Celebrated Thanksgiving the other day. Sitting out in the sun, dogs all around. Nephew just got out of the hospital after a long stay and all of my siblings were there for the first time in years. And I had your music playing. We all just sat and listened. So today, among other things, I am thankful for the music you make.
The lyrics to this song aren't as peaceful lol. If you wanna get your eye knocked out, If you want to get your fill If you want to get your head cut off, go up to Sugar Hill
Yes! Directly... it comes from scotch-irish settlers in Appalachia (the eastern north american mountain ridge). Distantly... the banjo comes from Africa🤷🏼
Ever hear bagpipes? That's the same point of origin for this music. 50 years ago I used to go listen to Irish folk singers in Germany because the sound reminded me of bluegrass back home in the USA.
@@deleted_whynot really distantly, the banjos descendant came from Africa by way of imported slaves in the 18th century, at the same time the first banjo players, who were black, were being depicted and discussed. Scots-irish settlers in the South and the Appalachians introduced the fiddle, which along with the banjo joined to make Old Time and Bluegrass. It was the inherent mixture of both which created this beautiful music.
I grew on this stuff, and her excellent rendition brought the words of Uncle Dave Macon back to me after 75 years. “If you want to get your eyes knocked out, want to your fill, If you want to get your eyes knocked out, go to Sugar Hill.” And so on. Thanks, Phoebe!!!
nothing like a good banjo to soothe your nerves and to get yourself to appreciate things again. Nature is good, even if shit brings you down, nature is there.
Pretty amazing stuff. She has a timeless aura to her, I'm not sure if she's doing it on purpose or she's just cool like that. I've been teaching and playing guitar for over 50 years, she's technically really good. Great dynamics and texture.
I'd never heard Sugar Hill until this here and I loved it as it struck me as sort of pensive, lonesome and woeful. I searched for some other bluegrass takes and I found I preferred your playing of it. I guess it's just that solo banjo and the tempo at which you play as it lends a thought to dark rivers and smoky mountains. You play it lovely. The lyrics to this song really struck me as well: If you wanna get your eye knocked out, if you wanna get your fill If you wanna get your head cut off, just go to Sugar Hill Ten cents in my pocketbook, can't you hear it jingle I'm gonna court them pretty girls as long as I am single Yea, red bird on the mountaintop and blue bird on the ground Jay bird in that sugar tree shaking that sugar down Yonder come that gal of mine, how do you think I know? I can tell her by her Shoe Fly dress, it comes from Sugar store Well grab your banjo off the wall, and get your fiddle, Bill Hitch your horses to the sleigh, we're going to Sugar Hill If you wanna get your eye knocked out, if you wanna get your fill If you wanna get your head cut off, just go to Sugar Hill
Oh, boy. I put too much effort into writing this comment explaining why these styles are so different, but thanks for posting the lyrics. Here goes... The Skruggs style of picking fills a different niche than, "old time" banjo. Typically the rest of a bluegrass band is playing in a 1/4 and 1/8 note space. The percussive nature of picking on a banjo is about the only instrument that can punch a note above the din of a fiddle, and the roll puts it into an otherwise consistently unoccupied 1/16th. One of those speaking childrens' toys might say, "the bluegrass banjo says tick-a-ta tick-a-ta tick-a-ta" but, "the claw hammer banjo says bum-chicka bum-chicka." In a full string band the banjo can occupy a role somewhere between a bass and a drummer. It's extremely important to the sound of the genre but when it comes to the lead, it'll always play second-fiddle to... well... the fiddle. Many of these truly old time tunes were meant to be played with an overhand style and accompanied by a fiddle. There are good reasons most tunes only consist of two parts, and it's not because people didn't know how to write a bridge or verse. I would imagine it's practical to remember and teach, but more importantly the two musicians would trade playing the melody with backing the other and singing, that hammered re-entrant drone keeping time. That variance is enough to keep the song interesting.
@@poboy8490 Most of clawhammer banjo has this same sort of feel; check it out. You might be more familiar with the Scruggs style heard in Bluegrass music, whereas this style is used more in what they call "Old Time" or sometimes mountain music.
