Bluegrass & Old-time vs TRADITIONAL Banjo

[@brianpriest3638]

George Gibson and Lee Sexton broke me out of the mould. I still pick bluegrass but I lean hard toward Sonny, but Lee and George changed my whole world and revived my true passion for the banjo.

[@CliftonHicksbanjo]

They did that for a lot of us.

[@winkcrittenden6011]

There's only ONE right way to play a banjo, and that's the way that gets it to make the sounds you hear in your head. Fuck what anyone else says.

[@colinw4935]

I am 63, disabled, and live in the UK. I am about to purchase my first Banjo. You spoke a lot of sense young man, and listening to your song, accompanying your Banjo made me realise that duelling banjos, although brilliant, is same old, same old. You are a credit to your instrument and I will try my hardest to follow your good advise. Thank you, Colin

[@seancoxe3577]

You're not imagining things, Clifton. My favorite anecdote: I was at Fiddlers Grove one year, and someone asked me who my favorite old-time fiddler was. When I told her, "Ralph Blizard," who learned fiddle in the hills of Kentucky in the 20's, played on the radio in the 30's, and gave up fiddle for religious reasons until he resumed his career in the 70's, without batting an eye, she replied, "But he's not really old-time, is he." Granted, his fiddling was influenced by the Texas swing he heard on the radio, but he was as genuinely old-time as it gets. And the pressure to conform to a formula was also underscored by Nick Hornbuckle, who by necessity is an outstanding TWO FINGER bluegrass player. In an interview, he tells how, even after he was only playing two-finger, he would still wear the extra finger pick so as not to draw attention. Love your channel and I love your style. Keep up the good work!

[@ScotchIrishTarheel]

I’m from western NC and grew up with all this music. The only thing Clifton says that I take issue with is about dancing. I find it just as easy to flatfoot to bluegrass as I do to old time/traditional music.

[@ScotchIrishTarheel]

Actually, in the interest of full transparency and humility, what I should have said is that I find it just as easy to dance poorly to bluegrass as I do to dance poorly to old time/traditional music.

[@SIMUL4CR4]

I play the blues harp and am a singer songwriter. Hearing your style of banjo was the first time that I felt it spoke to me and I understood its beauty as an instrument. I never understood why, but this explanation helped a lot. Your style always seemed more complex, subtle and free-flowing than any other I'd heard before. You're doing the Lord's work keeping this music alive, thank you sir.

[@zacharygrey500]

I’m disappointed that I’ve only recently discovered your channel! Your content in this particular video resonates deeply with me. I stopped plying banjo because I got sick of the rolls. Ended up selling my banjo and haven’t had one since. I’ve listened to traditional banjo and folk music my whole life and loved every minute of it. Weirdly enough, my family originates in the mountains of West Virginia so one might say it’s in my blood. You’ve inspired me to fall back in love with playing. Now on to convincing my wife to let me buy a nice open back! I hope to meet you someday and pick with you!

[@dannytriplett8625]

You're soo right about the jam/convention scene. THE BANJO is just a tool of expressing what you're feeling inside. It HAS NO limitations. Thank you for your videos sir

[@subbuteo71]

I saw you play and sing at Swannanoa a couple of weeks ago. You blew away the audience, and I don't mean sent them running! There is an appreciation for what you do. The rules come from people who intellectualise and formalise something that has evolved and continues to evolve. The talk and performance by George Gibson was excellent too, of course, and your performance highlighted what he had to say.

[@CliftonHicksbanjo]

Thank you. George Gibson is both an exceptionally fine musician _and_ a cutting edge banjo researcher--to say that I was honored to share the stage with him would be an understatement. Both of us were fairly impressed by the staff and organization at the Swannanoa Gathering and hope to be invited back in the future. Thanks again for your kind words and insight.

[@shanea60]

Great insight subbuteo71, we too have those who prefer to intellectualise and formalise traditional music collected in Australia. Occasionally at a gathering someone in frustration will say, "just play the F$%!ng thing mate" Lol.

