Hey there BanjoBen (: just wanted to say, i've enjoyed your lessons very much. helped me learn alot.. and got me into blue grass even more than what i was to be honest xD. anyways, thank you very much for sharing your skill with the world of youtube (: ... oh and also... is it just me, or does your lamp hop up on it's own at around 4:59?
@frogboyokelley Thanks, dude! I looked at the video, and I couldn't tell what you were talking about? I'm sure I'm missing it :) Thanks for watching the vids!
@BanjoBen1 At the 5 minute mark just as you take a sip from the can, the lamp in the background looks like it hops up.
Thank you for these excellent vids by the way. I've enjoyed metal/shred for years and never cared to learn rhythm guitar properly, but I'm getting into it now through bluegrass music.
@TheLordbanjo I can't remember what exact pick I'm using here, but yes, I do use a fairly thick pick. Thickness is not as important as stiffness, which is two different things. A .73 is fine, as long as it doesn't flex. If your pick flexes, I think it costs you some speed and control. I recommend Wegen bluegrass picks a lot, but Red Bear, Blue Chip, and Papa's makes great picks, too. You do typically get what you pay for. Hope that helps!
How important is it to up pick and down pick,does this method of picking lead to " like a drum roll accent". SORRY! it's hard to explain, but sometimes I would feel more comfortable down picking BUT I watch right hand and you up pick,so I was wondering how important right hand picking up/down is.
Your beautiful sounding G/C/D runs sound like a drum patterns, like your drumming with your left hand and complementing or assisting this with picking.
@SuperMIKEFREE learning to up-pick helps your picking skills become a LOT faster. Everybody feels more comfortable down-picking at first, learning to up-pick is very uncomfortable and hard!
Fucking Awesome Dude!..im learning Bluegrass to impress my girlfriend's Father. Trust me, once i show him my awesome skills (i just learned from you) he will be impressed! Thanks Bro!!!
@wortnot1 I mean that the licks will work while a G chord is being played by the rest of the band or the accompaniment. Of course, many of the licks work over other chords as well, but then the relative relationship to the chord is changed...sometimes that's bad, but sometimes it's really cool!
Thanks Ben you've really helped improve my speed. I just need to clean it up a bit. I found the pick stroke advice a little tricky at first but I'm really seeing the benefit in it now.
Hey Banjo Ben, Thanks so much! Got turned onto Tony Rice a short time ago and i love it! And you make it (flatpicking)very understandable! Thanks for teaching an old dog some new licks!
Hey Ben..I love the videos by the way. Question,,I recently bought a 1975 Martin D18 Its all original and a nice box to say the least. The only strings that do the guitar any justice are Martin SP`s light guage. I tried others,,Elixers,Wyres,John Pearst but none have that ring like the Martins. I discussed it with other pickers and they say,,"Its all in your head",,,Whats your thought on this?
Hello Ben Im a newbi to flatpiking and loveit: Thank you very much for taking your time to teach us these licks.Im missing what you are doing on this G lick.I know its very simple and I will get it soon.But I cant see what your doing with the left hand maybe you could get in closer there!!!just a thought thanks....Linda
Thanks for these videos. It's like sitting around the fire with friends and rewind button. I hope to shake your hand one day and say thanks. You rock.
Your guitar lessons have had a huge and most positive effect on my pickin' and I've been at it for 50 years. If you would kindly put up a Bluegrass rhythm lesson I'd be most grateful. As a Tele and pedal steel operator, that fast rhythm guitar has always been out of reach for me. The good guys like Del McCoury look like they have a swivel joint in their forearm.
Thanks For slowing everything down so much. It really makes the difference between being able to pick it up/understand it and being totally left in the dust. And learning new licks help build my improv skills by expanding my feel for the instrument. Keep it Comin!
thanks so much for posting up these videos and please keep posting them. your vidoes are some of the only ones i've had patience and luck working with!
Talk? man dulalle is crazy you give just enough info, you should see some of the other guys talk and no play. You should lisen to Ben's talking it's crucial info.
The talking is actually what really helps -- I have to say, you are an excellent teacher and very clear. Thank you so much for posting this. So great of you to pass on this knowledge.
Great stuff man! Thank you so much for posting this info. I'm sure alot of folks are just as grateful as my self for you teaching us for FREE. MUCH RESPECT.
Thanks Ben!! Although I'm an experienced guitar player, I've been jamming with a couple bluegrass friends of mine and I've been having a real tough time, since my bluegrass licks are non-existent... well, thanks to your lessons, I can't wait til the next time we play 'cause I'll be showin 'em a thing or two!!!
