TRANCE Banjo?

[@adcroal6993]

It's sometimes called "Flow State". Different artists experience it, either through painting, drawing, making music. It's almost like meditation, your brain goes on autopilot and the music or art flows out. Some also call it the genius, and it's like creativity is walking beside you guiding you along. Love your music Clifton, definitely emotive and moving. Cheers. Edit: *There's a book by Elizabeth Gilbert called Big Magic that kind of touches on this idea. I highly recommend it for creative people.

[@rogerbeaird5742]

It's true ..I'm getting a new bridge for dads banjo can't wait thank for the great insights that give you ideas 👍👍⚔️⚔️🇺🇸

[@SPayne-vn5od]

North Indian Classical music has taken this technique to mind boggling levels.

[@tholmichael6032]

It's when your soul is connecting to the spirits of our ancestors...

[@CliftonHicksbanjo]

🤘💀🤘

[@dc761]

Exactly!

[@eecarolinee]

Not 'just' ancestors.... it is the spirit of all-that-is... even more than 'the ancestors'.

[@manifestdestiny1163]

⚡

[@thelonegroover]

When I was learning "Cluck Old Hen" I used to focus so much on getting the sound/feel of the hens that sometimes I would feel that I was listening to someone else playing. (Then I was was getting it right). It's an amazing feeling.

[@maineguitarists]

Clifton, when you reach a certain state of mind while you are playing where you go somewhere away from where you are, maybe it's the sound of a gurgling brook or a deep sadness that haunts you...I dunno either. I love John Fahey's guitar playing because unlike Leo kottke and other technical players, he seems to go into these trance like states when fingerpicking often which is more musical and pleasing to my ear. You are one of my favorite banjo players and the reason i bought an old open back and started playing. So glad I stumbled upon your video's. Keep up the trance, dance, it's in your DNA and possibly memories of another space in time. MT

[@hikrose]

Primal banjo.

[@josephmichelotti6230]

Between the dogs and the yoga girl, you have the most amazing things happen in the background

[@xeverettx2564]

@CliftonHicks how your channel doesn’t have a half million subscribers is beyond me. You are so well articulated, educated, and diverse. You speak very clearly and in a plain way that the average man or woman can understand, and relate to. Which to me is essential to keeping the heritage of Appalachia and Americana in general, alive and well!!!! So thank you for the great videos and as long as you continue to enjoy what you do I think I speak for the masses by saying we enjoy having you!!!!!! Godspeed Clifton.

[@SimonRobinsonSounds]

This feeling is what draws me so much to the banjo, although I mainly play clawhammer, the rolling rhythms still get to me! Nice work Clifton...keep up the inspirational work!

[@garrisonsavage2323]

I use this technique for Darling Cora and John Henry and it definitely puts me in a trance

[@msxx700]

Hell yeah Clifton, I went to App state for anthropology and ended up learning about old time banjo there!

[@aniquinstark4347]

I love playing open D/G guitar in a similar method. You can get a great droning sound that lets you get into a sorta flow state where I often catch myself slowly closing my eyes but never slowing the rhythm. Throw a simple melody on the highest string while you do it and you're right in the zone.

[@CliftonHicksbanjo]

Cool. I learned to fingerpick the guitar in DADGAD and get the same effect. Video of my guitar here kzbin.info/www/bejne/n4unlJaHjdWrjLM

[@harvdog5669]

@@CliftonHicksbanjo Howdy Mr Hicks,, I need to ask lots of questions to get answers. I am wanting and learning the acoustic guitar & banjo at the same time. I find it to be exciting and challenging and all for the Lord to lead worship in small group Bible studies. I want to do old tyme country music as well sittin on my porch..LOL Do you like to use more then one kind of strings ? Or do you favor, metal, nylon or gut strings ? Which type is best for old TYME . Which type is best for your ear ? I hope you get what I am asking.. Also, is it ok to use different types of strings and metal on an open back? And yes your style is more natural style to the ears and heart. Your fan brother Harvey

[@hope4ourfallen]

So cool to see how hyped up ya get. Swear ta god getting in the right zone can wash even the most burn in grime from the darkest soul. Everything else just fades away.

[@goletarecordcompany3443]

What a great Video. Hard to describe that feeling. Certain songs , hold that energy and sound. In India , they call it Shakti. The resultant tone that produces that Bridge to the heavens, to the past , and to, the future. Thank You. I really enjoy all the music you put out. Your style is super cool.

[@paltryicons4610]

Read ‘Flow’ - it’s that exact mental zen state you describe. It opens us up to the collective consciousness and long past images and energy. The book is a must for any creator.