[@brin57]

Wish I could give this video more likes!! The whole competitive nature and rules reminds me of what happened to guitar in the late '80's. (in the hair-band metal era). It all became about being more of a technician than a musician. Musicality lost out to technical virtuosity. Eventually it all imploded, with the backlash called grunge. Everybody was sick of the Twiddly-Widdly how many notes can you fit in mentality, and people started writing real songs again. And the audiences responded positively. There's always going to be musicians who are obsessed with technical playing, as it is a big personal challenge to achieve. I feel that it is also a path some choose, in place of possessing an innate musicality. So I've come from being a metal guitarist, to playing and loving the sheer heart and musicality of these more traditional banjo influences. Thanks heaps Clifton.

[@nymsmacgregor7232]

Brian, I'm with you.... I was the lead guitarist in hard rock bands, some metal, mostly electric blues. After years and years of people coming up and saying 'Play something fast...' They didn't even want to hear a song. Like it or not, rock and roll, which was 'here to stay', has left. People in famous bands are playing the same stuff they played 30 years ago. Now I'm restoring my 1880 Buckbee....I just need something with a melody... Sometimes, the only thing left is to sit under a tree and play 'Lorena'...

[@jasonw4053]

This is so spot on man. I’ve been to Mt Airy, been invited to Clifftop, spent many hours “jamming” with old time guys...you and I have had parallel experiences. There is some truly wonderful music happening, for sure, but that driving rhythm you and I love is shunned with a glare, you feel so unwelcome. I play in a string band that does everything from old-time to Whitney Houston and we don’t fit at bluegrass festivals or old time things, we just are what we are. I play a bottleneck slide primarily in the band, try taking THAT to an Old Timey thing! Thanks for being a beacon in the traditional banjo world, I think that your lessons and videos really resonate with a lot of players who don’t fit in to the current two party banjo system.

[@Bayrum78]

Perfect.

[@user-mh1jz4yp7e]

I often find myself coming back to where my true spark for the banjo came from, that little intro song that you played. Thank you.

[@kittenandthetonics2573]

Crocs and swim trunks. Ha!

[@sarafwolf]

"And the judges just sit there waiting for the next -clickity-clickity- typewriter guy" LOL!

[@myidahohomestead.7123]

I agree a lot with you. I'm new to playing, but the more i learn the more i see the picking as just a way to show off who can play the fastest.

[@Stephenbernerart]

You're becoming the best banjo 2-finger, tuning, history and lessons dude on the internet. Hero!

[@thelaneman]

This dude is the Jedi Knight of banjo picking

[@anthonybenjamin6343]

Real

[@janasherrill8880]

THANK YOU. I’ve been following along with you for a few years now and my brother and I both play traditional banjo. He went to Belmont and I went to App. Go ‘Neers! It grinds my gears when people are disappointed that I can’t play bluegrass, but I have no interest in doing so. Keep on doing what you’re doing!

[@rickyallan3825]

Very well said. This is why, for the most part, I’d rather sit alone and explore my banjos possibilities than sit in a jam or play in a band.

[@gamemasterz4026]

Such a great video, I've been watching a lot of your videos lately. It really hit home about you talking about the freedom that comes with Traditional Banjo playing.

[@jeffcrowder1892]

Love your craft and Identify with your take on the Banjo. Myself, am on my own. I was shown the basic Pee Seeger bump ditty in 1976 and have been plugging along ever since. I recently adopted the Clawhammer strum and basically do what my instincts come up with. Drunks love what I do. They say I'm better than Earl Scruggs. That is a ridiculous compliment to be sure. Folks ask, how long you been playing? I don't know about playing, but I can say how long I've owned one. Your a genuine instinctive player/singer, making songs with your own twist. Great! You are a wealth of info that I have received great advice from. True original and entertaining. You have renewed my banjo interest also. I have done beer joints, fish fries, and small parties on a whim and ended up making a contribution to old fashioned fun. I have played around with songs like Bad Moon rising, Going up the Country, and some others with the old time style of Banjo and having fun with it. Praise God for the small audiences of drunks and also Old folks that remember the music from the past. When people get up and dance, and you see foot tapping, and there are beers stacked on the table/bar where I sit, it gives instant joy to see happy faces. Keep up your work for you bring Joy to the world!

[@jerrywolfe8232]

Well said, I'm glad I'm not the only one that feels that way!

[@MsTubbytube]

"there's no reason to get offended...we're just talking about banjos right?" love it

[@calebwright.]

