Learn to Play Bluegrass Banjo - Lesson 10

This lesson uses the forward roll and the new roll we learned in lesson 9. We're adding a hammer-on a little differently too, so spend some time with that. You can do it!

By the end of this lesson you'll have the b-part of Boil them Cabbage Down.

Don't strive for perfection. Just play the tune. Don't worry if you miss a note here or there. It's okay. Shucks, I miss notes - even in this video. The idea is to just play. It's okay!

Be sure to check out the first nine lessons here:

I'm playing my Recording King M5 in the video. :)

[stevepawluk]

Mr. Pankey, thank you! I have spent the past 7 weeks working my way through your 10 lessons and am very pleased with the progress that you've enabled me to enjoy. While I will probably never achieve the skill or speed of one who has been playing since his teens or twenties, the sequencing of your lessons, the pacing of your instruction, your comprehensive explanations, and your clear demonstrations have been remarkably helpful. Thank you.

[mhd]

LOL 'medium clip', ummm ok... I'll just be playing along with that at 0.5 speed! I can't believe that I'll ever be able to IMAGINE my fingers going that fast, let alone actually doing it! But, I AM on lesson 10 and I never thought I'd get here, so who knows... Thanks for the great lessons Mr Pankey, and your words of encouragement!

[frankdittmer]

Jim, I finally made it through your 1st 10 lessons and I realize I can actually play the banjo with some confidence and some newly acquired skills, but I also realize how important it is to continue going over what you have taught me on a daily basis and keep on reviewing the songs you have taught in each lesson until I feel that I can play them in front of someone without playing along with you and your videos as my crutch. You always say "now go practice, I'll wait for you to come back" I can't tell you what a bond you build as a teacher and we haven't ever met. You are the greatest! As I sit and learn to do something that I have never done before it is amazing how encouraging you are in each step of the way. You have said "you can do this" and made me believe that I can. But it's only possible (as far as I am concerned) because your wisdom and knowledge in the way you teach and feed each of us the right amounts of information to acquire and build the foundational skills we need to learn and to play the banjo. As you said, I may be a beginner for a long time, but that's ok because it's fun to be a beginner because you have made it that way. YOU have made me a beginner and not so long ago I was NOT. I am proud to say that I am NOW a beginner and I will keep coming back as long as you are there. Thank you so much Jim, you're the BEST! 😀😀😀🪕🪕🪕

[goofoffbert]

I have to thank you too... I'm an old fart, so while I practice every day I wake up, I still have some "teaching my brain" to do. Your videos have been a huge help, more than I can say. Your method of teaching is friendly and bright. Thank you for the virtual encouragement and your virtual ability to get us through our self doubts. I ain't perfect, and sometimes I'm a tad cranky towards my fingers (darn little misbehaving rascals!) but I am actually learning and improving. Wow. .. Thank you! You've made a difference in my life .. and as I read here, quite a few others as well.

[billkinsella]

hEY JIM ..I HAVE BEEN PLAYING FOR 40 YEARS AS A MOSTLY SELF TAUGHT DABBLER. I FOUND YOUR 10 LESSONS AND DECIDED TO GO THRU THE REGIMEN AND REVISIT THE BASICS. YOUR ABILITY TO KEEP IT SIMPLE AND COMMUNICATE IS SO WELCOMING AND EFFECTIVE.


I REALLY GOT A LOT OUT OF RELEARNING THINGS i'VE PLAYED "MY WAY" WITH A NUMBER OF SELF TAUGHT ERRORS IN TECHNIQUE. MY SKILLS ARE LEVELING OUT TO SMOOTH AND STEADY INSTEAD OF CHOPPY AS A RESULT OF WORKING THRU THE STEPS IN THESE TEN LESSONS. BASICS WITH YOU. THANK YOU BANJO BROTHER. I WISH YOU LIVED IN MY TOWN AS I WOULD LOVE TO SHAKE YOUR HAND!!

[brucenicoletti]

45 years ago when I was working in the mountains on a fire crew and there was a banjo in the barracks that I took because nobody wanted it. I went back to college in the fall and practiced a couple weeks using the Earl Scruggs banjo book that is now a classic. I stopped after the first couple lessons because it was to hard to read and figure out what to do. Fast forward to today and I was visiting my grandkids who started taking music lessons on the guitar and ukulele. I started playing the ukulele and had so much fun that I thought when I get back home I’m going to find that banjo and start playing it. I found it up in the attic where it had been stored for all those years. By accident I found your videos. I love them and have been practicing so much that my finger tips are really sore. I made it through lesson 10 and will do every video of yours that I find. You are a great teacher Jim and hearing you play the new sequences makes it real easy to get it. Please keep making more videos and I hope to meet you someday soon.

