Reuben

[@niallmckenna648]

An absolute animal on the banjo! The kind of attack on those strings the banjer was built for. Always enjoy your videos tremendously.

[@JohnApfelthaler]

Thanks Niall!

[@peterjohnson724]

I don't know how many times I've watched this but there's something about watching a John Apfelthaler video that makes any day that little bit better. Thanks John.

[@JohnApfelthaler]

Thanks Peter!

[@wsearp]

I can never get too much of this song.....

[@davidlundmark9359]

Same, I think it's my favourite dong!

[@wsearp]

Wow that spelling gaff has been on there for five years?..... Ha ha ha I laughed my butt off this morning when this was brought to my attention.... Guess my eyes are getting old.... Well, I corrected the error but still funny.... I hate autocorrect...When I type in one word and it types a mother....

[@chrislloyd4564]

By far the best version I have heard I’m blown away every time I watch it

[@JohnApfelthaler]

Thanks Chris!

[@boltofhawk]

This shreds.

[@MarkSteiger-Parrotshow]

Only the very best can play such outstanding! Amazing chimes!

[@JohnApfelthaler]

Mark Steiger Thanks Mark!

[@paulcraig7258]

Love it John! Would you be willing to do a video of a slowed down version of this? Would love to learn it.

[@marshallritter2161]

Fat fingers and all...Awsome...

[@banjoboy1337]

wow wow and wow!!!! amazing on those harmonics. I havent heard harmonics that good

[@JohnApfelthaler]

Thank you!

[@TrapNerdMusic]

Impeccable.

[@JohnApfelthaler]

Thanks!

[@Flat-Pickfan]

you can tell a good player when they can still get a good tone when choking or bending , your tone is awesome, best banjo tone ive heard in a while

[@JohnApfelthaler]

Thanks!

[@Hans-yb5jc]

very nice sir

[@wadedixon6595]

You are what Earl Scruggs is talking about when he says these boys plays tremendous amounts of banjo.

[@JohnApfelthaler]

Thanks Wade!

[@Knappist]

Hard hitting banjo 🤟love it John

[@JohnApfelthaler]

Thank you!

[@mikereynolds6050]

Like i said before .love to live next door to you fabulous

[@bladerunner9646]

Had to listen to this again today. It sounds so good. Thanks for posting.

[@JohnApfelthaler]

You're welcome!

[@mackeyrich8453]

So badass! Harmonics off the 🪝

[@JohnApfelthaler]

Thanks Mackey!

[@loganlobdell9326]

Great picking, love the chimes.

[@Sheikyerbouti8]

Wow! I've just watched three of your videos, and I feel pretty safe in saying that you sir, have completely mastered this instrument. I'll keep practicing, but it's hard to imagine ever becoming this good. I tip my hat to you.

[@JohnApfelthaler]

Thanks Randy!

[@giovannybriones4292]

A monster on banjo!...

[@JohnApfelthaler]

Thank you!

[@stevenacord7642]

Thanks for letin me know it's a great banjo I have a 1933 rb4 and 1940 rb-75 they were my dads

[@actualsurfer]

...And Bluegrass was born. Thank you Earl!

[@jimsatterfield8748]

incredible playing. you have a mighty right hand!

[@JohnApfelthaler]

Thanks Jim Satterfield!

[@robertparamore2863]

Im a little late to your party. You are the greatest banjo player I've ever heard. I will yell it from the mountain tops

[@JohnApfelthaler]

Thanks!

[@Banjo63]

Truly amazing!

[@JohnApfelthaler]

Thanks!

[@matak99]

Love the speed, accuracy & creativity :) You've added something good to a great song.

[@JohnApfelthaler]

Thanks!

[@robertbenedict5648]

Good Lord this feller can SHRED on that banjo 😳

[@jackvalentine566]

Any chance you could tell us the roll you use on the harmonics part of the Song? Maybe the best harmonic lick I have ever heard played, well done!

[@Stank_Dank_]

This guy plays the best versions of all these songs

[@JohnApfelthaler]

Thanks Trenton!

[@theliamofella]

Fantastic player

[@JohnApfelthaler]

Thanks Liam!

[@garyeppich2429]

Wow just started learning this song you make it so smooth can’t wait to get half this good

[@JohnApfelthaler]

Thanks Gary Eppich!

[@mattcolvin1188]

That lick at 25 seconds is great! Love it pal!

[@JohnApfelthaler]

Thanks Matt!

[@toms1341]

A pleasure to listen...

[@JohnApfelthaler]

Thanks Thomas S !

[@adamkobetich959]

BRAVO!!!

[@JohnApfelthaler]

Thank you!

[@jameslee5405]

Excellent banjo player....sounds great!!!

[@matthewbutler6420]

Earl Scruggs would be proud!