Hit the nail on the head here I started with my banjo a year and a half ago almost gave it up because it seemed everyone wanted to emulate Scruggs and I hated the finger picks, but Mr. Clifton your style inspired me to keep at it now I’ve got a good 3-4 solid songs under my belt!

[@jethrobodine4638]

great video Clifton! i am new to clawhammer banjo and have fallen in love with it. I enjoy the old time sound. i think people should play whatever style makes them happy but i totally get your point on the limitations that may be there for each style. i will say i have watched a lot of banjo players on youtube and you are one of the few (along with Patrick Costello) that has shown me that playing is more than just picking notes and memorizing tabs. the music becomes part of you. i love history and Appalachian to be exact so i respect where the music roots come from and my main goal is to sit on my porch in the woods and enjoy playing my banjo!! i do it for me and the ones that came before me. Movies like the Mountain Minor, Songcatcher, Cold Mountain, Old Brother Where Art Thou, that music is what I truly enjoy. keep up the great work.

[@williamgillette4086]

I agree i much prefer oldtime to Bluegrass banjo.

[@jackparsons1513]

KEEP RUNNIN OFF THEM JAMS CLIFTON!!!! MAD LOVE SON!!

[@herojippie1102]

I love your way of playing, well I love the banjo sound period. But really like hearing you play and sing

[@Chuck-he1jd]

what a great video.. Glad I found your channel

[@tomzhang1986]

Quick talk but big lesson!!! Appreciate that!

[@the_glove]

West Kentucky I can relate. I’d been vibed out by the jams . They never wanted to share when I don’t come from bluegrass … I wanted to learn but they were a little short with me. I like this style you play , all the folks I’ve met that play like that also are nice to me and very forthcoming about sharing songs and Melodies, much like the idiom I came from

[@flysolo100]

Thank you for this. Always felt the same

[@chromaticswing9199]

Beautiful playing mate! I'm not a banjo player and am from a wildly different musical tradition, but I've been interested in playing the banjo. How would you define traditional banjo playing? Is it just a freer version of clawhammer that may or may not include singing? In any case, you've convinced me on what I want to learn on the banjo, once I get one, that is. Unfortunately for my location and age demographic, most people associate the banjo with rapid fire picking with the same old licks. Funny that when it comes to rock music, anything goes for us. Get a guitar, maybe some drums, and go wild! Thank you for keeping the beauty of music alive.

[@banjoist123]

I have been a Scruggs player since the start, but as I age, I am drawn more to old timey. Truth be told, it's really a lot easier on the untrained ear than hotrod bluegrass 3 finger. I love them both, tho. Great video. You cover it all.

[@maxwellfan55]

I love this. And completely agree, you're talking stuff I wanna hear. I've been playing various banjo styles and techniques for years now and learned to hate the idea of conformity more and more as time passes. Same goes for lots of instruments (think Hendrix), he broke all the rules! The thing about the 5-string banjo is that it's so ripe for creativity and variation, so why limit to roll patterns anyway? My fav is probably 2-finger on gut-string mountain, or big civil war-type fretless banjos. I regularly throw in a few extra fingers where necessary for a particular song, use a metal slide on the third finger for fretless. Makes the banjo sing. I also like watching Sarah Nichols play and sing, the way she brings tunes right down to the pure melody and banjo tone. I always take a steel string long-neck to acoustic sessions in pubs (UK) where I can be heard over the din. For this I use flat pick and 2 finger country guitar-style, so I can roll, mute, vamp, pick single note runs, bend, dig in, solos, anything in any key, except rarely do I use the pick to strum (too harsh). Also easy to switch to guitar mid song. When any bluegrass reso players turn up they're always sittin around waitin their turn whereas I can play accompaniment on just about all as it goes round. The only rule about banjo - there's no rules - 'cept good tuning!

