Man something about this tune resonates with me so much, Rosco's and Nora browns recordings make me feel like im by the coast watching the waves from a cliff on a clear day. that droning bass string makes it feel like it could be played on a set of pipes in a Scottish context and gets me right in the heart
In just about a month my banjo playing has improved so much from your video lessons and performances. I'm working out my own arrangements and enjoying myself a lot. Thank you Clifton. I'm happy to be one of your Patreon subscribers! By the way. This "Little Birdie" lesson was great. Gonna work on it today!
Feel free to make it all about east Kentucky Clifton. The music that came out of there deserves it. Love hearing all the history bits you through in too. Thanks as always!
You’re a REAL musician. Not a copy artist. Watching and learning from you is awesome. What nylon strings do you like? Thanks so much for sharing all this.
I usually order all my strings online and just buy a few packs at a time of whatever's cheapest. True guts do sound better than nylons but I was ripped off twice on gut strings and no longer risk buying them. Just get the cheapest nylons you can find--a lot of people use fishing line. With metal strings I do notice that the "phosphor bronze" strings sound better but, again, I always wind up buying cheapos. I can hardly tell the difference but keep in mind that I was an Army tank driver back in the day so my ears are not 100%.
Hi Clifton, I sure like the up stroke Seeger style. Have difficulty getting the rhythm down. I am continually trying to play the single notes but get lost . Any advice would be appreciated. I have learned the basics of clawhammer off videos I purchased on Truefire. I sure like this style and guess I a little advice. You seems to have a good explanation with your videos. Thanks.
Thanks a thousand times again for sharing this stuff. I tried to learn that song from your videos a couple of weeks ago but I did not manage to understand the way to get done the pull offs etc. I'll give it a second shot now I have these explanations from you 👍
A couple of tings ... 1) Anybody know that our beloved minstrel key musician, Rhianna Giddens did it with Yo-Yo Ma as the Silk Road Ensemble? “Sing Me Home” 2016. 2) I just loved your tuning. It brings just the right amount of bounce to the tune. 3) The pull offs with that tuning is a gas. I love bringing it down from my normally open G Goodtime with Steel strings. Thanks for the percussion and dancing song story. Upstroke to come. Great.
Recently came across a Version of little birdie on Gems by Lilly may Ledford that has a similar cadence as your recording. I prefer this version the them 3 finger styles that are more common
Hey Clifton, I am friends with your cousin Adam Vanlandingham, he's the one who sent your video to me, he's been coming to play his guitar and sing occasionally. You play so many of the songs i love and have wanted to play and many great more i hadn't heard. I love the traditional style of playing, you're the first two finger playing I've come across.. really happy to find.
I dont know if this is "proper" banjo playing, but I've been hitting some of the upbeat notes with an upstroke with my pointer finger when doing the typical bum Diddy pattern. It just seems more natural to do that than to drop thumb. Is this bad or some weird thing I shouldn't be doing?
Clifton, I am really struggling to tap the banjo head as I strum it. It's so hard for me and I'm not sure why. My nails are quite long for fingerpicking guitar. I can otherwise play the song well but when I try to tap the head for the percussive effect it goes to crap. I know this is an old vid but if you see this do you have any tips for tapping as I strum?
It's tricky! When tapping the head with finger tips, you *tap* instead of *strum* it. So, in place, of the usual strum across all strings, you merely tap the head.
If you're interested in the banjo and its history please consider supporting this project here: patreon.com/cliftonhicks
Man something about this tune resonates with me so much, Rosco's and Nora browns recordings make me feel like im by the coast watching the waves from a cliff on a clear day.
that droning bass string makes it feel like it could be played on a set of pipes in a Scottish context and gets me right in the heart
Many of these tunes came from the British Isles where they were in fact played on pipes--single, double, bag pipes.
Clifton, you are remarkably authentic and we all appreciate your lesson videos immensely! Thank you.
Your version of Little Birdie is magnificent, thank you for sharing this, I am most definitely going to learn this one.
Thank you for sharing!
Would love a further breakdown of little birdie. Gonna hafta order me some vinal (;
Absolutely superb! Could easily be from 150 years ago. Bought George’s album, digital download.
