PERFECT example of the banjo singing out... Slower playing has it's place in our hearts. Actually,, CLAW HAMMER style is most natural style to the ear.. There is no wrong way to play a banjo 🪕 Everybody just play it the way you want to play it, I have been seeing some folks strumming the banjo with a pick as well.. Let's just keep the story telling going is all I ask...🤠🤠🤠🤠
This is one of my favorite banjo videos on RUclips. There's something very peaceful and zen-like about your playing, the tune itself, and the ambience here.
That is a recurring song in my dreams.... My Dad used to sing that song and play it on guitar and banjo.... He was a coal miner from the old south in Kentucky born in 1903.... Sometimes I wake up with that song in my head..... Love it.... That one and the old song Reuben,,,,
Thank You the roots music ,It is something We all need to get back to I make a lot of My own string instruments and play the ole time music I live in WV where I hear the songs of old and I think it's the best ,,So GOD Bless You for what You do .
Such a sweet sounding, authentic voice. I love your videos. I play a little claw hammer, have a few postings, but not the confidence to play and sing for others. You are an inspiration to us all Sarah, keep them coming. 😉
lol,when someone says the banjo can't sound pretty,just show them this! i love the sound of the tuning you are using,it is so beautiful and calm.you should record an album!
See, RUclips knows what I like. For some reason Spotify seems to think that because I enjoy old-timey clawhammer stuff like Clarence Ashley, I should also be into million-note-per-second novelty bluegrass where you don't even know how many instruments are playing at any one time.
Lovely version. I like that album, and I'd occasionally thought of learning this tune., so thanks for teaching it to me :) BTW, I have an mid 90's Reiter Special I'm quite fond of.
I am trying to learn this song from your video. Having trouble. Amazed you could learn it from the recording. Would love you to death if you posted a tutorial!!!!
good luck with the newborn. when my kids were growing up, i used to get up at 4 to play...its a good time to find a place to be alone and play the first things that come to your hands.. your vocal tones are just perfectly sweet. you have your own timbre. very good. keep on going!
Sarah, this song is usually played with the second string tuned down to A (not up to C). It's much easier! Many examples with the recommended tuning are already on RUclips. Try it! It turns out that the G chord is made the same way as in double-C tuning; that is, 2nd fret on 2nd and 4th strings. The C chord of course becomes 2nd fret on 1, 3rd fret on 2. Hammering and pulling with 2nd string are natural and easy for this song in that tuning, and give exactly the notes and rhythm needed in both chords.
I just noticed that if you raise the 5th string two more frets, you go from "Little Birdie" tuning to Doc Boggs "D" (blues) tuning. It's fun to mess around with too, even though Doc Boggs picked rather than frailed.
I am in love with this song! Thanks for all of your great posts. Just added you on IG and YT, so I can be noticed when you post more stuff! I am going to try to learn this song. Did you learn it by ear or are there any tabs for this version?
Thanks Scott! I searched in vain for SO long for tabs for this that sounded like I wanted to play it... But alas, none could be found. So I bit the bullet and learned it by ear from Chance McCoy's recording of it on Spotify, which is my favorite. I still don't play it exactly like he does... I suppose that's a good thing in the world of old time music, but I love his so much that I wish I could do it exactly the same ;-) oh well! I'm happy enough with it!
In the Art Rosenbaum book, I was putting off learning this song, but hearing this made me want to learn it..though in the book it's in a different tuning (eCGAD), but this gave a good basis on what the song should sound like.
I love mellow banjo. No flash, just pure feeling. Thanks for posting. Lovely playing and singing.
PERFECT example of the banjo singing out...
Slower playing has it's place in our hearts.
Actually,, CLAW HAMMER style is most natural style to the ear.. There is no wrong way to play a banjo 🪕
Everybody just play it the way you want to play it, I have been seeing some folks strumming the banjo with a pick as well..
Let's just keep the story telling going is all I ask...🤠🤠🤠🤠
This is one of my favorite banjo videos on RUclips. There's something very peaceful and zen-like about your playing, the tune itself, and the ambience here.
That is a recurring song in my dreams.... My Dad used to sing that song and play it on guitar and banjo.... He was a coal miner from the old south in Kentucky born in 1903.... Sometimes I wake up with that song in my head..... Love it.... That one and the old song Reuben,,,,
And the leaves dance in the trees to the beautiful sounds calling up to them...
A soothing tune from a fine singer and player.
Thank You the roots music ,It is something We all need to get back to I make a lot of My own string instruments and play the ole time music I live in WV where I hear the songs of old
and I think it's the best ,,So GOD Bless You for what You do .
Love you Sarah, I just found your songs, I love your style and your voice, I hope you go very far young friend, fly high,
You can tell she's fightin back tears. That's what mountain music is all about.💝💝💝
Keep returning to this. Gold.
I aspire to play as well as you. Thank you for sharing.
From England - I think you are great!
37BE01Red , She is great. :)
Such a sweet sounding, authentic voice. I love your videos. I play a little claw hammer, have a few postings, but not the confidence to play and sing for others. You are an inspiration to us all Sarah, keep them coming. 😉
Great picking and singing may the sun allways be on your face and the winds behind you
Beautiful place beautiful voice beautiful banjo picking!
Thankyou for this video,it's lovely.Here in Essex U.K. we are enjoying the same autumn weather as you.
This is what "homemade music" is all about . Thanks for this ..If you are ever in Connecticut please stop by for some tunes ....
Absolutely brilliant such passion for the banjo
Keep coming back to this song!!!
I have had my Bart since 1991. they age very well. yours sounds lovely.
Such a pure and traditional sound, very mesmermizing and unaffected, an artist I'm glad I stumbled upon here!
