Sugar hill - clawhammer banjo

Sugar hill! Its still a bit rough but I've been having a lot of fun throwing different variations into it.

[@RagtimeAnnie]

She keeps changing the tune with subtle variations and changes in technique - masterful banjo playing. Beautiful to watch and listen to ...

[@jackcommonman1381]

yes, same thing i thought as well

[@watcheronthewalls7930]

Celebrated Thanksgiving the other day. Sitting out in the sun, dogs all around. Nephew just got out of the hospital after a long stay and all of my siblings were there for the first time in years. And I had your music playing. We all just sat and listened. So today, among other things, I am thankful for the music you make.

[@MarkDally]

That was one of the most soothing and well played clawhammer songs I've heard

[@andrewowen3181]

I second that!

[@lankydoug]

The lyrics to this song aren't as peaceful lol. If you wanna get your eye knocked out, If you want to get your fill If you want to get your head cut off, go up to Sugar Hill

[@hzubovi1]

Deserves a higher quality audio recording fore sure

[@paddynelson3586]

Like... With these delicate replies... Hard to explain. Maybe you'll get what I mean. Like talking to herself.

[@shereemitch]

Not one sour note.

[@janras1771]

As an european I find this kind of music strange mezmerising meditative pure and blue. It comes from another world , very inspiring.

[@deleted_why]

Yes! Directly... it comes from scotch-irish settlers in Appalachia (the eastern north american mountain ridge). Distantly... the banjo comes from Africa🤷🏼

[@ometec]

Ever hear bagpipes? That's the same point of origin for this music. 50 years ago I used to go listen to Irish folk singers in Germany because the sound reminded me of bluegrass back home in the USA.

[@mergenocide]

​@@deleted_whynot really distantly, the banjos descendant came from Africa by way of imported slaves in the 18th century, at the same time the first banjo players, who were black, were being depicted and discussed. Scots-irish settlers in the South and the Appalachians introduced the fiddle, which along with the banjo joined to make Old Time and Bluegrass. It was the inherent mixture of both which created this beautiful music.

[@rheabruen]

your whole vibe is immaculate. the talent, the sweater, the hat, the reptile(?) shelf, the elvis calendar. perfection.

[@matt1240]

This randomly got recommended to me by KZbin and I’m glad it did 😊

[@jordansmith1b]

I grew on this stuff, and her excellent rendition brought the words of Uncle Dave Macon back to me after 75 years. “If you want to get your eyes knocked out, want to your fill, If you want to get your eyes knocked out, go to Sugar Hill.” And so on. Thanks, Phoebe!!!

[@lynnglidewell7367]

Just can't beat great folk music.

[@wingy252]

Swedish lad here and I just caaan't get enough of this kinda banjo picking, can listen to it for ages it is just so comforting to me 😊

[@jasonuerkvitz3756]

I'd never heard Sugar Hill until this here and I loved it as it struck me as sort of pensive, lonesome and woeful. I searched for some other bluegrass takes and I found I preferred your playing of it. I guess it's just that solo banjo and the tempo at which you play as it lends a thought to dark rivers and smoky mountains. You play it lovely. The lyrics to this song really struck me as well: If you wanna get your eye knocked out, if you wanna get your fill If you wanna get your head cut off, just go to Sugar Hill Ten cents in my pocketbook, can't you hear it jingle I'm gonna court them pretty girls as long as I am single Yea, red bird on the mountaintop and blue bird on the ground Jay bird in that sugar tree shaking that sugar down Yonder come that gal of mine, how do you think I know? I can tell her by her Shoe Fly dress, it comes from Sugar store Well grab your banjo off the wall, and get your fiddle, Bill Hitch your horses to the sleigh, we're going to Sugar Hill If you wanna get your eye knocked out, if you wanna get your fill If you wanna get your head cut off, just go to Sugar Hill

[@zachb8012]

Oh, boy. I put too much effort into writing this comment explaining why these styles are so different, but thanks for posting the lyrics. Here goes... The Skruggs style of picking fills a different niche than, "old time" banjo. Typically the rest of a bluegrass band is playing in a 1/4 and 1/8 note space. The percussive nature of picking on a banjo is about the only instrument that can punch a note above the din of a fiddle, and the roll puts it into an otherwise consistently unoccupied 1/16th. One of those speaking childrens' toys might say, "the bluegrass banjo says tick-a-ta tick-a-ta tick-a-ta" but, "the claw hammer banjo says bum-chicka bum-chicka." In a full string band the banjo can occupy a role somewhere between a bass and a drummer. It's extremely important to the sound of the genre but when it comes to the lead, it'll always play second-fiddle to... well... the fiddle. Many of these truly old time tunes were meant to be played with an overhand style and accompanied by a fiddle. There are good reasons most tunes only consist of two parts, and it's not because people didn't know how to write a bridge or verse. I would imagine it's practical to remember and teach, but more importantly the two musicians would trade playing the melody with backing the other and singing, that hammered re-entrant drone keeping time. That variance is enough to keep the song interesting.