Ben, first thanks so much for your time!!! When you are doing the 16th note pulloffs for the 2nd bar of the 2nd lick, is that a triplet? And are the rest of the notes of the measure eighth notes, making the final note of the lick on the 1 beat of another measure? I was trying to pay attention to your pick strokes and wanted to make sure what I was seeing/hearing was correct.
Thanks, Ben! About 10 years ago I put my guitar down because I felt like I wasn't learning anything new and got bored. Picked it up again about 4 months ago and have barely put it down since thanks in large part to your lessons. I'm really enjoying watching my speed and precision pick up. You make it really easy to learn these licks and I especially like your 'up - down' picking instructions. Oh, and I agree with the other guy... the spit can's a nice touch.
Hey man this was really helpful. thank you for really really slowing it down. For me thats what it takes to learn it. now i'm cruising through that riff, sooo sweet
hey man! was nice 2 meet ur crew this wkend! yall r amazin musicians! i was wantin 2 watch the video of u n ur sisters playin/singin, but can't find it? help me out!
Well, I think you're right. I'll have to work on my talking:) My wife says the same thing all the time. Good thing you're not paying for it, huh? Whew!!! I'd be MAD if I were!! Thanks for watching!
@BanjoBen1 Hey, don't apologize to some ingrate who says anything bad about you! You are good enough to put your stuff online for free. Anyone who critcizes you is classless, inconsiderate, and insulting. If he doesn't like your style he has many other sites to go to! Do not apologize for who you are!
LoL! Let the man speak and explain for shit 'n giggles!
No worries banjoman ben. You give valuable lessons!
I'll have to see how to add a video response to show what i have done thanks to your lessons. If a I could i'd buy a lot of yout tabs but have no CC so for now I do it with your video's and that goes fine!
I meant no offense to "BanjoBen1". It was just an observation and a tip. I felt for my part that there was too much talk in the video. This man is so talented and if he talks too much, people may miss his ability to teach.
ah man, I've been playing close to 20 years and have fell in to a bit of a rut. started to get in to bluegrass and this is just what I need to get me started! thank you sooo much.
Nice lesson, but like a lot of the others here I have trouble seeing what note your playing. Some simple tabs on the side or a once though telling each note at the begining of the lesson would be awesome. Thanks for posting and keep em coming.
He's doing so you can start using your ear instead of relying on tabs or baby step instructions such as " put your middle finger on the fourth fret of the second string" and so on. SAY NO TO TABS!!!!!!
i have tinnitus and it bothers me a lot but thats not an excuse for me to not train my ears as much as i can, and besides you can see where he is putting his fingers wich should help you even more. but my point was that you should rely on tabs that much.
BB...any chance of TABS for these standard licks? Those of us who are not as talented as you have a tough time watching and getting it without music or better yet, the TABS.
get lick and great teaching style...it would help me if I could hear the lick used in context after learning it...I learned the lick - just can't figure out when to work it in!
Thanx for putting ur time into these vids, this is the heart of country music & u got some crazy licks there! Watching ur style as u go & transcribing what I can! The stuff is to quick to take note for note, u just gotta get on and strum away until it sounds right"ish". Once again cheers, from the UK!
awesome vid, great licks. im sure you hear this alot, but i looked and didnt find it (although i have been awake for a little too long) but could you post tabs for these licks? m y brain doesnt work well enough to watch and learn everything. im more of a numbers kinda guy ya know.
I hate to tell ya but this is bluegrass and there is no sticking to the majors. The "twang" in bluegrass is from breaking the rules when it comes to scaling. Get a load of Toney Rice.....there are no rules just style.
Super videos man. Hard to find REALLY GOOD bluegrass instruction. How do we make a request for something specific? I'd like to learn the opening to "Clay and Ottie" by Blue Highway. its probably pretty simple but I can't put it together.
great lesson bro! very helpful! been playing but just getting into bluegrass, been wondering what might be the most popular acoustics make/models for bluegrass ? I have an old celebrity ovation and like to get another hollow
Thanks for taking the time to share your gift. You're an awesome player and your teaching style is very effective... 10 min videos giving me 10 hours of homework. :-)
That wasn't an insult, buddy! Goodness....if I'm gonna put vids of me playing on youtube, I'd better have some pretty thick skin :) I probably should be more couth in my presentation, but honestly I forget that I even have a dip in my mouth when I start the vids. After I watch them, I'm like..."Aw crap....I just spit in that can 42 times....I'm probably going to offend somebody." Ha! If you can look past it in order to learn something from the video, we can be good friends. Thanks buddy!
when you used the tab software, you forget what banjo couldn't stress enough how important it is to show pick direction, that software you use must have pick direction indicator..imho ben is 100% in showing his right hand picking,only way to get to speed.. cheers the ben! I'm impressed!
