1. 

   hotrock410
   April 21st, 2010 - 21:45

   Whoa you killed it second break, great stuff. I never realized tricky sections I am always making harder not treating hammer ons/pull offs as a ghost pick but trying to always alternate. Thanks a bunch.
2. 

   Adirtybum
   April 21st, 2010 - 22:42

   ride on, thx
3. 

   BanjoBen1
   April 21st, 2010 - 22:59

   Well, I think you will find a lot that can help you in my vids. But besides that, be listening to music…music that you like…find the pickers that you would like to imitate. Then, you can search around the web and find tabs and advice for particular songs or versions. I do this all the time. Another great tool is “The Amazing Slowdowner”. You can find it online, and you can use it to slow down any song to where you can learn it. Hope this helps!
4. 

   69Gobbler
   April 21st, 2010 - 23:49

   ben your advice on the down up technique has been extremely helpful. I’ve only been playing about 3 months now and struggle with what i should be practicing any suggestions? thanks God bless
5. 

   rosluk93
   April 21st, 2010 - 23:56

   Cool i like it. And at 1:33 you look like you were just about to fall asleep but caught yourself haha.
6. 

   BanjoBen1
   April 21st, 2010 - 23:58

   This is a Taylor 614-ce…I don’t think Tony would play one, but I like it!!
7. 

   TheBanjoguy2
   April 22nd, 2010 - 00:48

   “Awesome job”, “Great Pickin”, Ben
   Thank You!
   Ken
8. 

   IBG67
   April 22nd, 2010 - 00:49

   Awesome job, man. World class. Thats Henderson quality picking there.
9. 

   cdbb625
   April 22nd, 2010 - 01:27

   hey AWESOME videos. do you have a tab for this one?
10. 

    BlankPagesImploding
    April 22nd, 2010 - 01:34

    watch them fingers fly.
11. 

    guitardenver22
    April 22nd, 2010 - 02:13

    What’s the model of your guitar? it looks really cool………..Is this the Tony Rice version?
12. 

    thechurchsisters
    April 22nd, 2010 - 02:56

    great video,i try to keep up
13. 

    BanjoBen1
    April 22nd, 2010 - 03:09

    Thanks so much, buddy! Thanks for watching!
14. 

    masonb82
    April 22nd, 2010 - 03:29

    You really are a fireballer, Ben, and I second Pandafury’s comment about coming to the Old Town School if you’re ever in Chicago.

    Thanks so much for all the lessons. You’re something for an amateur guitarist like myself to aspire to. (By the way, I play an ’81 Takamine F340 – one of the Martin “lawsuit” guitars.)

    Keep up the great work!!
15. 

    BanjoBen1
    April 22nd, 2010 - 03:45

    I haven’t hear of that! I’ll have to look it up next time I’m in town! Thanks!
16. 

    pandafuryface
    April 22nd, 2010 - 04:20

    Great video, thanks for all the time you put into these….very helpful. Please do a workshop at the Old Town School of Folk Music next time you are in Chicago! Have you heard of it?
17. 

    midougch23
    April 22nd, 2010 - 04:37

    I really think you’re one of the best teachers on youtube. What I’d really like to see is a guitar lead for “Foggy Mountain Breakdown”
18. 

    BanjoBen1
    April 22nd, 2010 - 05:13

    Yes, it is. I’d venture to say 99% of professional flatpickers subscribe to this school of thinking. There are, of course, exceptions. A friend of mine named Brad Davis has developed a double-down-up technique that is very unique sounding and allows lots of speed once mastered. Once you get into the more acoustic “jazz” type stuff, you’ll find more up/up or down/down stuff. But, I personally believe that basic BG flatpicking calls for strict down/up discipline. Hope that helps!
19. 

    nutmegger1957
    April 22nd, 2010 - 06:04

    Isn’t it just really “down/up down/up down/up” (etc) most of the time in most songs?????

    When is it better or more advisable to use an “up/up” or “down/down” type playing style?????
20. 

    KillyMcGhee
    April 22nd, 2010 - 07:03

    dude you are the man and some cobbler sound damn fine about now!
21. 

    Noteablearts
    April 22nd, 2010 - 07:28

    nice playing ben.
22. 

    wvfisherguy
    April 22nd, 2010 - 08:03

    Great lesson! i play banjo mainly but like to pick guitar too. Do you think you could post a lesson for banjo or guitar one the song Cherokee Shuffle? that would be great! Thanks!
23. 

    Oldhat1970
    April 22nd, 2010 - 08:42

    Thanks Man!Started outlining a new bag of licks today to go with some I’ve got. I guess sticking with it will get me there. I play every Thursday night with a group, I’m the singer and song writer (and strummer) and our lead guy can just pull stuff outta his “rear” and it sounds good, well he is moving away and I’m the only one that can produce some lead on the guitar so I’ve stepped up to take the lead…well, I’m trying at least.

    Keep up the lessons..so I can gank your licks!
24. 

    bendinstrangs4
    April 22nd, 2010 - 09:38

    thanks 4 that answer,old webster couldnt have painted that question and answer in my head any better,that aint sayin alot about my head,my wheel barrel dont hold much,but it held on to this advice,
25. 

    BanjoBen1
    April 22nd, 2010 - 10:36

    Hey buddy, good question you’ve got there. I think the beginning step is to build a “bag of licks” that you’re so comfortable with that you can access them in a split second. Before too long, and with lot of licks, things start meshing together and they don’t seem like bits and pieces anymore. Soon you become fluent, like learning another language, and you don’t have to think about the words one by one.You can just think of a sentence or paragraph and then spit it out.We’re both working on this!

Leave a comment

Name (required)

Mail (will not be published) (required)

Website

( Cancel )

CAPTCHA Code *