Saw him years ago, as well. First, was at Shriver Hall, on Johns Hopkins U. campus in Baltimore. It was on Fat Tuesday, and one of the girls in our group of friends brought Mardi Gras colored coins, and sprinkled a few of the on the front of the stage, during set break. It was a great show, with a respectful crowd, which made all the difference with the changing dynamics (volume), especially the really quiet parts, throughout the show. A few months later (I think), we saw him @ The Lyric Opera House. He brought a guy from Tuva, who did the crazy split vocal cords “throat singing”, which was a nice treat for the crowd. I assume most of the crowd had never seen anything like it, so we got a little more culture to take away from that night.
Never seen him, but would love to. I agree, he’s taken an instrument trapped in general view of one style and explored countless genres with it, truly a great musician constantly pushing the envelope
And that was the magic of what he did with New Grass. It was still Scruggs rolls but also melodic. And when sam would follow his rolls note for note with the fiddle that was so cool.
It kinda defeats the purpose of the banjo's sound for me. It's microtonal slideyness and this dirty almost metallic clang to the sloppy picking make it convey a feel that only a traditional banjo player could.
@@tommapar i kind of get you. I'll meet you halfway on that one. The fifth string is not a nor and shouldn't be played as a note and if you do you are playing a 5 string guitar with an open g tuning. The rest is just tone. So make Scruggs style roles or claw hammer frails or you aren't really playing a banjo. But I like the clean rolls. As long as they are actually rolls.
My country's US embassy hosted Bela Fleck and the Flecktones back in the day. Prior to their concert, the embassy had the trio conduct a clinic. During the Q&A segment, I asked Bela how he would approach playing a jazz standard on the banjo. The group then proceeded to impromptu play "all the things you are". That blew my mind. He then proceeded to explain (rather simplistically now that I think about it) that all the notes necessary to play anything are in the instrument and it's just a matter of being familiar with it.
Saw Bela with Chick Correa a few years ago. It was the most unusual pairing I could have imagined. I was blown away by the collaboration of these two masters of their instruments. I will never forget this concert as long as I live......RIP Chick Correa ❤
Strength in Numbers - the band comprised of the most talented bluegrass musicians ever. They need to have a reunion! Thank you Rick for delving into an untapped genre on your channel!!
NEW GRASS REVIVAL, not enough people know how amazing that group was, bela fleck was in the band and My dad loves New Grass Revival and bluegrass in general
The only "mainstream" exposure New Grass ever got was on Garth Brooks's cover of their song "Calling Baton Rouge". They were the backing band in the studio for the recording, but the only way you would know would be to read the liner notes.
Bela's playing is stellar. He has made the banjo a very serious instrument to play. I have one. From three chords in G to three finger style, through frailing, to melodic and arpeggio improvisation. It's a very serious instrument.
Banjo was a very serious instrument in bluegrass from Scruggs's time. Before that, it was THE serious fretted stringed instrument in the ragtime and classical banjo genres at the turn of the century.
Béla’s version of 12 Days of Christmas is on my Funky Christmas playlist, his is one of the only bands who can play the whole thing without it ever getting stale (and has a surprise twist ending).
He is so ridiculously better than everyone on banjo. I love when he keeps it simple. Now I say simple but I mean simple and somewhat basic for him. The way he plays basic structured chords mixed with color and arpeggio progressions is just gorgeous.
@@thirdlegstallianoit’s tempting to say it’s Earl that wins that contest, but Bela has an entirely different approach to the banjo that allows him to play music that many bluegrass players just don’t have the chops for.
Just appreciate Bela Flack. When I first time I couldn't believe his beautiful sound. Yes there are other great players, but appreciate him now. It's not a contest, is it?
Saw him live with my best friend and it opened up a whole other type of music. What he was doing on the banjo and what Wooten was doing on the bass blew my mind.
Cool to hear how they re-discovered this playing style for banjo. It's a bit of a staple in baroque guitar playing with the re-entrant tunings used back then.
I have always loved the sound of the banjo and I love bluegrass music my grandmother is first cousin to Bill Carlisle or should I say jumpin Bill Carlisle anyway they taught her to play guitar and when I was a kid she would tune her old Guild up into an open D and put on finger picks and picked that guitar like it was a banjo and it was awesome, I sure miss that wonderful woman and her Bluegrass pickin and her wonderful beans and cornbread
i was 10 or 11 and saw him open for dave matthews band with my family. wasn’t familiar with his music or a musician myself yet, but i’ll never forget the feeling his playing gave me.