Instead of talking about the licks it would be more sensible if you told your viewers what string and fret you are playing on for every single note. Not everyone can see what strings and frets you are using. You only tell some of the strings and frets but not all of them during your lesson. Some viewers may appreciate it more if you changed that up in your lessons.
Thanks for the comment, buddy. Yeah, it's a catch 22 or sorts. I'm trying to cater to everyone. I have people of all levels watching my vids, and it's a tough balance to appeal a little to everyone. The thing is that some people are advanced to the point where telling every note would be too slow. Being that I only have a limited amount of time to do these vids and a limit to the length of these vids allowed, I have to try and cover as much as possible while pointing out the toughest spots.
If I had more time, I would do beginning vids where every note is pointed out, and more advanced vids where I could move faster. Please stay patient with me and maybe we can manage to learn a little together :) But, I want to thank you for watching and posting a comment with your concerns. I'll always do what I can for my viewers with the time allowed.
I think the lessons are excellent. I think they are geared more for the intermediate player though. Its tough to keep everyone happy. Was that Banjo Ben on Saturday night live with Taylor Swift?
wow, thanks for the reply! i was hoping you would. that helps and gets rid of my confusion. i have been spending the last two days learning these two riffs, and they are really helping my playing. thanks again!!!
It is out of the "major" key...however, it is a "blues" note. That's what gives it that bluesy or bluegrassy sound. If you're in the key of "G", the major notes would be G A B C D E F# and G again. However, the blues notes would and could include a flat 3rd, which would be Bflat or A#, the flat 5 (C# or Dflat), sometimes a flat 6, and a flat 7. It took a while for me to figure out how that bluesy sound was accomplished, and it's a lot of fun to start exploring in those flatted tones! Good Luck!
As a fellow dipper I knew that you were not using product placement. When I saw you spit it made all of your videos legit in my mind. Great Licks man you helped me out alot.
Hey, man. I just responded with a video where I incorporated the second of the licks you taught. It really made my attempt at bluegrass soloing sound better :) thanks!
Hey there BanjoBen (: just wanted to say, i've enjoyed your lessons very much. helped me learn alot.. and got me into blue grass even more than what i was to be honest xD. anyways, thank you very much for sharing your skill with the world of youtube (: ... oh and also... is it just me, or does your lamp hop up on it's own at around 4:59?
frogboyokelley 2 weeks ago
@frogboyokelley Thanks, dude! I looked at the video, and I couldn't tell what you were talking about? I'm sure I'm missing it :) Thanks for watching the vids!
BanjoBen1 2 weeks ago
@BanjoBen1 At the 5 minute mark just as you take a sip from the can, the lamp in the background looks like it hops up.
Thank you for these excellent vids by the way. I've enjoyed metal/shred for years and never cared to learn rhythm guitar properly, but I'm getting into it now through bluegrass music.
HywelEd 1 week ago
Six months of Ben's lessons have made me twice as good as I ever dreamed I'd be. And this simple G-lick stuff is what got me started!
JulianZeezer 3 weeks ago
what kind of pick are you using?is a .73 dunlop not thick enough?i hear bluegrass guitar pickers use very hard picks.Great Lesson!
TheLordbanjo 1 month ago
@TheLordbanjo I can't remember what exact pick I'm using here, but yes, I do use a fairly thick pick. Thickness is not as important as stiffness, which is two different things. A .73 is fine, as long as it doesn't flex. If your pick flexes, I think it costs you some speed and control. I recommend Wegen bluegrass picks a lot, but Red Bear, Blue Chip, and Papa's makes great picks, too. You do typically get what you pay for. Hope that helps!
BanjoBen1 1 month ago
One of the Best guitar teachers I have ever seen. Thorough and clear, WOW can you play man! I'm joining your banjo ben site NOW!
kayakkootenaybc 1 month ago
How important is it to up pick and down pick,does this method of picking lead to " like a drum roll accent". SORRY! it's hard to explain, but sometimes I would feel more comfortable down picking BUT I watch right hand and you up pick,so I was wondering how important right hand picking up/down is.
Your beautiful sounding G/C/D runs sound like a drum patterns, like your drumming with your left hand and complementing or assisting this with picking.
Thanks Ben!
SuperMIKEFREE 3 months ago
@SuperMIKEFREE learning to up-pick helps your picking skills become a LOT faster. Everybody feels more comfortable down-picking at first, learning to up-pick is very uncomfortable and hard!
CrzyFnStephen 3 months ago
Fucking Awesome Dude!..im learning Bluegrass to impress my girlfriend's Father. Trust me, once i show him my awesome skills (i just learned from you) he will be impressed! Thanks Bro!!!