[@JohnApfelthaler]

Thanks Matthew!

[@norman-gregory]

Greetings. I like your grin at the end. Beautiful playing...excuse me for sounding formal. But John... you've got it, good man. I don't know if you realise it...of course this is from my outlook/perspective, but there's something unique about your playing. It's like I get the feeling your holding back... Meaning... People don't realise how good you really are (what would I know, right). I feel that watching your good self. I come in peace and brotherly Love and Kindness. Terrific playing...thank you. Have a great day and week ahead.

[@ralpheckis7142]

Very well done. Thank you

[@guyseydel1080]

Great job John. Im working on Rueben right now...I'll keep pickin....

[@JohnApfelthaler]

Thanks Guy!

[@northvanman1283]

Amazing

[@JohnApfelthaler]

Thanks!

[@TheAlpineProject]

Fantastic

[@JohnApfelthaler]

Bryan Paul thanks!

[@MrRontac]

Great pickin` John , great sounding 5 string too

[@JohnApfelthaler]

Thanks Ronnie!

[@jimsatterfield8748]

You have an amazing right hand! Very powerful, my goodness, you've got a lot of punch.

[@JohnApfelthaler]

Thanks Jim!

[@jeffreystanton2118]

I agree with Randy, I have to check your videos out, thanks again really enjoyed

[@JohnApfelthaler]

Thanks!

[@iamelvisman68]

Great picking from near shelby nc the home of you know who

[@Nevada_Dan]

If Superman played banjo he would look like John. Dang, that is some fine pickin'...!

[@JohnApfelthaler]

Thanks Dean!

[@geertborremans8474]

Well done !

[@JOHNKUHNMUSIC]

Somebody had that 2nd cupa coffee this morning....LOL.Your Great drive and snappy POs,would make it sound killer at any speed so drink that 3RD cup if ya want ..LOL..Enjoyed it man !

[@JohnApfelthaler]

JOHN KUHN MUSIC Thanks John!

[@daveduncan8004]

Great pic and keep up the good work on man

[@JohnApfelthaler]

Thanks Dave!

[@stevenacord7642]

That's cool I'm in Beckley West Virginia

[@mickmcguire4571]

Brilliant playing the sound of your banjo is amaizing 10/10

[@JohnApfelthaler]

Mick McGuire Thanks Mick!

[@brasspick]

Awesome sounding Banjo! Well played. I especially liked how you stepped the 7th chord roll down at 0:25-26. Hope you much success!

[@JohnApfelthaler]

Thanks!

[@mattcolvin1188]

That lick at 25 seconds is incredible!

[@BoysBarn]

Always wonder what kind of person does a thumbs down on this performance. Jealousy can be the only reason! LOL. Nice job John!

[@JohnApfelthaler]

Thanks!

[@banjosforbreakfast6086]

Maybe the thumbs down was because of a clumsy thumb😂, but I agree. If you don’t like this man’s banjo playing, there’s something deeply wrong with you

[@geraldwest3428]

Salute!

[@BrandtM84]

that banjo hits through the computer John! sheeeeesh haha

[@JohnApfelthaler]

LOL! Thanks!

[@bradr1913]

Wow that's some pretty good picken. I'm sure earl would agree. Good job brother.

[@JohnApfelthaler]

Thanks!

[@stevemullinax5941]

Awesome

[@JohnApfelthaler]

Thanks Steve!

[@stevenacord7642]

Sounds awesome

[@JohnApfelthaler]

Thanks Steven Acord!

[@stevenacord7642]

@@JohnApfelthaler what is the banjo you're playing

[@JohnApfelthaler]

@@stevenacord7642 that's my 1933 Gibson TB-2 Conversion.

[@renoman]

KILLER SOUNDING BANJO MAN!

[@robcrawford9657]

Awesome tone super great playling!!!!

[@JohnApfelthaler]

+Rob Crawford Thanks Rob!

[@daveduncan8004]

Very good young man

[@bradsparks6008]

The thing that does it for me is no facial expressions but just solidly playing like a complete master!!

[@JohnApfelthaler]

Thanks Brad sparks!

[@tomallison5029]

That's an awesome harmonic break.

[@JohnApfelthaler]

Thanks Tom!

[@stefandedecek1810]

Very nice John!

[@JohnApfelthaler]

Thanks Stefan Dedecek!

[@Falco2807]

Awesome.

[@daveduncan8004]

Good Picken Earl would be proud

[@overyonderhunter]

That's a mighty fine a pickin

[@robbrenton9438]

I think a barn went up in flames while you played this 😳

[@JohnApfelthaler]

LOL!

[@bearshield7138]

sweet job

[@JohnApfelthaler]

Thank you!

[@Charliecarswell]

Epic!

[@JohnApfelthaler]

Thanks!

