Learn to Play Bluegrass Banjo - Lesson 1
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- Опубликовано: 15 май 2017
- You've always wanted to learn the banjo, haven't you? Well, here's your chance. These lessons are perfect for the absolute beginner.
Lesson 2 is here: • Learn to Play Bluegras...
Playing a Recording King M5
Playlist: • Learn to Play Bluegras...
THERE ARE NO TABS FOR THESE LESSONS
Although I don’t use tab for these lessons I do have other tab downloads at www.sellfy.com/WildJimbo
I also have a Patreon here: / jimpankey
Banjo 1: amzn.to/3bOcvse
Banjo 2: amzn.to/2YgHLMG
Strings: amzn.to/34phGv2
Finger Picks: amzn.to/2OoKxKs
A Thumb Pick: amzn.to/2LarEZI
Tuner: amzn.to/35Gl2ds
A Strap: amzn.to/2W5Ct3W
#banjo #beginner #bluegrass
![mgk - I Think I’m OKAY (with YUNGBLUD) (Sad Version) [Official Music Video]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/7AC1uqQLIg4/mqdefault.jpg)
Grade A teaching Jim! Thanks for sharing all your tips! With the help of others, Jeff and I wanted to give something back to you to help with recent medical costs so we started a fundraiser for you! Can you post the link for me in case other viewers would like to contribute too? Thanks and thanks for keeping this music alive and fun!
gofund.me/c8f544de
@@JimPankey so hello… and first time seeing you. I am a musician… ukulele, voice, flute, but thinking of learning banjo. I can get a good Rocky Top (Morgan Monroe) banjo. What is your opinion on that banjo for beginners? Thanks 🎵
@@dianaaldridge-ukulele7785 do yourself a favor and invest in a slightly better beginner banjo for sure. the Recording King 'dirty 30s' are only about $100 more than that one, but vastly superior and worth the difference.
@@JimPankey Hey Jim… Thanks. I got a Deering Goodtime and I love it!!
@@beastinthesky6774 thanks. Got a Deering Goodtime and I love it!
You have found the greatest banjo instructor on earth.
Thanks 😊
yesss👍👍
This is a true blessing thank you so much for this!
"It's not hard." Well, as Pete Seeger said about playing the banjo, "It's just as easy as walking. But if you'll notice it takes a couple of years to learn how to do that too."
Idk man, I've been at it for two days and seem to got the rolls and stuff down pretty well. I mess up a little here and there, but seem to be doing fine.
Brad Scott llama
@@bradscott4048 You're a long way off from Earl Scruggs yet. I mean, I don't want to discourage you. Keep practicing. I was mainly offering an amusing bit of folk wisdom but if you want my honest opinion, the banjo is my arch nemesis. I can play a variety of instrument pretty well. Good enough so that when people who don't know how to play hear it they say "Hey, that's pretty good.". But the banjo, that thing seems just so counter to everything I know. Every instrument I learn generally gives me a musical foundation to draw upon. Even with things you wouldn't expect like the penny whistle. I can learn melodies pretty well because of my experience with mainly string instruments.
And I can do some pretty tricky stuff with my right hand fingers on a guitar. That's my main instrument. That's why I thought I'd be able to figure it out. I thought there'd be a knack to it. A few finger patterns and chords. But it's not like that. All that fast stuff they play, it turns out they're really playing all that stuff. They learn every note. There are no shortcuts. You just gotta learn it. The rolls you're learning are really just to get your finger accustomed to doing that. In short, it's a very difficult instrument.
But learning just one instrument is great. Keep it up and it'll come. As the years go by, if you pick that thing up every day and get some good practice in, eventually you'll be surprised at what you can play. The banjo is a fantastic instrument and it'll give you much joy if you put in a little hard work and give it some patience. But you've got to have that fire in your belly. Don't put it up in the corner.
Sorry for talking your ear off.
@@bradscott4048 You're a long way off from Earl Scruggs yet. I mean, I don't want to discourage you. Keep practicing. I was mainly offering an amusing bit of folk wisdom but if you want my honest opinion, the banjo is my arch nemesis. I can play a variety of instrument pretty well. Good enough so that when people who don't know how to play hear it they say "Hey, that's pretty good.". But the banjo, that thing seems just so counter to everything I know. Every instrument I learn generally gives me a musical foundation to draw upon. Even with things you wouldn't expect like the penny whistle. I can learn melodies pretty well because of my experience with mainly string instruments.
And I can do some pretty tricky stuff with my right hand fingers on a guitar. That's my main instrument. That's why I thought I'd be able to figure it out. I thought there'd be a knack to it. A few finger patterns and chords. But it's not like that. All that fast stuff they play, it turns out they're really playing all that stuff. They learn every note. There are no shortcuts. You just gotta learn it. The rolls you're learning are really just to get your finger accustomed to doing that. In short, it's a very difficult instrument.
But learning just one instrument is great. Keep it up and it'll come. As the years go by, if you pick that thing up every day and get some good practice in, eventually you'll be surprised at what you can play. The banjo is a fantastic instrument and it'll give you much joy if you put in a little hard work and give it some patience. But you've got to have that fire in your belly. Don't put it up in the corner.
