Thank you for making me smile while I wade thru learning the banjo. Love your videos....very helpful, simple and concise, and humorous. You've helped keep me from giving up...you and my self-taught guitar-playing granddaughter.
Thanks, Jim. It's been one year since I picked up my value banjo and started learning from your series. Moved up to a much better instrument and still at it. Getting better, but only because of you. Can't thank you enough! Good video.
Wow. I never thought about the bic pen method! I have a ton of them laying around and im not really wanting to put spikes on a beginner banjo. Ill have to try this
Neat idea for an inexpensive capo Jim, definitely better than the old rubber band & pencil trick that gets in the way ! Thanks for sharing your work and ideas for 5 string banjo from the UK, I’ve learned so much from your channel over the years I have been watching 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻. My biggest problem is I have spent so much time in hospital this past two years, my fingers have become somewhat “rusty”. Looking forward to better times in 2019 so I can get back to some picking.
Just wanted to say I gave up on banjo about 4 years ago. Always wanted to pick it up again and after I saw your videos I am going to dust it off and start pickin
Jim, I'm currently on lesson #2 of beginning bluegrass banjo. Really enjoy your teaching method. Just had to send a note...I feel like I'm being taught by one of my favorite actors of all time, Dennis Hopper. Just wondered if anyone else has told you that ? I think it's your voice and delivery that does it along with a similar look at times. Can't wait to grajeeate your school !! Thanks, John St Louis, Mo
I knew as soon as you were talking about 5th string capos. You were gonna do the pen capo. Heather still has the one you gave her during her like second lesson. And yes, I have been practicing. See you on Tuesday.
Hi Jim. Been thoroughly enjoying watching and learning with you. I'm gonna polish up the songs that I've got down then I'm gonna come on over to Patreon. Thanks for the learning and inspiration. I've been trying to figure out Nashville Cats by Del Mccoury as my little side self guided practice. Thanks again.
As with all of your excellent videos...thanks for the capo instruction. Having just started 6 months ago there is a lot to absorb. You always make things so accessible and understandable. My banjo playing is slowly improving---at least it sounds more like a song now rather than a herd of irritated cats...so that is improvement. :-) If I had not found your extraordinary videos...I would still be struggling. THANK YOU!
Hey Jim! I just put on a shubb slide capo...it works ok, but can be a little in the way for my thumb! PS. Just got spikes in the mail......hard to find in Norwegian musicstores :-)
Hey Jim, Fantastic videos, I am really enjoying the learn to play bluegrass banjo videos and all of your other learn to play videos. I am very new to using and playing the banjo, I received mine from my grandfather before he passed away he always wanted to learn how to play but never got the time. I figured learning to play would be a way to honor his memory and your videos have gotten me pretty far. My question (finally) is what do you think any banjo player should have? I was missing a finger pick which I had to order I don't have a strap and I didn't even know what a capo was until I watched this video. I am trying to get the whole setup so when I play I know I am not missing anything. I know you have mentioned pieces and parts in the learning series you did, and this video about capos I just didn't know if there was anything else I could be missing or not. Thank you!
Hey mate, got your annual trim I see. Is it true that they're called spikes because they were originally little spikes from model railway sets? Ken Miller told me that but I wondered if he was pulling my leg! Thanks for the vid mate; always something new in there.
Pen caps work well, but just so they don't snap out and fly away, it's a good idea to take a pocket knife and score a little slot across it for the 5th string to sit in.... That will make it more secure.....
Hey Jim, why don't you make us a T-shirt with your face on it. I'd buy that! We could wear them to all of our bluegrass festivals and drive more viewers to your channel. Just a thought! Thank you for the lessons!!
Hey Jim - really appreciate the videos and I’m basically working my way through the song tutorials playlist one by one. Off-topic, but: One thing that I just can’t get quite right, and I’ve really tried, is to get the “crispness” in the 3-2 pull off. Slowing your videos down, I can see that you pick the string with your middle finger, but when I do it I either don’t get the desired effect (no difference in sound compared to just releasing it) or I end up hitting the adjacent string too. Are there tricks for this? It doesn’t sound *bad* when I play it the way I do, it just doesn’t sound *as good*.
Good explanation for the key of A, Jim. However, maybe you can help me figure out why some folks who are playing a song in D (like Liberty) put on their capo at the second fret and play out of the "C" position?