[@jasonuerkvitz3756]

@@zachb8012 Nice. Thanks for the breakdown.

[@dereknolin5986]

@@poboy8490 Most of clawhammer banjo has this same sort of feel; check it out. You might be more familiar with the Scruggs style heard in Bluegrass music, whereas this style is used more in what they call "Old Time" or sometimes mountain music.

[@bevfitzsimmonds3382]

​@@zachb8012thanks for that... a good explanation. 🙂👍🪕

[@jojojo8835]

Is that the same place as in ‘blue Monday up on Sugar Hill’? Or is it just slang for red-light districts generally?

[@AMTunLimited]

Playing so clean you could eat off it, this is absolutely amazing. I've tried off and on for YEARS to get my clawhammer anywhere close to presentable but it's so much harder than you'd think.

[@roberthunt1540]

This amazing girl is actually 173 years old. She's channeling a sound from when the continent was young.

[@chrisb8046]

I could listen to this forever.

[@user-pk4gg9yy7d]

I feel lonesome.and she plays so great.

[@Aang_L._Jackson]

This little lady is so talented and absolutely adorable ❤

[@JimGarver-tx8rj]

The Earl Scruggs three finger pick and the clawhammer are so different that they sound like different instruments. Phoebe really is phenomenal.

[@michaeldalton3456]

Something about this music stirs something deep!

[@jesser007]

Sure missing my childhood suddenly. Damn those were the times! Early 80's bluegrass festivals in Anchorage Alaska. ❤

[@LunarRuna]

Каким-то чудом вы всплыли в рекомендациях, и я безумно этому рад (как и любому "живому" , настоящему) человеку. Приятно увидеть нотки реальной Америки, а не голливудский пафосный глянец. И на вас смотреть приятно, как будто рядом с другом сидишь и слушаешь. By some miracle you popped up in the references, and I'm insanely happy about that (as I am about any "alive", real person). It's nice to see a touch of real America, rather than Hollywood gloss. And it's nice to look at you, as if you were sitting next to a friend and listening.

[@watchful1168]

Sweet song...sweet playing! Miss Phoebe you seem like such a wonderful person!

[@geemonster9179]

Lovely both the young lady and the music she is playing, she plays well

[@otpkd]

Absolutely enchanting.

[@HarpinJScott]

Your eyes and facial expressions capture the art of playing the banjo. It's just something you feel. Diggin' it

[@Hardrada88]

Currently 01:09, just in from work and racking out for the night. This is a fine old tune to end a day on :) excellent! Nicely done. Thanks for sharing 👍

[@josiahricafrente585]

West Coast born, Hawaii raised, 2nd-generation Asian-American man. If the rest of my family could see me now, unironically enjoying this.

[@matthewlawton9241]

Not very different from a shamisen or a qinqin. Tons of cultures have instruments that make these kinds of sound.

[@jonathanpeppin8564]

Last I checked folk music knows no boundaries - I'm Asian-American as well by the way

[@gammaraymonkey]

Honorary redneck

[@someguy-wl1ug]

The fact you brought your racial id into this is pathetic.

[@gammaraymonkey]

@@someguy-wl1ug lol shut up. What a weird response

[@AMTunLimited]

Also that syncopated section @ 2:46 was absolutely amazing. That seems like one of those parts that could go right off the rails at any moment and you played it like it was NOTHIN

[@enrique78109]

No sure how the algorithm came across this, but I’m glad it did. Best video I’ve stumbled upon.

[@jakehoward2493]

I’ve wanted a banjo for years. This touched me so much that I’m going to finally go and grab one right now

[@Version135]

Did you do it?

[@sam6816]

Glad I watched it to the end. Nice pullover. Very unplugged. Fantastic playing.

[@sam6816]

guys!! - and girls - in and all around malee: get your koras ready!!!🎶

[@SteveCondron]

Never heard of claw hammer as a musical style till now. It's pretty good.