Каким-то чудом вы всплыли в рекомендациях, и я безумно этому рад (как и любому "живому" , настоящему) человеку. Приятно увидеть нотки реальной Америки, а не голливудский пафосный глянец. И на вас смотреть приятно, как будто рядом с другом сидишь и слушаешь. By some miracle you popped up in the references, and I'm insanely happy about that (as I am about any "alive", real person). It's nice to see a touch of real America, rather than Hollywood gloss. And it's nice to look at you, as if you were sitting next to a friend and listening.
Playing so clean you could eat off it, this is absolutely amazing. I've tried off and on for YEARS to get my clawhammer anywhere close to presentable but it's so much harder than you'd think.
Also that syncopated section @ 2:46 was absolutely amazing. That seems like one of those parts that could go right off the rails at any moment and you played it like it was NOTHIN
Edited. I keep coming back to this and have been learning a basic version for the last week. The more I get to know it properly, the more I'm impressed by the mastery of this version. Really cool with max replay value!
I love seeing talent get the attention it deserves, watching the view and subscriber count rise on this video warms my heart. And you're making me question my decision to learn Scruggs style first!
People who can play well in the Scruggs bluegrass style impress me. But the clawhammer stuff makes me feel more the haunting, evocative beauty this instrument is capable of.
@@mfreeman313he’s not interested in actually discussing banjo music, he was simply trying to think up an excuse to flirt. The music she plays is wonderful though!
@@CCD-dreamcore Haha I can't speak to the first bit but on the second full agreement. I'm old enough to have heard John Hartford live years ago and he could capture that spooky, yearning quality this music can have better than anyone, but certainly lots of people understand and feel it themselves.
@@mfreeman313 yes, I also appreciate the haunting quality found with certain banjo material , and a lot of Appalachian folk music. I’m not sure how to describe it or where it comes from. It is something that can only be shown and not told though. My favorite literature and films also have that feeling.
you are indeed the coolest dang RUclipsr ever lol 🙃 the war helmet 🪖 in ur other posts made my day lmao…. ur like the real life version of Ellie from UP and to quote her “you’re weird, I like you” also also ur pretty sweet at banjo 🪕
Absolutely remarkable! You have a masterful command of that instrument young lady. Love the smile of self satisfaction at the end! Perfect. Without a doubt the best four minutes on RUclips.
Truly amazing. I’ve lead a sheltered life, but this is the best banjo playing I’ve ever heard. So brilliantly iconic. Thank you for blessing me with your talent.
Currently 01:09, just in from work and racking out for the night. This is a fine old tune to end a day on :) excellent! Nicely done. Thanks for sharing 👍
That's wonderful... I love the intensity of expression, the concentration. Me, if I'm not careful, my mouth hangs open when I play a banjo or guitar and I'll drool if I'm not careful. LOL :)
Hello from England, I Love your style of playing banjo. Beautiful music. I'm 77 yrs old, I play guitar, and I try playing my banjo, but i'm not very good. Thank you.
It sounds beautiful. Watching and listening to this made me realize I need to learn drop thumb and integrate it into my playing ASAP. It also comforted me since I now know I'm not the only one who tenses my jaw back and forth when I'm focused on playing 😂
I'm at a very uncertain and anxious moment in my life. This has calmed my soul like nothing else
Amen ❤
Celebrated Thanksgiving the other day. Sitting out in the sun, dogs all around. Nephew just got out of the hospital after a long stay and all of my siblings were there for the first time in years. And I had your music playing. We all just sat and listened. So today, among other things, I am thankful for the music you make.
Swedish lad here and I just caaan't get enough of this kinda banjo picking, can listen to it for ages it is just so comforting to me 😊
Lovely both the young lady and the music she is playing, she plays well
So hypnotic. I can't get it out of my head or stop playing it. It truly speaks for itself
She keeps changing the tune with subtle variations and changes in technique - masterful banjo playing.
Beautiful to watch and listen to ...
yes, same thing i thought as well
This randomly got recommended to me by RUclips and I’m glad it did 😊
That was one of the most soothing and well played clawhammer songs I've heard
I second that!
The lyrics to this song aren't as peaceful lol.
If you wanna get your eye knocked out, If you want to get your fill
If you want to get your head cut off, go up to Sugar Hill
Deserves a higher quality audio recording fore sure
Like... With these delicate replies... Hard to explain. Maybe you'll get what I mean. Like talking to herself.
Not one sour note.
Lovely playing and a great wee tune.
As an european I find this kind of music strange mezmerising meditative pure and blue. It comes from another world , very inspiring.