In just about a month my banjo playing has improved so much from your video lessons and performances. I'm working out my own arrangements and enjoying myself a lot. Thank you Clifton. I'm happy to be one of your Patreon subscribers! By the way. This "Little Birdie" lesson was great. Gonna work on it today!
Legend.
Feel free to make it all about east Kentucky Clifton. The music that came out of there deserves it. Love hearing all the history bits you through in too. Thanks as always!
This isn't too far from Morgan Sexton's version. Anything close to his masters piece is gold
Sorry I'm coming back again, but damnit Mr. Hicks, best Little birdie ever, surpassing even Morgan Sextons (which I am extremely fond of).
You’re a REAL musician. Not a copy artist.
Watching and learning from you is awesome.
What nylon strings do you like?
Thanks so much for sharing all this.
I usually order all my strings online and just buy a few packs at a time of whatever's cheapest. True guts do sound better than nylons but I was ripped off twice on gut strings and no longer risk buying them. Just get the cheapest nylons you can find--a lot of people use fishing line. With metal strings I do notice that the "phosphor bronze" strings sound better but, again, I always wind up buying cheapos. I can hardly tell the difference but keep in mind that I was an Army tank driver back in the day so my ears are not 100%.
This is great! Thanks so much!
Hi Clifton, I sure like the up stroke Seeger style. Have difficulty getting the rhythm down. I am continually trying to play the single notes but get lost . Any advice would be appreciated. I have learned the basics of clawhammer off videos I purchased on Truefire. I sure like this style and guess I a little advice. You seems to have a good explanation with your videos. Thanks.
Shameless plug for my own online course 👉 www.banjoheritage.com/
A real pleasure to see a little bit of what goes into your sound. Thanks for your videos! Subscribed.
Thanks a thousand times again for sharing this stuff. I tried to learn that song from your videos a couple of weeks ago but I did not manage to understand the way to get done the pull offs etc. I'll give it a second shot now I have these explanations from you 👍
Thanks, Thol, it took me years and years to figure this stuff out. Glad to be of some use to my fellow pilgrims.
Good info, I subbed, I play blues harmonica and 6 string electric guitar also dobro,both. with a slide,can't wait to try the slide on a banjo😎
Just nailed this. Cheers matey.
A couple of tings ... 1) Anybody know that our beloved minstrel key musician, Rhianna Giddens did it with Yo-Yo Ma as the Silk Road Ensemble? “Sing Me Home” 2016. 2) I just loved your tuning. It brings just the right amount of bounce to the tune. 3) The pull offs with that tuning is a gas. I love bringing it down from my normally open G Goodtime with Steel strings. Thanks for the percussion and dancing song story. Upstroke to come. Great.
Recently came across a Version of little birdie on Gems by Lilly may Ledford that has a similar cadence as your recording. I prefer this version the them 3 finger styles that are more common
Hey Clifton, I am friends with your cousin Adam Vanlandingham, he's the one who sent your video to me, he's been coming to play his guitar and sing occasionally.
You play so many of the songs i love and have wanted to play and many great more i hadn't heard.
I love the traditional style of playing, you're the first two finger playing I've come across.. really happy to find.
Say howdy for me. Hope he and the rest are well.
I dont know if this is "proper" banjo playing, but I've been hitting some of the upbeat notes with an upstroke with my pointer finger when doing the typical bum Diddy pattern. It just seems more natural to do that than to drop thumb. Is this bad or some weird thing I shouldn't be doing?
Whatever works for you. There's no wrong way.
@@CliftonHicksbanjo thanks man 🤘. I just don’t want the banjo police to come after me! It seems like a pretty simple way to get an upstroke!
Fuck the police.
Have you ever played the song uncle joe Mr.Hicks
Clifton, I am really struggling to tap the banjo head as I strum it. It's so hard for me and I'm not sure why. My nails are quite long for fingerpicking guitar. I can otherwise play the song well but when I try to tap the head for the percussive effect it goes to crap. I know this is an old vid but if you see this do you have any tips for tapping as I strum?
It's tricky! When tapping the head with finger tips, you *tap* instead of *strum* it. So, in place, of the usual strum across all strings, you merely tap the head.