[@DougCanney1]

Pretty amazing stuff. She has a timeless aura to her, I'm not sure if she's doing it on purpose or she's just cool like that. I've been teaching and playing guitar for over 50 years, she's technically really good. Great dynamics and texture.

[@xandercesari9773]

I love seeing talent get the attention it deserves, watching the view and subscriber count rise on this video warms my heart. And you're making me question my decision to learn Scruggs style first!

[@mfreeman313]

People who can play well in the Scruggs bluegrass style impress me. But the clawhammer stuff makes me feel more the haunting, evocative beauty this instrument is capable of.

[@CCD-dreamcore]

@@mfreeman313he’s not interested in actually discussing banjo music, he was simply trying to think up an excuse to flirt. The music she plays is wonderful though!

[@mfreeman313]

@@CCD-dreamcore Haha I can't speak to the first bit but on the second full agreement. I'm old enough to have heard John Hartford live years ago and he could capture that spooky, yearning quality this music can have better than anyone, but certainly lots of people understand and feel it themselves.

[@CCD-dreamcore]

@@mfreeman313 yes, I also appreciate the haunting quality found with certain banjo material , and a lot of Appalachian folk music. I’m not sure how to describe it or where it comes from. It is something that can only be shown and not told though. My favorite literature and films also have that feeling.

[@xandercesari9773]

@@CCD-dreamcore 🤨🤨

[@peterrandall9523]

You carry the tune so well. Lovely touch and great rhythm…🪕🇬🇧

[@scottmarsh2991]

Hypnotic - like the song “Rutabagas” by Mojo Nixon and Skid Roper - hypnotic!

[@nsob8897]

That was one of the most beautiful string songs I've ever heard. Can't get enough of those sunny, rolling songs like this.

[@Roessler-Saaten]

It's a pleasure to listen to this music. The speed is excellent it invites you to dance. It's a honest piece of music, and therefore very touching.

[@user-ui6fc6hc8t]

Love your work Phoebe ❤ Perth West Australia

[@jfhorselenberg7778]

I see it's 2022 on ur calender, with Elvis,!❤😊 thx. My dear,!😂😊 lovely tune

[@AngrocSound]

Love the rhythmic mix-up at 2:46. Never been to the appalachias, but somehow this takes me there. 🙂

[@henrysmiley5878]

She makes it look effortless. This is real talent.

[@TheChowitzer]

It sounds beautiful. Watching and listening to this made me realize I need to learn drop thumb and integrate it into my playing ASAP. It also comforted me since I now know I'm not the only one who tenses my jaw back and forth when I'm focused on playing 😂

[@jackoneill8654]

Oh, you let your banjo speak, and you speak through it, and you speak to it...excellent!!!!!

[@simonolsen9995]

Edited. I keep coming back to this and have been learning a basic version for the last week. The more I get to know it properly, the more I'm impressed by the mastery of this version. Really cool with max replay value!

[@locomotivefaox]

Delightful whimsy is the best way to describe this

[@royhowze4023]

Wow, very calming and soothing tunes and flavors. Thank u for sharing.

[@c.philipmckenzie]

Truly amazing. I’ve lead a sheltered life, but this is the best banjo playing I’ve ever heard. So brilliantly iconic. Thank you for blessing me with your talent.

[@ijohnny.]

Love those off time notes around 2:55, excellent performance!

[@jayd619]

I agree, that’s some cool syncopation!!

[@flamindigo]

that bit made me nervous - to each is own

[@ambu6478]

Thanks for another great Claw Hammer Banjo tune! There's just something about the sound of an Open Back Banjo played Claw Hammer style!!

[@hectoralvarado9359]

Iive your Banjo playing ! From the heart good old banjo style playing.

[@TheGreatDrAsian]

This literally made me cry. Absolutely beautiful.

[@otto8049]

Very, very nice young lady. Glad you're rooted in your music and you so gracefully share it. Believe me it's like bread for the journey. Thank You.

[@Liam1H]

Loved all the variations. Masterful and beatiful!

[@billybobholcomb8768]

Wow! Well done, I will come back to hear this again!

[@robgruhl3439]

That was a triple scoop of everything’s-going-to-be-alright! Thank you so much for a beautiful performance! 🪕 ❤️

[@mcglobulon]

Hi! I watched this a bunch last month and loved it so much I went out and got a banjo to learn on. Thanks for the inspiration

[@Finley1969]

nothing like a good banjo to soothe your nerves and to get yourself to appreciate things again. Nature is good, even if shit brings you down, nature is there.

