Banjo Hangout - Sound Off! (MP3/Video Posts) Forum Feed

New album from Butch Robins!

eric@banjohangout.org — Sat, 27 Jun 2026 08:19:16 CST

"The Adventures of a Blue Grass Boy and His Banjo" - Twenty-five LIVE performances with Bill Monroe & The Blue Grass Boys from 1977 to 1981 from venues all across the country. For now, this album is a YouTube exclusive, which means it's available to ALL. Please share it with your friends and neighbors, but most of all, ENJOY THE MUSIC!! Thanks for listening ~
youtu.be/7SdzpI0Hh1w?si=5jt36sOaSlGpb-JJ See less

Jenny Put The Kettle On

eric@banjohangout.org — Thu, 25 Jun 2026 07:54:11 CST

We worked up this fairly common version of Jenny. Watch to the end to hear the raucous applause from our audience.

She can't actually clap yet, but she has discovered her hands. :-)

“Sally in the Garden” , 3-finger style picking

eric@banjohangout.org — Mon, 22 Jun 2026 16:06:53 CST

Thanks to Janet Burton for her excellent clawhammer tab which I converted to 3-finger style, standard G tuning. I was also inspired by Phoebe Sanders’ CH version on YouTube,,, she’s worth a listen. I’ve muted the bridge here and added rhythm guitar.

Julianne Johnson // Romero Gourd Banjo

eric@banjohangout.org — Mon, 22 Jun 2026 09:47:48 CST

Enjoy!

Song in June

eric@banjohangout.org — Mon, 22 Jun 2026 08:52:40 CST

a sort of Pop song on banjo... it came just like this today! hope you enjoy

“Your Cheatin’ Heart” , easy solo & TAB

eric@banjohangout.org — Fri, 19 Jun 2026 11:16:24 CST

The Hank Williams hit played Scruggs style, key of A, capo 2, standard G tuning.

Clinch Mountain Backstep….

eric@banjohangout.org — Fri, 19 Jun 2026 07:01:34 CST

Is it just me or does the original recording Ralph did of this have something special? To me it’s my favorite rendition of it. He and the rest of the band just had this solid groove on that OG record that’s just hard to capture imo.

Anyway… I tried to stay in that OG groove here and also throw in some variations that he did later on but still earlier in his picking career. Especially from the various live versions I’ve heard him do. So I jokingly refer to this as the “King 615 Hybrid” when I try to capture a little of that groove from the OG while throwing in earlier licks that he did as well. I think a lot of folks might not realize just how differently he played it on the first version. It's a little slower than he would do it later... and the notes and licks were a little different than he came to play it with later on.

Dim Lights, Thick Smoke

eric@banjohangout.org — Fri, 12 Jun 2026 23:06:48 CST

Recorded by Flatt & Scruggs in 1952. An easy arrangement in G, standard G tuning, with TAB included.

March of the Mollusk - original clawhammer tune

eric@banjohangout.org — Fri, 12 Jun 2026 10:57:07 CST

Check out the latest video featuring this very cool band: Gus Tritsch on fiddle, Eric Heveron-Smith playing bass, and Huck Tritsch on drum set. We just released a new record! 'When I Am a Fossil' is available here: bennybleu.bandcamp.com/album/w...-a-fossil

slow and in the flow,
Benny

“…a banjo-helmed, ecological concept album… a vein of hope for the future“
– Americana UK

“Old-time with plenty of modern twists…has you craving to return back to the start and do it again”
– The Bluegrass Situation

After You're Gone

eric@banjohangout.org — Thu, 11 Jun 2026 08:20:50 CST

Inspired by my Benny Goodman CD

Blue Skies

eric@banjohangout.org — Wed, 10 Jun 2026 11:07:38 CST

A show tune

The Yellow Rose Of Texas

eric@banjohangout.org — Wed, 10 Jun 2026 10:41:06 CST

The Yellow Rose of Texas

Saturday Night

eric@banjohangout.org — Wed, 10 Jun 2026 09:12:20 CST

There’s an Alan Munde lick in the middle somewhere that was kind of the inspiration for the whole thing.

Careless Love

eric@banjohangout.org — Tue, 9 Jun 2026 00:11:25 CST

Hope you like this. My version of "Careless Love".

“You Are My Sunshine” , easy solo & TAB

eric@banjohangout.org — Fri, 5 Jun 2026 11:44:08 CST

An old favourite that Jimmie Davis and Charles Mitchell published in 1940,,, no slides, hammer-ons, or pulloffs.