Sorry for talking your ear off.
Brad Scott what banjo playing or walking
Over a quarter of a million folks have driven their families crazy in the last year. Thank you Jim!
I’m about to drive my wife crazy. Hold my beer.
@@mgmartin51 tbh saves the neighbour coming round and doing it for you 😉
I started these lessons in January and last Saturday I was at the monthly jam and was able to play banjo in the holler well enough for others to play along. I am in my 50s and always wanted to learn to play. Thanks for making this available.
Right on it's my dream too !!
David, are you still playing banjo ?? After all this time gone bye.? If so , good job.
And are you still going to jams..
Just wondering.
I want to see if I can get me a RECORDING KING R-35.
After that I want a good sounding Recording kings dirty 30,s open back banjo for mostly front porch pickin. LOL
I think I want to get it thru music Link , rather then getting it thru local guitar center... It probably does not matter ..have a good night and God bless you..
Awesome! I'm about to turn 50 too and always wanted to learn the banjo... I've got two grown children, both of who play guitar, my other one of the current that I want to learn to play that is on my bucket list. About 20 years ago I was diagnosed with retinitis Pigmentosa this is a very rare disease that causes me to lose my eyesight. It's been a really tough Journey to say the least. I've had hearing aid since I was about three years old but never knew that it was connected to a disease that I would find out about later on in my twenties. I still can hear and see but they're both very limited nowadays. I struggle immensely and it has taken its toll on me more mentally then any other way possible. I fight with myself daily I hate myself I hate that I cannot do anything without knocking something over and breaking it or spilling it and making a mess not hearing something right and getting it all wrong it feels as though I can do nothing right ever. I've just started these lessons they bring me peace of mind and solitude. They helped me to forget all the things that I can't do right and lessons divert my attention away from my shortcomings. I've noticed that in place of the rotten feelings and thoughts are thought and feeling of accomplishment and pride. They bring me hope. They have helped me to set a new goal I mentioned earlier on my bucket list. That goal is to play with my two boys while they play guitar. It would also be a double blessing to be able to do the same with my dad who I haven't seen in over 30 years. Who would have thought that something as simple as a free lesson from this man could bring so much to the table for someone like me? I could say so much more and goes way deeper than they already have but I won't because I'd like to keep it short and sweet and get back to my banjo lessons! Thank you so much for your hand in helping me accomplish so much more than just playing the banjo. You have given me a new outlook on life and myself. May you be blessed tenfold of the blessings you have given me
Bill you are the man I want to play the banjo av always fancied one mi girlfriend got me a yukaleyly for mi birthday am still trying but wish I had some one to teach me
Ok so I have to put my hands up!
I bought a banjo in 1967 when I was 18 years old. Did I learn to play it? Did I heck! So here I am looking 70 in the eye and about to start thanks to these excellent videos by Jim Pankey.
I take my hat off to you for being inspirational
Can you play the banjo now? Id love to learn, am saving up for one myself
Im feeling better got mine in 86 im 62 now and trying again
@@shauncornish190 good luck young one!
Keep at it ‘young people’ l’m 83 and slooooowwwwly learning. Have fun and thanks Jim.
@@denismauricereid2321 it will keep you young learning new things. I'm right behind you.
What makes these tutorials so good is that it isn’t come preppy guy acting like I’m dumb and making me feel stupid about not knowing how to play the banjo. It’s just a normal guy whose here to help and who understands how to teach and what beginners need. Thanks for the great videos!!!!!
I couldn’t agree more! I just love him
@@lalalol1215 IF ITS POSSIBLE TO AGREE MORE THAN COULDNT ARGEE MORE THAN I AGREE EVEN MORE THAN THAT! 😂
That's the way I feel. Some people just want to show off what they know but they never break it down to help you. And other ones take it so slowly that you never are told use your brain and try to figure a few things out for yourself. Jim does each approach and it's great
Thanks for making it fun. After nearly 10 years of gathering dust it’s starting to sound like a banjo. Better late than never I guess.