Hey maestro, can you show us that piece where you go up to Bb? There’s is that dissonant lick that is so cool, that I can’t quite figure out. I’m a guitar/Mando player, and my brain gets confused because my ear just hears the note but doesn’t account for the right hand rolls. This is where tab really helps with banjo. Thanks
Hello Mr. Pankey. I was wondering if there is a curriculum in your videos. I know I can't learn off of your videos without in-person lessons but until then, is there a correct order for which lessons to practice? Maybe you could make a video about what we should be able to do, and what we need to know to cross over between beginner to advanced. Maybe what songs we should be able to play, and key skills we must have. Thank you for your videos and all your hard work.
While there’s no particular order of things beyond the first 10 lessons most of my videos should be ok for someone that’s assimilated the beginner series. I find people do well with songs they like, so look through what I have and see if there’s a particular tune you think you might like. Good places to start would be the super simple ballad of Jed, and even my Foggy Mountain Breakdown video.
Thanks for the video, Jim. You asked for it, so: Have you considered making a Beginning Backup Banjo series maybe in the same way you did the 10 part Beginning Banjo vids? I have found your lessons very useful and although I have not been through Every song-lesson video yet, I need to start learning backup. There are many good videos by others out there, but I wonder "how would Pankey do it?" Thanks pal!
So I tried that pen cap but the action on my old Washburn is apparently too high. Any tips? Could maybe find something thicker or pad it up somehow. Maybe hot glue an extra layer of pen cap on it?
@@JimPankey thanks- I guess that i'll have to get some banjo spikes and give that a try. Just goes to show that you can learn new things no matter how old you are!
Thanks Jim! You always have something to share that I need to know!
Thank you for making me smile while I wade thru learning the banjo. Love your videos....very helpful, simple and concise, and humorous. You've helped keep me from giving up...you and my self-taught guitar-playing granddaughter.
Not that this is a chore....I LOVE MY BANJO! Just sometime hit the learning wall in progress.
Thank you Mr. Pankey. You are such a huge help for me and learning the banjo!
I just learned about the pen cap capo. Thanks!!
Great!
Thanks, Jim. It's been one year since I picked up my value banjo and started learning from your series. Moved up to a much better instrument and still at it. Getting better, but only because of you. Can't thank you enough! Good video.
Seriously, very good and practical tutorial
Thanks 😊
Always wondered how the capo works, as its never really came up in my beginner lessons! Huge thanks for the videos!
Glad to help 😊
Thank you for making another great video!
Jim, thank you for all of your insight ... I have really enjoyed your instruction and tips, thank you Randy
Thanks for letting me teach you ☺️
Thanks for the video, I finally installed spikes in my banjo about 3 days before this video came out. Keep up the great work.
Thank you Jim! This lesson was very helpfull! That pencilcap was genius! :-)
Just starting back after years away from playing banjo. Great to have this channel for catching up!! Fantastic content and well done👍👍
Thanks for watching 😊
Wow. I never thought about the bic pen method! I have a ton of them laying around and im not really wanting to put spikes on a beginner banjo. Ill have to try this
Spikes even in a beginner banjo are the only way to go. It isn't expensive to have done and makes all the difference
@@southernoffroad2016 true but i just havent gotten around to doing it
Great Jim, thanks for that, my Washburn B9 isn’t spiked, now , thanks to you I can play in other keys, so simple when you know how.
Glad I could help. 🙂
Neat idea for an inexpensive capo Jim, definitely better than the old rubber band & pencil trick that gets in the way ! Thanks for sharing your work and ideas for 5 string banjo from the UK, I’ve learned so much from your channel over the years I have been watching 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻. My biggest problem is I have spent so much time in hospital this past two years, my fingers have become somewhat “rusty”. Looking forward to better times in 2019 so I can get back to some picking.
Just wanted to say I gave up on banjo about 4 years ago. Always wanted to pick it up again and after I saw your videos I am going to dust it off and start pickin
Jim, I'm currently on lesson #2 of beginning bluegrass banjo. Really enjoy your teaching method. Just had to send a note...I feel like I'm being taught by one of my favorite actors of all time, Dennis Hopper. Just wondered if anyone else has told you that ? I think it's your voice and delivery that does it along with a similar look at times.
Can't wait to grajeeate your school !!