Yes! Directly... it comes from scotch-irish settlers in Appalachia (the eastern north american mountain ridge). Distantly... the banjo comes from Africa🤷🏼
Ever hear bagpipes? That's the same point of origin for this music. 50 years ago I used to go listen to Irish folk singers in Germany because the sound reminded me of bluegrass back home in the USA.
@@deleted_whynot really distantly, the banjos descendant came from Africa by way of imported slaves in the 18th century, at the same time the first banjo players, who were black, were being depicted and discussed. Scots-irish settlers in the South and the Appalachians introduced the fiddle, which along with the banjo joined to make Old Time and Bluegrass. It was the inherent mixture of both which created this beautiful music.
It comes from the heart soul. And ancedtors💯❤️
@@deleted_whyYES💯❣️❤️
Delightful whimsy is the best way to describe this
Something about this music stirs something deep!
your whole vibe is immaculate. the talent, the sweater, the hat, the reptile(?) shelf, the elvis calendar. perfection.
No sure how the algorithm came across this, but I’m glad it did. Best video I’ve stumbled upon.
I like how she takes chances with.it. She's got skills, and needs to cut them loose without fear. This is how to make practice
FUN !!!
This sounds amazing Phoebe. Thanks for putting out this music!
I grew on this stuff, and her excellent rendition brought the words of Uncle Dave Macon back to me after 75 years. “If you want to get your eyes knocked out, want to your fill, If you want to get your eyes knocked out, go to Sugar Hill.” And so on. Thanks, Phoebe!!!
You're incredible lass! Sounding beautiful
this video inspired me to get my own banjo so thank you
She makes it look effortless. This is real talent.
I really enjoyed this! Thank You so much!
Cool and smooth, nice banjo and strap
seeing you in France . i love what you are playing❤🤘👍
Phoebe,sound good ,yo ! Sugar hill is were I live ,sugar hill state Forrest ,new York!
nothing like a good banjo to soothe your nerves
and to get yourself to appreciate things again. Nature is good, even if shit brings you down, nature is there.
Sure missing my childhood suddenly. Damn those were the times! Early 80's bluegrass festivals in Anchorage Alaska. ❤
Oh, you let your banjo speak, and you speak through it, and you speak to it...excellent!!!!!
Absolutely enchanting.
Sweet song...sweet playing! Miss Phoebe you seem like such a wonderful person!
This little lady is so talented and absolutely adorable ❤
Pretty amazing stuff. She has a timeless aura to her, I'm not sure if she's doing it on purpose or she's just cool like that. I've been teaching and playing guitar for over 50 years, she's technically really good. Great dynamics and texture.
I'd never heard Sugar Hill until this here and I loved it as it struck me as sort of pensive, lonesome and woeful. I searched for some other bluegrass takes and I found I preferred your playing of it. I guess it's just that solo banjo and the tempo at which you play as it lends a thought to dark rivers and smoky mountains. You play it lovely.
The lyrics to this song really struck me as well:
If you wanna get your eye knocked out, if you wanna get your fill
If you wanna get your head cut off, just go to Sugar Hill
Ten cents in my pocketbook, can't you hear it jingle
I'm gonna court them pretty girls as long as I am single
Yea, red bird on the mountaintop and blue bird on the ground
Jay bird in that sugar tree shaking that sugar down
Yonder come that gal of mine, how do you think I know?
I can tell her by her Shoe Fly dress, it comes from Sugar store
Well grab your banjo off the wall, and get your fiddle, Bill
Hitch your horses to the sleigh, we're going to Sugar Hill
If you wanna get your eye knocked out, if you wanna get your fill
If you wanna get your head cut off, just go to Sugar Hill
Oh, boy. I put too much effort into writing this comment explaining why these styles are so different, but thanks for posting the lyrics.
Here goes...
The Skruggs style of picking fills a different niche than, "old time" banjo. Typically the rest of a bluegrass band is playing in a 1/4 and 1/8 note space. The percussive nature of picking on a banjo is about the only instrument that can punch a note above the din of a fiddle, and the roll puts it into an otherwise consistently unoccupied 1/16th. One of those speaking childrens' toys might say, "the bluegrass banjo says tick-a-ta tick-a-ta tick-a-ta" but, "the claw hammer banjo says bum-chicka bum-chicka." In a full string band the banjo can occupy a role somewhere between a bass and a drummer. It's extremely important to the sound of the genre but when it comes to the lead, it'll always play second-fiddle to... well... the fiddle.
