Jon Eric playing Cripple Creek on the 5 String Banjo

[t1t296]

Wow Jon, you are just fantastic! I've been playing for several months now and I'm not a fraction as awesome as you. Have you got any tips to keep me motivated?

Cheers!

[JonEricMusic]

@t1t296

Just keep on pickin' ! Wishing you nothing but the best in your banjo journey!

Let me know if there is anything I can do to help as well. The right hand roll patterns

done VERY slow to build up will increase in speed on their own. It just takes practice

and MUCH patience. : )

[RoscoesRiffs]

Y'r just plain scary. :) :) :) :)

[JonEricMusic]

@RoscoesRiffs Just in time for Halloween! LOL Thanks buddy!

[ghsr82]

what kind of banjo do you have?

[JonEricMusic]

@ghsr82

This is a '88 Stelling Bellflower Archtop (bought used).

I have now owned it about 5 years now. Honoring my

late Mother (RIP) with playing music on it in her memory.

[Windowswatcher]

Hi Jon! Great stuff... I loved it! I'm from the UK and 63 next month... but I'm teaching myself banjo and this is brilliant to be able to watch and listen to. I've played guitar for many years but recently felt that I'd like to give the banjo a go... I have a picking style on guitar so that's not a problem in itself... it's the 5th string that takes some getting used to, though! Anyway, thanks for this... I'll look at your others too! Best wishes!!!

[RagMama123]

Hi Jon,

Just watched this one again. Nice playing and very nice stage presence. Excellent video.

Rick

[Robin18us]

What gauge strings do you use Eric?

[JonEricMusic]

@Robin18us

The gauge strings is whatever I have on hand lately-

Going with 10's on 5th and 1st. And depending on what STYLE music...

Bluegrass can be 9's with a 20 gauge on the 4th.

But for Rock or funk tunes I would up it to a 22 nickel wound. : )

[Robin18us]

That is one amazing cracking banjo...LOL You must be very pleased with it. Enjoy!

[Robin18us]

I've heard Stelling banjos before, but not like this one. Does it really sound like on this video, or is it the mic and processor you're using?

[JonEricMusic]

@Robin18us

This is the ACTUAL sound from my bedroom using a VERY inexpensive camera (borrowed) with a tripod.

There is no mic or processor on this USED '88 Stelling Bellflower Arch-top- it's just the RAW way it sounds.

[mrsmudger53]

Hi Jon from The uk.I'm 57 years old and just starting to learn to play the 5 string banjo.Have i left it a bit late? I've been watching so many of your videos on here,and find you so inspiring.As you make it look so easy,which it ain't.

The problem i'm having most of the time is my fingers touching the other strings when fretting chords,as i have what i've been told as hands like spades.any tips would be great. keep up the good work.

Dave

[suferwill808]

@927Adam Try to get Earl Scruggs signature sereis strings and replace your factorys

[j0hnhaney]

That banjo sounds freakin amazing! What kind is it and how much was it? I want one!

[ExploringtheOutDoors]

What brand and gauge strings do you use. Please reply as quick as you can. Thanks

[KeithProctorArtist]

WHAT A SOUND YOU MAKE , BRILLIANT , CONGRATS JON

[fenderstrat71]

This is the first one i learned on the banjo to.

[geetarman1973]

Great job on a old banjo classic! Keep picking and posting!

[927Adam]

Hey Jon, sounds just like the tone Earl had on the recording. I love the "snap" in the sound. I'm just learning how to play. Do you have any suggestions on how to make a banjo have more of a crisp snappy sound to it? Sounds fantastic, Earl would be proud. Thanks.

[karaleeks]

Hey, dude! I was at the soup kitchen today and saw you. I was the one with err... I had an Air Force tee shirt on. We gave the girl in the office one of your cards and she said that she would give it to the principal and he miight contact you! :D

[JonEricMusic]

I LOVE donating my time to the Iowa City Free Lunch Program. To me it is absolutely amazing

how much the banjo can brighten spirits- and

allow for people to not worry about their troubles

for a few precious moments.

Thank YOU for helping out - you and your friends ROCK SOX!

[grahamgroover]

IOWA!

[fitzpal01]

Man, that's loud.

[JimmyDeLocke]

Damn that Stelling has a lot of snap!

It's not the archtop, though, do you have TWO of 'em?

[JonEricMusic]

It actually IS the arch-top and the only acoustic banjo I play... from this view it kind of DOES look like a flat head though Jimmy!

Banjoistically yours,

Jon Eric

[memaheff]

great picking jon,my grandpaw called this song shooting creek, he was good old time picker,he sold allen shelton the bow tie he played most his life,thanks mike sr.

[Alex1971P]

good stuff, nice 'n' crisp sounding

[blackfang82]

This is the best version of Cripple Creek I've ever heard..

[mikeg593]

You are a very talented musician, and it looks like you thoroughly enjoy what you're playing. Awesome job!

[DnDMacon]

Your improvisations on all of your songs are very tasteful and fit the flavor of the song. Much like Butch Robins' ideas on the banjo.

[mcaltham]

Nice 1 Jon,this was my firs song too ive been playing banjo for about 2 weeks now,

Still think your Steve Vai of the banjo Lol

Cheers Mick,

[LachlanBasterd]

Love the Smile =)

[yeahohyeah]

you have a very nice, relaxed style. Love it!

[apachepolice]

Magics fingers. Congratulations.

[rightonpard]

Nice. This was the first tune I ever learned aswell. Do you play a bit of banjo in the hollow in the middle, because it I do that and it sounded just like it! Yours was much better though!

[EHMTalentShow]

Great job man! I've been playing since 1974 and always love hearing someone play. Hey, what kind of mic were you using? Great clear sound except for the popping. What was that?

[JonEricMusic]

Just the camera mic only- perhaps if I turned the sound level down a little...

This banjo cracks like a cannon at times when playing with certain dynamics.

[doccalley]

Hey Jon -- Great picking again! That song is a far as I ever got on the Stew-Mac five string that I built. I'd like to get back to those rolls someday I loved it -- and if wishes were fishes my wishes would swim (<: