Bag O' Licks Flatpicking Bluegrass Guitar Lesson

[shandalalala]

Omgosh. You're so happy. It made me laugh. lol

[murdechoc]

mixing bebop with bluegrass can kicks ass

[mattroc01]

it's a taylor

[sargentjmac]

how many times did u guys pause this to learn it? 

[TrappedInABikini]

Is that a Martin?

[TrappedInABikini]

Is this a Martin?

[jimmyglitch]

Checked this out years ago--then had to come back to learn that cool "D" lick. Was helpful then as it is now. Great to see so many people learning from you!

[yesimahater17]

what kind of guitar you playing on?

[PeanutButterAndTele]

Love Your Videos Great Job You The Man

[mifski]

superb!! thanx for takin the time

[MrRokdapus]

just discovered ur videos the other day this ones already helping my finger speed increase greatly, do you have any beginner banjo lessons on here? I'm mainly a guitar player but I've been interested in picking up the banjo and the mandolin as well

[joao024]

Is there a tab for this yet?

[BanjoBen1]

@joao024 Oh yeah! And there's other Bag O' Licks tabs as well at my website that listed in the video description.

Check it out, become a Gold Pick member, and enjoy all my tabs and videos (I upload a new ~30 minute video lesson series every week!).

[gimpyjwilliams]

lol i always come back just to see the intro when you play that song and smile when your looking down at the guitar, it make me laugh :P

[omega1144]

is this in standard tuning?

[ascheepe]

now that's nice, thanks for showing. :)

[GUITARD75]

Great stuff. I'm a blues rock metal player but I've always wanted to pick a little bluegrass. The transitions from the blues scales to the hammer on and open string notes you play are totally different but man I'm hooked. Gonna trade in a Jackson dink for a nice acoustic!!

[TrappedInABikini]

Great stuff!

[Telelikeitis]

Somebody ought to break your fingers! don't worry that's just a compliment we use from where I come from. It means you are the best I've ever heard. I've watched a lot of your videos, your a killer banjo player too!

[Tomcaatt]

ive been playin since i was 10 and i turn 50 in2weeks ,but totally self taught mel bay chords at 10 , lead scales on picks at 30 ( remember those), all else figured by self exept tid bits from other players but with my own version , my blues are all my creation and i can literally count the times when ive been inspired to advance in playing, im a rock, country ,blues , player, but have always been a wannabe MAGNIFICENT flat top picker, well, im inspired once more , thanks ,

tom , memphis

[Tomcaatt]

you know , generosity has a way of rewarding stengyness with its just light on the hill, you have truly givin me a gift today!

[maraciucaman]

damn mau u best :))

[jnastyist]

how long yu been playin?

[ZIGSVIDS]

this is an excellent lesson & your an excellent teacher.

well done.

[stockdoctr]

Hey Ben, great stuff.....how bout an online version of Girl at the Crossroads Bar?

[SRJMUSICOFFICIAL]

Ben, You've taught me so much about bluegrass guitar, I am eternally grateful. Please check out my music page and let me know what you think. Respect!

[zootella]

Ben..i just wanna say...nice job, nice guitar..nice lesson.....

[KingAragornIII]

Dude, Ben, you just kick ass. I know that's a simplistic statement, but there's no other way to put it. You seem like an awesome person too. Be grateful to the Lord that he has blessed you with talent, skill as well as the ability to teach that to others.

[oliverjdavis]

Great lesson. I'm just starting to get interested in playing bluegrass, can you recommend any bands?

[marthus14173]

I wrote all the tabs out on guitarTABcreator so if you want a printable copy, just let me know via my youTube channel. (send message on my profile page)

Cheers,

Marty

[lottapickenz]

I lernt alot frum ewe

[cjdavis18]

okay dude, i learnt all the licks, but I need the tab for that first one you play before the lessons starts, its hilarious.

[swack]

Thanks for the lesson Banjo Ben! What kind of guitar are you playing? It has a beautiful tone.

[windsurf7772]

pomy head

[lilebert72]

Banjo Ben is like my third cousin. Never met him but dang hes good at playing the guitar lol

[70goldtop]

I broke a G string fingering A minor

[disclosurenow9]

@70goldtop try sticking a dollar bill underneath the G String next time.