Please come back Sarah ! I miss your videos so much !!! Your playing is wonderful.
Ugh I am just absolutely in love with your style and voice. There's a real ease, and soulfulness. Like you're singing to yourself.
I really like this. It is such a charming presentation of this song. Thank you, Sarah.
very nice , thanx
RJ
Absolutely beautiful version!
I love this one, nice performance !
What a lovely song! Can't wait for the weekend to try it out :)
lol,when someone says the banjo can't sound pretty,just show them this! i love the sound of the tuning you are using,it is so beautiful and calm.you should record an album!
Aww, thank you so much!
Aww, thank you so much!
People who say the banjo can't sound pretty have never heard Little Birdie played out of eCGAD.
Beautiful rendition and amazing performance!
So beautiful!
Well done! You have a perfect voice for this song.
This is wonderful.
That tuning should be used more often. Such a bright uplifting arrangement. And thank you for posting your version. Epic!
Beautiful playing !...
Wow, such a great cover. Thank you.
Nice version. Good frailing. Love the way she slaps the head.
See, RUclips knows what I like. For some reason Spotify seems to think that because I enjoy old-timey clawhammer stuff like Clarence Ashley, I should also be into million-note-per-second novelty bluegrass where you don't even know how many instruments are playing at any one time.
Great tune! love your banjo. thanks for FYI. I am looking for used Bart Reiter myself.
Beautiful
a great video. You play so well and you look so nice.
I just went looking for a version of this that felt just right, as inspiration. Of course it was your version that worked best.
Experimenting today with double C tuning, awesome to drop the E on the 5th string,, very different overal feel, lovely
This is beautiful...Thank you; I will practice today...I promise! lOL
Wow! So sweet!
sounds great
Sounds great!
Sounds great, Sarah! Your singing is sounding excellent.
Hi Will! Thanks! ^_^
Lovely version. I like that album, and I'd occasionally thought of learning this tune., so thanks for teaching it to me :) BTW, I have an mid 90's Reiter Special I'm quite fond of.
Mine's a Reiter also. Has the resonator rim. His work is so beautiful and the sound is so mellow.
Lovely!
great tune
excellent !
Well played
awesome
very nice!
Nice one!
Goddamn beautiful !
Love your version of Little Birdie, what tuning did you use
I think it’s double c but with the fifth string tuned to E (same note as the second fret of the first string)
So very pretty and so is the music you play....
I am trying to learn this song from your video. Having trouble. Amazed you could learn it from the recording. Would love you to death if you posted a tutorial!!!!
I have a newborn and I'm a bit short on time these days, but I will see what I can do. ;-)
good luck with the newborn. when my kids were growing up, i used to get up at 4 to play...its a good time to find a place to be alone and play the first things that come to your hands.. your vocal tones are just perfectly sweet. you have your own timbre. very good. keep on going!
That would be great!
Sarah, this song is usually played with the second string tuned down to A (not up to C). It's much easier! Many examples with the recommended tuning are already on RUclips. Try it! It turns out that the G chord is made the same way as in double-C tuning; that is, 2nd fret on 2nd and 4th strings. The C chord of course becomes 2nd fret on 1, 3rd fret on 2. Hammering and pulling with 2nd string are natural and easy for this song in that tuning, and give exactly the notes and rhythm needed in both chords.
Hey Mike, there's more than one way to play a banjo tune, eh? I play this tune in double C too. :)
No argument there. But have you tried my suggested tuning?
Good in G sawmill too.
I just noticed that if you raise the 5th string two more frets, you go from "Little Birdie" tuning to Doc Boggs "D" (blues) tuning. It's fun to mess around with too, even though Doc Boggs picked rather than frailed.
I'd love to learn it too but it's in such a weird tuning! What tuning are you using? Thanks!
Awesome!
I shared it on twitter, if you have an account there, please let me know so that I can "tag" it properly.
I'm not on Twitter, so you're all set there, but thanks for the share! Glad you enjoyed it.
I'm not on Twitter, so you're all set there, but thanks for the share! Glad you enjoyed it.
+Sarah Nichols Thanks for the reply. You play these old standards like they should be played, great stuff!
I am in love with this song! Thanks for all of your great posts. Just added you on IG and YT, so I can be noticed when you post more stuff!
I am going to try to learn this song. Did you learn it by ear or are there any tabs for this version?
Thanks Scott! I searched in vain for SO long for tabs for this that sounded like I wanted to play it... But alas, none could be found. So I bit the bullet and learned it by ear from Chance McCoy's recording of it on Spotify, which is my favorite. I still don't play it exactly like he does... I suppose that's a good thing in the world of old time music, but I love his so much that I wish I could do it exactly the same ;-) oh well! I'm happy enough with it!
@@mesarah011 I've had the Art Rosenbaum book Art Of The Mountain Banjo forever now, and I've just noticed that Little Birdie is in it. 🤪
In the Art Rosenbaum book, I was putting off learning this song, but hearing this made me want to learn it..though in the book it's in a different tuning (eCGAD), but this gave a good basis on what the song should sound like.
Hi, great version. What tuning did you use? :)
Hi, it's eCGCD. ^_^
I've occasionally slapped the capo on the third fret while in double C which puts it in the same relative tuning, but it's double E-flat 😃
Lovely! what's the tuning???
Are you playing a pisgah banjo
this is so pretty! what tuning is it in?
She's in eCGCD, though a more common tuning for this song is eCGAD
Sounds amazing! What's the tuning?
T-rex's big brother tuning
do this one
I love to hear that thumb slap.
She kinda reminds me of George Harrison.
Lovely!!!!