[@barryallenporter8127]

When you play German War and sing the line where he sees the Germans coming over the top, there’s something about it that just absolutely guts me. I’ve got no experience to compare that to, but when you sing those lines, I feel like I’m right there with them in a way that’s indescribable. I freeze up, my lungs shrink, and all I can do is listen and watch as my eyes tear up. No matter how many times I listen to the song, that wave of dread and hopelessness knocks me back every single time. I don’t know if it’s the words, that old mountain playing, or the voice of somebody who can relate to the themes of the song, but it’s just an incomprehensible experience.

[@christophereverett8038]

I can't stop. I won't stop. Love this here banjo. When I'm not picking I'm watching your videos. Thank you.

[@planejoe5263]

I play a little bass and guitar for my own amusement, and I have some favourite tunes that affect me the same way. I read a book once called 'Supernature' by Lyall Watson, that covered the weird phenomena that scientists encounter and are so puzzled by, that they rarely get to the bottom of them. One of the topics covered were frequencies that cause our brain to slip into different states. Apparently the images on TV are set at frequencies that put our brains into alpha wave states, which make us passive and more likely to believe, or be affected by what we watch. There was a story in that book of a road in France that had an unusual amount of serious accidents happen on it - eventually they figured out that trees planted on the side of the road were spaced in such a way that when motorists passed at a certain speed, the sunlight flickering through the gaps between the trees caused some drivers to slip into alpha brainwave states, lose concentration, and crash their cars. I'm not sure if I'm remembering that correctly, but I would recommend the book : )

[@paulmcnamara5420]

The geometry of the time feel with the frequencies in pitch, the instrument once it speaks can open up a space that defies a conventional sense of dimensions.

[@savemarinwood6678]

You are on to something. Same thing happens to me drumming. I totally understand why music is an essential part of religious ceremonies across many cultures.

[@CliftonHicksbanjo]

And of course historically music was a big part of warfare... as a drummer I'm sure you've listened to recordings of army "fife & drum" music from the Civil War and earlier periods. That stuff helped get those poor bastards pumped up so they could stand shoulder-to-shoulder and blast each other.

[@0713mas]

I was gonna say, it's like tribal music and instruments, like in drum circles.

[@ilovetomcats]

It’s very cool to find these kinds of sounds, playing styles, rhythms, etc. Paul Roberts seems to capture this in a lot of his videos w/ the cello banjo, for me. I think it’s a lot to do with the drone notes and repetitive motions- the hurdy gurdy and bagpipes can often (pun intended) pluck the same strings in my brain.

[@laurelwalker6279]

You made me think of the images I imagine when I listen to the chieftains song, the Foggy Dew. I bet a banjo version would be haunting.

[@bobmartin770]

Hi Clifton. I think it is closely related to an Eastern meditation technique known as mantra. Whereby the continual repetitive saying of a short phrase, melody, lullaby ect. Serves to slow down and quieten the internal dialogue in the mind with the intension of awakening higher states of consciousness. Allowing a human being to experience the oneness of the universe. As the world famous quantum physicist schrodinger said "the total number of minds in the universe is ONE" Yes I agree that old time styles of banjo have a strong trance like effect and especially 2 finger picking, which is my favourite. The most effective tuning for me is gDGCD (relative). Peace Brother

[@richardphilpott1225]

So lately I been practicing 2 finger drop thumb and noticed a trance like state where I'm not concentrating on the particular elements, so I look up trance music on Wiki and they start talkin about electronic stuff. Moving on I search trance banjo for the hell of it and guess who pops up! That 5th string is there for a reason I believe and it is to induce a trance state. Practicing, you inevitably enter that state of mind thanks to our African ancestors who knew what the outcome would be if done repeatedly. The 5 string is originally an offshoot of a trance instrument IMO. I think the trance is meant as a momentary relief from the brutal realities that life can offer. Imagine working 16 hours a day on a life sentence for minimal food and shelter and no prospects of a decent existence. That trance state is pretty much all you have to help you escape. I've also noticed that many of the Appalachian folks have a tendency to sing over the banjo without precise timing giving their tunes a far away trance like feel. Coal mining ain't far removed from slavery. Another point I'd like to make is the older the banjo the closer it comes to being able to induce the feeling. My SS Stewart is organic compared to my Deering Blackgrass which just seems to project annoying sounds now. But nothing gets me like when you play them gourds Clifton! Anyway, I'm germinating some gourd seeds and got a Deering for sale if anybody's interested. It's like brand new. Later.