Thanks, John
St Louis, Mo
I knew as soon as you were talking about 5th string capos. You were gonna do the pen capo. Heather still has the one you gave her during her like second lesson. And yes, I have been practicing. See you on Tuesday.
Perfect timing, Jim. Was just trying a capo today. Your beard's looking sharp too. 👍
Hi Jim. Been thoroughly enjoying watching and learning with you. I'm gonna polish up the songs that I've got down then I'm gonna come on over to Patreon. Thanks for the learning and inspiration. I've been trying to figure out Nashville Cats by Del Mccoury as my little side self guided practice. Thanks again.
Have fun!
Thanks Jim!!! Very helpful information!
As with all of your excellent videos...thanks for the capo instruction. Having just started 6 months ago there is a lot to absorb. You always make things so accessible and understandable. My banjo playing is slowly improving---at least it sounds more like a song now rather than a herd of irritated cats...so that is improvement. :-) If I had not found your extraordinary videos...I would still be struggling. THANK YOU!
Thanks for letting me help you ☺️
New subscriber. I can already tell the back log of videos will keep me busy for a long time!
Thanks for subscribing. Enjoy!
Awesome info, I’m learning more everyday, God Bless 🙏🏼
Glad to help!
That's great Jim. Very informative. Cheers!
Glad it was helpful!
Thanks Jim. Good explanation!
Cheers Jim, always great advice, pen top works a treat.
😀
I just started working on a song where I need a capo. Very timely information!
Glad to help!
Wonderful!
Thanks 😊
Thank you Jim!
Hey Jim! I just put on a shubb slide capo...it works ok, but can be a little in the way for my thumb! PS. Just got spikes in the mail......hard to find in Norwegian musicstores :-)
I’ve used both. I prefer the spikes, but either is fine really. :)
nice one mate cheers
Thanks!
Hey Jim, Fantastic videos, I am really enjoying the learn to play bluegrass banjo videos and all of your other learn to play videos. I am very new to using and playing the banjo, I received mine from my grandfather before he passed away he always wanted to learn how to play but never got the time. I figured learning to play would be a way to honor his memory and your videos have gotten me pretty far. My question (finally) is what do you think any banjo player should have? I was missing a finger pick which I had to order I don't have a strap and I didn't even know what a capo was until I watched this video. I am trying to get the whole setup so when I play I know I am not missing anything. I know you have mentioned pieces and parts in the learning series you did, and this video about capos I just didn't know if there was anything else I could be missing or not. Thank you!
Picks, strap, capo, extra strings... should be good to go. I'm sure your grandfather is thrilled you're learning to play!
Jim Pankey okay Jim thank you so much!
The pen cap trick is really going to come in clutch I dont really want to buy a capo specifically for that string
Spikes are still the way to go
Hey mate, got your annual trim I see. Is it true that they're called spikes because they were originally little spikes from model railway sets? Ken Miller told me that but I wondered if he was pulling my leg! Thanks for the vid mate; always something new in there.
Yup... tiny railroad spikes. :)
Hey Jim...I have gone through all of your lessons and am doing pretty good so far. Can you do a video lesson on how to play Cumberland Gap?
Thanks for the suggestion! I can’t believe I’ve not done that one yet. Coming soon.......
@@JimPankey great.. you are a very good teacher! Thank you very much for teaching this old dog how to play the banjo
Pen caps work well, but just so they don't snap out and fly away, it's a good idea to take a pocket knife and score a little slot across it for the 5th string to sit in.... That will make it more secure.....
Hey Jim, why don't you make us a T-shirt with your face on it. I'd buy that! We could wear them to all of our bluegrass festivals and drive more viewers to your channel. Just a thought! Thank you for the lessons!!
Will this work? teespring.com/new-learn-banjo-with-jim
I LOVE IT!! I'm gonna order it right now!! 😁😁😁
Nice n' easy. Thank you. Liked, subscribed, notifications on.
~ peace
Thanks!
Hey Jim - really appreciate the videos and I’m basically working my way through the song tutorials playlist one by one. Off-topic, but: One thing that I just can’t get quite right, and I’ve really tried, is to get the “crispness” in the 3-2 pull off. Slowing your videos down, I can see that you pick the string with your middle finger, but when I do it I either don’t get the desired effect (no difference in sound compared to just releasing it) or I end up hitting the adjacent string too. Are there tricks for this? It doesn’t sound *bad* when I play it the way I do, it just doesn’t sound *as good*.
