The Cuckoo Bird: 5-string banjo tutorial by Davey Bob Ramsey
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- Опубликовано: 20 ноя 2024
- Hear 'The Cuckoo Bird' on Davey Bob's album Attic Songs, out now on CDBaby & iTunes:
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I made this video in response to a youtube user who, commenting on my video of the Cuckoo Bird (a.k.a The Coo Coo Bird - • The Cuckoo Bird - trad... ), said they were looking for a lesson on how to play it.
I was hesitant at first for a few reasons, not least because I tend to play the song a little differently each time. My version is probably most influenced by Clarence Ashley's, but I have never set out to copy his version exactly. That would be inimical to the folk process, which demands that you take what has come before and send it forward, inevitably putting your own stamp on it as it passes through.
It occurred to me that it may be helpful to others if I share my understanding of the basic components of the song, so that anyone interested has the basic ingredients required to come up with their own version. To that end I have made this video.
Looking at it now I wish I had explained that the pentatonic scale used in the song is the G minor pentatonic scale (not major), but I guess that's of minor importance. I do wish that I had made it clear where on the fretboard to play the notes of the scale, so I include them here (in descending order):
G (open 5th), F (3rd fret, 1st string), D (2nd fret, 2nd string), C (open 2nd string), Bb (3rd fret, 3rd string), G (open 3rd string), F (3rd fret, 4th string), D (open 4th string).
Getting familiar with this scale is one of the keys to playing the song, as it is with many of the mountain style tunes that are well suited to sawmill tuning (gDGCD), such as Pretty Polly (you can see my version of that here: • Pretty Polly - murder ... ).
I hope this helps some of you out, please comment if you have any questions or feedback.
This is the best tutorial I’ve seen for this wonderful song. The way it covers the tuning, the underlying chord structure, and the guidance to play around with different approaches and do it YOUR way!
Fantastic, thank you Davey Bob. It was a pleasure to meet you and hear you play today. It was great. Looking forward to learning this song. Appreciated 🙂
😀😀🎉🎶 the same guy. The clarinet player who couldn’t play banjos. I did it. I finally put it all together with this video.
And mastered in one day, a command that I won’t be spooked by an audience on this so-called complicated song. I will still be scared out there, but the Kala will fill in that dreadful silence until I can sing. And I owed all to a little bird that wobbles in his flight and the guy who taught me the lyrics thank you.
What a brilliant tutorial, thank you Davey Bob. I had no idea what Modal tuning meant until now, and I like the way you break it down. Learning this has my next weekend sorted :) Thank you.
I've spent days trying to figure out what to do with this tenor banjo that came my way and nothing seemed to move me until this! Thanks for an awesome tutorial and spelling out the basics for a newbie! I'm so grateful!! This will always be the first banjo song I ever learned thanks to you. Cheers!!
+Angela Durante Dukát I'm very happy that the tutorial was able to help you play your first song on the tenor banjo. Thanks for letting me know, you've put a smile on my face :)
7 -6 years ago, over two summers, I went to 3 banjo camps and all I can do it play percussion …. and a cheap Easton blues harp, bought in the Maryland. I’m going to tackle it again on a Kala 4 string tinny small banjo device that I love. I like your accent and what you say. Plus good lighting on the video. Cheers. need Patreons?
You know, Davy, I think I've listened to this video five times. It is always so easy to just sit down and play when you do, talking about the cuckoo bird, like I ever saw one in real life. Life is just good enough, come home from work, pick up the 'jo, bump up B to C and hang out. Thanks.
Lovely to hear that Rob, thanks
Thanks so much, the best tutorial Iv'e seen. Having just bought a banjo this really helps.
Excellent tutorial! The scale explaination was very helpful also placing the fingering in the notes.
Great playing to!
Thanks very much.
I'm glad I stumbled over this fine tutorial. Lots of helpful suggestions. Many thanks !
Thanks, glad it was helpful for you.
Thanks Davey Bob, this has helped me to learn this song.
I can really understand your lesson! I know I can revisit and continue to pick up more. Your general explanation of the tune, notes the scale have advanced me more that hours focused on technique
Thanks Susan, I'm really glad the video is useful to you.
Cheers straight shooting... thanks for the post 🍺👍.. leaning banjo... sawmill here i Go
Big thanks for such a useful and instructive vid. Great stuff! Typical Aussie generosity - been there twice now, have only encountered brilliant people and times. Good on yer mate!
Cheers Kit, thanks for commenting. Great to know people are enjoying the vid.
Thanks for encouraging me to find my own way which is for me getting out of my way if that makes sense?
You’ve broken that right hand barrier: Clawhammer vs bluegrass, ie, which is “right”. I’ve played guitar for decades, learning finger picking. My banjo attraction came through listening to the Clawhammer style (don’t like the loud resonators) and though I’m learning Clawhammer, my natural tendency is for three-fingers. I’ve also been reading on banjo forums, the same thinking: play however you want to play regardless of which type of banjo. I will continue learning Clawhammer, but appreciate your nod to do both. One comment about your video is I wish the lighting for your left hand was brighter so we could more clearly see the fingering. Other than that, you’re a patient teacher and professional. Well done.