TheObesePenguin92 4 months ago
your awesome dude thank you
JusticeWar 4 months ago
Thanks! Very helpful!
flylotusfly 5 months ago
you know the video is legit bluegrass when the player has to stop to spit his tobacco
bigweik123 5 months ago 3
When you say in G do you mean it's in the key of G? Or just in G with accidentals or is it a like multi-mode?
wortnot1 5 months ago
@wortnot1 I mean that the licks will work while a G chord is being played by the rest of the band or the accompaniment. Of course, many of the licks work over other chords as well, but then the relative relationship to the chord is changed...sometimes that's bad, but sometimes it's really cool!
BanjoBen1 5 months ago
@BanjoBen1 .... well noticed that even though this was posted in 08 .... you still give replys . Well done ben .
evsynator 2 months ago
Great vid!
corporatehippy 6 months ago in playlist How To Play Bluegrass Guitar
product placement 7:48 haha
xThrasherx1 7 months ago 3
is that a lowden guitar?
goreri 7 months ago
you are great!, thanks a bucketfull. beginning stuff is great. the slower the better really showing those fingers is important for us slow learners
lefounta 8 months ago
"Lick Bag"... gross
merrelldon 8 months ago
Thanks Ben you've really helped improve my speed. I just need to clean it up a bit. I found the pick stroke advice a little tricky at first but I'm really seeing the benefit in it now.
A # 1 teacher on YouTube.
TheNrobin 8 months ago in playlist Banjo Ben's lessons
REALLY nice breakdown of the licks! Thanks - I'm off to practice.
mistermike904 8 months ago
The spit can was a nice touch!...Great lesson, thanks man!
JPMauldenMusic 8 months ago
LOL! My sister is Banjo Becky.
caseynicholemusic 9 months ago
Hey Banjo Ben, Thanks so much! Got turned onto Tony Rice a short time ago and i love it! And you make it (flatpicking)very understandable! Thanks for teaching an old dog some new licks!
mrdvd56 9 months ago
nice video nice licks!!!
meanrob06 10 months ago
thanks man that helped me alot
FuryMods 10 months ago
The problem is not that you talk too much...it's that you don't play enough.
bsharporbflat 10 months ago
THANKUFRUMTHEBOTTOMOFMYHEART.
jeffharnden 10 months ago
that's a strange way of drinking from that Dr. Pepper can.
springboro45342 10 months ago
You oughta try Grizzly wintergreen ben!
CountryBoyVa 11 months ago
Hey Ben..I love the videos by the way. Question,,I recently bought a 1975 Martin D18 Its all original and a nice box to say the least. The only strings that do the guitar any justice are Martin SP`s light guage. I tried others,,Elixers,Wyres,John Pearst but none have that ring like the Martins. I discussed it with other pickers and they say,,"Its all in your head",,,Whats your thought on this?
washburnbanjoB16 1 year ago
Hello Ben Im a newbi to flatpiking and loveit: Thank you very much for taking your time to teach us these licks.Im missing what you are doing on this G lick.I know its very simple and I will get it soon.But I cant see what your doing with the left hand maybe you could get in closer there!!!just a thought thanks....Linda
baileyslip 1 year ago
brilliant lesson. Really well explained and really helped. Cheers.
mboy1976 1 year ago
Thanks for these videos. It's like sitting around the fire with friends and rewind button. I hope to shake your hand one day and say thanks. You rock.
knowideaman 1 year ago
Your guitar lessons have had a huge and most positive effect on my pickin' and I've been at it for 50 years. If you would kindly put up a Bluegrass rhythm lesson I'd be most grateful. As a Tele and pedal steel operator, that fast rhythm guitar has always been out of reach for me. The good guys like Del McCoury look like they have a swivel joint in their forearm.
BlindTom61 1 year ago
that's a Baton Rouge guitar isn't it ?! Are you happy with it ?!
jackydeluxe 1 year ago
You're really good and your talking makes for a relaxing and enjoyable lesson. Watching you spit in a can is not. lol :-)
TruegrassBoy 1 year ago
Dude, you are my new Hero! you can talk,spit, whatever as much as you want as long as you keep this great stuff comin lol!
1995MartinD40FMG 1 year ago
ha ha love the spitter. ha ha nothin wrong with a bad habit. ( chris ledoux)
justinbarber881 1 year ago
pardon...but is that the fret board from the schecter XXX?
Chronos2020 1 year ago
Thanks for the licks!!!
Kcatmc 1 year ago
Thank you so much bro! This is why I love youtube. You are a great player and gentleman.
mojojerm 1 year ago
very good, thanx!
gabrydober 1 year ago
Thanks For slowing everything down so much. It really makes the difference between being able to pick it up/understand it and being totally left in the dust. And learning new licks help build my improv skills by expanding my feel for the instrument. Keep it Comin!
thebluegrassbug 1 year ago
thanks so much for posting up these videos and please keep posting them. your vidoes are some of the only ones i've had patience and luck working with!
