How to Play // The Earl Scruggs Repeating Lick // Banjo Lesson

Here are a few variations of a highly asked-about lick! Earl Scruggs used this in a lot of his music and you can too!
-----------Video Contents-----------
0:00 - Intro
0:51- Modern Variation
2:26 - Classic Earl Variation
3:54 - Skipping Record Variation
5:12 - Pike County Breakdown - Classic Earl Variation
5:47 - Pike County Breakdown - Modern Variation
6:19 - Pike County Breakdown - Skipping Record Variation
6:57 - Modern Variation - Second Example
7:23 - Classic Earl Variation - Second Example
7:48 - Skipping Record Variation - Second Example
8:10 - Sourwood Mountain - Modern Variation
8:37 - Sourwood Mountain - Classic Earl Variation
8:59 - Sourwood Mountain - Skipping Record Variation
Looking for the tablature? Click here!
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[@banjomark9900]

The only thing more magnificent than your playing is your generosity in teaching it to us. Thank you !

[@Big-Red-Music]

Wow, thank you!

[@redlinemando]

@9:01 "Play that banjo make it ring. See Ole Hacksaw pickin' on the strings." Great video & instruction!!!!!!! I know I've heard all those variations, but it hadn't really clicked in my mind that Earl had played all of those at one time or another. It's also interesting to hear how Earl's 3rd string hammer from the 2nd - 3rd fret evolved from the 50's into the 60's, incorporating the slight bend & pull-off that Crowe used so much. Cushman has studied Earl's playing down to a science!!!!!!! You won't find another banjo player that can play Earl's songs & breaks, note for note, just like he recorded them. I once heard a story about Charlie. I don't recall who he was working with, but it was most likely Peterson. Anyway, he was asked to play something exactly like Earl did. His response.............."What year?"

[@Big-Red-Music]

Charlie is the man!

[@Banjo63]

Great lesson! I’ve never had much luck with the mechanics of this lick, or getting it to sound right. Maybe now I can! Thanks!

[@Big-Red-Music]

Awesome! Hope it helps!

[@jackvalentine566]

Been waiting for this lick tutorial for so long! Thanks again man

[@Big-Red-Music]

I’m glad I could assist Jack!

[@elisabethemory]

YESSSSS! Thank you so much! I was abound to contact someone about taking lessons yesterday....I thought I had learned all I could from KZbin....but I'm still gonna go this route for a while! Thanks again!

[@Big-Red-Music]

Oh there’s always more!!!

[@Bassnbanjos]

I been after that second one for 2 solid weeks now from the pike court breakdown recording!! That’s man this helped tremendously, I was pulling too hard in search for that sound and now I understand what I was doing wrong. Thanks a ton

[@Big-Red-Music]

Awesome man!

[@DanAshby]

I always used to think of the rapidly repeating version as the 'bumblebee' lick. Foggy Mountain Breakdown in the '49 recording has it around 1 minute 42 and when I first heard it, it sounded (to my unaccustomed ears) like Earl had set a load of bumblebees free - and I loved it. That recording was the reason I started playing because I couldn't believe it was only one instrument was making all that sound and I wanted to able to do the same. Years later I made my own version up that never really rolled out right but it was kind of passable and finally, you explain ALL the variations perfectly. Thank you!

[@Big-Red-Music]

I love these comments! That’s awesome man! Foggy Mt Breakdown still does it for me too!!

[@JimPankey]

Awesome!

[@Big-Red-Music]

Thanks Jim! You’re the man!

[@mitchzeitz]

Great stuff!

[@Big-Red-Music]

Thanks!

[@randylucas1034]

Thanks!!

[@Big-Red-Music]

You bet!

[@jharsch3453]

Hank III has a a video with just him and his banjoist. He incorporates this lick in his solo, it reminds me of bleeting sheep

[@Big-Red-Music]

I can see that

[@TJRohyans]

I'm a rank beginner. Nowhere near being able to play like that; someday maybe. What I couldn't determine from watching the video though was the roll pattern on the right hand.

[@Big-Red-Music]

Hey there! It’s kind of a combo of forward/reverse and mixed rolls. Weird thing about licks is they hardly ever follow one specific roll pattern. It’s always a mix. That’s why I never concern myself with teaching rolls because In the grand scheme of learning banjo, the forward Roll is the key roll to know. Everything else is used sparingly or in a hybrid manner. I do have the tabs for this lesson on my Patreon page though! Also if it helps, you can slow this video down more in the videos settings!

[@timtaylorguitarnut]

Only been playing a couple weeks and I don't know if I'll get those rolls down fast.

[@Big-Red-Music]

Takes practice my friend! Just allot some time to practice the banjo stuff you’re really passionate about and it will definitely come!

[@timtaylorguitarnut]

@@Big-Red-Music I know it just feels daunting now. Your slow examples are about my top speed. Next year I'll tell you I'm as fast as you. 😀 I hope

[@Big-Red-Music]

You’ve got this!!

[@Isaaceells]

🤠

[@Big-Red-Music]

😌😊😇

[@derekmcswain4190]

The hangin record lick🪕😁

[@Big-Red-Music]

Hanging or skipping LOL. I come up with a new name every 5 minutes!

[@moosch2]

What type of banjo is that? I see Hatfield on the headstock but didn’t know what model!

[@Big-Red-Music]

This is a signature model of mine. Mahogany Neck and a flame maple pot! Blaylock tone ring and hearts and flowers fretboard. The best one I’ve owned from Arthur to date!

[@moosch2]

@@Big-Red-Music awesome! I love my Buckcreek, thanks for the videos!

[@Big-Red-Music]

I’ve owned two of those as well! They’re great!!

[@Bassnbanjos]

@@Big-Red-Music so the resonator is flame maple? Or the rim as well? I bet that’s a beautiful site!!

[@Big-Red-Music]

Cox rim!

[@Hillbilly123]

How much does your thumb stick out from the end of your pick?

[@Big-Red-Music]

A great amount! I’m on the knuckle because of how small my thumb is!

[@Hillbilly123]

@@Big-Red-Music I do the same thing because I think my thumb is double jointed.

[@lucytupper69]

Why the capo?

[@Big-Red-Music]

Well, Roll in my sweet baby’s arms and Pike County Breakdown are typically played in the Key of A. Thus the capo use. It’s not completely necessary though.

[@2ASSHOLESINAJEEP]

Love it! Gotta go break that banjo out now and pick!

[@Big-Red-Music]

Awesome!