He’s a legend. Seen him with the Flecktones in Nashville a few times. Got to get a lesson from Vic later. Incredible teachers and “speakers” of the language of music.
The tuning for banjo & uke are similar & similar techniques can be done. It's something I learned for the ukulele; although the instrument is meant for percussive chord strumming. Bela Fleck is a folk music inspiration to many🎶🙏😎
Bela Fleck has been a hero of mine since the early 00s ever since I joined my high school bluegrass club (Wheeling Park High School). I played mandolin, but I always wished I could play the banjo as well. Never had the time and patience to learn two instruments at the same time, wish I had.
There's definitely a Deliverance vibe to his melodic technique. He just sped it up a bit but it was DEFINITELY the base notes for the song in the movie.
![Eminem - Somebody Save Me (feat. Jelly Roll) [Official Music Video]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/Vwa0HenQMi4/mqdefault.jpg)
He makes that banjo sound like a Heavenly instrument
It's a beautiful instrument
That's because it IS a heavenly instrument. 🎶
every string instrument can sound like this if youre good enough
@@spaghettisauce445 that's the point
If youd like to hear that taken to its peak check out Noam Pikelny. ~ waveland.
Genius, saw him 30 years ago, great guy fantastic player.
Seen him a number of times a bit less than that. More in the 20s years ago.
Saw him years ago, as well. First, was at Shriver Hall, on Johns Hopkins U. campus in Baltimore. It was on Fat Tuesday, and one of the girls in our group of friends brought Mardi Gras colored coins, and sprinkled a few of the on the front of the stage, during set break. It was a great show, with a respectful crowd, which made all the difference with the changing dynamics (volume), especially the really quiet parts, throughout the show. A few months later (I think), we saw him @ The Lyric Opera House. He brought a guy from Tuva, who did the crazy split vocal cords “throat singing”, which was a nice treat for the crowd. I assume most of the crowd had never seen anything like it, so we got a little more culture to take away from that night.
Never seen him, but would love to. I agree, he’s taken an instrument trapped in general view of one style and explored countless genres with it, truly a great musician constantly pushing the envelope
❤❤❤
Saw him in my imagination once, then i busted
So clean and articulate. It’s like a different instrument in Bela’s hands. Have loved his playing since NewGrass Revival.
Bro looked at wind instrument warmups and said "That would beautiful on a Banjo"
And that was the magic of what he did with New Grass. It was still Scruggs rolls but also melodic. And when sam would follow his rolls note for note with the fiddle that was so cool.
It kinda defeats the purpose of the banjo's sound for me. It's microtonal slideyness and this dirty almost metallic clang to the sloppy picking make it convey a feel that only a traditional banjo player could.
@@tommapar i kind of get you. I'll meet you halfway on that one. The fifth string is not a nor and shouldn't be played as a note and if you do you are playing a 5 string guitar with an open g tuning. The rest is just tone. So make Scruggs style roles or claw hammer frails or you aren't really playing a banjo. But I like the clean rolls. As long as they are actually rolls.
Bela Fleck is bsolutely one of the greatest. It was pure magic when Victor Wooten joined him and the Flecktones!
Whoa! What album(s)?
Wooten didn't join him. The flecktones were pretty much the Wooten brothers. Don't get it twisted.
@percyvolnar8010 he was actually a founder. Calm Down and appreciate the acknowledgement of what it is.
@@carlbaumeister3439I like their first two, 'Bela Fleck and the Flecktones' (89) and 'Flight of the Cosmic Hippo' (92) Both are excellent
VICTOR??? WHAAAAaaa?!?!?
HELLYEAH! I gotta find that if twas posted
My country's US embassy hosted Bela Fleck and the Flecktones back in the day. Prior to their concert, the embassy had the trio conduct a clinic. During the Q&A segment, I asked Bela how he would approach playing a jazz standard on the banjo. The group then proceeded to impromptu play "all the things you are". That blew my mind. He then proceeded to explain
(rather simplistically now that I think about it) that all the notes necessary to play anything are in the instrument and it's just a matter of being familiar with it.
Reminds me of the time I asked a prof for advice on getting my head around organic chemistry. He just said "study".