Maybe this will help: G-Lick with a 3-2 Pull-Off - Lesson - Tip ruclips.net/video/J0K5wnm6XhM/видео.html
Good explanation for the key of A, Jim. However, maybe you can help me figure out why some folks who are playing a song in D (like Liberty) put on their capo at the second fret and play out of the "C" position?
I go into that a bit in this video: ruclips.net/video/QHeJX5rLSdI/видео.htmlsi=iVlt8V6uAbOoVE5u
Hey maestro, can you show us that piece where you go up to Bb? There’s is that dissonant lick that is so cool, that I can’t quite figure out.
I’m a guitar/Mando player, and my brain gets confused because my ear just hears the note but doesn’t account for the right hand rolls. This is where tab really helps with banjo.
Thanks
Not sure which lick you're talking about... ?
I guess I should’ve just asked you show us how you played that tune where you used the pen cap as a capo.
Hello Mr. Pankey. I was wondering if there is a curriculum in your videos. I know I can't learn off of your videos without in-person lessons but until then, is there a correct order for which lessons to practice? Maybe you could make a video about what we should be able to do, and what we need to know to cross over between beginner to advanced. Maybe what songs we should be able to play, and key skills we must have. Thank you for your videos and all your hard work.
While there’s no particular order of things beyond the first 10 lessons most of my videos should be ok for someone that’s assimilated the beginner series.
I find people do well with songs they like, so look through what I have and see if there’s a particular tune you think you might like.
Good places to start would be the super simple ballad of Jed, and even my Foggy Mountain Breakdown video.
Thx.
When he was younger Scruggs used a pencil and string to make his capo.
I’m sure a lot of folks have done that 😊
Thanks for the video, Jim. You asked for it, so: Have you considered making a Beginning Backup Banjo series maybe in the same way you did the 10 part Beginning Banjo vids? I have found your lessons very useful and although I have not been through Every song-lesson video yet, I need to start learning backup. There are many good videos by others out there, but I wonder "how would Pankey do it?" Thanks pal!
I’ve considered that. Not quite sure how I’m gonna go about it, but it’s something I need to do. :)
@@JimPankey i would certainly watch and enjoy that series :) ive been wondering how would jim go about back up, would be an interesting set of videos
The ink pen capo is great!
It’ll do in a pinch
So I tried that pen cap but the action on my old Washburn is apparently too high. Any tips? Could maybe find something thicker or pad it up somehow. Maybe hot glue an extra layer of pen cap on it?
Can probably find something thicker. :)
Jim Pankey you're right! Jammed a skinny pen in there and it did the trick. I'll see if I can Dremel tool my way to something more stable 👍
Hi Jim have you heard of cheater keys to fit the banjo for open drop d tuning
You mean like these? ruclips.net/video/CrFzRVCOdV0/видео.html
Thanks Jim from the U.K., have you got the tab for Country Roads?
Yup... sellfy.com/p/28FR/
Thanks 👍🏻😊
Thanks for watching
Hey Jim! Question ! If a song is played in double C, but capo on the fourth fret.. what would I tune my 5th string to ? (No railroad spikes)
Tune it to B (like you'd have capoed it to the 4th fret)...
Or, tune it to Ab. That will also sound nice and you won't risk breaking your 5th string.
Make a video about you. It would be interesting.
Jim I am only in the beginner program, do I need to worry about Capo's right now?
You won't really need a capo until you're playing along with recordings or other people.
It feels scary to install spike on my first banjo how likely am I to wreck it 😭
Depending on how comfortable you are with tools it’s not a big deal. ruclips.net/video/70d73QEe7rg/видео.html
Spikes? that looks like a nail head. How do you get them installed on your banjo? With a hammer?
ruclips.net/video/70d73QEe7rg/видео.htmlsi=JeaTOPmTfzKGrP55
@@JimPankey thanks- I guess that i'll have to get some banjo spikes and give that a try. Just goes to show that you can learn new things no matter how old you are!
Thanks helped alt!
Alot
Glad I could help!
:) b for bluesgrass:)
it's true!
:) Me again... more thanks.
😊 glad I could help
THANKS 👍👍
Welcome 👍