New Tune: Ghillie Dhu

eric@banjohangout.org — Wed, 3 Jun 2026 09:16:07 CST

Here's another new tune. Feedback welcome, as always.

Ancient tones

eric@banjohangout.org — Tue, 2 Jun 2026 15:05:35 CST

Played on my trusty Baldwin 2SR that I’ve had since I was about twenty.
I don’t usually stray far from standard tuning, but in this case minor tuning helped get the right flavor. Fm tuning in this case.

rerun medley

eric@banjohangout.org — Mon, 1 Jun 2026 14:15:48 CST

a vid medley Billy in the Lowland etc

I still play these and catch bad spots for fun--the ambient tracks were way too loud but i seemed to tone them down ,on into the piece--anyway there it is-

Johnny B Goode

eric@banjohangout.org — Sun, 31 May 2026 19:42:20 CST

Johnny B Goode

You're not going to hear this anywhere else. Maybe you don't want to hear it at all? LOL

No Mother or Dad

eric@banjohangout.org — Fri, 29 May 2026 05:49:09 CST

Grabbed this flathead of mine and just had to pick some old Scruggs stuff on it. Figured I’d record it and put it on here.

“I’ll Fly Away”

eric@banjohangout.org — Thu, 28 May 2026 23:18:46 CST

The popular gospel song written by Albert E. Brumley in 1929, played on the Recording King 77 Elite with rhythm guitar, TAB , and tutorial.

The Battle Hymn

eric@banjohangout.org — Mon, 25 May 2026 16:59:41 CST

on the home made baritone

Happy Birthday Bob!

eric@banjohangout.org — Sun, 24 May 2026 14:03:53 CST

85 :-)

“Wait a Minute” , banjo solo & TAB

eric@banjohangout.org — Fri, 22 May 2026 22:57:39 CST

The beautiful Herb Pedersen song , , standard G tuning, easy TAB.

Big Spike Hammer… Stanley’d up a little bit.

eric@banjohangout.org — Fri, 22 May 2026 17:41:01 CST

Somebody had requested me to post a break of this in Stanley style… I’m afraid I don’t know any other way to play this tune though… so hopefully there’s enough Ralph sound here to satisfy. It’s what shakes loose when I play it anyway! lol.

Two Reels - Clawhammer

eric@banjohangout.org — Fri, 22 May 2026 12:51:16 CST

Snake River Reel into Nine Witches Reel.

These were both learnt from the videos by Cerddoriarth Fynyddig/Mountain Music on YouTube. The second is an original by him. Very nice tune to play, good to get the pinky going with a pull-off from five to two on the first string.

Originally in double C up to D but I tuned down, I think to double Bb or maybe to double A. Recorded in my living room on a Tascam field recorder.

Here's the recording.

A Boogie --Woogie mood

eric@banjohangout.org — Fri, 22 May 2026 12:14:23 CST

they say--it started with fast blues

Rio Seco

eric@banjohangout.org — Fri, 22 May 2026 10:10:43 CST

this is kind of an atmopsheric spaghetti western piece, baritone banjo is in the background.

Rio Seco (on You Tube)

Chadwell's Station in E - Clawhammer

eric@banjohangout.org — Fri, 22 May 2026 08:56:03 CST

Played pretty slow, standard tuning taken down to E: link

Learnt from this video by Cerddoriaeth Fynyddig/Mountain Music (awesome channel for any clawhammer players looking for new tunes)

One Tin Soldier

eric@banjohangout.org — Thu, 21 May 2026 22:07:02 CST

he is still around

Original Banjo Piece

eric@banjohangout.org — Thu, 21 May 2026 06:36:16 CST

One of my banjo tunes… hope you enjoy

Down in the Willow Garden

eric@banjohangout.org — Thu, 21 May 2026 06:15:52 CST

This one hit me this morning… decided to record it real quick. This is also an interesting one to me to hear other players takes on it… anybody has one of there version of it please post it for me. I’d love to hear it!

Snuffy Jenkins - Finger pickin' pioneer

eric@banjohangout.org — Sun, 17 May 2026 07:00:30 CST

When Snuffy died, I sent him off with a set of old Nationals so he can play for us when we meet again.....

youtu.be/_Mxl_RKBK4Q?si=kPIjPBYjNJJHwssf

Covering the Doobie Bros. 'Listen to the Music'

eric@banjohangout.org — Sun, 17 May 2026 06:10:13 CST

YouTube video, Listen to the Music

I couldn't shave it down under 3 minutes. Under 3 minutes = short.