[@MarkWYoung-ky4uc]

When you can play and sing like you can Clifton, you don't need a band. Uncle Dave didn't have rules nor did Earl..damn the rule bookers...full strumming, picking, frailing, drop thumbing (or any combination of these) ahead!😊

[@edwardmorton6691]

Clifton, I'm from Belfast in N. Ireland and I've loved Bluegrass all my life. Lately I've seen all those rules coming into the style of playing not only banjo , but guitar as well. It's crippling individual style and and killing personal musical growth. I fully agree with a lot of what you say and I'll tell you one thing I'd rather listen to you than most of the crap the the big recording companies churn out simply to line their pockets. Its a crying shame, man, and I thank heavens there's still men like you around with balls big enough to do you're own thing and encourage others to do the same. I laughed when you said about anchoring your picking hand and putting on picks because those two rules alone are becoming almost like the 11 and 12 commandments and I can't believe the people that preach them don't realise how crazy they are. All the nuances of tone and timbre while plucking at different positions on the pot and even on the neck lost, just like that. They're not doing the instruments any justice at all. Anyhow, sir, you keep on plucking wherever the heck you want and continue being yourself and may the powers that be continue to give you the strength to stand your ground well away from those masses of plucking idiots. Just love your style, you're a class act and there's a spirit in you that links you to the uthentic music and musicians from a time that to my mind they want to erase because it probably causes someone somewhere a bit of offence. Sad days my friend.

[@cloisterene]

I like your style, traditional style, best.

[@gauntfa3610]

I grew up with bluegrass my uncle plays mandolin and my father plays guitar and I’ve recently started learning banjo my aunt always dances when we or they would jam. I think it is more preference but I like old time traditional folk banjo you name it. I think we find it more that when we come to a point of euphoria we develop arrogance and I’m not calling you arrogant but it is what it is. I don’t think my 3 picks are gonna hurt nobody.

[@Chris_the_Dingo]

I don't play well, but I learned from an older fellow from central NC named Marvin Gaster. He plays his own old-time finger picking style. It probably wouldn't pass muster in Galax or Mt. Airy but he did win the N.C. Heritage Award in 2000, for old-time banjo. Go figure....

[@FrankieRevell]

YES!!! I don't jam and I don't go to festivals for the reasons which you mention. Well said. If you don't fit into the box then you aren't accepted.

[@johnfreeth1988]

From the UK Thank You.

[@aikidragonpiper71]

I agree every musicians should have a freedom of expression and not be forced to play a instrument a certain way. I play bagpipes and it’s the opposite,you are shunned if you don’t play it the traditional way. I like bluegrass but I like the old mountain folk music more, we do have some of that music tradition in Arkansas especially since many of the settlers to the Ozark and Ouachita Mountains of Arkansas was came from Appalachia . Well they of course settled southern Missouri too. A few of my favorite tunes are probably considered American folk , The Wildwood Flower and of course since I’m a Arkie , Arkansas Traveler .

[@CliftonHicksbanjo]

In my experience, all of the rural people who inhabit the Southern states from Florida to So-Cal (be they Anglo, Afro, Indigenous, or Hispanic) are _one_ people. We share so many cultural traits that our differences become irrelevant.

[@daveburklund2295]

Amen, mister. I started a decade ago playing three finger Scruggs style. Realized something soon enough I would never sound like Earl, I would sound like someone who sounds like someone who sounds like Scruggs. Also, and people don't get this, Bluegrass is an ensemble performance tradition. It's not for dancing, it's for sitting and listening. And it's for soloing in a group, but everybody would sound pretty lame if they were doing the exact same thing alone. Not true for so many trad styles of banjo! And it was boring! (Although I do occasionally use picks on one of my favorite open backs--that way I offend more than one class of banjo players!) Once saw Ralph Stanley live in a little bar with a stage and he talked about how everybody he knew when he was a youth played a bunch of different styles--just before he did some clawhammer tunes. So anyway, I hear ya, rules can wring the enjoyment out of the banjo. Just one rule I live by: If it don't sound good, stop it.

[@joshuamercer854]

What’s a reasonable amount to pay for a banjo and what brands should I consider or stay away from?

[@CliftonHicksbanjo]

Gold Tone AC1 is the best beginner banjo today. Stay away from Deering and Pisgah (low quality and overpriced).

[@shaunw9270]

@@CliftonHicksbanjo Really interesting you don't recommend Deering. I'm only an occasional banjo player in the UK and I'm more than satisfied with my bottom of the range Good Time open back 5 string. Decent tone, easy playability and stays in tune. No complaints.

[@JacobvsRex]

After a bunch of looking around, a lot of deerings didn’t feel right, sort of cheap and clunky, found a used gold tone, I think an mc150a or something like that. Love it.

[@Bikewer]

I just bought a Gold Tone AC1…. Excellent no-frills banjo that sounds good and is well made.