10 YRS ??????? NO WAY
Nils Eriksen, it's most definitely not good for an instrument to get dust all over it, with that being said get yourself a hard case to protect it from anything that might fall on it and the dust and the dirt and the stuff that flies through the air. And pull it out everyday and practice for 20 to 30 minutes a day. When I get my banjo I'm going to practice everyday, I want it to be like wearing my pants everyday, it's just something I do everyday put on my pants. So that's how I want the banjo to be. Don't be discouraged start slow and just keep going one day at a time, that's all you can ask for one day at a time. Yeah after 6 months a year year and a half 2 years 2 and 1/2 3 years 3 and 1/2 years 4 years 5 years, each increment of time goes by, you will see that you have improved and you have gotten a lot better than you were when you first started. And remember not everybody's going to play fast so fast to actually even play like Earl scrubs. When Earl scrubs was playing fast, he was probably picking 3 or 400 pics per minute or more yes or more, you want to pick somewhere comfortable, watch some videos. To be very comfortable and to be very noticeable and to be very pleasant and play along with just about anybody on an average country folk song or an old country hymn or an old mountain song, all you have to be able to do is pick around 100 to 150 pics per minute and that ain't nothing. Even a guy that isn't going to be the fastest picker in the world or even try to keep up with those guys can pick a 100 to 150 pics per minute after a little bit of practicing. So don't be discouraged I'm here to encourage you to keep going and you can do this, if you want it, practice 30 minutes a day no more or at least 20 to 30 minutes per day or up to 20 minutes and maybe a little longer ending on a good note if you will, in other words ending in a good place, where it sounded good and you did good and you made the right choices with your fingers. Just end on a good note and if that means ending before the 30 minute interval is up for practicing then you end before that. Don't rush it, do not rush the learning, go slow and train shall we call it your finger brain the party of your brain that picks up habits, when you do something repetitious, over and over and over again, not only will your brain remember but your hand in your fingers and everything about what you're doing will remember what to do you want to become second nature like, first nature would be to breathe second nature would be to play the banjo, in other words your hands is going to know what to do, you know it's kind of like washing your underarms, you know where to put the soap and the rag, so when it comes to playing the banjo after practicing, in time your hand will know right what to do when it comes time to do it your hand will just know, and it only comes with time, for me and for most people when they train a horse it's the same way you trying a horse everyday for 10 minutes not 30 minutes 10 minutes until you get a good response and then you stop and you give the horse a treat. So next time you ask the horse to do something, somewhere along the way he's going to know what you want when he asked you for whatever you're asking, and he will learn because he knows oh I get a treat when I do it the right way. And your treat will be your big aha moments and your happiness that you're learning, well I hope I've encouraged you to keep on going keep going no matter what no matter how slow you are it doesn't matter slow is good slow is good, somewhere along the way yeah you want to speed it up just a little bit and if you do good great, then you end it right there, or you can go back to doing it slow maybe trying the other move slow or another finger and do it slow, and then maybe another day or two goes down the road and you try that other finger a little faster, and then after that a few days down the road or a few weeks or a month or two then you try both fingers or your thumb and two fingers not just slow but you can try them all a little faster and it doesn't take much to go a lot faster. Anyway like I said I hope this is some good encouragement for you and I'm sorry that this was a real long text or I should say a long reply. Have a good day be safe be smart make good choices go slow think about what you're doing, and by all means keep practicing 20 to 30 minutes a day. Bye now
“Suck it up cupcake” 😂 this guy is the best lol
I have my moments. 😆
Got my banjo in today.
27 year old from Scotland
Today is the beginning of the obsession
Ross Darroch how you getting on ? 44 yr old and also starting the same obsession a few weeks ago lol love Jims videos
Late reply is late sorry haha
I can play cripple creek but just need to smooth it out a bit, I still pause here and there.
and started to learn you are my sunshine :)
Agreed Jim is so patient and explains stuff really well.
where/how did you start? just got my banjo two weeks ago, snapped one string trying to tune it. haha! it's all good now and im just trying to learn to roll and play some chords. im in my 40s, started listening to indie folk 2-3 years back!
I've wanted one for a few years now because I plucked one in a pawn shop and the sound just made me happy. Got mine four months ago started out playing every chance I got then ignored it for a month or so now I'm back into it :) If you have the will to learn then there is nothing to stop you!!
Got my banjo in today as an early birthday gift.
26 going on 27 year old from the states.
Today is the beginning of the obsession
Best of luck to you!
Owned my banjo 9 yrs after treating myself for my 50th, dusting it off and hopefully by the time this virus is over i will be able to play a tune, game on. Thank you sir
You’ll be playing a tune sooner than you know it!
My bro gave me our mom's from the 70's. It's useless. ):
Got my first banjo today for Christmas. Never played before. Thanks for the video
Jessie Willoughby same here 😃 good luck!
Me too
Same here
Congratulations on the 🪕!!
Starting this series as my Quarantine 2020 project...I bought a banjo from a friend nearly 20 years ago and I'm FINALLY getting around to trying to learn how to play it.
These videos were made just for you then!
@@JimPankey Gotta say, I'm LOVING this series. I just hit video #9 yesterday and in 3 weeks I've gone from plodding through an alternating roll at 90 bpm(the metronome is my friend/enemy) to kinda sorta starting to feel like I'm actually making music! I've been a saxophone player for 30 years and haven't had the patience to really throw myself at the learning curve for a new instrument in that entire time. Thanks for being patient with me!
@Fox 2099 you have to actually want to learn in order to learn.
Also, congrats on taking up fishing! I've always wanted to go, but I'm 14 and my parents won't let me.
I just discovered that my father-in-law had a banjo from the 60s hidden away in his closet so I ran to the music store today and bought some picks and have now commandeered said banjo. 27 year old mom in Seattle, WA here :) This was a great first lesson and I'm excited to keep learning from you! Thanks for making these videos!
MikaRoux cool story. How’s your banjo playing coming along?