Short = crazy watch/hit count. I don't expect that. Peace!

How to post videos?

eric@banjohangout.org — Sat, 16 May 2026 05:02:35 CST

Not too computer smart here..
N.not been very successful at it..

Must you go through youtube?

“Ste. Anne’s Reel” , fiddlin’ with the banjo

eric@banjohangout.org — Fri, 15 May 2026 23:05:30 CST

Hey everybody, the old fiddle favourite, possibly Canadian. I’ve set it out of C position, capo 2,, anti-melodic ;-)

youtu.be/mSH8RBKNCko?si=LTo1C9eFTo73ZEvK

Great Big Potatoes and

eric@banjohangout.org — Thu, 14 May 2026 20:48:39 CST

Sally in the Garden

Golden Eagle Horn Pipe and

eric@banjohangout.org — Wed, 13 May 2026 21:06:31 CST

Sanna Anna's Retreat

Cherokee Shuffle--Casey Jones

eric@banjohangout.org — Mon, 11 May 2026 21:05:16 CST

raw banjo

“Love of the Mountains” - demo + TAB

eric@banjohangout.org — Sat, 9 May 2026 20:40:22 CST

The popular song written by Allen Mills that Larry Sparks and others have recorded. Key of G,, intermediate arrangement.

youtu.be/UWF2HTOVQz8?si=DRa4PqkAPrghDnlk

Red Rocking Chair

eric@banjohangout.org — Fri, 8 May 2026 12:56:15 CST

Practice with my fiddle friend has been sporadic since her baby was born, but we're back at it again. Rachael is actually rocking the baby with her right foot while playing this tune. The baby prefers tunes at about 90 BPM so we try to stick to that tempo.

"Horizon Blue" original song on plectrum banjo

eric@banjohangout.org — Wed, 6 May 2026 18:49:47 CST

Here's a video of me playing one of my original songs on a Lange Triple X plectrum banjo along with my band (in this case a trio with ukulele bass and wind synth). Not a very conventional use for a plectrum banjo, but I thought it might be of interest to some of you! Anybody else using plectrum banjo in a non-trad context? I actually really like how my songs (mostly written on guitar or piano) end up sounding in plectrum tuning.

“This Little Light of Mine” - easy arrangement with TAB

eric@banjohangout.org — Sun, 3 May 2026 12:03:44 CST

The popular old song that found its way in gospel, folk, and civil rights musics.

Red Haired Boy and I Don't Love Nobody

eric@banjohangout.org — Sat, 2 May 2026 21:08:30 CST

I kinda like one or 2

Fall On My Knees

eric@banjohangout.org — Sat, 2 May 2026 16:06:10 CST

A short snippet

“Head Over Heels” - Flatt & Scruggs

eric@banjohangout.org — Sat, 2 May 2026 11:05:59 CST

The 1951 hit song by Lester Flatt & Earl Scruggs and The Foggy Mountain Boys. I'm playing my RK77 Elite with rhythm guitar & some vocals.

derby tunes

eric@banjohangout.org — Fri, 1 May 2026 05:24:42 CST

thanks folks

Old Man Gone - Clawhammer

eric@banjohangout.org — Wed, 29 Apr 2026 10:19:41 CST

Just the latest installment of the tunes I’ve been obsessed with lately! I learned this one from my friend Riley from The Onlies. He taught it to me on the fiddle in the Calico tuning. It's written by the great Greg Canote, who I am so glad to have met last year at the Portland Old Time Gathering. Here I play it in A so the fiddlers can play along. The banjo is tuned way down to Double A. Identical to double C, just down in A. So... eAEAB.

ALSO!! A last-minute notice about a very cool show this weekend. I am playing at the legendary Caffe Lena on Sunday with my good friends Drank the Gold. This will be the debut of my exciting band and our new album. So please check it out, and if you’re not in the area, consider joining the LIVESTREAM. All the details are here:

https://www.caffelena.org/event/drank-the-gold-and-benny-bleu/

“Hey Good Lookin’” - Hank Williams banjo solo & TAB

eric@banjohangout.org — Sat, 25 Apr 2026 15:27:03 CST

Hank’s big hit from 1951 lends itself easily to the 5 string banjo. Key of C , easy arrangement for first or second year students.

youtu.be/Dr3b4sD16h8?si=W3dZaHD4zlMzmkyt

Old Rugged Cross

eric@banjohangout.org — Thu, 23 Apr 2026 10:13:50 CST

This is my take on the Old Rugged Cross. No reverb, no compression, no EQ, no nothing as far as effects go.