[@JS-xs5hq]

The AC1 is affordable cuz it's built in China, while the Deering Goodtime is US built. The quality differences are subjective.

[@jolox.]

The banjo is such a great instrument. I don't use the picks, though I do have them. I prefer fingernails.

[@AlphaWolf096]

Appalachian State represent! Was inspired to come to this video by my Appalachian Music class. It was incredibly hard for me to hear the difference between Bluegrass and Old-Time music even when my professor showed them to us side by side. Therefore, this video was very informative about some of the difference in style, especially regarding the role of the banjo. Thanks for your insight!

[@CliftonHicksbanjo]

Who was your professor?

[@AlphaWolf096]

Clifton Hicks Currently taking the class with Professor Zellers. Just started, but he’s done a good job.

[@DinzeLord]

11:57 I'm a big fan of good old clawhammer fiddle groove, it's pure feeling, I love to play it and that's what make people get up and dance. I also like the ''speedy mechanical scrug picking style'' creating a beautiful percussive background in bluegrass music. I don't understand why you put a ''way to play banjo'' superior than the other since the intention of the instrument in both case are completely different. It's not even the same style of music

[@ROCKINGMAN]

I have loved the banjo for years and about to take it up. I seem to like open-backs more than resonator. I agree with, whilst everything seems to be guided by rules, they can be broken to do what you need to do. Very enlightening talk on your open views, I agree totally. I want to learn frailing, strumming, picking and rolls all on an open-back.

[@jharsch3453]

Clifton has a deep seated hate for capos it seems haha. I use one for some odd keys here and there. It helps me get to Ab quickly.

[@timothyterman7810]

Really interesting. Thanks for the perspective.

[@deltabilly1]

I attended a “Banjo Summit” several years ago in Boston. Featured Fleck, Trishka, Noam Pikelny, Eric Weissberg, Bill Keith, Richie Stearns and Abby Washburn. What a nightmare! Talk about typewriters! Stearns was the only one who did anything interesting, not surprisingly, as he comes from a “progressive old-timey” perspective.

[@feg953]

I love your approach to playing the banjo and I totally agree about styles that are limiting. I am 67 years old and have been playing guitar since I was 10 years old off and on. I also play fiddle and mandolin some, however the banjo has always been intimidating because I grew up in the Earl Scruggs era and thought that metal picks and a myriad of rolls was a requirement. I recently bought myself a banjo and was determined to learn rolls but I didn't really enjoy it and keep reverting to my own style which is some two finger with strumming and melody mixed.

[@debrasue2793]

Far as i'm concerned you can take or leave his conclusions on the topic, but without listening to him discuss the matter i would have never known that banjo subculture drilled down deeper and wider than just a "bluegrass" vs tradish dichotomy. learning something new from ever video over here

[@SamHatchSings]

"Traditional banjo there's no rules, but with bluegrass picking, it's all rules." That sums it up very well. I started playing clawhammer last September after trying (and giving up) bluegrass banjo. One of my best friends always bugs me about quitting frailing and starting Scruggs again. I just tell him that it's not there for me, I don't wanna get myself stuck in that box! Being from outside Appalachia (Kansas), it definitely makes it easier to comprehend banjo culture when you can put everyone's playing into a stylistic box, but it also takes away from the art of the banjo. When I moved here to Kentucky, I found that there was so much more that the banjo could offer outside of Scruggs picking and I dived into clawhammer headfirst!

[@CliftonHicksbanjo]

That parallels my experience of starting with Scruggs picking at the age of 13, having no clue that there was any other way to play. The moment I heard "clawhammer" it was all over for me, I threw away my finger picks and took OFF.

[@SamHatchSings]

@@CliftonHicksbanjo I remember what did it too! I couldn't explain why exactly I loved Grandpa's picking so much more than Roy's on Hee-Haw, but eventually I realized they were just playing different and down the road to frailing I flew!!!

[@LadyWeasel]

My dad played clawhammer and was learning Scruggs style when he passed away.

[@katherinefernald4312]

I've been searching for this. Trying to find a tutorial for the kind of banjo my dad played in the 1970s. We lived in NC and central NY and never heard about all these rules you're describing. He definitely sang while playing, and my (his old) banjo looks like the one in your video here. So... do you have lessons on KZbin? I am a beginner.