Did ya stick to learning the banjo?? Must be pretty good by now
Hey I'm 57 years old and bought my first Banjo about 6-7 years ago and has been setting in my closet every since i brought it home. My 10 year old granddaughter found it a couple months ago and like all kids do, wanted to know what it was. She wanted to play of course i let her and her two sisters wanted to as well. They wanted me to teach them, but i never learned how to play.
I'm so glad I found you. I told her and her sisters which ever one could learn first, how to play i would give them the instrument. If i can learn myself then i will have to buy me another banjo. Thanks for sharing i gotta get practicing.
I just pick up a banjo. I had one years ago and gave it up due to injury in my right hand. I ran across your video and watched it. What caused me to subscribe was the way you talk with people. It's almost like I'm sitting here with a friend and learning. Thanks for blessing us with your lessons.
I love it when a plan comes together. 😁
Thanks for the kind words.
As a person living on disability with severe arthritis in my lower spine , I can't afford banjo lessons. I just want to say THANK YOU!!!! For these videos. I built a Saga banjo from a kit, now the adventure begins!!!!
Thanks for the great video! I appreciate the way you present things. My dad just passed and left his two 5 strings & to honor my pop I'm going to learn to play.
Whoever gives these videos a thumb’s down obviously has their heads up where the sun doesn’t shine.
Great tutorials and teaching Sir! Thank you!!
its called JEALOUSY Danny. they cant learn so they try to make the people their jealous of look bad because they cant stand to see someone thats badass at what they do. Just pray for them. Thats what God says we are supposed to do. have a blessed day brotha
Danny Rumbles agreed!
some people just suck.
A thumb down is a compliment in some cultures
57yo dude from Germany. Bought a banjo like 6 years ago, now I start practicing - thank you man :-)
Well Jim you weren't far off...my banjo wasn't behind the sofa but it was sitting in its hard shell case in the hall closet obscured by long coats. It's a 1977 OME 5 string that I bought new when I was living in Santa Cruz from a music shop up in the hills in the town of Boulder Creek. I hadn't touched it in probably 35 years and I did blow off the dust and it looks brand new. I remember trying to teach myself from Earl Scruggs' book but being something of a jackass I wanted to play Foggy Mountain Breakdown in just a few weeks. That went just about as well as you'd expect and back into its case it went and I took up the harmonica :-) In the pocket inside the case there were the original 3 picks and a tuning thing, you know the kind you blow into to get the correct pitch. Well I'm back baby and I'm gonna do it right this time. Slow and easy with an expert teacher. Uh that's you friend!
Thank u Jim! I’m 54, from Chicago & have never played a musical instrument in my life but I’m going to learn to play the banjo thanks to your natural gift of teaching & helping others.
I have watched many instructors on RUclips teaching various instruments and there are quite a few that are very good… but your humbling style of teaching and easy going personality with a side order of humour…. In my opinion puts you in a league of your own. Well done 😊. keep up the good work!!
Wow, thank you!
My grandfather passed away about a month ago. He had a banjo we bought him as a 50yr wedding anniversary present. I am getting it back to learn. You make it look achievable. 🧡 thank you.
You can totally do it!
For standard G tuning I always use "Good Dogs Get Bones Daily" to help remember the notes the strings need to be tuned to. (Starting with the 5th string) To tune by ear, its as simple as 5-4-3-5. 4th string 5th fret matches open 3rd, 3rd string 4th fret matches open 2nd, 2nd string 3rd fret matches open 1st, 1st string 5th fret matches open 5th string. Tune your 4th string as close as you can, then just go down the strings one at a time, tuning to the fretted string. Even if you are slightly out of tune, the banjo will be tuned to itself and sound decent.
For a tuner, I have been very happy with my rather inexpensive Snark tuner. You can even get a very inexpensive bracket mount for it that keeps it handy without cluttering up your headstock if you want, but the Snark tuner is extremely easy to place and remove. It just clamps on with a simple thumb lever. It's also extremely easy to use, just turn the darned thing on and start tuning. I don't work for Snark, or get anything from them, BTW it's an honest opinion. You don't need a fancy and expensive tuner for a banjo.
The only other thing I will add is get started NOW using a metronome. Timing is everything in banjo. If your timing is off you will sound bad no matter how well you are playing otherwise. Proper timing brings out the syncopation and the melody of the song you are playing. The best time to learn timing is right at the beginning so it becomes ingrained. Play the exercise by setting the metronome to a slow speed, and learn to hit the strings in time with it. Speed will come with practice, don't worry about doing anything fast. Good timing is much more valuable at this stage. You can get very inexpensive metronomes, and can download them to run on your PC or phone for free.
Faelwolf thanks will try these steps.
As a 62 yr old drummer I just started learning banjo, and the metronome suggestion is an in the parking lot home run! Impeccable rudiments to blazing solos are ALL impossible without keeping perfect time.
Drummers dictum ‘Always know where 1 ( count) is.’
I don’t own a banjo, probably won’t ever, but I’ve watched anyway and honestly, super entertaining
Thanks for hanging out with me 😊
I am Brady
thank you for the video
Looks like a good teacher I’ve had my banjo for four years and got discouraged
I’m sixty eight yes old and wanted to play for years now I think I found the right teacher 😊
First of all thank you for your videos, it’s not often people will teach to this level on RUclips for free. I have now got my brand new 5 string today and am using your lessons starting right here with lesson one.