[@CG74L]

Love the sweater. The banjo-playing is masterfull too. But dang that sweater.

[@jessisdad]

Masterfully played! Very enjoyable.

[@anniefrankenstein1989]

My kids and I have your music downloaded and love listening to it mixed into our playlist daily. Beautiful,

[@russellbarndt6579]

Wow .! What words would do justice in describing how beautiful this person pick....

[@howabouthetruth2157]

That was amazing. You play very well. Thank you, I really enjoyed this!!!

[@danshaffer5916]

Breathtaking!! Thank you for your passion!

[@rawmilkmike]

Absolutely lovely. And I love that it's 4 minutes long. Thank you so much young lady.

[@jhawk1897]

Aww yes. This takes me back my youth running the hills of Western NC. Great pick in’!

[@BrooklynJackBlue]

Absolutely phenomenal sophistication to this. Ringing, rhythmic, fantastic.

[@piper06w15]

This truly sounds fantastic. Made my day. Thank you.

[@TomHutchinson5]

Thank you for sharing with us all. That was great.

[@peetos-chan2835]

This song is just so uplifting. Thank you.

[@gianinepreuss9999]

Clear, mood-boosting too!

[@paulyoung5327]

Just found this one a year after , and I like it . Keep them coming, I enjoy the old time banjo style and songs.

[@chipworrell6025]

Just subscibed in the first 10 seconds. Hello from Tuxedo NC. I met Frank Proffitt 50 years ago and learned my first clawhammer lick.

[@lilwonka]

Beautifully done! I've listened to this at least ten times now!

[@padellina9596]

When I was your age, I had a banjo that looked very similar to yours. It was made in GDR (East Germany) and I was living in Prague, Czechoslovakia. I never learned a clawhammer, only up-picking that Pete Seeger typically played. Actually, his instruction book was the only one you could find in that part of the world. (Earl Scruggs’ came later). And that only thanks to five copies he had left behind during his 1964 visit to my country (my mom took me to his concert). But playing the open-back banjo and learning the American folk songs was very much part of my daily life when I was growing up, around the time of the Russian invasion of my country (1968). And yes, I do like your performance here. It´s quite soothing indeed!

[@christinawisdom1128]

this song makes me feel so warm

[@billlm8017]

Beautifully done thank you so much for sharing your gift

[@bushratbeachbum]

Absolutely beautiful. Love it!!! Nice one!!

[@Doc.Holiday]

Sooths the soul…. Thank you!

[@josequins9099]

This is a real treat for the ears. Thank you. So well played.

[@NorthCrayMalcolm]

Absolutely delightful. Thank you.

[@toddcott9510]

Brilliant. Thanks from Scotland.

[@radiojet1429]

Expertly played. Wonderful. Thanks for sharing.

[@chubbyjubjub3593]

I desperately wish I was half as talented as you. Banjo is way harder than it looks.

[@m0n0chr0me7]

This sounds awesome, your playing is so clean

[@robertjoyce5629]

How I love this. You strummed and picked my soul.

[@Wahatoyas]

I'm so gonna learn this, and just in time for Christmas! Thank you for your performance it was great !!

[@raymagness8130]

Absolutely FANTASTIC!

[@OYisitAlan]

Loved playing my guitar with you on this song. One of my favorites

[@melasonos6132]

Beautiful playing. This inspires me to pick it up again.

[@pjfountaine7755]

Thanks for sharing your gift with us. Beautiful! Please keep playing.

[@VivaSepulchre]

Your playing is enthralling, Ma'am. And so consistent! Ty for this

[@tomhill4003]

WELL DONE! Your variations are amazing!

[@gunjja13]

This was so wonderful! This made my morning so good Phoebe. Thank you!

[@vleiratfilms2020]

Lovely .. thank you for that piece of musical joy for my morning 🌹🪕

[@perryjames9139]

I was bopping my head the whole way through this!!!!!! Thank you. GG.

[@QRS666]

Extremely well played! So clean! Hats off!

[@katietuttle5690]

Very Fun! Beautiful Phoebe!

[@wheretheeaglefly4451]

The king is watching and you play like an angel!

[@ldswan9music]

Really am enjoying this music, how relaxing. Thanks!

[@donross7820]

Gorgeous! I wish my daughter had stuck with banjo.

[@japaneseimmersion7295]

Sounds great! Love all the variations you play on the tune.