This is that kind of lesson that just immediately makes sense and, more importantly, sticks with you. When I first saw this video in 2019 it was all unfamiliar and really hard to make these changes. After messing with them for a while since then on a whole boatload of tunes, I just came back and was amazed how easy (boring almost) it was to play along with you. Thanks so much Jim! You´re awesome!
These backup videos are helping me with things I knew but didn't know that I knew. Now I know that I know and can use it consciously. I hope this isn't too confusing. Goes to show how important it is to go back to the basics once in a while, no matter how long you've been doing it.
Jim, ..., don't stop! Please! Per your instruction I picked up that banjo I bought two years ago and I'm working through your videos. Your gait, humor and the amount of instruction you provide per session is perfect. Please don't stop. Let's see, ..., Lesson 3? I figure about 20 will launch a musical Luddite like me! Thanks Jim!
Jim, I know this is a couple years since this video was posted but I wanted to say thanks for the help. I am 14 and have never played an instrument and your videos help a lot with learning the cords. So thank you for making these lessons. You're a great teacher. Keep em comin'!
Jim, thanks for the great instruction. I’m a guitar player trying to learn the 5 string banjo, and find your videos to be very clear and easy to follow. Most of the other banjo training videos concentrate on the pure banjo technique for claw hammer, and picking. I like that you train the use of the fingerboard positions and chord shapes... that for me, are similar to how I learned guitar. Right now, I’ve decided to just watch your videos, then go back through them with the banjo. Great work, and I’m looking forward to practicing with the banjo for each segment. Keep em coming!
I sneak ahead videos sometimes and have you on in the background while cooking or whatever house thing. Thanks for help with spaghetti, Jim. :) I already new a bit about “vamping “. Excited to sit down with all of this series.
Jim, your backup videos are great! I've been a closet picker for 8 years and will be attending my first jam on the 21st. I've been working on my backup playing skills and your videos are very helpful. Thank you.
Jim Pankey I too have been a closet picker for a lot more than 8 years. Mainly due to embarrassment over lack of know-how but your lessons are taking care of that...THANK YOU ! How does one go about finding local jam sessions ? I live in Cumming GA.
Jim I've been playing banjo for about 3 months now I'm gunna be 20 soon and you have no idea how helpful your videos are man ! I find your channel more helpful and in depth then most teachings , and it definitely shows especially since I keep coming back and learning more and more ! Thank you for making such great banjo content for everyone to see , I'm glad to be part of this community 👍 keep up the great work Jim !
doopydooper 7 I agree with these comments Jim, I'm in the UK and am much older than 20 and we know the older you start the slower is the progress normally, but thanks to you Jim I am playing tunes I never dreamed possible and developing and improvising a few things. I just wish we had you around back when I was twenty Jim. Even so, Jim you have helped me massively, your the best all round banjo tutor on the net especially for beginners and Jim you always explain stuff so very clearly, I see and hear great players doing things which I cant figure whats going on and you can bet somewhere Jim you will cover many of those licks and things that before had been a complete mystery. Your a great guy Jim.
Sean Martinman similar to you but in Australia, have you ever seen anyone so enthusiastic and encouraging. Jim I would love to track you down and buy y’all a beer, you’re a real ray of sunshine mate
Jim! It’s been about 3 weeks now. Your unboxing video was a really big help setting up the new banjo. I’d have never tightened the J hooks, checked the bridge placement as well or checked the string height! My banjo now sounds great. The fingers have finally started to callous up a bit and the new light strings are great, and I’m actually getting better every day! Can’t thank you enough for the great videos. Better than anyone else I’ve seen on here. Keep it up, love the music and it’s made this crazy pandemic thing a little easier to bear!
Great lesson, Jim. I have been neglecting my open D chord....so easy to use D7, but I now realize it will really be of use in backup plunkety-chops..., really enjoying these videos....this is very useful to me to help solidify some of the core basics which we are building upon...Awesome stuff, Jim--thank you. you are presenting this all very well---you must have experience teaching, because you are a natural teacher....Im lucky to learn from you..."Swap the Top"....awesome
Jim, you crack me up! Keep up the good work. I am eating this up... I know about 6 songs now and I'm not sure if that's enough to jam yet and this series is exactly what I need to get the confidence to just show up as a newbie... Because my first instinct is usually to bring my guitar the first time I show up because I'm better on it.