Growing up I played the drums in a band and tinkered with guitars. My main genre was rock of course....now at 58, I find myself listening more to classic country, bluegrass, 50's and such. I absolutely love the sound of the banjo. Said to the wife, "I should get a banjo and learn to play"......you sir make it very, very tempting to do so. And if I do, it'll be you teaching! Great vid Jim!
Bill, listen to Dwight Yoakam's album titled Swimming Pools, Movie Stars. I recommend anything by Dwight but this one is a bluegrass album.
My dad's banjo has been sitting in his closet for at least a couple years now. Been telling myself I'm gonna learn to play it for months, finally starting to get around to it. This is extremely helpful
Thanks for letting me teach you 😊
I bought a banjo the other day out of a whim. Glad I searched for this
Glad I can help ☺️
@@JimPankey Jim, I am an absolute beginner, haven't even bought a banjo yet (been singing and playing guitar for years), how would you recommend I go about buying my first banjo, I know how to choose a guitar but know absolutely nothing about banjo, Iook forward to learning with you.
I’ve been wanting to buy one for a long time.
I have learned more and progressed faster by watching these videos than any other person or book. My kids like watching him just because of his funny personality. I would love to meet the guy myself.
Great video, I'm 72 and built my left-handed 5-string banjo from a kit in 1977. I haven't played it in over 35 years. Jim's video inspired me to get it out, put new strings on it and I'm starting on lesson 1. Thanks Jim~
Exciting! Keep me posted!
i had the sudden need to learn the banjo a week ago, bought one, had a disaster of a time tuning it where i kept breaking strings or ordering the wrong kind, and finally decided i needed to play the damn thing even if it was going to be awful. your video made picking it up so easy and nice and kind, i was playing the pinch and the alternate roll walking around my living room in just five minutes. my banjo thanks you. my cat does not thank you. she's hiding under the couch right now.
You provide some of the best banjo lessons out there on the web. Thanks Jim, you're the man
Thank you so much. You're e , teaching style is amazing you are amazing. Much-love.. banjo on.. good vibes
22 yr old goth here. Hopefully buying my first banjo tomorrow, people are always surprised when I tell them I have bluegrass in my blood, and that banjo sounds like home to me. I wanna be able to teach my dad, who had a banjo but never time or resource to learn to play, but grew up with bluegrass all his life. I know he'd be proud if I could do it
Please keep me posted on your progress
This has been one of the best lesson video series for me so far. I love the easy way of teaching he has. Ive even set a notebook aside and made all sorts of notes and built a study guide to go along with it.
I'm 64 this month, play guitar but never a banjo - my wife got me one for my birthday. I checked out various tutorial videos but this is easily my favourite. Love the style and approach and Jim just seems like a great guy. Taking it literally step by step, not rushing things.
Jim, I just bought a banjo and found your channel. You’re now teaching me how to play it!! Thanks for taking the time to create easy to learn material. On to lesson 2👍🏻
Unbelievable; this video's been up for just one day and already somebody has hit the thumb down by mistake. Please make sure that when Jim puts up one of his excellent videos you only hit the correct thumbs up, because there is nothing not to like about the fantastic videos Jim posts!
Thanks for this brilliant lesson Jim. If it wasn't for you my banjo would be an ornament!
Peter Johnson Well said! 👍👍👍☺️
This guy sucks
@@jeffreylynds2621 and theres the auto correct problem,I see you were typing This guy is awsome,Clasdic mistake
@@jeffreylynds2621 Why?
I’m sure the thumbs down was because they couldn’t find their banjos. They didn’t look behind the couch.
I have been wanting to learn to play the banjo for about 6-7 years now and when I finally got one I didn't know where to start until I found you. Thank you so much for this video series, Jim, you made it so simple and fun to learn!!
Thanks for trusting me to teach you! You can do it!
Hope all is well. I saw your comment on Jim’s banjo lesson 1. How’s your banjo journey going 2 years in.
@@bobbycain3719 Hi! I learned a couple of other bluegrass songs using Jim's videos and then picked up clawhammer banjo and came to love it more. A few months in, however, life hit me with a (good) little surprise which required a shift in my energy and time so unfortunately I haven't gotten much farther than that. I am still enjoying playing the few songs I do know, though, and hope to learn more soon :)
Congratulation on your good little surprise. I love the claw hammer too. 15 minutes a day can take you all the way.
Jim you are a great teacher my friend, i bought my first banjo last friday at 43 years old and here i sit one week to the day and i'm playing cripple creek with all the little embellishments. Even added in the Scruggs bend and now starting on your lesson 7. Thank you so much!
I've been trying to find usable lessons on RUclips for picking, and you're the only one who has gotten it to sink in. (Maybe it's our shared accents). I've learned a lot on clawhammer style and love it, but I've struggled with picking until now. Thank you, sir!!