[@richardphilpott1225]

Gamelan music can take you places also

[@elliottshapiro8601]

I here what your saying about the trance inducing qualities of the 5th string .Also, the trance vocal affect of singing without precise timing. I also have an SS Stewart. I know what you mean about organic. Btw, its always in trance modal tuning.

[@jimbaily734]

Clifton!!! This is one of the things that I was looking for in my Patreon question! I love that sound but I couldn't figure out what the heck you were doing

[@jeremyreagan9085]

Clifton I think your experience is shared by many of us I am not a pro musican or nothin but I believe in playing two finger style myself that a form of shared experience with the past is imbued in us whom are open to a very spiritual way of thinking and Expression. The Banjo to me is an Instrument which sums up our experiences in North America in the South. When I Play or hear you or others Play it I am transported to another era and another way of Living. One cannot put this into any language it is a mystical experience in my view.

[@arcitejack]

Man do I agree with what you are saying. I’ll go further and say folks that play melodic banjo like Ken Perlman seem to miss the point of the drone string; it’s there to drone...not to help you play Maple Street Rag. I once had a teacher who scolded the class for “just wanting tabs”. He said if you just get into the pocket of a short phrase and repeat it over and over it can be better than a song with an A part and a B part.

[@elliottshapiro8601]

Your words are full of wisdom. I agree with you so much that melodic banjo misses the point. What your teacher said about, " get into the pocket of a short phrase and repeat it over and over" , that is such a basic and fundamental recipe for 'serious' music. Thanks

[@chromaticswing9199]

For a second, I thought you were going to play trance music on the banjo! Would definitely sound strange trying to merge electronic music with old time music, but I’m definitely interested!

[@CliftonHicksbanjo]

_Every_ tune I pick is "trance music!"

[@stevebotts6324]

I had to put on a strap, because I came so close to dropping my banjo when I tranced out on Twin Sister, Forked Deer and the c version of Cotton Eyed Joe.

[@johnprotopapas4156]

Fascinating I found this. im a Sitarist and we have the drone strings on the top and play the melody string below. Actually Im seeing lots of similarities here. And the space we get into when immersed in a piece. Thanks for sharing.

[@marcdunn7716]

Yes Clifton yes ! It's so true. You just play. ..then wander into this state and your fingers keep on movin but your mind wanders off. I was given a Sarod by a bunch of friends for my birthday twenty odd years ago and man I'd sit down and play that thing. Wow id almost wake up a half hour later. .still playin with it on my lap but i simply disappeared for a while. Definitely a very very old kind of transcendental state that any kind of music can put you in. Shaman business for sure! Thanks for the video

[@MsTubbytube]

There are a number of forms of music around the world that are associated with trance or trancelike dancing, so I think it should be easy to find books and spoken explanations about the phenomenon. I just listened to German War to see what you were talking about after listening to this talk. I am reminded of something I just found, Tim Eriksen's "Frozen Girl" which while on guitar sounds a bit like German War in how it is played on a bajo sexto guitar with a similar movement of the right hand. Listening to it I could really feel and see and hear what was described in the song and it really was emotional. Same with German War.

[@TheGreatMoonFrog]

You're getting into a flow, at least that's how I've always talked about it. I've been playing drums for 15+ years and I get into it when I'm playing a rythm that feels "just right". I've been getting into it with some banjo songs to, which is cool because I havn't been playing too long and it's just started really happening on the banjo. The world around you fades away, your mind and body are solely focused on the music you're playing and it's almost like entering a meditative state.

[@drmarxx]

When you follow (or play) repetitive tones or flashing lights your brain waves through entrainment follow the pattern . It could be , Delta, Theta, Alpha, or Beta. Theta being more trance like at around 7 Hz. It's measurable and the theta range is where shamans and meditators are in that trancelike zone or brainwave state. Also you can check out binaural beats or Isochronic tones on KZbin, there's a million of them. As an addendum: there's some thing to be said about getting "lost"or losing yourself, whether it be any kind of a performance or or whatever that you're really into. A very cool state to be in.

[@elizabethrogge7908]

I used to put myself in a trance playing toccata and fugue in d minor on my 120 bass accordion so I guess it can happen with any instrument. I think we go in to an alpha brain wave pattern.

[@billystewart7251]

oh my god this makes me so happy. I mainly play clawhammer. But I've been playing more and more to finger. And I also play this weird kind of thumb lead claw hammer... but I can trance out on all of it.