[PooPooOnMyNewShoe]

14 Justin Bieber fans must have come here BY MISTAKE.

[rosescentedshit]

@parnellrd screw your sis! to each his own!

[cjoey39]

Hey Ben! Nice lesson! You are a great player! Joey Vaughan "World Blues Attack"

[blusygal]

Hey Ben I'm new to bluegrass and really enjoy your lessons thankyou!!

[ray123ification]

Nice lesson from a nice chap. Cheers.

[larryjackson04]

Great info on how to tie one lick onto another. Very helpful when playing over chords....

[harryforeman]

YIIIIIIIIIIIIHAWWWWWWWWWWWW

[TheJudplay]

Hey Ben! You are so helpful with these YT guitar lessons! I read that some time ago you launched a new musical career. Here's wishing you all the success you hope for in 2011. I'll be watching - and trying to keep up with you on these licks. Thanks.

[rosescentedshit]

lol i thought this was a joke at first and that you were queer! awesome vid!!

[mboy1976]

only just discovered you man and after about half hour can already play a couple of licks. Love it! Like your intros too. Very funny some of them esp this one! Thanks again.

[MateusTTTT]

hahahaha That beggining cracked me up! Great lesson dude, helped a lot!

[wolfguardy13]

GET IT !!! YHEWWW WEEEE AT UH BLUEGRASS SPIRIT!!!!!

[ChristinaDinetti]

That beginning was the best!

[ed11800578]

Ben: Many thanks for the excellent instructional videos. You have a real intuition and ability to know what to concentrate on to help the new learner. Keep 'em coming!

[pathammond]

Hey man, knew to playing this kinda style, n recently broke my hand so getting back into playing. Cool little licks, been messin around with the first one for a day or so n nearly have it perfect :) thanks!

[1INACTION]

Thanks Dude. Great help.

[SickPuppieZ]

why this guy is alwayz smiling? so happy? XD



[cmonkee1]

The intro cracks me up evry time.  Now the question, can talk a little about the picking technique?

[jshugarman]

man, ure a badass and u remind me of the country/southern vesion of kenneth from 30 rock ha!!!

[MrJaybird815]

Ben - I just read a comment from one user telling you to keep your politics to yourself. That's the problem with life, everyone's a critic - those who don't know how to, love to tell everyone how to. :) Anyway, you're a great player and teacher and a very personable individual. I'm a long-time rock/blues player and I recently fell in love with bluegrass. You have been an invaluable reasource. Keep up the good work and continue practicing your freedom of speech, brother. God Bless!

[bobhope7]

the first 7 seconds made me think you were a freakin' robot or something....

[jk16366]

Great stuff, the first 4 seconds reminds me of Glenn from Talledega Nights

[jk16366]

Is this Glenn from Talledega Nights?

[anadrolking]

very nice licks, thanks for teaching them.

[DuskY1991]

Is that a 614ce? Nice video!

[micmoable]

Good picking man! Wish my playing was so good

[IBG67]

I've got an idea BEN! How bout a bag o'licks on the ole' mandolin.

[groverCotman]

Awesome lesson dude. After months of practice, I use these licks all the time now! Thanks again

[gunluvr22]

@groverCotman After months of practice, i can still hardly play this shit. haha

[mnister17]

From Detroit --- Great stuff!!! Thanks for sharing. I will be adding these licks to me bag of tricks.

[hammill444]

Sigh. Just too darn hard. Some people just have the natural talent. Back to boring three chord garage rock.

[turtles12]

is bag of licks a play on the phrase bag of dicks?

[itailogar]

what pick is good for bluegrass and those licks

medium, hard or soft?

[actionjacksondan]

Thanks for the video, great playing. These little lessons are a great work out!

[SuperTonyduncan]

BB, My 9 year old daughter said she met you at the water fountain at church last Sunday. I've been watching your videos for a few months befgore I realized you lived in Nashville. Your videos are great. I started playing again after a 25 year layoff. I may see you at church (2nd Service). TGBC ?

[JohnJCrissey]

Thank you very much for taking the time to make these videos. They are very helpful. You seem like a nice person and I think it's very kind of you to take the time to share. I was wondering how to add you as a friend on facebook?