Hi Jim Thank you for your video lessons. For some reason I’m struggling to do the change from the F shape to the D shape. Apart from the fact I need to keep practicing. I realised that I have a bad habit of having my thumb hanging over or close to the fret board. And the 5 th tuning peg is getting in the way. Do you think i need to change my technique?
There’s no trick really, but if you can identify a problem you’re having then I bet you can identify a workable solution. Practice is always the best solution though.
Hi Jim! Question. Trying to play foggy mountain back up, i can do G, C and D like you said, but theres an Em chord in the tab, what do I do here? Thanks so much. Roy
Hello Jim, I enjoy your intros "check to see if we are there!" adds a bit of humor. I personally don't have a Banjo to practice on. You do very well as an instructor! I have noticed when a Violinist plays Orange Blossom Special, the Guitarist and Banjo player use damped cords. Perhaps keeping the fingers on the strings and raising them to deaden the sound. Any thoughts on this? Maybe some day you can show how Banjo style is done on the Guitar, like on TV? Wayne
Jim this is no exaggeration. I’ve paid for courses on backup banjo and learned all the different shapes but it’s always in terms of music theory. It’s never really sunk in until this very video. Nobody ever simply said when I could use the different shapes and when. Oh, you mean I can take that G shape chord and switch it to a D shape all in the same song just on a different measure?? Hello!!
Thanks again we all enjoy your lessons a ton but i have an odd request for Cotton Eyed Joe lessons on 3 finger banjo.....there are zero lessons for this song on you tube and it is such a cool fun song and i would love to learn it from you!
I think I know three different Cotton-eyed Joes - which may be what's holding me back from doing a lesson on it. It's also not a tune that comes up in the bluegrass jams I've attended (I can't remember ever playing it anywhere but the livingroom).
Boy oh boy, are you in luck... ruclips.net/video/LMp3i1P-h8w/видео.html These are some lesson notes I made for a local student. Use the slowdown feature to sort out the notes...
This is that kind of lesson that just immediately makes sense and, more importantly, sticks with you. When I first saw this video in 2019 it was all unfamiliar and really hard to make these changes. After messing with them for a while since then on a whole boatload of tunes, I just came back and was amazed how easy (boring almost) it was to play along with you. Thanks so much Jim! You´re awesome!
Thanks. Glad you were able to use the info! 😊😅
These backup videos are helping me with things I knew but didn't know that I knew. Now I know that I know and can use it consciously. I hope this isn't too confusing.
Goes to show how important it is to go back to the basics once in a while, no matter how long you've been doing it.
Glad I could clear that up. lol :D
Jim, ..., don't stop! Please! Per your instruction I picked up that banjo I bought two years ago and I'm working through your videos. Your gait, humor and the amount of instruction you provide per session is perfect. Please don't stop. Let's see, ..., Lesson 3? I figure about 20 will launch a musical Luddite like me! Thanks Jim!
Oh, there’s certainly more to come. :)
Jim, I know this is a couple years since this video was posted but I wanted to say thanks for the help. I am 14 and have never played an instrument and your videos help a lot with learning the cords. So thank you for making these lessons. You're a great teacher. Keep em comin'!
Hey thanks! Thanks for letting me teach you. ☺️
Excellent video, clear and concise, thanks, Mike from the UK.
Jim, thanks for the great instruction. I’m a guitar player trying to learn the 5 string banjo, and find your videos to be very clear and easy to follow. Most of the other banjo training videos concentrate on the pure banjo technique for claw hammer, and picking. I like that you train the use of the fingerboard positions and chord shapes... that for me, are similar to how I learned guitar. Right now, I’ve decided to just watch your videos, then go back through them with the banjo. Great work, and I’m looking forward to practicing with the banjo for each segment. Keep em coming!
I've always felt like instruction ought to be more than just the techniques. There's so much more to explore. Glad you're enjoying the lessons!
I sneak ahead videos sometimes and have you on in the background while cooking or whatever house thing.
Thanks for help with spaghetti, Jim.
:)
I already new a bit about “vamping “.
Excited to sit down with all of this series.