MatildaSuite 1 year ago
thanks so much, please keep posting videos, yours are some of the only ones i've had real good luck learning with! really appreciate it.
MatildaSuite 1 year ago
He doesn't talk to much, the info is a must in order to play it right, u go Ben!
dhellbilly 1 year ago
Talk? man dulalle is crazy you give just enough info, you should see some of the other guys talk and no play. You should lisen to Ben's talking it's crucial info.
dhellbilly 1 year ago
awesome video! you don't talk too much. If anything, it helps tremendously.
bilphishin 1 year ago
Thank you Banjo Ben. I'm going to be playing Power In The Blood at church very soon. These licks have helped made the song more interesting.
1aadumlao 1 year ago
Thanks Ben !
stewartoftheearth 1 year ago
The talking is actually what really helps -- I have to say, you are an excellent teacher and very clear. Thank you so much for posting this. So great of you to pass on this knowledge.
1coopjsn 1 year ago
Great stuff man! Thank you so much for posting this info. I'm sure alot of folks are just as grateful as my self for you teaching us for FREE. MUCH RESPECT.
amutemusic 1 year ago
you are a great player. Have you ever played with anyone famous
tmothy100 1 year ago
Does anyone have the tabs for the second lick? I can't follow it too well in the video
Cam9730 1 year ago
Thanks Ben!! Although I'm an experienced guitar player, I've been jamming with a couple bluegrass friends of mine and I've been having a real tough time, since my bluegrass licks are non-existent... well, thanks to your lessons, I can't wait til the next time we play 'cause I'll be showin 'em a thing or two!!!
megaladon73 1 year ago
Ben, first thanks so much for your time!!! When you are doing the 16th note pulloffs for the 2nd bar of the 2nd lick, is that a triplet? And are the rest of the notes of the measure eighth notes, making the final note of the lick on the 1 beat of another measure? I was trying to pay attention to your pick strokes and wanted to make sure what I was seeing/hearing was correct.
wagglefish 1 year ago
Thanks Ben
jennyomalley 1 year ago
Hey Ben! Could you do a lesson on Ricky Skaggs "Missing Vassar"? it's not real bad hard, but I'd like to hear you spin on it.
caleb101089 1 year ago
Skaffbear : you did succedd..LOL brilliant
PS:of course ye can;t learn it if your italian
durtymag 1 year ago
i thought so! but i am going to try anyway :P
SkaffBear 1 year ago
I've been playing guitar for almost thirty years and decided to learn some bluegrass licks.Much respect to all bluegrass "pickers" out there
rescareguy 1 year ago
Fantastic lessons. Thanks so much.
Freidlon7 1 year ago
i am Italian, do you think I can learn bluegrass?
SkaffBear 2 years ago
what kind of question is that? Are you trying to be funny?
vonmoose 2 years ago
yes and obviously I did not manage.
SkaffBear 2 years ago
Thanks, Ben! About 10 years ago I put my guitar down because I felt like I wasn't learning anything new and got bored. Picked it up again about 4 months ago and have barely put it down since thanks in large part to your lessons. I'm really enjoying watching my speed and precision pick up. You make it really easy to learn these licks and I especially like your 'up - down' picking instructions. Oh, and I agree with the other guy... the spit can's a nice touch.
cmurphyla 2 years ago
Hey Ben Ill add you on Facebook!
Awsome work bud keep it up!
Assassinrevolver 2 years ago
I love the spit can Ben! It should be a Strohs or a Budweiser can though to be a real Spit can. LOL
ShickenChit74 2 years ago
subscribed ty
lfsmwilliamson 2 years ago
nice lick any chance of showing a slow version of the end though
nobbydudgeon 2 years ago
Hey man this was really helpful. thank you for really really slowing it down. For me thats what it takes to learn it. now i'm cruising through that riff, sooo sweet
tljohnson78 2 years ago 8
hey man! was nice 2 meet ur crew this wkend! yall r amazin musicians! i was wantin 2 watch the video of u n ur sisters playin/singin, but can't find it? help me out!
kschvon 2 years ago
sounds really good man. um what were you doing with that soda can though?
rockytriton 2 years ago
dip-per!
burningflamingo 2 years ago
This comment has received too many negative votes show
You are really good but i think you talk to much.
dulalle 2 years ago
Well, I think you're right. I'll have to work on my talking:) My wife says the same thing all the time. Good thing you're not paying for it, huh? Whew!!! I'd be MAD if I were!! Thanks for watching!