Many of these truly old time tunes were meant to be played with an overhand style and accompanied by a fiddle. There are good reasons most tunes only consist of two parts, and it's not because people didn't know how to write a bridge or verse. I would imagine it's practical to remember and teach, but more importantly the two musicians would trade playing the melody with backing the other and singing, that hammered re-entrant drone keeping time. That variance is enough to keep the song interesting.
@@zachb8012 Nice. Thanks for the breakdown.
@@poboy8490 Most of clawhammer banjo has this same sort of feel; check it out. You might be more familiar with the Scruggs style heard in Bluegrass music, whereas this style is used more in what they call "Old Time" or sometimes mountain music.
@@zachb8012thanks for that... a good explanation. 🙂👍🪕
Is that the same place as in ‘blue Monday up on Sugar Hill’? Or is it just slang for red-light districts generally?
Thanks for another great Claw Hammer Banjo tune! There's just something about the sound of an Open Back Banjo played Claw Hammer style!!
West Coast born, Hawaii raised, 2nd-generation Asian-American man. If the rest of my family could see me now, unironically enjoying this.
Not very different from a shamisen or a qinqin. Tons of cultures have instruments that make these kinds of sound.
Last I checked folk music knows no boundaries - I'm Asian-American as well by the way
Honorary redneck
The fact you brought your racial id into this is pathetic.
@@FOLKYFINGERINGS lol shut up. What a weird response
Sweet, now where's my banjo i need to along with you, magical
Loved all the variations. Masterful and beatiful!
Wow! Well done, I will come back to hear this again!
Just can't beat great folk music.
That was one of the most beautiful string songs I've ever heard.
Can't get enough of those sunny, rolling songs like this.
My kids and I have your music downloaded and love listening to it mixed into our playlist daily. Beautiful,
Just found this one a year after , and I like it . Keep them coming, I enjoy the old time banjo style and songs.
Каким-то чудом вы всплыли в рекомендациях, и я безумно этому рад (как и любому "живому" , настоящему) человеку. Приятно увидеть нотки реальной Америки, а не голливудский пафосный глянец. И на вас смотреть приятно, как будто рядом с другом сидишь и слушаешь.
By some miracle you popped up in the references, and I'm insanely happy about that (as I am about any "alive", real person). It's nice to see a touch of real America, rather than Hollywood gloss. And it's nice to look at you, as if you were sitting next to a friend and listening.
The Earl Scruggs three finger pick and the clawhammer are so different that they sound like different instruments. Phoebe really is phenomenal.
Wow .! What words would do justice in describing how beautiful this person pick....
Playing so clean you could eat off it, this is absolutely amazing. I've tried off and on for YEARS to get my clawhammer anywhere close to presentable but it's so much harder than you'd think.
I listen to that this morning while having my first cup of coffee and a wonderful way to start my day very nice
Absolutely lovely. And I love that it's 4 minutes long. Thank you so much young lady.
So glad I found this, made me smile😀, cool jumper too👍🇬🇧
I could listen to this forever.
I feel lonesome.and she plays so great.
I’ve wanted a banjo for years. This touched me so much that I’m going to finally go and grab one right now
Did you do it?
Brilliant. Thanks from Scotland.
Wow, very calming and soothing tunes and flavors. Thank u for sharing.
Glad I watched it to the end. Nice pullover. Very unplugged. Fantastic playing.
guys!! - and girls - in and all around malee: get your koras ready!!!🎶
Your eyes and facial expressions capture the art of playing the banjo. It's just something you feel.
Diggin' it
Masterfully played! Very enjoyable.
Aww yes. This takes me back my youth running the hills of Western NC. Great pick in’!
Thank you very much. Keep it up. Love the pick, thumb and strum. You got it down. Now smile:)
Nice! I enjoyed listening to that.
😀thank you for liking my comment! I feel blessed 😀🎶🎶 what beautiful music you play♥️ GOSH! Listening to this just makes me smile
Thanks for the tune Phoebe!
You rock Phoebe . . . .
Nice work! Been thinking about buying a banjer. Yeah… gonna do it.
Never heard of claw hammer as a musical style till now. It's pretty good.
