Breaking Down "Foggy Mountain Breakdown" Lick By Lick
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 26 ส.ค. 2014
- For complete run-through without stopping, go to 22:00
Step-by-step, lick-by-lick instruction on how to play the world's greatest bluegrass banjo song: "Foggy Mountain Breakdown" written and originally performed in 1949 by the great Earl Scruggs. This assumes that you are already playing the five-string banjo, are used to wearing your fingerpicks and have been working on your banjo licks. It's not a tune for rank beginners.
I take you through the entire main part of the tune, one phrase at a time, with superimposed tablature and isolation shots on both hands. I play it at (pretty much) full speed at the end, complete with screwed up ending lick :-)
I know it's pretty long, so hang in with me and be patient. Don't let your desire for speed result in sloppiness. Keep it clean and work up the speed gradually. Hope you enjoy.
This video is purely instructional, for educational purposes only, and is therefore, in my opinion, an exercise in fair use. No form of copyright infringement is intended in any way.
One more disclaimer: Yes I have a missing tooth. Hope that does not diminish your enjoyment of this video. I haven't gotten it fixed because I don't consider it a big deal.
I never thought I would play this tune. Masterful teaching!
I’ve watched this video at least 100x. Started practicing this song 3 weeks ago, and now I have memorized all the parts...finally! Now it’s just repetition, accuracy and building speed. This is the first song I have ever attempted on the banjo, and you were my first teacher. Thank you so much. I’m so glad you made this.
Just want to say a huge “ThankYou”!!! I lived with a banjo in my hands when I was a kid - actually started playing with family country band after about a month of owning it. Life fell apart and it eventually led me away from playing. Now I’m older and playing again for my own enjoyment and your teaching vids and skills at teaching have been tremendous. Thank you so much I greatly appreciate your labor of love.
Yo! Mr Bill there are many videos,and banjo teaching,but you R the best for me. I didn't understand you 9 months ago but ,lawd have mercy... Thank you for caring for us 62 year old beginner's.. thank you
Clear, concise, talking through with us exactly what you're doing and how you're doing it as you're playing -and making it all a great laugh into the bargain without an ego -That's the sign of an excellent teacher. As a beginner I've learned so much already thanks to your teaching and I'm now well away. Full credit to you Bill! (from the UK)
I took banjo lessons for a year. I just learned more in 30 mins from you than i did all years The way you taught it i learned from ,memory and listening to you play. Now i am not dependent on tabs. THANKS!
I am so glad I found your site. I have finger picked Guitar for almost 30 years or better and have never learned to play a Banjo but always wanted to. When I was in Kentucky last year for my Fathers funeral, my brother gave me a Banjo. It needed a head and it took me more than a year to finally get that replaced. I just got it in tune today and found your site. Of course, the hardest thing for me is getting the muscle memory for playing the Banjo. It's so different that picking a guitar. I am 62 years old but I still remember how much work it took to get very fast at guitar. I am so infatuated with learning to play the Banjo that tells me, You can teach an old dog new tricks. I hope that all of the beginners realize that it takes as long as it takes to learn this skill. The trick is, learn it slow. Play it as slow as you need to at first but most importantly, DO NOT LEARN BAD HABITS !!!!!!! When you learn to play it slow, slowly speed it up until you are playing, preferably a little faster than you will need to play it on stage. This way, you are prepared if the people or band you are playing with start at a little faster tempo that you are comfortable with, but most of all, have fun and pat yourself on the back every time you go a little faster or learn a new lick. Just don't give up.!!!!!!!! Thank you for taking the time to record this, it is much appreciated.!!!!!!!!!
This is by far the best instruction I have seen so far in banjo. Clear, concise and patient. All fingers easy to see, with position given. I just started banjo and I can already make the small but defines notes that people know it is Foggy Mtn Brkdn. Thank you for a superb video.
I don't often comment on videos, but I have to stop and tell you thank you for this one. Superb teaching and patient style. Thank you so much. Tab as you go helps a ton. Really really great video. I cannot believe how quickly I could learn this legend. Amazing job.
Bill, I’ve said it before & I’ll say it again. You ARE the MAN! Your lessons have inspired me to keep going & practising. Thank you!
I started TH-cam banjo lessons from
I picked up the Banjo 4 weeks ago and used your Breaking Down Foggy Mountain Breakdown video to learn to play! You rock. I can now play it at full speed with my eyes closed and have started practicing my cords and rhythms. Thank you for sharing.
I have been watching your videos for a few months now. My skills plateaued at the basics, but after watching your videos/reading your tabs I have improved tremendously! Thank your for all the work you put into your videos and instructions!
My dad took me to see Bonnie &Clyde in 1967 and i got hooked on Foggy Moutain Breakdown .
I've always wanted to play this iconic banjo song ever since I heard it as a child but then I thought no way. Thank you so much for this wonderful lesson. You're a fantastic teacher.
Bill, wow you are an amazing teacher. I'm in Australia, my daughter gave me a restored banjo for Xmas. I practiced for 2 days with your teaching and can play Foggy Mountain Breakdown, although very slow at the moment, but you taught me. I'm going to keep practicing till I can at least go half your pace. Love Scruggs music. Thanks again Bill. You are amazing. Would love to meet you if ever I was in the USA
You are not only a great Banjo talent but a NATURAL BORN TEACHER!! Thank you, sir, for doing this. Amazing!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Benn playing 5 string for 6 month's now and was struggling to start with until I found your videos on TH-cam
I got myself a banjo the other day and thought it would take me ages to play that iconic song, but I am getting there faster than I expected, slowly but steadily. Thanks a lot for your extremely helpful tutorial.
Great tutorial!