[@CliftonHicksbanjo]

Clawhammer Banjo for the Complete Beginner: kzbin.info/www/bejne/fqjSgZZ9a8mEoKM Two-Finger Banjo for the Complete Beginner: kzbin.info/www/bejne/moe6iGyhhsiosJo

[@davidtalbert5501]

thank you for this

[@Fire_And_Iron]

Keep doing what you do!

[@terryfinley7760]

Well said! Personally, I don’t care for jam sessions either….

[@setwen2574]

I learned something today. Thanks!

[@rogerbeaird5742]

And we appreciate the style you play traditional style banjo brother 👍👍👍👍🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸👽👽👽

[@jdoe5835]

you are my all time favorite banjo player!

[@timothybladon9958]

I too like some bluegrass, but I much prefer the old time style. I think it is the direct ancestor of Celtic music but the banjo came from Africa, so it really is truly diverse

[@seancoxe3577]

I played in an old-time string band for a number of years, and I have to agree with your assessment of how limiting (boring?) that can be. Wish you lived closer to Tucson, AZ, Clifton. We could sit around and swap songs.

[@jerrywolfe8232]

My grandpa taught me the drop thumb banjo growing up and I can never remember him playing a tune he didn't sing as well

[@CliftonHicksbanjo]

Interesting. Where was he from and about when was he born?

[@StewieGriffin505]

Great video. I got a banjo because I wanted to play like Uncle Dave Macon. I do listen to Bluegrass Junction on Sirius, but it just drones in the background. It all sounds the same. The banjo never stands out. I think all of the Greats are dead.

[@johnjriggsarchery2457]

The one reason that's keeping me from claw hammer or frailing is my stupid finger nails get messed up when they get long enough to make a decent sound.

[@elizabethrogge7908]

I love the traditional banjo. It’s like the old country blues played on old steel guitar on the back of a truck or on someone’s back porch

[@SUNARROWSUNARROW]

I is a beginner and I had the chorus to lern scrugs or claw hammer I chose claw hammer I love the sawnds of it and I play in dubal c its esiyer for me lerning

[@logofthelex2668]

Well said.

[@marinecam]

I'm not really familiar with the round peak style, but I do play both Scruggs 3 finger and up picking frailing (just feels much more comfortable to me than regular clawhammer). I cannot say that I prefer up picking to Scruggs. Bluegrass banjo is beautiful and it's not just that I'm impressed with the speed. But I find myself playing more and more in the old time style for one reason. Once you get your mechanics down it's easy to pick up songs quickly, so long as a I can find the tuning, and second, since I play alone mostly anyway, I have the most fun playing and singing old tunes in the Seeger style. It is hard as hell to sing playing Scruggs style and honestly it doesn't sound as good. Frailing, you play the lead, rhythm, and percussion all at once. It's much more amenable for a solo artist.

[@davestambaugh7282]

Bluegrass usually starts at a hundred and twenty beats per minute and goes up from there. It is performance music. They play the dance tunes way to fast for anyone to try and dance to.

[@kevinmcgovney119]

“Let’s try to pick this apart.” I see what you did there =)

[@brycedruzin2915]

A few days after Earl Scruggs died, I was at a folk music open mic. When a guy saw I had a banjo with me, he asked me if I was going to play any Scruggs songs. I've never played bluegrass, so I said no, and the guy got offended and started to chastise me for "not knowing history" and other stuff. He was completely ignorant of other banjo styles, and was unable to comprehend that I literally could not play a Scruggs song.

[@JohnBrownlow]

more truth in this video than I can handle!

[@kmhob]

I agree with most of what you are saying. I like all styles and dont see it as a good thing to limit ourselves. I like the style you us for all these oldtime tunes. I Wonder if you could make a video where you talk about the types of tuning(s) that you use? Is it double C, G-minor, G-Modal?

[@CliftonHicksbanjo]

Traditional Banjo Tunings 1: kzbin.info/www/bejne/aIm8fpaJmZadY7c Traditional Banjo Tunings 2: kzbin.info/www/bejne/fHSocoCre79_mpI

[@runrig97]

My banjo spends most of it's time in double C, though lately it's tuned down to Bb or A, and has been down as low as F. My wife actually prefers it lower, and wants to thank Clifton for suggesting that in one of his videos.