Also that syncopated section @ 2:46 was absolutely amazing. That seems like one of those parts that could go right off the rails at any moment and you played it like it was NOTHIN
Edited. I keep coming back to this and have been learning a basic version for the last week. The more I get to know it properly, the more I'm impressed by the mastery of this version. Really cool with max replay value!
Love the sweater. The banjo-playing is masterfull too. But dang that sweater.
Gorgeous! I wish my daughter had stuck with banjo.
I desperately wish I was half as talented as you. Banjo is way harder than it looks.
really nice to listen to, thanks
How I love this. You strummed and picked my soul.
It's a pleasure to listen to this music. The speed is excellent it invites you to dance. It's a honest piece of music, and therefore very touching.
lovely job. great flow to your playing.
Love your work Phoebe ❤ Perth West Australia
That was amazing. You play very well. Thank you, I really enjoyed this!!!
I love seeing talent get the attention it deserves, watching the view and subscriber count rise on this video warms my heart. And you're making me question my decision to learn Scruggs style first!
People who can play well in the Scruggs bluegrass style impress me. But the clawhammer stuff makes me feel more the haunting, evocative beauty this instrument is capable of.
@@mfreeman313he’s not interested in actually discussing banjo music, he was simply trying to think up an excuse to flirt. The music she plays is wonderful though!
@@CCD-dreamcore Haha I can't speak to the first bit but on the second full agreement. I'm old enough to have heard John Hartford live years ago and he could capture that spooky, yearning quality this music can have better than anyone, but certainly lots of people understand and feel it themselves.
@@mfreeman313 yes, I also appreciate the haunting quality found with certain banjo material , and a lot of Appalachian folk music. I’m not sure how to describe it or where it comes from. It is something that can only be shown and not told though. My favorite literature and films also have that feeling.
@@CCD-dreamcore 🤨🤨
Hi! I watched this a bunch last month and loved it so much I went out and got a banjo to learn on. Thanks for the inspiration
Iive your Banjo playing ! From the heart good old banjo style playing.
you are indeed the coolest dang RUclipsr ever lol 🙃 the war helmet 🪖 in ur other posts made my day lmao…. ur like the real life version of Ellie from UP and to quote her “you’re weird, I like you” also also ur pretty sweet at banjo 🪕
Absolutely remarkable! You have a masterful command of that instrument young lady. Love the smile of self satisfaction at the end! Perfect. Without a doubt the best four minutes on RUclips.
I'm subscribed to a channel and watching a channel I never thought I would be so keep having fun and we will to congrats
Made summer feel closer hearing this. -25 here in Sweden, well, the part I'm living in. Felt like summer.
Truly amazing. I’ve lead a sheltered life, but this is the best banjo playing I’ve ever heard. So brilliantly iconic. Thank you for blessing me with your talent.
Magnificent! My friend!
That was mesmerising!! Thanks!
Currently 01:09, just in from work and racking out for the night. This is a fine old tune to end a day on :) excellent! Nicely done. Thanks for sharing 👍
Beautiful variation on the melody and intensity throughout.
Thank you for sharing with us all. That was great.
That's wonderful... I love the intensity of expression, the concentration. Me, if I'm not careful, my mouth hangs open when I play a banjo or guitar and I'll drool if I'm not careful. LOL :)
SOME SERIOUS CONCENTRATION IN THIS SONG. THANKS PHOEBE.
Just subscibed in the first 10 seconds. Hello from Tuxedo NC. I met Frank Proffitt 50 years ago and learned my first clawhammer lick.
I could listen for hours
Hello from England, I Love your style of playing banjo. Beautiful music. I'm 77 yrs old, I play guitar, and I try playing my banjo, but i'm not very good. Thank you.
Ur doing great. Maybe I’ll see you at Mt. Airy, NC soon.
i love your stuff! keep it up!!
It sounds beautiful. Watching and listening to this made me realize I need to learn drop thumb and integrate it into my playing ASAP. It also comforted me since I now know I'm not the only one who tenses my jaw back and forth when I'm focused on playing 😂
Beautiful! 👏🏼
That was a triple scoop of everything’s-going-to-be-alright! Thank you so much for a beautiful performance! 🪕 ❤️
Very much enjoyed that little diddy. Thank you much for sharing.
That awesome. Just what I needed on a bad day. More bad days to come. Keep that clawhammer warmed up. The world needs you. God bless from the RVA.