[GameLevelEditor]

I subscribed once again! It was hell but I'm finding my important subscriptions by memory.

[Fujiman808]

haha very nice. thanks

[krusty36m]

I'd like some of them brownies if you're sharing.

[rudolfooo1]

Ty jsi kokot,ale ta kytara má celkem dobrý zvuk

[BluegrassShoes]

Great lesson Banjo Ben. This excersises have indeed been very useful for me to get the whole bluegrassfeeling. And speed comes with time. And a bit fingertip-pain too haha...as I started to use 013 strings by the way.!

By far the most useful lessons on Youtube and also the internets! Thanks Banjo Ben.

[tdock14]

You arent that funny... but you can sure play a guitar.

[frootloopsfan]

@tdock14 mybe his not trying to be funny

[bduvall3]

Thanks so much for posting this! Great stuff!

[Patriksundvik]

you sure know how to pick =)

[R2burde]

I've never meet Ben but I'll bet he's gpoing fishing sometime soon

[ToriEnsam]

Great lesson!

[guitarmannvideos]

Hey Banjo Ben! I'm a friend of one of your friends in NC---Daniel and Tina M. We were at a camp together, and he told me to check out some of your stuff. I got inspired to learn some licks--and I just posted a video response! cheers.

[guitarmannvideos]

Hey Banjo Ben! I'm a friend of one of your friends in NC---Daniel and Tina M. We were at a camp together, and he told me to check out some of your stuff. I got inspired to learn some licks--and I just posted a video response! cheers.

[jordyplaysguitar]

Hey Banjo Ben,

You vids are really great and i love your teaching style, and KILLER licks . power to you!!! Jordy -Down under in Australia

[dfsmith12]

Thanks Banjo Ben! Good Stuff!

[pissballs]

I find this useful and inspirational tonight! Very colorful playin!

[MrBoombalitsy]

I just can't get that fast.

[idwtsasoj]

I'm also Irish.

I can't wait till I can play as fluidly as you

[TheMickKenny]

From Ireland. Great admirer of your guitar skills! Is there any chance you could email finger position diagrams for Foggy Mountain Breakdown?

Keep up the good work!

[BanjoBen1]

@TheMickKenny Thanks! There are tabs available at the link posted in the video description.

[wbsherwin]

@BanjoBen1

When are you going to make a video, son?

Sign me up!!!

[skrys81]

bloody hell cant work out youtube or computors for that matter.im from england an proper love your lessons. keep it up banjo ben. i get better on guitat and banjo everyday thanks to you.

[Kesterson51]

@TheMickKenny i can if you want me to??

[healel]

Thanx BB, you help fill my life with both inspiration and so much stuff to practice on. Keep on doing good and take good care!

[bowserandblue]

Great, great stuff to practice with. Thanks for your time and goodwill. BTW I bought a Paige capo and it won't fit over the neck veloute on my D-28, so I can't slide it up above the neck the way you do. However, since I have a D-28 I shouldn't complain. Happy picking!!

[BanjoBen1]

@bowserandblue Hmmm...that's odd! I thought for sure it would! Thanks for watching!

[Judplay]

Banjo Ben, You're the greatest. How you've mastered all of these instruments, while still a young man, is a mystery to me, but you have a boatload of talent and the world ahead of you. I'll visit your Facebook page - but only because you asked us to. I don't care for the "social network" aspect of the Internet. In your case, I'll make an exception. All the Best.

[fnd909]

haha nice intro!

[harpcy]

cool !!!

[Patriksundvik]

You are really good man, But slow down when you teaching please :)

[nolocus]

that guitar is sexy as fuck.

[Durkin]

These licks are awesome but its just too fast for me. I can't get hold of the tabs either now? Is there any chance of you sending them to me? Really appreciate the vids though I think they are some of the best bluegrass tutorials on youtube!

[vorno99]

thanks for another great lesson

[scody311]

More Licks please!

[scody311]

Awesome... thanks Ben!

[ggesin]

Great flat picking. I apprecate that he is willing to take the time to post the lessons on youtube for free.

[rickyrice54]

Thanks Ben! These are great licks and you explain it well. Thanks again!

[thebluemerles]

You are a very good teacher & very inspiring Ben. Much appreciation!

[Kody5070]

what do you have at the top of your sound hole?