[@Galaxyngc7331]

Great video!

[@rayray5999]

What about the banjo itself? I see 5 string banjos with just a long neck, and then I see banjos like the one in your hand in this video with that device on the neck half way down it on the fifth fret. What is that anyway? Just brand new to the banjo and trying to decide what to learn on and style. Thanks.

[@ProfileP246]

Hey man I know what you’re sayin, I do both but the majority of the time would be spent doing dancy stuff. Go to bluegrass jams with my open back and nobody wants to play along mostly just stop and stare haha! Especially as you say when the singing starts.

[@DoowopJeff]

Well said sir! I have Sirius XM radio in my car. They have a full time bluegrass station that I tried listening to. After about 20 minutes I realized that it all sounded the same! No individuality, no creativity, no feeling. Just people following the rules and set patterns, roll after roll. Most of the singers try to mimic Bill Monroe. Boring!!

[@MusicGeekmcgrath]

This is really interesting but Iv never be a fan of bluegrass music that much except for scruggs I got a banjo for traditional style banjo but didnt bother picking it up till I started playing oldtime music on the fiddle and Iv played fiddle for years Im from Canada so the music I grew up mostly playing is Canadian French fiddle music and East Coast fiddle music

[@clarkewhitfield7011]

Thanks for the comments. I’m trying to figure out the best style for me.

[@terryfinley7760]

That’s why I prefer to perform at re-enactments, and historic sites. The people there want to see the real thing! I never cared for jam sessions.

[@paolo7237]

I’m a bluegrass picker, but I do not disagree with you. I have to admit, I prefer the sound of bluegrass and the skill Earl Scruggs and Ralph Stanley possessed, but I have equal respect for your incredible mastery of the instrument and i very greatly respect your opinions and advice. Thank you for your videos, brother.

[@robbscott4]

Glad I ran across this video. I've been wanting to go home and make my way to Cliftop for a long time. But it sounds like the same scenario I've ran into here in CA. No singing, note for note playing to the fiddle, secondary to fiddle, and an exactness to playing that doesn't allow for freedom of expression. And heaven forbid if you diverge. So I don't go to these "old time" jams anymore. There's just no fun in it. I've even heard a few folks from here that they go regularly to Cliftop. Maybe its the Californians who have overtaken these festivals and created the atmosphere you describe.

[@CliftonHicksbanjo]

Robert, the ongoing urbanization of traditional music which you point to is perhaps best described by historian and banjo expert George Gibson who says: "This urban banjo culture has now spread nationally through courses taught at colleges and other venues and through media dominated by urban revivalists... The term 'revivalist' is misleading because urban musicians did not, as many claim, revive mountain banjo traditions; instead they did something far more interesting. They created a new banjo culture that includes a new 'old time' playing style, a new type of banjo, a revivalist interpretation of banjo history, an emphasis on playing banjo and fiddle together and new expressions for banjo playing. These development parallel changes to the southern banjo after it was appropriated by northern minstrels in the 19th century." More of Gibson's writing (crucial for those who wish to understand the banjo's past, present and, I think, future in American culture) are included in a new book, just released this month from University of Illinois Press, called "Banjo Roots and Branches: West African precursors, African-Caribbean origins, North American journeys" available here: www.press.uillinois.edu/books/catalog/23cnd4ft9780252041945.html

[@robbscott4]

Ordered. Thank you for the link.

[@guywolff]

I played in my barn almost 50 years now and I think people like listening for whatever reason ... .. Started hearing Clarence Ashley on a record in 69 and never looked back .. I have no idea what I am doing but I sure love doing it .. The only addition in the last 25 years was learning the off string pull off from Chris Barry on KZbin .. I have no idea what they would think of me at Clifftop ... To poor to find out anyway ..Love to meet you and George some day .. All the best , Guy

[@GreenManalishiUSA]

I really appreciated this video. I truly enjoy and respect the bluegrass style, but after a few songs I'm not left with much reaction other than, "Wow, those players sure are technically proficient." I've also been shunned at bluegrass festival parking lot jams for showing up with the wrong kind of guitar (that is, anything other than a Martin dreadnought), and that's before I even had a chance to show everyone what a mediocre guitar player I am, ha ha. I guess that there is a place for rules and perfectionism (jazz, classical music, and even progressive rock are full of rules, but are rich in tonal, rhythmic, and stylistic variety), but too much of it just drains the fun out of the music.