BanjoBen1 2 years ago 47
Yeah, well thank you anyway for sharing you abilities here on youtube. Its nice to sit in sweden and learn. :) :) :)
dulalle 2 years ago
@BanjoBen1 Hey, don't apologize to some ingrate who says anything bad about you! You are good enough to put your stuff online for free. Anyone who critcizes you is classless, inconsiderate, and insulting. If he doesn't like your style he has many other sites to go to! Do not apologize for who you are!
Thank you for your time and energy. Righteous.
headstock48 1 year ago
@dulalle PMSL
whitbyjet65 1 year ago
@dulalle
LoL! Let the man speak and explain for shit 'n giggles!
No worries banjoman ben. You give valuable lessons!
I'll have to see how to add a video response to show what i have done thanks to your lessons. If a I could i'd buy a lot of yout tabs but have no CC so for now I do it with your video's and that goes fine!
BluegrassShoes 1 year ago
@dulalle Why don't you go somewhere else if you don't like it? Didn't your mother teach you any couth or manners? Your lack of grace is appalling.
headstock48 1 year ago
Comment removed
maaalii 1 year ago
@headstock48 @headstock48
I meant no offense to "BanjoBen1". It was just an observation and a tip. I felt for my part that there was too much talk in the video. This man is so talented and if he talks too much, people may miss his ability to teach.
Why do you care. It was not meant for you?
dulalle 1 year ago
ah man, I've been playing close to 20 years and have fell in to a bit of a rut. started to get in to bluegrass and this is just what I need to get me started! thank you sooo much.
jessewaldman 2 years ago
is there a pull off after the slide?
clemvall 2 years ago
Spit breakes crack me up everytime lol
johnmichaelMTBC 2 years ago
your very good at talking to the camera
Zetoncs 2 years ago
Nice lesson, but like a lot of the others here I have trouble seeing what note your playing. Some simple tabs on the side or a once though telling each note at the begining of the lesson would be awesome. Thanks for posting and keep em coming.
toady115 2 years ago
He's doing so you can start using your ear instead of relying on tabs or baby step instructions such as " put your middle finger on the fourth fret of the second string" and so on. SAY NO TO TABS!!!!!!
tonyparati 2 years ago
That doesn't help those of us who may be hearing impaired and need the help though does it?
docsavage98 2 years ago
i have tinnitus and it bothers me a lot but thats not an excuse for me to not train my ears as much as i can, and besides you can see where he is putting his fingers wich should help you even more. but my point was that you should rely on tabs that much.
tonyparati 2 years ago
i mean shouldn't rely on tabs
tonyparati 2 years ago
You had to take a Copenhagen spit break during the Tony lick lol.
812bluegrass812 2 years ago
Thanks Banjo Ben - Just the lesson I've been looking for!
vedicfire 2 years ago
BB...any chance of TABS for these standard licks? Those of us who are not as talented as you have a tough time watching and getting it without music or better yet, the TABS.
THANKS for your postings!
adjohns1 2 years ago
i know really...
MockStoneLLC 2 years ago
On G lick number 1 you can prolong the lick by swapping the two G notes but only play the open G once, let me know what ya think.
64moog 2 years ago
I'll try again to get this posted:
get lick and great teaching style...it would help me if I could hear the lick used in context after learning it...I learned the lick - just can't figure out when to work it in!
just starting with flatpickin
mugoo1 2 years ago
thanks again Ben!
pandafuryface 2 years ago
Thanx for putting ur time into these vids, this is the heart of country music & u got some crazy licks there! Watching ur style as u go & transcribing what I can! The stuff is to quick to take note for note, u just gotta get on and strum away until it sounds right"ish". Once again cheers, from the UK!
phototecglobal 2 years ago
3:45
fedearmonica 2 years ago
Finally!!! That is a treat learning that lick. This is the first place I've subscribed.
Thank you BanjoBen!
jmsk2525 2 years ago
great videos, I'll stay tuned
silkfatblues 2 years ago
awesome vid, great licks. im sure you hear this alot, but i looked and didnt find it (although i have been awake for a little too long) but could you post tabs for these licks? m y brain doesnt work well enough to watch and learn everything. im more of a numbers kinda guy ya know.
itstony45 2 years ago
I guess he's got a pinch of tobacco...nice touch
Kirkola 2 years ago
Ya made this ol' man happy. Thanks.
mitoguitarman 2 years ago
I've just practiced "lick 1" till my fingers blistered. Thanks for taking the time to do this.
PAWNSTAR69 2 years ago
ive seen a bunch of your videos, but this is the video that got me to subscribe to you, great instruction man, thanks a bunch!