Saw Bela with Chick Correa a few years ago. It was the most unusual pairing I could have imagined. I was blown away by the collaboration of these two masters of their instruments. I will never forget this concert as long as I live......RIP Chick Correa ❤
Had the privilege of seeing that tour as well, phenomenal
THAT is how you play a banjo!!! Amazing!
Strength in Numbers - the band comprised of the most talented bluegrass musicians ever. They need to have a reunion! Thank you Rick for delving into an untapped genre on your channel!!
That album is on my all time top ten!
Love me some Bela Fleck!🔥🪕💛
Never thought cascading scales on a banjo would sound so beautiful?
NEW GRASS REVIVAL, not enough people know how amazing that group was, bela fleck was in the band and My dad loves New Grass Revival and bluegrass in general
The only "mainstream" exposure New Grass ever got was on Garth Brooks's cover of their song "Calling Baton Rouge". They were the backing band in the studio for the recording, but the only way you would know would be to read the liner notes.
Saw him several times, w/and w/o Flecktones. A level of his own. None alive better.
Bela's playing is stellar. He has made the banjo a very serious instrument to play.
I have one. From three chords in G to three finger style, through frailing, to melodic and arpeggio improvisation. It's a very serious instrument.
And that's why I love it so.
Banjo was a very serious instrument in bluegrass from Scruggs's time. Before that, it was THE serious fretted stringed instrument in the ragtime and classical banjo genres at the turn of the century.
Such a great human and musician! God bless and protect him
I bought Flight of the Cosmic Hippo on a whim back in the 90's and I was so glad I did!
Same. 4 crazy over talented gentleman on another level. Listened to it the other day as if it was the first time again.
Béla’s version of 12 Days of Christmas is on my Funky Christmas playlist, his is one of the only bands who can play the whole thing without it ever getting stale (and has a surprise twist ending).
I’ve seen Béla dozens of times and I’m amazed every single time. A true master of his instrument.
I used to watch him on Lonesome Pine on PBS and was always mesmerized by his playing.
"A" Team Bela Fleck - Musical genius and virtuoso. What a blessing.
Hearing banjo like that on DMB albums blew my mind and took it to the next level.
On a whole other level, absolute virtuoso. Holdsworth on banjo.
My percussion ensemble in high school played "Stomping Grounds" for a competition! His music has such life, it was a lot of fun to play
I love Bela Fleck! He’s a gem of a human being and a genius level musician. Can’t wait to see this entire interview.
Met Bela a number of times & he was Pure Genius every time 👌🏼
Groundbreaking artist❤
Been following Bela Fleck for many years. He is a master at his craft!
What a privilege and pleasure to see and hear Bela again. He's always been special. Thank you Rick.
I just love listening to Bela Fleck. Whether it's with the Flecktones or with Tuvan singers or with country artists, he's just amazing.
He is so ridiculously better than everyone on banjo. I love when he keeps it simple. Now I say simple but I mean simple and somewhat basic for him. The way he plays basic structured chords mixed with color and arpeggio progressions is just gorgeous.
No he's not
@@thirdlegstallianoYes he is
@@thirdlegstallianoit’s tempting to say it’s Earl that wins that contest, but Bela has an entirely different approach to the banjo that allows him to play music that many bluegrass players just don’t have the chops for.
There are certainly other banjo players at his level ... Jens Kruger is a great example. Noam Pikelny, Ryan Cavanaugh, Greg Liszt, are others.
Just appreciate Bela Flack.
When I first time I couldn't believe his beautiful sound.
Yes there are other great players, but appreciate him now. It's not a contest, is it?
Béla Fleck’s playing inspires me to get a Banjo.
That guy is a super human player. Just incredible.
easily the best musician I have ever seen or heard. Music pours out of him.
“Stomping Grounds” with him and Victor Wooten is one of my favorite songs
Flecktones with Vic Whooten was one of my favorite shows ever!
I love Bela Fleck and haven't listened in ages. This reminded me, and now I'm off to reminisce while listening to him. Amazing artist!
holy cow
he's so smooth.
I got to see him in concert once.
really fun good show !
He's at a level of playing that not too many ever reach. Just amazing!!!
Saw him live with my best friend and it opened up a whole other type of music. What he was doing on the banjo and what Wooten was doing on the bass blew my mind.
Saw him back in 2023 and he was INCREDIBLE!!!
Saw Bela with the Flektones about 20 years ago in VA. They played with a group of Indian musicians. Pure magic!