[@jefferyboring4410]

3 finger is the hardest style to master. Scruggs it more than a folk he’s the master. a gift from god. His skill was unworldly. U don’t know till u really try. I’ve also heard ppl say Harley’s r fast and painting portraits is easy. Give it a try

[@foothillsnature570]

I’ve never seen a capo on a banjo in Surry County. Boone and Surry County ain’t the same place.

[@Banjo362]

Bluegrass is like the XBOX of the Banjo I don't play XBOX games and I don't play Bluegrass on my banjo I play 2 finger banjo I choose to finger pick banjo without picks and people enjoy my nice soft mellow playing. I got into banjo by listening to; Will Keys Chip Arnold John Hedgecock Morgan Sexton Lee Sexton Dock Boggs Otis Taylor Roscoe Holcomb. I really am a 2 finger player.

[@pandashit69]

You're a trucking historian my man.

[@SlippyTweasel]

Bluegrass, Appalachian bluegrass, Appalachian claw hammer are all different, from different time periods and played differently. Blue grass is picked..Appalachian 3 string is picked without picks..clawhammer predates Appalachian bluegrass by over 200 years.

[@bronzesnake7004]

And blessed is the one who is not offended by me. ") I am offended by people who are always offended! I find it extremely offensive! And another thing! I never get offended by anything! People who accuse me of being offended are offensive and offend me! ") I don't play banjo, I play guitar, but I've wanted to learn banjo since I was about 12, I'm 58 but I'm told I don't look a day older than 57 3/4! I have five electric guitars and four acoustics. I prefer playing my acoustic guitars, and I was a lead vocalist/songwriter professionally over 25 years and closer to 30! Then a serious illness brought it all to a crashing halt! Hey, it was a lot of fun while it lasted, I am fine! There is snobbery in the guitar community also, and as I hear you describe your experience with people being "offended" I can relate, it seems so many people today are just aching to be offended by pretty much anything and everything you can think of! Isn't it sad that you have you preface your opinions with appeals to the eternally offended that you aren't intending to upset or "offend" anyone before you feel safe enough to share your opinions and experiences. Still, no matter how much grovelling you do or how careful you try to reassure people that your thoughts and comments are strictly "opinions" and not specifically meant to be malicious, preachy or spiked with any kind of stink, people will take offense and take direct aim at you and they will see to it that you enjoy both barrels full of the spare change of their opinions and they will nail you right betwixt the peepers so you know without a shred of a shadow of doubt, they are right and you are wrong!! ") Your capital crime? Daring to prefer an open back Deering banjo over the sacred Resonator!! How dare you!!? Oh Death indeed! Oh Death, how I long for thy sweet, sweet release! ")

[@salihnazimpeker3464]

💯

[@randyjoe595]

Roundpeak snobberry. Hah!

[@noramcv]

So much time spent explaining that no judgment is being passed on the different styles--is the banjo community that hostile? 😮

[@CliftonHicksbanjo]

Extremely hostile.

[@ramakisoradasa5171]

Folk music evolves, nothing wrong with that, we can play traditional styles and also create new evolved styles.

[@bobandcher]

There's a dress code...who knew?

[@MattFoleysGhost]

Seems the same with any genre from Be-Bop to Bluegrass - songs to dazzle from the players, or songs to dance to for the dancers. You gotta keep a culture alive unless people show up, and people show up to dance.

[@Bayrum78]

Jam juggernauts and fiddle fascists everywhere - tread lightly, an uprising is in the offing. The Banjo Liberation Front cometh and is "done talkin'."

[@glynwelshkarelian3489]

And as soon as the Banjo Liberation Front appears the Liberation Front for the Banjo will split off.

[@glynwelshkarelian3489]

PS. Othias sent me here.

[@themanhimself1229]

I will never bow to the Banjo Liberation Front. Liberation Front of Banjos forever!

[@michaelbarnett2527]

I play scruggs style, but I just cant get the other styles. Because of your picking, You’ve got me interested in the 2 finger style now…

[@Johnny.Picklez]

@@themanhimself1229 front for the banjo liberation bloc until death!