH SUIT

[@willf5768]

😁👍👍👍👍👍

[@jaredlaplante1824]

Awesome video Clifton just started playing a couple months ago and just getting this one down !! Question if someone were to follow me on guitar would the chords be D and A , is that what I’m playing in this key of D ??

[@maxheinrichliebow]

What tailpeice is that?

[@CliftonHicksbanjo]

It's an 1880s Lyon & Healy tailpiece, I'm not sure what it was called. I would prefer an adjustable tailpiece, but have never been able to find one that fits this somewhat odd-shaped banjo.

[@RUFUSKNAPP]

Need to s

[@RUFUSKNAPP]

Video: need to see the right hand for the 2 finger bits. Still working on getting that drone strike. But I embrace the idea that once I'm learn this, it will differ from yours.

[@CliftonHicksbanjo]

@@RUFUSKNAPP Sorry about that! Tab available here 👉 www.patreon.com/posts/47054951

[@caniceneary8729]

This man represents the best of America ex military and genuine love his banjo playing top guy from Ken in Ireland