[@scarlettifluff]

Hi, I just wanted to comment on this idea becos I have experienced it myself listening or playing, Not forgetting that many songs have repetition too. I also kinda think it's worth referencing the tanpura, Indian instrument ( also a gourd instrument coincidentally) that plays the meditative drone behind Indian music, has four strings, three tuned the same n one lower. Even the bagpipe drone can cause this feeling. Something to do with sound frequency, maybe the songs that tap into more to that frequency open up a portal that allows the imagination more space to roam? Just a thought :)

[@christopherrowley7506]

for long ballads i think trances probably help with recall. For european folk music check out faroese ring dance songs like regin smiður. the simple foot stomping circular movement and the constant refrains are very trance inducing. Alcohol definitely was a part of the tradition too

[@christopherrowley7506]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/bYHNioiIptmVp7M

[@franciemacleod]

Is this what I hear when listening to Obray Ramsey? I noticed it right away. I wish you could slow it down and show us exactly what your doing with this. I love this so much.

[@CliftonHicksbanjo]

I explain/demonstrate in these three videos: kzbin.info/www/bejne/nJ2cgnWspc-KaM0 kzbin.info/www/bejne/nqXNnoGja9aisMk kzbin.info/www/bejne/b5jWmaigd66UnK8

[@TheErilaz]

The sound of a taggelharpa tune can have these qualities. That instrument dates back to at least the 6th century. If old Norwegian fiddle tunes are played on it, it sounds so "right".

[@world_musician]

Banjo is the American sitar if you think about it and the sitar is the instrument most people associate with being in a trance. This same rhythmic pattern is found in Indian classical music, toward the end of the performance. kzbin.info/www/bejne/nYCwmX2Ka9KDo9E and kzbin.info/www/bejne/bHvKgGycZ56ViKc as a sitarist and banjo player I had to share!

[@DanDDirges]

Your old lady and the devil puts me in a trance ever time I listen! Probably the best I`ve ever heard that song played and sung! Oh yeah Anna & Elizabeth! Got to love those gals!

[@Mo11y666]

That's a slick little trick with that left handed pull off.

[@goatphilososphy]

Very interesting findr of growing up all those stage presences ago

[@muscovyducks]

Spooky. It seems that plucked notes cut through more. A complete silence as you touch the string, immediately followed by a clear pop. Scraping the string along (half of?) the length of your fingernail in clawhammer seems to slightly muffle the tone (all that scraping sound is energy going somewhere other than the pure tone). Plus, there seem to be fewer overtones and more sustain with picking. As a partial test of my hypothesis, it would be interesting to hear whether wearing finger picks dampens the trance effect.

[@mugsypea]

So this is what I’ve been doing since the 70’s! I never knew it was called trance banjo. I learned two finger and never got away from it.

[@jetman1968]

Saw Frank Zappa do it once in Boulder a long long time ago…

[@halishahowell6020]

It is hypnotic

[@oscarrogers9745]

Country boy blues hair what I'm playing and what hockey talks are left and I look at all the people out in the bar and I start drifting with my song I called out the quizzy state

[@waltthebard7637]

I'm trying to go from guitar to banjo, for a special composition. I'm a good finger picker on guitar. I'm playing this scene over and over and I'm not getting this supposedly simple pattern.. Are you the fellow who tunes down a full step?😎

[@CliftonHicksbanjo]

Yes usually 1 step lower.

[@chewyflies8297]

I’ve just found your videos recently and your amazing (: thank you (:

[@bobwilson360]

I can get into the zone, but not at will. Music often takes me there.

[@nallymcnally]

Lol, it's hard to stay focused at all, I haven't learned to drop thumb yet and I'm always zoned out by the 2ed or 3rd bar. I have been wondering if its the drowning or the percussive strokes or both when played together, Iv also noticed it when you do that up and down strum/pick over the neck, I love that your talking about it, now me lady won't think I'm crazy using words like meditation and banjo in the same sentence.

[@CliftonHicksbanjo]

Hey, Mac Nally! What do you think of this tune? kzbin.info/www/bejne/aKvRpWiAeMiEaM0

[@nallymcnally]

@@CliftonHicksbanjo I love it, it's the kinda stuff I tap along to wile practicing drums, I tell you that guitar player knows how to fill the sound under the fiddles, that's new to me too, so thanks you, I appreciate you concidering me

[@Craneoflight]

It's like a flow state trance 🪷

[@amywright2243]

We've noticed that before in your videos and it makes us chuckle. We figured you were performing in your head, or seeing the memory of the person who taught you. 😉

[@CliftonHicksbanjo]

Sometimes I will see the person who first sang the song for me, that or somebody that I have sang the song to myself.