JumpStop1 2 years ago
Same for me. :)
usernamesuckagain 2 years ago
Thanks BanjoBen. Good teaching and picking
EarlRayG 2 years ago 4
hey just one question.. on the first lick why does it have the a sharp / b flat (whatever). thats not part of the g major scale is it ?
im trying to get my head around theory!
thanks alot for the vids any way realy helpful!
bobbyatopk 2 years ago
I hate to tell ya but this is bluegrass and there is no sticking to the majors. The "twang" in bluegrass is from breaking the rules when it comes to scaling. Get a load of Toney Rice.....there are no rules just style.
GL
edmunk 2 years ago
It's from the blue's scale:
flat 3 (Bb) in major pentatonic (G)
flat 5 (Bb) in minor pentatonic (em)
and the F natural, from the Dominant scale (aka Mixolydian mode) based on the dominant 7th chord (G B D F)
neeknight1211 2 years ago
ah i'm startin to nail that second lick. feels so good.
toddbolden 2 years ago
Hey Ben,
Super videos man. Hard to find REALLY GOOD bluegrass instruction. How do we make a request for something specific? I'd like to learn the opening to "Clay and Ottie" by Blue Highway. its probably pretty simple but I can't put it together.
Thanks
Chuck
Blue Ridge Mtns.
North Carolina
charlesblewis 2 years ago
great lesson bro! very helpful! been playing but just getting into bluegrass, been wondering what might be the most popular acoustics make/models for bluegrass ? I have an old celebrity ovation and like to get another hollow
nsaretard 2 years ago
Could you recommend a top rated or the best seller bluegrass flatpicking dvd, perhaps from homespun or simliar? thanks man for the lesson!
nsaretard 2 years ago
great videos. well explained and extremely helpful
5stars
hiddengen 2 years ago
Great job Ben and keep on chewing!
crossen123 3 years ago
You just made me late for work AGAIN trying to figure this out! Cheers mate! Tony from a cold London Town
planetpeckham1 3 years ago
Thanks for taking the time to share your gift. You're an awesome player and your teaching style is very effective... 10 min videos giving me 10 hours of homework. :-)
cabermedia 3 years ago
Comment removed
banjomalc 3 years ago
That wasn't an insult, buddy! Goodness....if I'm gonna put vids of me playing on youtube, I'd better have some pretty thick skin :) I probably should be more couth in my presentation, but honestly I forget that I even have a dip in my mouth when I start the vids. After I watch them, I'm like..."Aw crap....I just spit in that can 42 times....I'm probably going to offend somebody." Ha! If you can look past it in order to learn something from the video, we can be good friends. Thanks buddy!
BanjoBen1 3 years ago
when you used the tab software, you forget what banjo couldn't stress enough how important it is to show pick direction, that software you use must have pick direction indicator..imho ben is 100% in showing his right hand picking,only way to get to speed.. cheers the ben! I'm impressed!
nsaretard 2 years ago
Well, if I don't spit in the cans, it'll start running out the corners of my mouth....and THAT, my friend, is gross!
BanjoBen1 3 years ago
thanks that was really useful and clearly presented. it helped me alot.
notsellingadamnthing 3 years ago
what do you dip if you dont mind me askin
mmmmmfreshcope 3 years ago
Whatever is cheap! Timberwolf right now!
BanjoBen1 3 years ago
Thank for all your videos. I can learn more from watching you in five minutes than I can a guitar book in five days.
napone0 3 years ago
that's certainly an "Lester Flatt" original..this lick is credited to him...
fiddlnbanjo 3 years ago
thank you.
Bobweirhead 3 years ago
Instead of talking about the licks it would be more sensible if you told your viewers what string and fret you are playing on for every single note. Not everyone can see what strings and frets you are using. You only tell some of the strings and frets but not all of them during your lesson. Some viewers may appreciate it more if you changed that up in your lessons.
gillscreekman 3 years ago
Thanks for the comment, buddy. Yeah, it's a catch 22 or sorts. I'm trying to cater to everyone. I have people of all levels watching my vids, and it's a tough balance to appeal a little to everyone. The thing is that some people are advanced to the point where telling every note would be too slow. Being that I only have a limited amount of time to do these vids and a limit to the length of these vids allowed, I have to try and cover as much as possible while pointing out the toughest spots.
BanjoBen1 3 years ago
If I had more time, I would do beginning vids where every note is pointed out, and more advanced vids where I could move faster. Please stay patient with me and maybe we can manage to learn a little together :) But, I want to thank you for watching and posting a comment with your concerns. I'll always do what I can for my viewers with the time allowed.