[aprilirvin]

Daddy got me a banjo when i was 12 years old. that was 32 years ago. i still have that old banjo with all the original strings. replaced my lost pics, tuned the booger with your 1st video, and now i can play 3 songs. i am terrible, but even the wife can hear the melody. im gettin better and I will finish this mission. thanks Jim Pankey.

[dazthephot]

Talk about a lifesaver during the pandemic! Thank you, sir.

[cobratester]

Awesome....but I want MORE!

(Proud to be of the 9400 that made it thru all 10 lessons)

[alfielake]

Hi Jim. I just wanted leave this comment to give a little back to the guy who has given me such an amazing skill! Thank you so for all of your lessons, teaching me the banjo over the past month or two. I've enjoyed it so much! The way you lean down to the camera never fails to make me chuckle. Now all I've to do is polish off those chord changes and those hammer ons in the final song and I'll be moving onto a new song - I hope to be able to play your fantastic cover of Country Roads when I feel ready to take on the challenge. Thanks Jim - you're such a fantastic teacher.

[nickdeedle]

I've been a musician for 60+ years and never took much interest in the banjo, but after a friend told me to check Jim Pankey out on youtube the first thing I did was go out and buy one. I've went through all 10 lessons and I've had a really good time. If someone wants to learn here's the foundation to build on. I have a substantial edge being a seasoned musician but If someone is willing to invest some time and effort they can play the banjo. I'm going to go through your video's that I can find on line and by spending the winter I'm convinced by spring time I'll have some happy neighbors. If you would just touch on muscle memory so some might have a little better understanding about musical instruments it may help. Thanks a lot it's been a total blast and will continue to be.

[dennishorn]

Jim, Thanks for posting these lessons, Great job!....For anyone who ever wanted to play a banjo, here's the guy to teach you. Having never played a musical instrument, I started the 15th of Dec now on the 3rd of Feb I've learned 2 songs and working on the 3rd. I'm 70 years old and have a couple of mangled fingers on my left (fret) hand. If I can do it anyone can do it. It's very rewarding and worth the effort. Don't give up and practice, practice, practice.

[usmcsgt]

Jim, at 70 y/o if I hadn't seen your lessons.. I would have never thought of playing! You have made if fun and enjoying to be able to play, I went out and got a Deering Goodtime 2.. USA MADE :) Being unable to get around these days.. I spend all the hours I can having "fun" watching your videos and relaxing. Thank you so much for charing your time, expertise and knowing how to speak like a friend! God Bless you and am so glad your on the mend.

[DrGarner]

I cannot express enough how much your lessons have meant to me. I'm 63 years old and this is the first time I've picked up a banjo. If I had not found your videos, I would STILL be trying to figure out almost everything. Your casual and helpful approach has meant everything. I looked at a few books....but they did not explain things in a way I understood. You did!
It must be odd getting a 'fan' message, years after you posted these; however, your impact is continuing to have ripples---even years down the road. THANK YOU!

[leftycut]

I have been at it for almost 3 months now and as Andrew said 2 years ago, you are the Bob Ross of banjo! My progress seems a little slow but at least I am (painting happy trees) !! At my age I will never be a Bob Ross or a Jim Pankey but I am a happy George Cuthbert ! Thank you for the gift you have given me.

[bobbo]

I just want to thank you, Mr. Pankey. My wife gifted me a Recording King RK-R20 for my 48th b-day four years ago and after fiddling with it for a few months put it in the closet. After discovering your vids I decided to get it back out and with your help have made tremendous progress. Thanks, dude. You’re the best!

[thomasrawles]

Thank you Jim Pankey, I am 72 and bought a banjo on the spur of the moment. Never played a musical instrument before and stumbled across your YouTube lessons. So glad I did, you have got me under way. I have worked through your ten lessons over several months. I may never become a good player but have really enjoyed spending time with you. Will definitely be visiting your other videos when I become more proficient.

[wrongsquirrel]

Thank you Jim. I come from a line of banjo players and inherited the first banjo my grandfather ever bought. I taught myself some chords and whatnot but never took the time to really learn it. Stumbling across this video series has kickstarted that process for me and I am so grateful. Thanks to you, the Wright banjo legacy continues!

[juliainman]

Ah Jim! I bought my banjo around 10 or so years ago back in Ireland, loved looking at it but found tab books impossible to learn it from (even though I play a bit of guitar and bass). Then I dug it out of the attic 8 weeks ago to take travelling Europe with me in the motorhome and here I am finished lesson 10 in Germany and can actually play some! Now I have the need...the need for speed!!! Thank you so much! Ballad of Jed is the big goal!

[andrewpayne]

Lesson 10, finally! Jim, you are the Bob Ross of banjo. Thank you for keeping this instrument alive while simultaneously saving my poor bank account from $50/half-hour banjo lessons (so expensive, even in Arkansas). Please live past 100, as I am rather young and would like to enjoy these videos for years to come.