[@Timothydlol]

Hi Clifton. What instrument is this? Is this your main banjo? It's a beaut, and it looks nice too.

[@CliftonHicksbanjo]

That's a circa 1910 Weymann "Keystone State." Five-string Weymanns are fairly rare, as the company mostly made tenor banjos. After playing it for a decade, however, I sold this banjo a few years ago. My main instrument is currently the 1888 Thompson & Odell "The Luscomb" I have owned since age 16.

[@Timothydlol]

@@CliftonHicksbanjo thanks pal. I checked them out, they aren't that costly compared to other banjos. You musta got good use out of it. It looks like my one tho mine is a cheapo that happens to sound great. I had a gold tone that I got shipped over here but I just didn't like it after a while so moved it on.

[@bdruzin]

I think one reason 2-finger lends itself to more of a "trance" vibe is that open strings are allowed to ring out sympathetically for a longer period of time than in overhand. In overhand your thumb is landing on and deadening the 5th string every single beat, regardless if you're going to pluck it or not. Also, when you downpick a string your index finger follows through to the next string down, deadening that one as well. In 2-finger, your thumb only makes contact with the 5th when you play it. So if you do a "bum dit-ty", the 5th string can ring sympathetically throughout the "bum" and "dit", whereas in overhand the 5th string is deadened right on the "bum". Also, when you up-pick a string, the follow-through doesn't deaden the next string. Does that make sense? I'd love to hear other people's thoughts.

[@elliottshapiro8601]

The points you made about the differences between string harmonics in clawhammer versu two-finger picking are so informative and revelatory. Thank you so much for that. No wonder in my desire towards a trance state I gravitate towards two finger. Never fully appreciated the harmonic reasons why before.

[@cdreery7304]

I used to think Fred Sonic Smith would slip into states like that. During solo’s.

[@darkmysterytemple]

Great video. Yeah you are really feeling the story in the song. Maybe you are never meant to grasp it, just experience it ? A kind of flow state. It is interesting that most shamans use drums and the banjo is sort of a precusion instrument with strings.

[@jimmymundane1084]

I played a bit of Irish and Scottish music over the years and well as having an interest in Traditional Native American culture. I always theorized that the vocal melody and harmony of Appalachian music is influenced by Native American singing. You don't hear that "up vocal" swoop in Trad Irish and British Isles melody lines. If you have listened to any powwow type music you probably know what I'm talking about. I would like to hear if you had considered that hypothesis from your anthropological perspective.

[@karlschulte9231]

I noticed that the first time i saw your videos

[@PaulTheSkeptic]

I've always thought Indian sitar ragas have a very hypnotic quality to them.

[@Yallquietendown]

In the Old Testament the prophet/king David was able calm down old King Saul with the harp. The Sireens also transed the crew of Odysseus on their way back from Troy through their singing. If you want a transe that is good for the soul the Greek/Byzantine Orthodox chant is great the purpose of which is to to reach the heart (not the rational mind), the noetic energies of which enable us to have true communion/prayer with God. I think the dronehas something to do with it it grounds the music in the heart. Byzantine chant (has an ison/bass drone) bagpipes (three drone pipes) banjo and other music that have drone(s)

[@Chimera6297]

playing the didgeridoo puts me in a trance real easy, that type of music is ancient

[@elitefitrea]

Something about the doubled notes I think.

[@Tasmanaut]

That particular little roll is actually the same note 3 times followed by the higher drone note. But yes, it creates a certain syncopation. A few interesting things occur. Depending on where in the roll you begin to feel the beat, it can come across as 'da da DA da' 'da DA da da' DA da da da' or da da da DA'. It can flip on you are you are paying attention to it. The 3 repeated notes can also create a sort of triplet feel, the longer you drag it on the more different grooves can pulse though. To me, it is like a propeller starting, it appears to move forwards, then backwards, then forwards again. Similar effect you can see with car wheels at different speeds and distances.

[@rogerbeaird5742]

Clifton that's cause is was 420 bro 🤣😂🤣🤣🤣👍👍👍⚔️⚔️⚔️⚔️⚔️⚔️🇺🇸

[@PermacultureAppalachia]

👍🏽👍🏽

[@outdooradventures7868]

German war put me in a trance. Really let it flow there.

[@redwolf7929]

Shamans all over world use drums to get into trance including European,(Sami, Lithuanian Russian )about 3-4 beats second

[@corticallarvae]

Entrainment

[@a.p.2497]

it's the only way I know how to play

[@arkansastrey9694]

Makes me think of a jaw harp

[@johnryan2193]

Train trundle rhythm

[@dangandee3184]

Check out sitar music