Thanks for your thoughtful & considered comment Chris. You might be interested in checking out my latest banjo videos which show the same traditional song done in two different styles: clawhammer and old-time three finger. Happy plucking! ruclips.net/video/OqMNgLaL8oA/видео.html ruclips.net/video/py6oNLxX3NM/видео.html
dramvids Thanks for your response. I appreciate the link to the new songs and have subscribed to your videos. Much to learn and take in. Keep ‘em coming.
Many thanks Chris. Stay tuned, more to come.
Great tute mate...nailed it...I dig your hybrid style...inspiring.
Thanks Jamie, cheers
"Got the tuning, the chords, scale ... the little techniques". Also thanks for the primer on Sawmill/Mountain Modal tuning. I just watched it a few more time and tried it with minstrel tuning. A much different left hand but fairly easy. That way has a nice feel too. A lot looser. Thanks..Subscribed.✔️
Cheers Rob, thanks
Great lesson! Yours is my favourite version of this song on YT :)
Wonderful song! Great tutorial
Davy bob, you beaut! I play a lot 'o' DADGAD so, I'm away t'tune up me banjo.
Nice one ✌️
Excellent video and teaching style!
Thanks so much.
You're very welcome, thanks.
If you like this song, you must watch the Avett Brothers version. RUclips it!
YES,cant wait to get started!!!!
Have fun Shannon!
Thanx,enjoy that Tune I'm a 3 Finger Picker ,Do Not Frail ,but with the correct Tuning Maybe I can Pick the Tune
Nice work. Lovely tone and interpretation. Apparently "Willie" in the first verse in the name of a racehorse but I think Lily is probably a better choice in some ways from the male singer perspective.
You are helping me so much with this video. Well done! Quick question: Some folks stick a drop thumb in, instead of the first pull-off. Which is better to learn in the beginning...or is just a matter of style---which sounds better to me. ?
A matter of style, certainly. Whichever feels better. Thanks for commenting!
Fabulous
Mahalo!
Hi, thanks for the lesson on this great song as well as the intro. to Sawmill tuning. Very helpful! I'm brand new to the banjo and I can't quite catch the name of the style you use at 7:51, right after 3 finger. It seems like it's a variation on Clawhammer and I love the sound. If you get a chance, I'd sure like to get that name right. Thanks a lot and nice job!
+D Meyr Hey there, thanks for watching & listening.
What I say in the bit you refer to is a 'clawhammer kind of thing', by which I meant clawhammer.. at the time I was quite new to that style of playing & was aware that some people are very particular about what constitutes true clawhammer; which is why I called it that. But it is clawhammer really.
Cheers, happy playing!
+dramvids "D'oh!" Now I hear it. I like that little variation with the strum, if that's what it is. Nice job!
Thanks so very much for sharing 👍👏👏😂🤠
What kind of banjo's do you play? You're one of the reasons I want to play!
Thanks for your comment! I own three banjos, they are all open back. The one in the video is an English made Clifford Essex CE Special, around 100 years old. Since making the video I have exchanged the steel strings for nylguts. I also have a steel string banjo made in Australia by A. T. Clarke and a nylon string banjo made by Jeff Delfield of Deep Creek Strings in North Carolina.
nice
Might i suggest you also describe what strings and frets you're playing instead of just naming the notes.....it would make it a lot easier to learn from your video.
Thanks for the suggestion Marvin. I agree it was remiss of me to not include that information; here are the notes of the pentatonic scale and where to play them (in descending order):
G (open 5th), F (3rd fret, 1st string), D (2nd fret, 2nd string), C (open 2nd string), Bb (3rd fret, 3rd string), G (open 3rd string), F (3rd fret, 4th string), D (open 4th string).
@@dramvids thanks man!! :)
any, way you can tutorial it by calling the chord and fret as opposed to chords????
I'm not exactly sure what you are asking for there Shannon, can you clarify? The only two chords needed for this are G and F, and the single note runs are all within the G minor pentatonic scale, i.e. G, Bb, C, D, F, G. Therefore you can use the open 5th string (G), the open 4th string (D), the 3rd fret of the 4th string (F), the open 3rd string (G), the 3rd fret of the 3rd string (Bb), the open 2nd string (C), the 2nd fret of the 2nd string (D) [or the open 1st string (D)], and the 3rd fret of the 1st string (F). Hope that helps.
thank you, it does, i just dont kow all of my chords yet. so ive been learning by someone saying say 3 chord 2 fret yada yada.
Good luck Shannon, things will fall into place just as long as you keep picking that banjo!
Davey Bob, who is the original singer of the Cuckoo Bird song???
Clarence Ashley
Yeah? Was there someone else who sung the song before him?
The exact originator is lost in the mists of time. Clarence Ashley's version is certainly very influential. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Cuckoo_%28song%29
Ahhh, so nobody knows actually how old the song is?
yuubokumin415
That's right. It's reputed to be 'the oldest song in the world'. Whether or not that's true, it has certainly been sung for centuries & traveled right around the world. mainlynorfolk.info/lloyd/songs/thecuckoo.html