I have to be honest and say HOT DAM......this is very encouraging...I am retired also...and have a beautiful 5 string Banjo....just purchase my first mandolin also.....will be learning heavily on both...I also have a country fiddle I will learn all 3 simultaneously....I do play upright piano, country style and honky tonk and also play the autoharp regularly.....can't wait to get started.....ANYONE CAN DO THIS, you just need to WANT IT and then OWN IT....
whats the name of the second song? and what youtube videos would you recommend to help with learning to strum and pick the strings the right way for beginners :) thanks!
@theksituation The song is called "Foggy Mountain Breakdown" there is a YT video posted by Chris Tally Armstrong (YT Handle: blueiis2) that is very helpful when trying to pick this one up. I have only been playing for about 9 months and with about two weeks of practice and watching her video countless times I had this song down.
@LivinInExile14 Funny, I just realized that this video was posted by @blueiis2, so @theksituation just look at her other videos I am sure you will find them helpful.
@blueiis2 , thanks a lot, i've been practicing it and it seems to be a good exercise in getting the fingers on the left hand into position up and down the neck whilst playing the "open" backward part of the roll.
Great teacher, nice clear instruction. you are a great help to all of us starting out !
I,ve just retired and promised myself that i would get myself a 5 string banjo and learn to play.
i'm enjoying every minute of it , and it does seem to get easier the more often you practice!
Thanks! You ARE an inspiration. My wife and I, (both 50+ with no musical background at all) have started taking lessons. Me on the mandolin about 10 months ago, and her on the banjo just 6 weeks ago. We're coming along slow, but we're having fun!
I'm going out on a limb and guess that the piece between 0:20 and 0:50 is intended to be Foggy Mountain Breakdown. I'd like to hear what it sounds like now that he's had an extra 6 months of practice.
If you posted this to be an encouragement, then you are successful. Please let Steve know that he IS an inspiration to me. My banjo has been in the "shop" since I purchased in the end of May. I should be getting it back today! Yee ha! I am pretty excited! Thanks again! I love your videos! Sometime in the future I am going to walk into one of your Illinois Jam sessions and announce that I am one of your "Internet Students." Wouldn't that be cool?
@yopasjim Yes! That would be awesome if you came! I am glad that Steve is an inspiration to you. That means I accomplished what I wanted to accomplish! And always remember, YOU can be an inspiration, too. Many times, we don't know the impact we have on others. What you think is average, someone else really looks up to... No matter what your level, you can inspire someone else!
i am 35 and im just starting out on the banjo,,my partner after 9 years didnt like me and the noise i made when i practice,, so i left her and now im at my mums ,, all i got is my banjo lol there is no teachers here in the north west of england at all,,,,,???? all you got are these videos,, thank god for chris ,your an angel are you single by any chance ,,,lol
@darrellwestray I'm happily married! I am glad that you are finding the videos helpful! Playing banjo is a happy thing. Steve Martin has a whole comedy routine about how you can't be sad when you play the banjo. It's probably on Youtube here somewhere. You would probably really enjoy it!
Very fine and remarkable progress. He's definitely an inspiration that it's never too late. It's more difficult as we age, but never impossible. I'm in my late 60s and have recently taken up the fiddle. I have experience on other stringed instruments, but this is a real challenge. Steve, keep up the great work. Bill
That's great Steve and Chris I am also learning the banjo but don't have a teacher per say but Chris is a great help and is my e-mail teacher Ha Ha really shes a great teacher your lucky to have such a great teacher Steve
nice pickin steve
Threestaves 1 week ago
I have to be honest and say HOT DAM......this is very encouraging...I am retired also...and have a beautiful 5 string Banjo....just purchase my first mandolin also.....will be learning heavily on both...I also have a country fiddle I will learn all 3 simultaneously....I do play upright piano, country style and honky tonk and also play the autoharp regularly.....can't wait to get started.....ANYONE CAN DO THIS, you just need to WANT IT and then OWN IT....
Good Luck to all..Thks Ken Orlando, FL
JacobsOompa 3 weeks ago
@JacobsOompa You are SOOO RIGHT! Thank you!
blueiis2 2 weeks ago
fricken awesome beautifull jammin!!
stratcat70 2 months ago
good job on the breakdown man.
sisseeboy 2 months ago
whats the name of the second song? and what youtube videos would you recommend to help with learning to strum and pick the strings the right way for beginners :) thanks!
theksituation 2 months ago
@theksituation The song is called "Foggy Mountain Breakdown" there is a YT video posted by Chris Tally Armstrong (YT Handle: blueiis2) that is very helpful when trying to pick this one up. I have only been playing for about 9 months and with about two weeks of practice and watching her video countless times I had this song down.
LivinInExile14 3 weeks ago
@LivinInExile14 Funny, I just realized that this video was posted by @blueiis2, so @theksituation just look at her other videos I am sure you will find them helpful.
LivinInExile14 3 weeks ago
wonder if i can play the banjo sinse i can play bluegrass on the guitar
wprevette220 2 months ago
what is the name of the first piece please ?
chuckcoal 4 months ago
@chuckcoal Banjo in the Hollow
blueiis2 4 months ago
@blueiis2 , thanks a lot, i've been practicing it and it seems to be a good exercise in getting the fingers on the left hand into position up and down the neck whilst playing the "open" backward part of the roll.