I'm in awe seeing and listening to him play
Bela is phenomenal -an actual virtuoso.
Nice. Bela. I remember buying the Live Art cd at the mall. So good
Got to take a masters class at UArts with him about 25 years ago. Amazing dude!
What a master at his craft... just wow. Everyday I strive to get to where he's at.
Cool to hear how they re-discovered this playing style for banjo. It's a bit of a staple in baroque guitar playing with the re-entrant tunings used back then.
The banjo. The happiest instrument around
I have always loved the sound of the banjo and I love bluegrass music my grandmother is first cousin to Bill Carlisle or should I say jumpin Bill Carlisle anyway they taught her to play guitar and when I was a kid she would tune her old Guild up into an open D and put on finger picks and picked that guitar like it was a banjo and it was awesome, I sure miss that wonderful woman and her Bluegrass pickin and her wonderful beans and cornbread
Just curious what state you're from?
@@Mick_Ts_Chick Arizona
@@charleswilson925 I'm from NC. We have some good bluegrass here in the mountains.
Skill speaks for itself. All he's doing are warmups and skill builders and it's so clean.
One of the greatest gifts from Africa
Bela Fleck, the best of the best!
The sound is so pretty, didn’t know banjos could make that sound
i was 10 or 11 and saw him open for dave matthews band with my family. wasn’t familiar with his music or a musician myself yet, but i’ll never forget the feeling his playing gave me.
Everything has a master of it. Béla is the master of the banjo.
Simply the best!
Seeing these two together seems otherworldly, like a crossover episode
He’s a legend. Seen him with the Flecktones in Nashville a few times. Got to get a lesson from Vic later. Incredible teachers and “speakers” of the language of music.
I saw him with Wooten and the flecktones when I was a kid and it was absolutely mind blowing. One of the best concerts I’ve ever been to
Saw Bella live in new Orleans during jazz fest at tipitinas...i had never heard of him b4 or even knew he played banjo. Amazing Amazing show!
One of the top musicians alive today.
It's Indian classical style.. age old and heavenly 😊
Incredible talent 🎶👏👏
I saw Bela and his Flecktones many times decades ago.
So beautiful. My mouth dropped.
I totally love Bela
I've listened to Mr. Fleck for years and never tire of his music.
Gotta love Bela!
Wow, that is the cleanest banjo I've ever heard
Both ways sound great!
The tuning for banjo & uke are similar & similar techniques can be done. It's something I learned for the ukulele; although the instrument is meant for percussive chord strumming.
Bela Fleck is a folk music inspiration to many🎶🙏😎
Everybody loves Bela!
Damn that downward scale sounds so awesome, like a Waterfall of Beautiful Notes.😊
The man’s intonation is impeccable. Every string player should take notes.
What does intonation mean, on a fretted instrument? How do you intonate? Genuinely curious
Takes genius to be able to do that
Absolutely stunning
Seeing him and the Flecktones in college was a beautiful time in my life
Bela fleck is pure genius
In a league of his own❤❤❤❤❤
I saw him in concert once in Portland Oregon
I really enjoyed the show.
Beautiful indeed!
Saw him with the All-Star House Band live a couple years ago. It was mesmerizing.
So good. Loved New Grass Revival.
Absolutely love Béla, living legend
Just wonderful
What's up bro town
The flek tones!
Limpio, claro y preciso!!😊
Bela Fleck has been a hero of mine since the early 00s ever since I joined my high school bluegrass club (Wheeling Park High School). I played mandolin, but I always wished I could play the banjo as well. Never had the time and patience to learn two instruments at the same time, wish I had.
There's definitely a Deliverance vibe to his melodic technique. He just sped it up a bit but it was DEFINITELY the base notes for the song in the movie.
And thats why hes the king of the banjo
Beautiful Sounds.
UFOTOFU is still one of my favourite albums of all time!!!!
He's barely even touching the instrument and it's sings beautifully. His playing is very smooth and elegant
Truly playing like a master
I don't even hear banjo songs , but jeezz.. that sounded amazing
Bela, the Master 🥇🏆
Incredible musician. I love him.
I don't know much about banjo, but the fact that he can make it sound not like a banjo is amazing to me
So awesome.. dude is magical
This dude is the master at banjo.....👆
That scale was amazing jeez
Bela is incredible
A true genius!!!