Man of Constant Sorrow | Beginner Bluegrass Banjo Lesson With Tab

[@MikeHeddingMusic]

Stay up to date with my latest lessons and keep picking! Subscribe today. kzbin.info

[@phishcatt]

Man I'm not even american, I havent even listened to a lot of bluegrass in my life, but I love how the banjo sounds. So I got myself one, and definitely gonna start working on this tune soon.

[@MikeHeddingMusic]

Nice! You got this! - Mike

[@jsburns89]

Hope you're still playing! I am 6 months in myself

[@jasonking1504]

I been playing for a long time. learn J.D. Crow and Earl Scruggs styles first . It's a lot easier to progress once you've mastered these. you will find that lots of songs share the same picking styles and every song you learn makes it easier to learn the next. Congrats on the banjo and keep on pick'n!!!

[@phishcatt]

@@jasonking1504 I kinda have reached a plateau with the banjo. I know like two easy songs and then tried for harder but I realised I know shit about music theory or chords or anything, so I switched to guitar and, my favorite, my luna banjolele. I feel intimidated about picking up the banjo rn, but I need to get over it lol. Maybe it's because I'm trying to learn too many things at once? It's fun though, and I get bored playing one instrument, so I don't care.

[@solvilla-ho9om]

great lesson, I've put my guitars to the side and bought a banjo, this being one of my fave tunes will be with your help the first I learn, cheers from blighty

[@MikeHeddingMusic]

+sol .villa Thanks for the kind words! I hope you enjoy the lesson. -Mike

[@missybard8193]

Still have my guitars by my side but the banjo is fun to pick up from time to time. Thanks for the video!

[@ra7238]

@@missybard8193 I’ve been learning the 5 string for a few months. You still playing?

[@shanegore5281]

same here man. played guitar for 14 years. picked up a banjo and was below novice. but having so much fun playing a banjo!!

[@ct4883]

I did the same thing this past Thanksgiving (I almost feel guilty for abandoning my guitar, lol) There's a lot going on over at Mike's website. If you haven't checked it out yet, I highly recommend doing so. HAPPY PICKIN'!

[@Wolfoe1238]

Recently bought a banjo (it arrived yesterday) and your videos are exactly what I need to learn to play! You explain things very well and it's super easy to follow along, thank you!

[@MikeHeddingMusic]

Thanks for the kind words. Congrats on the new banjo. - Mike

[@alejandro80021]

Guitarist here just checking in on the banjo community this definitely looks interesting

[@docguitar50]

Deadly , this is a good version!

[@MikeHeddingMusic]

+dermot o'connor Thank You!

[@doriscampbell9775]

I watched this very slow. Your fingers never leave your hand, and you have the same number as i do. Stop the clock at 1:36, caught you, four arms. No wonder i can't keep up.. Thanks, you are the best . THANKS

[@ballybing]

This video has really helped me put some random pieces of my musical education together into something cohesive. Thank you!

[@MikeHeddingMusic]

Glad it was helpful. Keep picking. - Mike

[@edwinballantine3852]

You sound great, Mike! Easy to learn from!

[@MikeHeddingMusic]

Thank you! - Mike

[@slq3263]

Thank you very much for this Mike

[@Bonecrusherdl]

Holy shit im buying a Banjo today, thank you for this video sir

[@El.Sasquatcho69]

Just got me a banjo today always wanted to learn as a guitar player of 13 to 14 years. So cant wait to try this an get to learning

[@MikeHeddingMusic]

Sweet! Welcome to the club. - Mike

[@ct4883]

Mike: I love this version of the tune and so does my in-person banjo teacher (who has been a banjo/guitar pro for decades.) One thing though-- it was easier to learn when I thought of your bar #1 as a pickup and then counted the measures from when the G chord starts. I bought your full lesson for this tune and I look forward to checking out more. Thanks!

[@MikeHeddingMusic]

Yes, measure 1 is the pickup. The solo actually starts in measure 2. Glad you're enjoying the lessons. Keep picking. - Mike

[@olddognewhobby1757]

Great video. Very easy to follow, even for a very new beginner.