This is exactly how my first instructor (Banjo & Guitar) taught me 40+ years ago, he drove a Citroen, Mom used to say, a guy named Jim, looks like Jane and smells like a john. He was a great Bluegrass instructor, he used to play down at the Penny University in San Bernardino, Ca. back in the day...He had me playing a whole tune by the second lesson, when I played it to a crowd of people they asked me how long it took me to learn banjo and I would tell them, "about as long as I've owned this banjo, 2 weeks!"
GOD bless you, sir! I've wanted a banjo for yrs! But being on disability, I can't afford it. I would love to follow in my grandfather's footsteps. He learned to play on the banjo when he was 8 yrs old. Well, that's a bit late for me lol but he then learned the guitar. OMGosh was he good. My uncle had told me that back in the 40s, grandpa was so good, Bill Monroe wanted him after grandpa did an audition here in SC. But grandpa hadn't been married to grandma long so he didn't want to go over the road. I hope to learn it one day tho!
Jim. Thank you so much for this video, all the way from the UK! I am 44 and have never played any instrument in my life. I cannot read music but despite this bought a banjo yesterday. Really thought it would be beyond me but your video has already go me to produce something that resembles music! Thank you so much.
This is, by far, the best lesson I've found online. Thanks for the help, Jim!
This video makes me think that Santa is a southerner, and that learning to play the banjo is our reward for brushing our teeth every day. Clearly Santa wants us to be happy.
Ho Ho Ho!
Banjo came in the mail today. I haven't put it down for ours. The obsession has taken route. These videos are incredible. Simple, to the point, and nothing more than they need to be. Thanks Jim!!!!
I went out and bought a 2nd hand banjo this past Friday. Stumbled upon these lessons over the weekend. Currently at lesson 4. You got me hooked Jim. Loving your approach to teaching. So easy to follow and appreciate all the advice. Keep em' coming buddy.
These are some of the best lessons on RUclips for the banjo! Thank you so much!
Hi Jim, I just started to learn the banjo (actually received the instrument on Tuesday) and I can tell you already that I love your beginning bluegrass banjo lessons, they will show me the way to play my very first rolls, slides and hammer- ones and I am going to use them extensively. Your teaching style is bang on what I was looking for,. thanks for that and please keep posting further lessons in the coming weeks, months and years to come. Best regards from Switzerland. Christophe.
Hi Jim, just wanted to let you know that your instructional videos have been very helpful for me. I have always wanted to learn how to play the banjo and my daughter bought me one for my birthday. I have tried to learn from other videos on RUclips but I have to say I'm glad I found your videos because I'm actually learning step by step through your instructions. I feel out of all the videos that I have watched, yours are definitely the best, I love the techniques that you are teaching and it is making learning the banjo much more easy and fun, I can't thank you enough, if anyone wants to learn how to play the banjo Jim Pankey is the man 😊😊😊
Got my first 5 string Banjo recently, I've spend weeks researching RUclips channels for a complete beginner but these are my favourite, great Videos Jim, entertaining and helpful, 44 and I've found a new obsession! Thank you for making and sharing these.
Hey. Sorry, I know this comment is a year old. How's the playing going? I was wondering what other channels/resources you found on the internet?
Hi Jim;
I've been watching your videos for about three weeks now, and I think your the down homiest (if that's even a word) banjo instructor I've ever seen. I love the bearded look, and the overalls, but best of all, I like the way you address folks by looking into the camera and talking to us as if you could see us. It's quite frankly, very comforting.
I've learned a lot from your videos, and I bought my first banjo more than 35 years ago and still have it. I played it for more than 21 years and came down with some serious health issues. Now, I found your videos on RUclips and they've encouraged me to pick it up again and re-learn what I've forgotten and to practice enough to loosen up my arthritic hands and fingers. I'm 71 in a couple of weeks and in a couple of months or so I hope to be playing again like I did 20 years ago.
Thanks Jim, and I appreciate everything that you do up here on RUclips so I subscribed. You're a kind hearted soul. Of this, I have no doubt.
What do you mean by pinch? For some reason I'm not following. Please help!!!
Man you are truly the best for showing people how to play the banjo here on youtube. I bought a banjo back in 2010 and I uncovered the dust from it and as soon as I started playing the pinch pattern, I realized how much i've been missing out on. Thanks again and god bless you.
Thanks for letting me teach you!
This is excellent, I've been wanting to learn banjo for years but it's tough to find a teacher... I really appreciate you putting these up, this is exactly what I've been looking for!
Jim I'm 52 years old and on lesson 1 you made me think I could learn the banjo; i bought one, I've been learning everything and now I can play any gospel song I know in my heart. Thank you so much for inspiring me. WALNUT SPRINGS TX
This is fantastic! So proud of you!!
Ok so, my 80 yr old father bought a banjo this winter, he's always wanted to learn, he's never been on a computer, so I got wifi for his tv and started to find lessons on youtube for him, he found most of them too advanced and hard to follow, he's left handed and has a four string.... I happened to stumble onto you last week and played a couple for him, he loves ya, you're now his guy, he's going to learn the banjo, good job bud, kudos and thank you, isn't technology grand :)
Dear Mr Pankey after coming across your lessons on the NET I went out and bought a Banjo. Just starting, a very happy 64 yr old. Australia will never be the same again Ha!ha! Seriously sir you are the GREATEST of teachers I've ever seen . You have truly inspired me. What a GREAT man you are. Thank you so much for everything.
