Learn to Play Bluegrass Banjo - Lesson 4

Here's the next part of Cripple Creek. It's got a couple of new skills, but you'll get them down in a jiffy.

Be sure to check out the first three lessons here:

I'm playing a RK-R35 in the video. :)

[FIRPOIDE]

Please never stop making this videos, you are the best banjo teacher i've found,

[trentpattfortnitevideos]

That fact that you actually care about students you’ve never met is just awesome. You’ve already helped me tremendously. Thanks a million

[michaelnelson]

This is a great series of videos which have really helped me engage with the banjo. The best part might be me walking around at work saying, “pinch, slide, pinch, 1, 2, 5, 2, 1, 5, 1, pinch”

[eddiewebb]

God bless you, sir. I've had a banjo for about 25 yrs. I never could get any help to even try and learn to play. Let me say this, you have inspired me to pick it back up. Thank you!!
After spending a couple of hours with you, I have finally started picking, playing, somewhat. I will never forget you for making it simple enough for me to figure it out.
I hope you see this message. I know it is a few years old. Once again, sir, God bless you!

[Unicorniable]

Thanks for learning me to play, banjo Santa.

[josephdelia]

Jim, I bought a banjo about 10 years ago and struggled every time I tried to learn until now. Your lessons are excellent and within 2 weeks time of practicing for about an hour a day I am playing Cripple Creek! Yes, I’m playing slowly and with a few mistakes here and there, but light years ahead of where I was previously. Thank you for the awesome Christmas present of music!!

[stigg]

What can i say Jim, I'm actually hearing a tune coming and at 62 having never played anything before it's great and all thanks to you, thanks for the great videos.

[aaronhoward]

Jim is by far the best teacher on the internet. He takes things nice and slow and goes over it in a simple and understandable way.

[callsignsheik]

Well Mr. Pankey, thank you. It has been literally four days since I picked a banjo up for the first time in my life and I am absolutely shocked to hear myself already playing cripple creek, and I have your teaching to thank. It came natural to me, been listening to bluegrass all my life and dreamed of playing the banjo, at 26 you are helping me realize that dream. Thanks again, I can't wait for the future.

[texasmopar]

Jim, I bought a banjo at a pawn shop and watched lesson 3-4 about 15 times. In one week never playing an instrument, I CAN play Cripple Creek. Thanks man.

[eddieforward]

I'll start with, I'm 50. Played the Saxophone for 8 years growing up. High school graduation came and went and so did the Sax playing. Still have it though. I built an airplane that I aim to do some airplane camping with. That was a three year endeavor. What's better than a banjo to take out to the sticks around a campfire? With time on my hands now that the build is finished I figured an instrument would be a lot more rewarding than sitting in front of the TV. Anyhow, I watched these instructional videos and can relate to Jim's style I guess. He inspired me to the point of asking the girlfriend for a banjo for Christmas. I am learning from books that were included with the Banjo purchase but it gets boring. I come to Jim and I feel that learning is much more enjoyable with him. I laughed when I read someone compare Jim to Bob Ross. That is a huge compliment actually and I can't agree more. Thank You Jim!

[edisonphonographs]

Jim, At age 63 I just bought a banjo. I always wanted to play something in my life since I was younger. I am on your lesson 4 and starting to pick it up. I practice about 2 hours a night when I can and only had it for about a week now. I could of got lessons, but wanted to stay home and try and teach myself. With the help of your videos I hope you stay healthy and keep them coming. I really enjoy your teaching nice and slow. And the speed will come later. Thanks

[djdaiquito]

Hi Mr.Jim. Ima Japanese moved to Texas from Tokyo last year. I'm not a guy who comments on youtube videos (actually this is my first time) but I just wanna say THANK YOU SO MUCH, YOU'RE MY LORD. Since my visa has 5 years I wanted to do something new here. Then I bought a banjo and found your videos. All your words make sense and I really like how you teach. My cat started to sleep next to me after I completed cripple creek.
Doumo Arigato!

[prayertool]

Jim, just found you on YouTube yesterday. I am a pretty rank beginner but love your style of teaching. I worked on Lesson 3 yesterday and lesson 4 today. When you challenged us at the 8:50 mark on lesson 4 to play all the way thru I was still having a little difficulty. You have probably mentioned this to your students in the past but You Tube allows you to play at less than full speed by tapping on the three dots in the top right corner (on my iPad). This helped me a lot to be able to play along with you. I am a new subscriber. Thank you so much.

[shona-mariecroll]

Literally the best banjo teacher on YouTube. Breaks it down so simple and doesn’t rush you. I’ve learnt so much off him. Would honestly recommend to anyone wanting to learn the banjo from scratch.

[johnbishop]

by the way i'm 71 years old and am really enjoying this, finally.

[JoshuaAdamPickens]

I've been through a whole mess of youtube videos trying to find video lessons. Yours, sir, are by far the best! I'm already moving up the lesson list after only owning a banjo for a few short weeks. Taking a couple of days per video is really helping. Thank you for these Jim.

=josh=

[banjo]

I can’t believe it. First I was shocked to being playing something that was even remotely melodic, from lesson 3. Now I’m basically playing an entire song!? Mind blown. All thanks to a teacher who posted YouTube videos. Never played an acoustic in my life (played some violin as a teenager, that’s all).

This one was a little tricky for me. Putting all the different parts together in sequence was really confusing. I used rewind and slow playback a lot.

[andyfigg]

Jim, you are an awesome instructor! Often when learning something new, we put a lot of pressure on ourselves. When we don't get where we think we should be and in the time frame we think we should, we get frustrated and ultimately quit. You are so patient and understand people learn at different rates. You put no pressure on your students (YouTube watchers) so they can succeed. I have succeeded in learning to play Cripple Creek! I have always loved bluegrass and the banjo. At 56, I can play! The only way I can thank you is to practice, practice, practice and learn more songs. Thank you! I look forward to more videos from Uncle Jim.

[TomZarek]

Thank you Jim. During this time of political craziness, wildfires, and pandemics you have brought a little (lot) of joy to my life. This has been such an awesome hobby to start and I can say it's thanks to your videos and encouragement. Just wanted to let you know how appreciated you are!