[@MikeHeddingMusic]

Glad it was helpful. - Mike

[@georgescarlett5441]

Very Fine my friend, between you and Banjo Ben I'm hopin' to put together a decent version of this. Of course, should it need a "vocal', I'm afraid it's back to the 6 string for me!! Ha!

[@MikeHeddingMusic]

+george scarlett String together some licks and you'll have a solo! Don't worry I also switch back to guitar a lot of times when singing as well. -Mike

[@georgescarlett5441]

+Mike Hedding Singin' Banjer pickers, is kinda' like Singin' Drummers, the difference? One "drum" is vertical, the other horizontal, Har! Gb bg

[@Willo800]

Awesome tutorial. Would have to be the best I have found so far. Love the way you break it down. Definitely heading to your website to buy some stuff. Keep up the great lessons!!!

[@MikeHeddingMusic]

Thank you I appreciate that. -Mike

[@2000HoursofBanjo]

I’m working on this one now. Can’t wait until I sound remotely close to Mike!

[@MikeHeddingMusic]

Nice! Keep pickin'. - Mike

[@onehitwarrior1708]

Can you play the whole song ? Sounds really good

[@jimcraig9882]

Thanks man, great demo no messing

[@MikeHeddingMusic]

Thanks! - Mike

[@LUckybones25]

Thanks so much. I LoVE this tune!

[@fleotusbing]

Great lesson on an awesome tune. Thanks so much!

[@retiringlamp5695]

Great lesson appreciated much

[@zensurfer55]

Dude, great instruction. thx. Haven't picked up my 5 string for awhile and found your video. I do mostly claw hammer but would love to get my 3 finger chops back. Bman

[@MikeHeddingMusic]

Thanks! I'm sure you'll pick it back up in no time. Best, Mike

[@bigal25938]

You make it look easy.

[@fixitshop3025]

One of my favorite movies

[@ivansloe]

Just got my first banjo - great tune to start on. One question - open G tuning?

[@MikeHeddingMusic]

Yes, gDGBD.

[@kevingallagher9309]

ivansloe and

[@jimmyoleary8667]

Mike Hedding Great tab and lessons. I'm playing a 1975 RB 250 Mastertone. Sounds really good. Keep up the great lessons

[@MikeHeddingMusic]

Thank you. I used to play an RB-250 before I got my Nechville. It was a great banjo. - Mike

[@cheerubebayonettaholopaine2638]

ordered my banjo a few hours ago. i didnt even held one before 🤣 ill be back 🙏

[@cheerubebayonettaholopaine2638]

here i am

[@DJ-bz4vi]

What kind of banjo do you use and what is the tuning? I would like to start playing.

[@MikeHeddingMusic]

It's a Nechville Banjo with GHS strings. - Mike

[@adambrock3381]

Hi Mike. I paid for this tab & the videos and asked on the forums but noone is answering. With the original song playing when do we start to play this? Right at the beginning with the mandolin or after the mandolin part? I cannot figure it out for the life of me and can play it at full speed

[@MikeHeddingMusic]

I sent you a response today sorry for the delay. Check it out and if you still have questions let me know. - Mike

[@austinkonecny3739]

Do I have to play for the entire lesson?

[@MikeHeddingMusic]

Play or pay? Yes this is just a preview of the first part of the lesson. I have the full lesson available for purchase on my website.

[@banjolsj]

Hey Mike,any way of getting a copy of the tabs for this song Please and thanks Banjo Justice

[@MikeHeddingMusic]

+Larry Justus Yes I have the tab available under the beginner section on my site. Here's the link: www.mikeheddingmusic.com/banjotabs?category=Beginner Thanks. -Mike

[@twig5929]

Hey I’ve just gotten a mini banjo as a gift. I know absolutely nothing about strings, but from what I’ve gathered, the tuning for the mini banjo is different than the regular size. Are there any songs specifically with mini banjos, or can songs with regular banjos be played with a mini and still sound alright? (Please forgive my lack of knowledge. The closest instrument to a banjo I’ve ever played was an old violin, and I was trash lol)

[@MikeHeddingMusic]

Hard to say without seeing it. Is it a tenor banjo with 4 strings? That's a different tuning than 5 string banjo. Otherwise it might just be a smaller 5 string banjo in which case the tuning would be similar it might just be tuned to a different chord or in a different octave. - Mike

[@twig5929]

@@MikeHeddingMusic it’s a small, 5 string banjo

[@edwardkalal7133]

What is the thing on his thumb?