Glad I can help… even in the kitchen
Jim, your backup videos are great! I've been a closet picker for 8 years and will be attending my first jam on the 21st. I've been working on my backup playing skills and your videos are very helpful. Thank you.
Good luck at the jam. You'll have a lot of fun!
Jim Pankey
I too have been a closet picker for a lot more than 8 years. Mainly due to embarrassment over lack of know-how but your lessons are taking care of that...THANK YOU !
How does one go about finding local jam sessions ?
I live in Cumming GA.
Jim I've been playing banjo for about 3 months now I'm gunna be 20 soon and you have no idea how helpful your videos are man ! I find your channel more helpful and in depth then most teachings , and it definitely shows especially since I keep coming back and learning more and more ! Thank you for making such great banjo content for everyone to see , I'm glad to be part of this community 👍 keep up the great work Jim !
Glad to help. :)
doopydooper 7 I agree with these comments Jim, I'm in the UK and am much older than 20 and we know the older you start the slower is the progress normally, but thanks to you Jim I am playing tunes I never dreamed possible and developing and improvising a few things. I just wish we had you around back when I was twenty Jim. Even so, Jim you have helped me massively, your the best all round banjo tutor on the net especially for beginners and Jim you always explain stuff so very clearly, I see and hear great players doing things which I cant figure whats going on and you can bet somewhere Jim you will cover many of those licks and things that before had been a complete mystery. Your a great guy Jim.
Sean Martinman similar to you but in Australia, have you ever seen anyone so enthusiastic and encouraging. Jim I would love to track you down and buy y’all a beer, you’re a real ray of sunshine mate
Good lesson Jim you are the best!!
Thanks 😊
Great teaching exercise ! Can’t beat it JIM …
Thanks!
Teaching like that I can understand,you should have been a professor!!!
This is so helpful! The chord changes for G helps nail the ending for Groundspeed too... loving this Jim, thank you
Yup! Lesson four sets up the vamp in Bugle Call Rag too. :)
Thank you Jim! The best banjo teacher ever! :-) Greetings from Norway
You're welcome! Thanks for the kind words. :)
Thank you!!!
Finally someone actually teaching how to play backup!!!
Glad I can help 😊
Jim! It’s been about 3 weeks now. Your unboxing video was a really big help setting up the new banjo. I’d have never tightened the J hooks, checked the bridge placement as well or checked the string height! My banjo now sounds great. The fingers have finally started to callous up a bit and the new light strings are great, and I’m actually getting better every day! Can’t thank you enough for the great videos. Better than anyone else I’ve seen on here. Keep it up, love the music and it’s made this crazy pandemic thing a little easier to bear!
Can’t wait to hear you play! 😊
Very handy. Love adding some variety to my playing. Minimal finger movement is key, so thanks for highlighting that.
Glad I could help 😊
Many thanks, Jim. Following these like a hawk.
Stay tuned for more. :)
Labour of love.
I love these backup lessons Jim. Great work.
Thanks. Glad you like them. :)
Another splendid lesson. Thanks Jim 👍
Thanks. Glad you liked it. :)
Great lesson, Jim. I have been neglecting my open D chord....so easy to use D7, but I now realize it will really be of use in backup plunkety-chops..., really enjoying these videos....this is very useful to me to help solidify some of the core basics which we are building upon...Awesome stuff, Jim--thank you. you are presenting this all very well---you must have experience teaching, because you are a natural teacher....Im lucky to learn from you..."Swap the Top"....awesome
Thanks for the kind words. Yup, work on the D chord. You'll need it! :)
Nice work Jim, helpful and good info
Glad it was helpful!
Doing great thanks for all the lessons. I strum and pick and getting better every day
Great to hear!
Great videos, clear, manageable sequences. Thank you. I have found direction.
Glad to help. :)
Oh Lord haha I been picking up your lessons fast. Now my fingers turning into pretzels, but I'll pick this up too. Challenging lesson! Thanks!!!
You can do it!
Thanks for your time on this great series.
My pleasure!
Great stuff Jim. Thanks!
Glad you enjoyed it
Love your videos! Hope to see more posts from you :)
Stay tuned. :)
Jim, you crack me up! Keep up the good work. I am eating this up... I know about 6 songs now and I'm not sure if that's enough to jam yet and this series is exactly what I need to get the confidence to just show up as a newbie... Because my first instinct is usually to bring my guitar the first time I show up because I'm better on it.