[@michaelshelby1445]

Waaaahoooooo!

[@bladerunner9646]

Nice one!

[@JohnApfelthaler]

Thanks!

[@5ivestring]

Good solid timing

[@JohnApfelthaler]

Thanks!

[@larryhunt9180]

Just bought a gold tone twanger 03 hope I can get it to sound like that

[@JohnApfelthaler]

Thanks Larry!

[@mickmcguire4571]

Brilliant stuff John 👍👍👍

[@JohnApfelthaler]

Thanks Mick!

[@robert-oq9jq]

He's good- it's too bad Earl Scruggs isnt still around to have a look at him he'd probably put him on the tour bus

[@JohnApfelthaler]

Thanks!

[@davidwalker106]

Don't get any better than that.

[@JohnApfelthaler]

David Walker thanks!

[@isaiah812]

That’s some fast clean picking bubby

[@isaiah812]

Somehow just coming across your channel and I’m disappointed I haven’t before. Some serious skill and talent! Thanks John.

[@JohnApfelthaler]

Thanks!

[@chuckvandyke9918]

Love it ! A-1.

[@JohnApfelthaler]

Thanks Chuck!

[@danielcollins247]

I honestly think you've mastered this song I say this with no reservation eat your heart jd earl and Jim mills

[@JohnApfelthaler]

Thanks Daniel!

[@josephboyle9915]

Wow! Intermediate player here. Really impressed with your ability to execute the 3-2 pull off’s. Really makes it come alive. Sometimes I struggle with getting the intonation to stick with specifically pull-off’s. Any tips?

[@zikirsholawat]

As usual You are good banjo Player 👍👍👍👍

[@JohnApfelthaler]

Thanks Sam!

[@bushwacker3292]

Hahaha damn it man Awesome 🤙

[@JohnApfelthaler]

Thanks Carter!

[@淑裕山本]

お久しぶりです！またうまくなったね🎉🎉エンディングはぎこちないかな😂頑張って下さい😊

[@adamaj74]

Good job buddy!

[@JohnApfelthaler]

Thanks!

[@Appalachained]

Son!

[@JohnApfelthaler]

Thanks Jason!

[@cowboy742]

Wow. Do you still play? I'd like to see a stream with you and Eli Gilbert.

[@JohnApfelthaler]

cowboy742 thanks. Yep, still play. I play with the Florida group Penny Creek.

[@genesishandboards]

I love the 5 star heads! Great stuff your tone is incredible! What model Gibson is that?

[@JohnApfelthaler]

Thanks! The Gibson is a 1933 TB-2 conversion.

[@markhawkins5324]

Good job

[@JohnApfelthaler]

Mark Hawkins thanks!

[@robertrobinson3599]

One of the best versions I have heard! Did you turn your 5th to F#, or A?

[@JohnApfelthaler]

Thanks Robert! I tuned the 5th to F#.

[@jackvalentine566]

Your 3-2 pull off is other worldly! Any time for that snap you get? You seem To push off rather than pull of am I correct In saying so?

[@JohnApfelthaler]

Thanks Jack! Yes I use a push off instead of a pull off.

[@jackvalentine566]

@@JohnApfelthaler can I just add the chimes on this tune is also a different level. Maybe the best banjoist of the modern era? Earl is nodding his head right now to this for sure.

[@tomference4618]

👍

[@JohnApfelthaler]

Thank you!

[@TheGhost5600]

John..What method do you use to teach yourself these tunes?

[@JohnApfelthaler]

+TheGhost5600 I took lessons for a short time and that was "by ear". My teacher would show me what to do and I would record it on a cassette. Then go home and learn. Then I used tab for awhile. As I got more comfortable and was able to recognize licks, chords and such, I went back to the ear method. That is what I use today. For some difficult, non-bluegrass songs, I have gone to sheet music to try and get an idea of the melody and chord progression.

[@caleballen6747]

How long have you been playing?

[@JohnApfelthaler]

Hi Caleb, I've been playing for 41 years.

[@jessepersoneni7225]

Awesome! But now you need to post the Garland Shuping version, haha!

[@JohnApfelthaler]

Thanks Jesse!

[@seanjuth]

I believe this is the "eureka song". The one that earl Scruggs first learned his own playing style on

[@stevenacord7642]

We're do you live at ??

[@JohnApfelthaler]

I live in Melbourne, Florida.

[@matak99]

Just fer fun, play it 2x speed

[@maurizioghezzer4302]

Apfelthaler è un cognome austriaco ?

[@JohnApfelthaler]

Maurizio Ghezzer yes.

[@maurizioghezzer4302]

@@JohnApfelthaler Great ! And impressive Great Rhythm !

[@JohnApfelthaler]

Thank you Maurizio Ghezzer!