[@MikeHeddingMusic]

A thumbpick!

[@swizlemalarkyYT]

I don’t get the third measure

[@dianao8337]

What am I doing wrong??? Your fingers don’t look like they are struggling to hold down the chord/note on the frets. I always feel like I have to put forth so much pressure, my fingertips get fatigued. 🤷🏼‍♀️ Thanks! 😊

[@MikeHeddingMusic]

It's hard to say exactly without seeing your banjo or you play but a few things you could try: 1. Purchase light gauge strings. They're easier to push down because the wires aren't as thick. 2. Make sure your action (how high the strings are off the fingerboard) is set correctly. If your action is super high, you'll have to push the string down much farther than you're normally have to. 3. Be patient, you might just need more time to build up your callouses. - Mike

[@dianao8337]

Mike Hedding thank you so much! 😊 I did switch to lighter strings, I guess it’s a callus issue. Seems like all I’m getting are blisters! 😩

[@TheGhost5600]

Mike..Great lesson but how do you play it out of F without a capo?

[@MikeHeddingMusic]

If you wanted to play this exact solo in F you'd have to tune the banjo down to open F. Otherwise if I was going to play it in F, I'd probably play it out of D position with a capo at the 3rd fret. That'd be similar to the Ron Block version.

[@fraditoto]

Is it the full tab or on your site there is the rest of the song?

[@MikeHeddingMusic]

Yes, there's a link in the description to the full lesson. - Mike

[@mikefinley4367]

Awesome lesson! What is the banjo brand your playing, the neck inlay is nice.

[@MikeHeddingMusic]

It's a Nechville banjo. -Mike

[@mattguzda853]

Its a great song. I understand tho if u continue to play any song that youre g3tting tired of over exposure to, then you stay away from it for awhile so when u do play it u still love it. To ruin som3thing you love to over exposure is a shame really

[@chucksgaming2933]

What movie are you talking about this is from?

[@MikeHeddingMusic]

The Coen Brothers classic "Oh Brother Where Art Thou?" if you haven't seen it I'd recommend checking it out. Great movie with an incredible soundtrack! - Mike

[@AltesBuddha]

I'm guessing it's hard to play this with a banjitar

[@MikeHeddingMusic]

+Devon Espinosa It probably would be a little tricky. I'm tuned to open G (gDGBD) tuning so unless you can tune to that on the banjitar you'd have to re-work it a little bit. Good luck. -Mike

[@jasonking1504]

banjitar is more like a guitar and less like a banjo. Find a guitar version of the song and should work fine for you.

[@bluto212]

Is the banjo hard if you've played the guitar?

[@MikeHeddingMusic]

There's a lot of similarities between the two. Banjo is really fun I'd give it a try! - Mike

[@chrissharratt4615]

Is this a g banjo ?

[@MikeHeddingMusic]

Yes. G tuning. gDGBD. - Mike

[@TKD187]

I play guitar but I am so lost right now watching this videoI think all of my guitar knowledge is trying to flow over into playing banjo, and playing banjo is nothing like playing guitar so far

[@MikeHeddingMusic]

It'll take some time to start thinking in "banjo" instead of "guitar." You may want to check out some more beginner lessons on basic rolls and slides first and then come back to this lesson after you've built more of a foundation of technique. Keep picking. - Mike

[@billkoetting5197]

Kevin all banjo tab is upside down to guitar tabs. why isn't it just universal the top line is the low note string the bottom line is the high note string. Simple. I think banjo players want to make it difficult for guitar players.

[@bustycrusty]

What tuning is this in ?

[@MikeHeddingMusic]

standard gDGBD tuning.

[@bustycrusty]

@@MikeHeddingMusic thank you!