[hollywood4770]

i like how he doesnt talk in between licks, nice work.

[hollywood4770]

haha! throw in some tony rice licks why dont cha!! Yeaah boyy!

[agalligani]

how do you come up with this stuff? where did you learn it from?

[utmobius65]

what kind of guitar is he playin?

[maffoop]

A Taylor

[nostairway2hevn]

exactly what I need man!.. been looking for this everywhere!! people pay good money to learn off someone like you!

[willumybillumy]

Hey Young Feller, your great, I have got a great deal of pleasure and pickin from you, thanks. I wasn't going to look at your vid cause when you started I had thought you were a couple stands off the bottom. LOL

[lytwielder]

doesnt he remind you of the guy on 30 rock?

[macunni2]

Yes! SNL needs to make a parody.

Thanks for the great vid brother.

[rasilly]

@lytwielder - No doubt, the Kenneth of hot-pickin Bluegrass! Thanks Banjo Ben!!

[funability1]

awesome delivery, I have finally started picking clean Thanks to your instruction :) Sell dvds ..Id buy em all !

[TheMkelly39]

very good lessons though, very hard to do, watch roy clark and see the best guitarist in the world in the 1960's

[TheMkelly39]

that was funny, I Thought he was retarted, but when he played the ick he came to life, nice theatre

[tiansebas]

such a cool sound. Could you explain the theory? The licks play with 7th, augmented 4th ect. Thanks for the lesson.

[thegeekboy]

I have that same Taylor 6 series.. too bad I can't get mine to sound like that.

[Databug13]

@Banjoben1 LOL ur awesome and a dork, but still very awesome.

[wholewheatbagel]

oh shit sorry, i didnt watch all of the video. i didnt know you broke down each individual tab. my bad dude, awesome playing BTW.

[rescareguy]

Again,Thanks for opening my eyes to the true greatness of bluegrass musicians

[GStringTX]

Hey Ben, dood, you have opened up a whole new world for me as a guitarist who is from the hair metal band days. Im really into red dirt /outlaw country now and your lessons are THE BEST!!!!! Can you tell me what kind of sound hole pickup you are using? Thanks.

[carpenterbeast]

it that you capo ABOVE the nutt?

[BanjoBen1]

Yep :) It's a Paige capo, and they're pretty cool.

[ElvisStillRules]

@BanjoBen1 Does it have any effect to put it there?

[rescareguy]

Thanks a great lesson

[laserxtremeit]

Dude Im practising every lersson you put on youtube!! u the best!!! :)

[JerryDguitar]

dude you scared the piss out of me at first lol, but i liked it in the end(:

[headstock48]

@JerryDguitar Yea, kind of like the giant roller coaster at the amusement parks.

[Trevmo09]

Thanks for the awesome lessons! They've opened my eyes to BlueGrass!!!

[jakekvas]

Nice intro man.

[kennykanowski]

This is the coolist lesson out there

[fretnaught250]

Say Ben, would you share the specs on your Taylor? What shape (GA or GS?) and woods are you working with there? Great lesson too!

[BanjoBen1]

Thanks! It's a 614C electiric. I don't know what GA or GS is? It's got a spruce top and maple back, sides, and neck. I love it! Although, now I play a Taylor Custom DN more than anything...rosewood guitar that's more of a flatpicking model.

[fretnaught250]

@BanjoBen1 GA=Grand Auditorium and GS= Grand Symphony.  614 is GA maple series. Its a great sounding guitar, although I'm sure a wizard can make anything sound that good!

[PlaceOfOrigin]

easily the most informative vid on utube. it delivers exactly what the viewer wants (and then some) great job

[BanjoBen1]

THANKS!! Great compliment!

[Blue18242]

Holy Crap man, I thought you were pedophile when u first came on......then I heard your bluegrass.

[BanjoBen1]

Man...well, good thing you kept listening.

[rifleman522]

Great stuff Ben. CaptKWICK is right, you should put out some DVDs. I hope you do. You are the Bluegrass man!

[captKWICK]

Your teaching ability is excellent. I've been trying to develope my own solos and these licks are great reference. Do you sell DVDS? If not you should !

[BanjoBen1]

I don't yet, but I need to put one together! Thanks for the compliment and watching!