Thank you! You are an excellent teacher! I've play brass instruments for decades. Now at 60 it's time to learn the banjo. :)
Bought a banjo after years of wanting to learn how to play...eager to get to the next tutorials!! Excellent!!!!
Just picked up the banjo today. I dont know anything about string instruments what so ever. You really have been helping me out ! Hopefully one day I'll be able to play at least one song.
When your cat opened the door at 2:11 my heart melted. Thanks.
That's The Princess... she's aptly named. :)
THIS IS AMAZING!!!
Jim you are hands down the best banjo teacher on RUclips and the World! i'm a 30 yr old kid, just got my first banjo ever delivered on Friday and already by Tuesday (less than a week ago) i'm playing Cripple Creek with all the bells and whistles past lesson 6. Keep in mind that i have a full time day job and never ever played any other musical instruments in my entire life!
THIS IS AMAZING!!!
Now ill be starting your lesson 7. Thank you Very much!
Just got my first banjo yesterday and am so excited to start learning. Thank you so much for these lessons!
Awesome! Keep me posted on your progress.
I've had my Deering Goodtime Banjo for 1 1/2 years! Been putting off lessons until today! Thanks!
Never played an instrument in my life. Bought a banjo about 4 years ago...had a few lessons but then the instructor moved out of town and said banjo moved to a spare room. Friends suggested learning to play through RUclips but I just couldn’t get my head around that until now. Thanks for the video. The banjo is coming out !
Keep me posted on your progress!
I've read several comments and I have to concur. I love this guy and his teaching style. I'm confident I will learn to play the banjo and I have ZERO musical ability. I can't wait to watch the next lesson after I perfect what he has taught in this video. Thank you sir
You are the main man!!! Thank you so much for your lessons. I'm completely new to the Banjo but I know I can learn from you. Thank you so much x
I learned this quickly from the first video. And I like how you were patient, slow and clear on what to do. Thank you
Happy to help! Keep picking.
This is a great video! I start taking private banjo lessons next week, but after watching this video, I can tune my instrument and play a simple roll. Thank you so much for posting it!
Started in Januari with Irish tenor banjo and yesterday I received my 5 string banjo and just practice this lesson. Love your lessons Jim. Tnx from the Netherlands.
Thanks for letting me teach you ☺️
Jim, there is a reason I'm posting this on your lesson #1. Your lessons are fantastic.
I strongly encourage everyone who is trying to learn to stick with it.
I've never played the banjo before but after going through your 10 lessons and practicing nearly every day for 2 months, my family says I sound pretty good.
I also buy your tabs (sheet music) to help support you. I truly appreciate your help, Jim. And, it also helps that you have such a supportive manner in giving your lessons.
just beginning received one for Christmas
Great stuff, just started and really enjoyed lesson 1! Just when you said practice this a lot till you drive your family crazy my wife said isn’t it a little loud LMAO ... showed her the video and she got a kick out of it as well! Thank you for the great lesson.
best banjo lessons i've seen on youtube hands down
I was leaving this comment after lesson 7 but I decided to leave it here since anyone looking for a banjo lesson can know that Jim is Great.
OMG, Jim you are fantastic. I tried banjo back in 1982 and it lasted a couple of months. I stopped since I went back to college and did not have the cash to continue. My banjo was just sitting in a closet ever since going from PA to Idaho to CT and back to PA. When I turned 60 a couple of months ago, I decided to get my banjo some TLC and got it back in tune. After that I was looking for lessons in the area and it is tough to find someone that provides lessons.
Just for the heck of it, I decided to look on youtube to see if there were lessons and I came upon Jim. I love his humor and the lessons are just fantastic. I am playing a song (not great - its only been a couple of weeks) but I am practicing every day. Try him out, you will be glad you did.
Hi Jim. I just got my banjo and I have looked at a few videos and this has been the best one! I can't wait to learn more! Thank you so much for taking the time to teach people. You're awesome.
I still have my finger picks on but I made up my mind after watching this video to get a banjo as my first stringed instrument to learn while at college. I am so excited and happy to learn!
I've always wanted to play, and finally went out and bought a beginner banjo. I was feeling a little discouraged when I found your video, and even after this first lesson, I feel like it's going to be achievable and enjoyable for me! You've got an easy, friendly way about you that makes these videos really nice to watch. Thanks, Jim! Looking forward to learning and practicing more.
Thank you for providing these lessons! I used to play the banjo and quit 4 years ago due to carpal tunnel. Was not sure what was going on with my hand, but, I knew it was very difficult to play. Finally, I had surgery,and no more pain! But, I did not pick up my banjo again. This has inspired me to start picking again... and, looks like I need to start all over. I have a DP Hopkins banjo that’s made by David and his father Paul Hopkins over in Shelbyville, Tennessee, Home of the Tennessee Walking Horse and some very nice banjos. If you’re ever in Middle Tennessee, you need to stop in and see Paul. He has an amazing collection of fine banjos.