[@fishboi7425]

Do you do anything on how to pick like that

[@MikeHeddingMusic]

Yes. I have a lot of beginner lessons you can search for on my channel. Any lesson with "rolls" in the title would be helpful to get you started playing bluegrass style banjo. - Mike

[@fishboi7425]

Mike Hedding thanks

[@jasonmellon4414]

What tuning is this

[@MikeHeddingMusic]

Standard G Tuning. gDGBD.

[@jamesnash8857]

I can get the shapes of the chords but I can never get the pluck with all fingers

[@MikeHeddingMusic]

What I'd recommend is playing all the left hand notes as open (0's) so you're only focusing on playing the right hand picking part. Once you get that down, add the left hand back. - Mike

[@micwell2247]

G tuning ?

[@MikeHeddingMusic]

yes, gDGBD. - Mike

[@timothystafford8440]

great

[@MountainJohn]

Noticed video was 10 minutes and realized I'd need to pay for this. Too bad there no free information online

[@curtism7409]

Check out Littlerockbanjo.com. Lots of free lessons with tabs and video. Complete songs

[@LookMeInTheStraps]

C'mon man!!! The lesson is $4... the price of a cup of coffee at starbucks. How's the man supposed to make a living?

[@griffithro1]

Are you a: Pro, Master, Elite, Ultimate, or Extreme player?

[@pascalleroy9400]

thanks from a french hillbilly Mister Hedding I am not really a hillbilly but I like the sound of that word

[@MikeHeddingMusic]

Thanks for checking out the lesson! - Mike

[@BusterKitten]

I'm waiting for a beginner lesson to play Tubby the Tuba on banjo.

[@marekprazak]

wow.. man.. nice banjo.. what it's called?

[@MikeHeddingMusic]

Thanks. The banjo is a Nechville.

[@williechops]

I am thinking of trading in my electric guitar for a banjo. Do you think I should do it?

[@MikeHeddingMusic]

+williechops There's a lot of similarities between guitar and banjo. You'll probably enjoy it if you like bluegrass and three finger picking.

[@hicx8734]

do it

[@hicx8734]

do it

[@DavidCrites07]

Why not keep the electric guitar and just get a banjo too? That’s what I did.

[@timtravasos2742]

Can't see where your fingers are going They're covering the frets.

[@jasonking1504]

Learning to read Tab is easy. Watch a couple videos on how to read Tab and you will be very suprised how easy it is. tells you exactly where to put your fingers.

[@hippiblue]

I just bought a banjo, just like yours, for $100.

[@MikeHeddingMusic]

You got a better deal than I did. - Mike

[@jdssurf]

At 420…..it’s almost slayer seasons lol.

[@Ivan_Imperator]

absolutely no idea what i’m doing, putting the banjo back up to collect dust i guess.

[@dankpanda1106]

Yeey

[@ludvigdahlberg6982]

i dont understand :(

[@MikeHeddingMusic]

Which part?

[@ludvigdahlberg6982]

@@MikeHeddingMusic i just cant manage to play that. Not ur instructions that are bad :)

[@MikeHeddingMusic]

@@ludvigdahlberg6982 Be patient and keep practicing and you'll make progress. - Mike

[@DavidCrites07]

Yeeeehaaaww!!

[@aubreynoftall3830]

nice!...bit beginner? youve gotta be jokin right?

[@MikeHeddingMusic]

Depends on where you're at in your musical journey, but yes, in my opinion this lesson would fall under the beginner category. Keep practicing and you'll get it. - Mike

[@vermintky]

ahhh youre cute!!!

[@noloitering2281]

Dog no hate but don’t call it a beginner music video when you bust out sheet music and start using words “beginners” shouldn’t know, take a page from Marty music he explains everything simply. Understand that the language that you think is common, people who don’t play banjo have literally never heard. I got a banjo today and if every video is like this I might as well throw it in the trash

[@MikeHeddingMusic]

This lesson is definitely for beginners. I have a whole bunch of other lessons that start from square one and explain the absolute basics. I’m sorry you couldn’t learn the song on your first day having the banjo.

[@geraldsimmons3472]

slow down bro!!! just picked up any sort of musical instrument like 2 days ago. haha let alone a fuckin banjo! lol fucker.

[@Spazzboy911]

for beginners who've been practicing for 5 years