Bring the banjo, just play rolls and chords. It’ll be ok. :)
That's very helpful! Thanks!
Awesome as usual!
Thanks!
Loving these videos but I got one more video on the beginner to start the bluegrass soo excited to start these next top man jim 👍🍻 from 🏴
Glad you’re learning from my videos. :)
Thanks Jim!
You’re welcome 😊
Great video. Nice and slow for beginners. 😎
Thanks 😊
Hi Jim
Thank you for your video lessons. For some reason I’m struggling to do the change from the F shape to the D shape.
Apart from the fact I need to keep practicing. I realised that I have a bad habit of having my thumb hanging over or close to the fret board. And the 5 th tuning peg is getting in the way. Do you think i need to change my technique?
There’s no trick really, but if you can identify a problem you’re having then I bet you can identify a workable solution. Practice is always the best solution though.
I realy like your style, keep on oickin
Thanks John!
Good stuff. Thank you Sir!
Welcome! Glad you like it. :)
Thank you for making these. Will you cover rolling back up in a later video?
I began rolling backup in the first video of the series, but will be doing more.
learned soo much Thanks
You’re welcome. Thanks for watching!
Hi Jim! Question. Trying to play foggy mountain back up, i can do G, C and D like you said, but theres an Em chord in the tab, what do I do here? Thanks so much.
Roy
Well... you play an Em chord. Tons of chord charts online.
Hello Jim, I enjoy your intros "check to see if we are there!" adds a bit of humor.
I personally don't have a Banjo to practice on.
You do very well as an instructor!
I have noticed when a Violinist plays Orange Blossom Special, the Guitarist and Banjo player use damped cords.
Perhaps keeping the fingers on the strings and raising them to deaden the sound.
Any thoughts on this?
Maybe some day you can show how Banjo style is done on the Guitar, like on TV?
Wayne
I cover that vamping technique in lesson 2 of this series.
I'd no real advice on playing banjo style on guitar... wouldn't even know where to begin.
Jim this is no exaggeration. I’ve paid for courses on backup banjo and learned all the different shapes but it’s always in terms of music theory. It’s never really sunk in until this very video. Nobody ever simply said when I could use the different shapes and when. Oh, you mean I can take that G shape chord and switch it to a D shape all in the same song just on a different measure?? Hello!!
So glad I can help!
Hey Jim. What is a good affordable banjo to start out with? I see a lot of them out there but have no idea what’s what.
I'm pretty fond of the Recording King Dirty 30s series. They're a good value for the price!
Thanks again we all enjoy your lessons a ton but i have an odd request for Cotton Eyed Joe lessons on 3 finger banjo.....there are zero lessons for this song on you tube and it is such a cool fun song and i would love to learn it from you!
I think I know three different Cotton-eyed Joes - which may be what's holding me back from doing a lesson on it. It's also not a tune that comes up in the bluegrass jams I've attended (I can't remember ever playing it anywhere but the livingroom).
Boy oh boy, are you in luck... ruclips.net/video/LMp3i1P-h8w/видео.html
These are some lesson notes I made for a local student. Use the slowdown feature to sort out the notes...
I ♥️ you Jim
☺️
¡Gracias!
Thanks Jim, I love your teaching way. I play guitar and mandolin. Banjo has been always my pending subject and you are really helping.
De nada 😊
I have a hard time keeping my finger picks and thumb pick on. Do you have a suggestion?
I wear mine pretty tight. Maybe tighten them. You can also try licking your fingers before putting on the picks.
You as good on the Hurley as you are on banjo?
Not even barely! :)
👍
Is it necessary to vamp when using clawhammer style example please.
I don't use these techniques when playing clawhammer. This is specifically for the bluegrass banjo player.
In jam sessions some people suggested vamp on the key of the song ever heard that technique in old time?
@@scottyturner6884 I've never done that. I guess you could, but it'd change the feel of the tune.
Cool.
thanks!
Ain't you just a fine character
I'm like this in real life too.
@@JimPankeyGood ole southern charm, always gets a grumpy northerner like me happy.
You better hold on to that. M 5. Banjo no body is making th. Em and no one is getting. Rid of. Them rare
No plans to let this one go. It's a gem.