After many years of contemplating learning Banjo I have succumbed. I walked into a gentlemans home this week and saw his 5 string banjo sitting there and asked if he was selling it... It is now mine and the first video I came to was this one by Jim. What a guy. Awesome.
You were talking about me at the beginning!! I have 2 RK banjos and one Japanese and can't play any of them. You've got me thinking maybe I can learn!!! I'm anxiously awaiting your future teaching videos!! Thank you for making these videos and for making them very interesting!!
Me too!!!!! 2 banjos and a japanese one!!!!!! So this post is one year old....Have you played those banjos yet????
Finally... someone who doesn't make me feel like an idiot. Thanks Jim for such easy lessons to follow. I am looking forward to working through these at my pace and hopefully will learn how to plan the banjo to some degree. I've always wanted to learn how. :)
Thanks for letting me teach you. Keep me posted on your progress.
Jim, I love your video!!! I am a proud new Banjo owner. My husband surprised me yesterday on my 53rd birthday. I can't wait to start the journey!!!
Thank you sir for some simplified instruction. I too have had my RK-R20 for 3 or 4 years and have done very little with it. Put an Ukulele kit together and have been enjoying it...but still
wanted to play banjo. Many moons ago I used to play some folk guitar and so I'm having trouble getting my fingers to listen to you, (they are 75 yrs old and still stuck on some different patterns) but with some perseverance and your encouragement I am nearly ready to move on to lesson two. I am taking it slow and methodical as you suggest so as not to get discouraged or frustrated. Enjoy your style and laid-back teaching...one bite at a time--soon I'll be consuming the whole meal!! Thanks again.
I have been searching for a great beginners to blue grass banjo lesson, and this by far is the best I have found! Thank you for taking the time to make these videos.
idk why im here i dont even own a banjo
Go get yourself one and get started!
Same XD
Ha ha ha i do that
Me too! lol
Me either but now i have to find one. In fact I think i have one in my shower that I forgot about.
got a banjo on the 15 for my 57th b/day.Many thanks Jim ,i really enjoy your lessons and your style of teaching suits me.have been practicing lesson one,onto lesson 2
Hey Jim,
I am from Belgium, I have watched a few of your videos and I have removed my banjo from the attic after 30 years. I now have time to learn bluegrass and with your videos I succeed.
as you say, practice, practice and practice again. Thank you
Thank you so much! I have all kinds of books but watching you play and making it fun and not over complicated is great! Can’t wait to practice next week!
Keep me posted on your progress
My daddy taught banjo and I never learned. Now he's gone and I've got his GoldTone banjo. I'm so lost! Thank you for making these videos!
Keep me posted on your progress 🌞
Hi Jim,
I'd also like to thank you for posting these OUTSTANDING video lessons.
I'm going to be 59 next month, and just received my RK-36 last week.
Thanks for making this learning experience enjoyable!
Ben
Wow in one lesson with you I can understand the banjo better in any other video I've seen so far thank you so much so subscribed!
Thanks for giving me a chance to help you. 😊
@@JimPankey no Thank You Good Sir!
Awesome lesson. Can't wait for the next one. Thank you!
I've been a metal and punk bass player for 35 years. I have wanted to learn banjo for years. I wanted to learn from scratch. This is awesome. You're a great teacher. I look forward to learning from you, teacher. Thanks.
That's awesome! Please keep me posted on your progress.
Just started today. I am a concert pianist by profession. I have always loved Blue Grass music, and so I'm going to give it a go. Thank you Jim for posting. I'll keep you apprised of my progress.
Looking forward to seeing you progress. :)
thanks for helping me "pick" it up again Jim!
Help. I don't own a banjo. It is 2:15 a.m. and I went from a video about whales to this somehow.
Whale song... Banjo music... About the same I reckon. ;)
Jim Pankey I'm getting a banjo now...
Rent one first to see if you like it. That's what I did, now I own it.
You are now legally obligated to buy a banjo
Nathan James 😂
Thank you so much for making this! I got my Banjo about a year ago and I didn’t pick it up again until now because I found somebody I can actually understand and listen to! I’ve already learned the basic strums in under a few hours
Thanks for letting me teach you 😊
Hey Jim!! I’m 51, born and raised in WV. Growing up, my aunt and uncle played Bluegrass together professionally. My aunt taught me to play guitar and I’ve been playing since I was about 13. I have such fond memories of my uncle sitting around the kitchen table with my aunt and jamming til wee hours of the morning on weekends, with the back door wide open and us cousins running around catching lightning bugs. Anyway, I’ve always been curious about banjo and finally took the plunge yesterday, buying myself a used Washburn D16. After watching your first two vids, I’m already smiling! I can’t thank you enough sir! Of course playing guitar all these years has definitely helped, but, I can see the style takes some time to learn and the string spacing is a bit different so my left fingers keep landing wrong. LOL! All in all, I’m LOVING this!!! THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!! All the best from California!!!