[AltRadio09]

I've been a rocker and blues player since age 10. I love bluegrass but have never taken the time to sit down and get it grooved into my head. After returning from a recent trip to Ireland, the home of my ancestors, where I heard lots of traditional Irish music I've decided to start working on integrating new things into my playing. Your videos have been great teaching aids!!!

[johnathandodd]

banjo ben it is merle dodd from hickman county,tn i would love to meet and jam with you one day you think that could be possible shoot me a message back thank you and i watch all of your videos

[TheDanceofjoy]

really cool licks , thats what iv been looking for, thanks a lot.

[jordyplaysguitar]

Finally - i find a great teacher with the best licks, thanks so much man-i teach guitar down in australia-more into blues but i love this shit , right on

[martintheman72105]

this guy is the fucking man.

[richmcomedy]

Hey Banjo ben, Thanks for all your lessons. I am new to blue grass and have a question you can help me out on. If I'm playing in the key of G don't I cross over on some notes that shouldn't be included in the lick. I am a novice (so don't laugh to hard at my question) to music theroy and I'm working on my leads.

[BanjoBen1]

Hey bud...the only stupid question is the one you don't ask :) However, what do you mean exactly? I think you may mean that there are some notes in these licks that aren't in the G major scale? If that's the case, it's okay. In bluegrass, we often use notes in the licks that don't fall in the major scale...that's what gives it that "blues" feeling. If that's not what you meant in your question, ask another or shoot me a message. Thanks for watching!

[richmcomedy]

you hit it right on the head....thanks so much for your response. So I will assume it is okay to add these extra notes when improving a lead.

[BanjoBen1]

Yep! And the more you add, the more "nasty" it'll get...and that's where it's up to your taste. It wouldn't sound good to throw in all these flat tones in a "major" sounding fiddle tune perhaps, but they have their place. Happy pickin' and Merry Christmas!

[richmcomedy]

Thanks for all of your help and Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night!

[bendertele]

Hey, Banjo Ben. You are a trip! Thank you very much for these lessons. I`ve hacked away at Teles in top 40 country cover bands for nearly 10 years and you`ve opened up a whole new avenue for me (and many other, I suspect) to enjoy. My Gibson acoustic has never got so much attention. If you need some counter-balance to your excellent videos, I will be glad to post a vid showing the wrong way to play bluegrass. Sincerely, thanks!

[peerman2006]

Thanks for putting this up. 180,000 views ! It shows how good of a teacher you are.

[Tytan117]

why am i watching this? Heavy Metal is where its at!

[macogal]

THANK YOU!!!! I was looking for this for a long time. I really appreciate your tutorials. :D

[mrchuckpatrick]

Every one is right you are the man. I play mandolin and I am just starting to play lead guitar, and you have helped me more than you know. Could you do some A and E licks ect...? Thanks again

[jtjjbannie]

Did ya ever burn some green grass before playing bluegrass?

Try it,... it ROCKS!!

I'd wach that !!!

[ChrisSchoenbergTP]

i dont know why anyone would thumbs down this. lame.

[dallgire]

Hey Banjo Ben,

I really appreciate your work. This video is perfect, not too hard, not too easy. I have plenty of guitar experience so I can follow your licks, but I've never mastered bluegrass flatpicking. I have lately been jazzed about learning Bluegrass. Your instruction is a big help.

[masala505]

You sure as hell have a funny accent buddy! Great playing - great licks - great vid!

[reignsong]

Brilliant. I have played blues and just started bluegrass recently, this has blown the floodgates open for me!

By the way, was that a 30 Rock impersonation at the beginning? Hilarious!

[TheBluegrass1]

Hello Ben. I just subscribed and want to thank you very much for helping us. Are any tabs available from your various posts? If so, how might I access?

Thanks again!

[BanjoBen1]

Tabs coming VERY soon! If you haven't subscribed to my channel, please do so you'll be notified!

[scody311]

Dude, you are the bomb. Thanks so much.

Incidentally, if you play d lick with your middle, ring, pinky, instead of index, middle ring... you can really strengthen your pinky. I mean, if you are like me... and need the strengthening.

Keep'm coming Ben... you are awesome!

[strat80]

Thanks very much. Strat.

Could you please consid