Great teacher, nice clear instruction. you are a great help to all of us starting out !
I,ve just retired and promised myself that i would get myself a 5 string banjo and learn to play.
i'm enjoying every minute of it , and it does seem to get easier the more often you practice!
chuckcoal 4 months ago
@blueiis2 many thanks for the title. i have tried this tune and would like to improve my playing of it. is it on dvd no.1 "for beginners" ?
can i buy your dvd in England ? thanks again,
Keith
chuckcoal 4 months ago
Great job............
73scamp 5 months ago
Thanks! You ARE an inspiration. My wife and I, (both 50+ with no musical background at all) have started taking lessons. Me on the mandolin about 10 months ago, and her on the banjo just 6 weeks ago. We're coming along slow, but we're having fun!
DrMem0ry 5 months ago
Sounds like u got um down pat, just need to add the speed to make it run together.
AK47cowboy 5 months ago
nice >:D hopefully i can pick it up xD cant wait to get my 1st banjo
ikizuku 7 months ago
I WANT TO BE LIKE THIS GUY WHEN I RETIRE
cgood1028 11 months ago
I'm going out on a limb and guess that the piece between 0:20 and 0:50 is intended to be Foggy Mountain Breakdown. I'd like to hear what it sounds like now that he's had an extra 6 months of practice.
Hikikomori013 1 year ago
Awesome playing Steve !
Excellent video and excellent teacher.
I just got my banjo back out after about 15 to 20 years of collecting dust and decided that this time....I'm GONNA learn to PLAY it.
I've learned more in one week from watching blueiis2 videos than I ever did in years before.
And every time I start to get discouraged...I just watch THIS video...and it makes me pick it back up and start pickin' again.
Keep up the great work...and THANKS !
jchipps1 1 year ago
If you posted this to be an encouragement, then you are successful. Please let Steve know that he IS an inspiration to me. My banjo has been in the "shop" since I purchased in the end of May. I should be getting it back today! Yee ha! I am pretty excited! Thanks again! I love your videos! Sometime in the future I am going to walk into one of your Illinois Jam sessions and announce that I am one of your "Internet Students." Wouldn't that be cool?
yopasjim 1 year ago
@yopasjim Yes! That would be awesome if you came! I am glad that Steve is an inspiration to you. That means I accomplished what I wanted to accomplish! And always remember, YOU can be an inspiration, too. Many times, we don't know the impact we have on others. What you think is average, someone else really looks up to... No matter what your level, you can inspire someone else!
blueiis2 1 year ago
good job!
pablo9364 1 year ago
very nice job
pablo9364 1 year ago
i am 35 and im just starting out on the banjo,,my partner after 9 years didnt like me and the noise i made when i practice,, so i left her and now im at my mums ,, all i got is my banjo lol there is no teachers here in the north west of england at all,,,,,???? all you got are these videos,, thank god for chris ,your an angel are you single by any chance ,,,lol
darrellwestray 1 year ago
@darrellwestray I'm happily married! I am glad that you are finding the videos helpful! Playing banjo is a happy thing. Steve Martin has a whole comedy routine about how you can't be sad when you play the banjo. It's probably on Youtube here somewhere. You would probably really enjoy it!
blueiis2 1 year ago
@darrellwestray ....Dude.....you coulda bought a banjo mute.
PeluMaad 1 year ago
@darrellwestray That is scary ! am 34, my fiance left me, living back with the folks and I took the banjo (am from north east tho)
countorlock100 6 months ago
Very nice job....Im 59 and just startin banjo...i hope i can do as well...the hardest part for me is memorizing the songs....Keep up the good work...
Poco50guitar 1 year ago
Nice work.
RickeyMcDaniel 1 year ago
I like it.....great job Steve.
novice banjo picker myself,
olehippy13
olehippy13 2 years ago
Practice...... I started at 44. I am very happy with my progress.....
chantalbernard 2 years ago
Very fine and remarkable progress. He's definitely an inspiration that it's never too late. It's more difficult as we age, but never impossible. I'm in my late 60s and have recently taken up the fiddle. I have experience on other stringed instruments, but this is a real challenge. Steve, keep up the great work. Bill
olmmbill 2 years ago
Great work Steve !
russelljenkinsfearn 2 years ago
Accomplishing goals. Great job!
northbound74 2 years ago
what is the title to the third song?
morganorgan1 2 years ago
Black berry blossom, I do believe
northbound74 2 years ago
Yes, you are right!
blueiis2 2 years ago
Nicely done!
caravaggio45 2 years ago
Great job! Nice and clean picking Steve. Cheers to the student and the teacher and keep on picking!! Stars**************************
Mandolin1944 2 years ago
That's great Steve and Chris I am also learning the banjo but don't have a teacher per say but Chris is a great help and is my e-mail teacher Ha Ha really shes a great teacher your lucky to have such a great teacher Steve
rickshunter1 2 years ago
Atta boy Steve keep on pickin' doing a fine job.
toady115 2 years ago