Hey y'all... Jim Pankey here. 
I've started a new beginner series on YouTube that I think you might like. As the title of this post suggests it's a series on Bluegrass Banjo Backup.
You can watch the videos attached here, or you can jump over to the playlist on YouTube. <-- just click that link.
Thanks for watching!
-=Jim
Edited by - Bill Rogers on 11/02/2019 21:52:48
Hello Jim,
Thanks so much for posting this. Your video lessons have been a wonderful help to me as a self-taught (definitely still learning!) banjo player.
It's really amazing that you're willing to offer this additional instructional material for all of us.
THANK YOU!!!
Thanks Jim. Finally backup begins to make some kind of sense to me.
Good stuff Jim - thanks.
Thank you, Jim!
Stay tuned for more. I have several more ideas I feel like I need to cover. :)
Thanks, Jim!
Hi Jim!
THIS IS GREAT! I am looking forward to taking these lessons as soon as I have perfected the first 10 of the beginner series (I am on lesson 3). I am REALLY having a LOT of fun with this - THANK YOU so much for doing this!
Rob
I just watched Lesson 1.
As an occasional teacher, jammer and sometimes performing player, I am going to say this probably the best beginner lesson I have seen.
This is what bluegrass banjo players need to start with. It is similar to many beginner guitar lessons but banjo oriented. Too many banjo methods start by teaching a tabbed solo when players really need to understand how the banjo supports the song.
It took me years of largely self taught learning to understand the importance of all the points you made in this one lesson and I even learned something new.
There are a lot of beginner, intermediate and maybe pros that could benefit from watching this and reviewing something so basic.
Very nice of you Mr Pankey to do this AND very well done. Will be staying tuned for more and wonder how far up the ladder you plan on taking this.
Have a good weekend.
ken
ken...
The main thing I'm trying to keep in mind is that it's a beginner series. I've got several more things to cover, but it'll all be geared to beginner players.
I figure that once folks are ready for advanced backup, they should be able to figure it out on their own. :)
Added video #5 today. :)
Jim,
You are laying a great foundation in this series.
.
ken
Jim Pankey this is fantastic, and just what the doctor ordered. I was invited to go caroling with instruments for Christmas this year, and this is exactly what I was needing. Keep up the good work.
Wanted to say thanks, came for tabs, found this and joined. I dont even have an instrument yet, but ive been watching and trying to get used to moving my fingers. I have no musical background and can follow clearly.
Here's the final installment of the beginning backup series.
This is so great! I've tried off and on for years to learn the banjo, but never quite got the hang of things. Now, mind you, I still am working on lesson 1, but already after just a couple of days practice, I can start to feel the "muscle memory" kicking in. You explain the rolls and pinches down to my level! Thanks so much for this and maybe this old 61 year old Ozarks hillbilly can finally play something on the banjo that sounds like something other than a cat with his tail caught under the rockin' chair!!
tbeeson58 thanks for the kind words. I'm glad I can help! :)
Hey Jim,
thank you so much, you are the best.
Your beginner series is truly outstanding, the definitive starting point from what I've seen. Bravo sir.
I'd always considered myself non-musical but I love music and always wanted to be able to play an instrument. I thought it'd never happen.
Then I stumbled across your YouTube series at the start of the year and the logical progression of the lessons, careful explanations of playing elements and your infectious personality inspired me. Being able to SEE and HEAR how it's played makes all the difference for me.
Thanks to you I can now play a few tunes and it feels great to be able to say that.
I'm currently working on FMB up the neck and Cumberland Gap. Getting the pinky to follow orders is tricky but it's getting better.
Dunno if this is the right place to put in a request, but is there any chance you could do a lesson on Big Rock Candy Mountain?
Wishing you all the very best.
Jim, great backup series, thank you.
Hi Jim,
Thank you so much for these videos - I started attempting to learn back up nearly 10 months ago and got absolutely nowhere; I've learnt so much more from your videos already!!! Thank you so much for posting them - they're great!!!
Lizzie
Thanks for the videos Jim.
Question: Why are these not a sticky under Scruggs playing?
ken
quote:
Originally posted by From Greylock to Bean BlossomQuestion: Why are these not a sticky under Scruggs playing?
ken
Beats me, but probably because I didn't beg...
quote:
Originally posted by Jim Pankeyquote:
Originally posted by From Greylock to Bean BlossomQuestion: Why are these not a sticky under Scruggs playing?
kenBeats me, but probably because I didn't beg...
Well Jim,
It should be a sticky and you have done a great job with this and have been a great service to the community.
ken