BanjoBen1 3 years ago
Well, keep up the good work. You are good at what you do no doubt. Thanks for you time and efforts in making it all possible.
gillscreekman 3 years ago
I think the lessons are excellent. I think they are geared more for the intermediate player though. Its tough to keep everyone happy. Was that Banjo Ben on Saturday night live with Taylor Swift?
westrokker 3 years ago
Keep the lessons coming. You are a great teacher!
foxtracer08 3 years ago
The dip in the can was a nice touch
maxneu 3 years ago
Ben-tell your agent to get you an instructional dvd/book deal... you are a great picker and a great teacher... SPEED # 2 PLEASE!
goldbrickD 3 years ago
wow, thanks for the reply! i was hoping you would. that helps and gets rid of my confusion. i have been spending the last two days learning these two riffs, and they are really helping my playing. thanks again!!!
MitchWinston 3 years ago
in the first riff, how can you include a#? isn't this out of key?
MitchWinston 3 years ago
It is out of the "major" key...however, it is a "blues" note. That's what gives it that bluesy or bluegrassy sound. If you're in the key of "G", the major notes would be G A B C D E F# and G again. However, the blues notes would and could include a flat 3rd, which would be Bflat or A#, the flat 5 (C# or Dflat), sometimes a flat 6, and a flat 7. It took a while for me to figure out how that bluesy sound was accomplished, and it's a lot of fun to start exploring in those flatted tones! Good Luck!
BanjoBen1 3 years ago
Thanks for your time and effort,it is greatly appreciated!
coachpicker 3 years ago
wow,thank this is really good, i'm goin to get this down if it kills me
lasht2monyon 3 years ago
thanks!
Adirtybum 3 years ago
Pretty nice tutorial! Learned it to the end, though it was difficult to catch up it all.
NattefrostFTW 3 years ago
hey os there any way that you could show me some exercisers that will help my speed. thank you man love the video
100foldchristian 3 years ago
hey is there any way that you could show me an exercise that will help my speed thank you man love the video
100foldchristian 3 years ago
hey is there any way that you could show us an exercise that will help my speed plz response thank you love your video
100foldchristian 3 years ago
Very helpful keep it up man!
Willywallum007 3 years ago
can you tell me more about that pull off not really sure of how to do that
100foldchristian 3 years ago
I'm hooked bluegrass is my focus with the guitar now.
thejoker0409 3 years ago
never played bluegrass before, learnin a lot from your videos, great teacher, thanks!
westrokker 3 years ago
Thanks for sharing your knowledge with us.
Ballardian 3 years ago
hey man, you changed my life!
keaton7732 3 years ago
Thanks again!!
0098apple 3 years ago
Those dam notes were there all along!
FENDIN10 3 years ago
holy crap, you're quick. great player. is that product placement for Dr. Pepper?
theinck 3 years ago
It's what's in the DP can that really matters! Ha!
BanjoBen1 3 years ago
As a fellow dipper I knew that you were not using product placement. When I saw you spit it made all of your videos legit in my mind. Great Licks man you helped me out alot.
dcgud 3 years ago
thank you!
thats been a great help for me and i will practice them till i am note perfect.
andy in london uk
yeah we pick here to. or try to!!!
tubeehead 3 years ago
Been playing banjo forever, but I'm just now starting on guitar... (Backwards? Maybe!). Your videos, esp. this one, really help. Thanks a bunch, Ben!
bainjer 3 years ago
Hey, man. I just responded with a video where I incorporated the second of the licks you taught. It really made my attempt at bluegrass soloing sound better :) thanks!
jamesabrush 3 years ago
How 'bout some lessons on mapping your way around the fretboard? Thx.
sword6204 3 years ago
you are a hero
submitaweasel 3 years ago
This is a great lesson :)
Authorized77 3 years ago
I'm getting it down. Thanks for the video.
vardamin 3 years ago 2
Brilliant, thanks, I've been playing a lot of country/bluegrass lead but have never got that bluesy feel you explained in lick 2 - thanks again BB.
twangothan 3 years ago
much appreciated
... I love your teaching method
nice and slow with plenty of
attention to detail
needs to be for slow for me :)
learning from your videos
is a real pleasure
warm regards, john
yoganandabailey 3 years ago 2
does the ear wax help? :)
ou8smurfpoo 3 years ago
THat pick direction is confusing but strengthens my left hand cool
babinm 3 years ago
hahah ppl he aint drinkin the dr pepper he's dippin and spittin in the can.
hey ben, they have a lid you can put on the top of a can that makes for a better spit. you can get em at bass pro shops i think.
rmw5991 3 years ago
this vid was very helpful, thanks man
simpleskynyrd 3 years ago 2
This is awesome, thank you.
brandondudehill 3 years ago 2
brilliant stuff man, i gotta check out the rest of your lessons
chopsokey 3 years ago
Would you sell a DVD with your videos on it ?
flatpicker1234 3 years ago
thanks for sharing,
Fudzwollop 3 years ago
really enjoying this, my first intro to bluegrass licks....thank you!
wiremu 3 years ago