Banjo Instruction: 'Fireball Mail' lick-by-lick

Go to 15:40 if you want to hear the uninterrupted tune first.

I uploaded a video several years ago with me playing it... here I teach it. Going lick-by-lick, line-by-line through this wonderful banjo tune. Tab snippets are provided at the bottom of the screen as you go. Full tab is available on my website.

"Fireball Mail" (written by Floyd Jenkins) – Recorded by Roy Acuff, Wanda Jackson, and a host of others. Earl Scruggs made it into a popular banjo instrumental on the Foggy Mountain Banjo album in 1959. One reviewer on Amazon said of that album (and I agree): "Despite a painfully short running time of 25 minutes, this 1961 landmark remains one of the most important and influential banjo albums ever made. Released at the height of the folk boom, these 12 instrumentals inspired countless college kids to pick up a five-string banjo and try to emulate the great Earl Scruggs's spectacular three-finger attack. Paul Warren's fiddle and Josh Graves's Dobro keep pace with the master, who creates a template for bluegrass banjo. Although there are more definitive and comprehensive Flatt & Scruggs collections available, Foggy Mountain Banjo will always be a perennial favorite thanks to its original timely release and, of course, the timeless music within." --Marc Greilsamer

I'm sure there are many banjo players (myself, until recently) who are unfamiliar with the lyrics:

Here she comes, look at her roll
There she goes, eatin' that coal
Watch her fly, huggin' the rail,
Let her by, by, by, the Fireball Mail

Let her go, look at her steam,
Hear her blow, whistle and scream
Like a hound wagging its tail,
Dallas bound, bound, bound, the Fireball Mail

Engineer, making up time,
Tracks are clear, look at her climb
See that freight, clearing the rail,
Betcha she's late, late, late, the Fireball Mail

Watch her swerve, look at her sway,
Get that curve out of the way
Watch her fly, look at her sail,
Let her by, by, by, the Fireball Mail

(Repeat 1st verse)

This is a transcription of the original recording.

[jerryspianobar]

Very well taught!! Thank you SO MUCH!!!

[davidtrailor]

I have been learning the banjo for the last year your tutorials are by far the best many thanks from a grateful 75year old

[maineguitarists]

I'm becoming a banjo player thanks to you! Amazing patience and personality. You have inspired many of us with your great teaching and playing.

[archtopp]

I’m learning how to play but I’ve been around bluegrass for a long time. At one time before all these videos and tablature the Foggy Mountain Banjo album was what you had to learn. I’m really impressed by people that were able to learn those songs note for note by ear! I’m really in awe.

[clarence]

i just came across your lesson on fire ball mail what a brilliant teacher you are thankypu very much

[thomasjohns]

Thank you for posting William! You really teach the techniques needed to be a true Scruggs banjo player. You're a Banjo Maestro of the first order!!!

[williamanesbitt]

New banjo tutorial! "Fireball Mail" ... must-have banjo tune. 

[michaelreali]

Bill (William if that is more appropriate): I've been playing for about 18 months. I've bought many a book and online course...and I always seem to come back to your videos. Just wanted to thank you.

[TheGhost]

Thanks for this William..Great demonstration of a great banjo tune..I use your jam tracks on a regular basis rather than looking at a boring metronome..

[petmagroin]

This is great! Im trying to expand my repertoire and I really value these kind of vids. Thanks from Sweden!

[artenacken]

Keep safe everyone Bill hope you and your family are safe and well and continue to be so during these troubled times as the whole world it seems is shutting down! Upside is I get to play more banjo !

[normanfeinberg]

This is not coming easy, for a beginner like me, but I'm sticking with it.I think it will be woth it in the end, for it's musical heritage of a simpler time when people actually made music to sustain them.Thank's for keeping this alive.I'm hoping to learn this in a few weeks and play this with one of my sons.(he owns a music company in new York city)

[JoseloGomezEA]

Wonderful Willy, big hug from Argentina, José Luis, the only gaucho banjo player, and thank you very much for yours videos, (sorry for my bad english, hahaha!.)

[sammyjimsmith]

Very nice. I prize my banjo that i've had for 40 yrs and have never had time learn to play, always other things that have to be done. I suppose if i was sent to jail for 20 yrs and i persuaded the judge to let me bring my banjo I might learn to play it. Trouble is i'm an honest person and will soon be 84 yrs old, what to do?

[dustbat]

Wish someone would do this for a dobro and Foggy mt. breakdown.

[craigs]

Will you ever do a video for the high part of fireball mail.

[hannahelizabeth]

Would you PLEASE do a lesson on Clinch Mountain Backstep, Rocky Top, and Dear Old Dixie? Your videos help me to learn so quickly. I would greatly appreciate it!

[michaelpatton]

I wish your audios were louder. Your teaching and picking are awesome stuff. Is there another way to kick off Foggy Mtn. besides the double hammer. I've heard different licks but they were in the middle parts of the tune.

[Teodoro]

What make is your banjo? It sounds great.

[josephmichelotti]

Hey....the ending is not in the tab LOL