By the way Army vet too. Spent years in Middle East before during and after war. My main music comfort was Johnny Cash and old time from Jean Ritchey plus Irish German and Turkish folk. There are several string instruments that resemble a gourd banjo but with longer strings and lower tension. Called a saz. Love the way you play and preserve the old tunes. CW4 Signal and Ordinance plus Vol chaplain ( Luth). Used tin whistle and dulcimer for hymns in field. You did great boon to the troops you played for . Music takes you home.
I’m glad you could share about your experiences. I am a music therapist, and I teach choir, and even so, sometimes I’m not sure how to express how important music is to me. Your words have power.
I would suggest for anybody who sings or wants to sing is to just sing the songs in the same key you normally talk in. You don't have to strain to hit the high or low notes. This is going to sound really weird but to find out what key your speaking voice is in, clip on a tuner - the kind you use to tune your instrument - onto the tip of your nose and start talking and you can see what key you talk in! I just tried it and it works!
Boy that takes me back! The first place I tried to play the banjo was in “A” school barracks in the navy in the early 70’s (yes, almost exactly 50 years ago!) with an old silver tone banjo from Sears. The only instruction at the time was Pete Seeger’s book, and I just didn’t get it, having never seen anyone play live! Finally got some good instruction 20 years later, and it stuck this time. I haven’t played in several years due to cancer, but finding your videos inspired me to try it again last night. I shouldn’t have let this illness keep my from doing something I love for so long. Thanks Clifton, I owe you big time.
I have a similar history with banjo ,the internet has really allowed people like me to learn as books have always been impossible.You used to have to buy tapes ,or vids, but know the flow of info is amazing
Hi there. Thanks again and again for your work. Great source of inspiration for me. Though I never had to carry a gun for my country- I have the luck to live in a place where you never have to carry weapons nor to almost never experience any form of violence if you manage to stay away from it- your words resonate deeply in me because I'm of german origin, and had occasions to talk a lot with my relatives from Germany, friends who served in the french military and also during several trips to the US with people who experienced ww2 from both sides and soon noticed how similar their human experience was... What you tell us about being at the center of attention in Iraq sounds familiar to me. I play in a Reunion Island folk band, and that tradition has a deep spiritual connection to it, and we use to say that if Nature/God gave you the ability to play and sing, you have the responsibility to share your music and play it with and in front of other people and keep the tradition of your ancestors alive, which means you don't have the right to run away from it by loosing yourself in self-destruction or choosing to ignore where you come from and what you were meant to be... Sorry my english is getting a little rusty 😁
Well said! "We use to say that if Nature/God gave you the ability to play and sing, you have the responsibility to share your music and play it with and in front of other people and keep the tradition of your ancestors alive, which means you don't have the right to run away from it by loosing yourself in self-destruction or choosing to ignore where you come from and what you were meant to be."
WoW this is a great intensely personal video! Like being around the campfire late at night telling stories! Thank you so much for your service to our country! I could never sing around anybody either until TH-cam came around. Still cant in person but online I sing like a canary. Love these video`s your doing!
I like the way you sing. I like the way Tom Waits sings. I like the way Dave Gahan from Depeche Mode sings. Along with a lot of other vastly different singing voices. I might not be the best American Idol judge.😄
Clifton, you are a great storyteller. That was very interesting, and funny in a way. I can see why that would help you in your music. Similar to being forced on stage in a way... As the story unfolded, my thoughts were that you were destined for the banjo...
You had my full attention up until you started transporting your self 🤣 that's a little wacko , but I do understand just being in the moment and enjoying the time and the tune
![ทุกครั้งที่หลับตา (Lucid Dream) - AYLA's [ Official MV ]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/4i1OBAQyv58/mqdefault.jpg)
You should have a link from this video to one of your versions of German War
th-cam.com/video/ebWhVTPTTIc/w-d-xo.html
Love your singing and playing. You seem to leave this world and play in a trance.
By the way Army vet too. Spent years in Middle East before during and after war. My main music comfort was Johnny Cash and old time from Jean Ritchey plus Irish German and Turkish folk. There are several string instruments that resemble a gourd banjo but with longer strings and lower tension. Called a saz. Love the way you play and preserve the old tunes. CW4 Signal and Ordinance plus Vol chaplain ( Luth). Used tin whistle and dulcimer for hymns in field. You did great boon to the troops you played for . Music takes you home.
I’m glad you could share about your experiences. I am a music therapist, and I teach choir, and even so, sometimes I’m not sure how to express how important music is to me. Your words have power.
I would suggest for anybody who sings or wants to sing is to just sing the songs in the same key you normally talk in. You don't have to strain to hit the high or low notes. This is going to sound really weird but to find out what key your speaking voice is in, clip on a tuner - the kind you use to tune your instrument - onto the tip of your nose and start talking and you can see what key you talk in! I just tried it and it works!
Boy that takes me back! The first place I tried to play the banjo was in “A” school barracks in the navy in the early 70’s (yes, almost exactly 50 years ago!) with an old silver tone banjo from Sears. The only instruction at the time was Pete Seeger’s book, and I just didn’t get it, having never seen anyone play live! Finally got some good instruction 20 years later, and it stuck this time.
I haven’t played in several years due to cancer, but finding your videos inspired me to try it again last night. I shouldn’t have let this illness keep my from doing something I love for so long.
Thanks Clifton, I owe you big time.
John, that's awesome! I am honored to have been of some use to you during what must be a damn hard time. Thanks for sharing.
I have a similar history with banjo ,the internet has really allowed people like me to learn as books have always been impossible.You used to have to buy tapes ,or vids, but know the flow of info is amazing
Hi there. Thanks again and again for your work. Great source of inspiration for me. Though I never had to carry a gun for my country- I have the luck to live in a place where you never have to carry weapons nor to almost never experience any form of violence if you manage to stay away from it- your words resonate deeply in me because I'm of german origin, and had occasions to talk a lot with my relatives from Germany, friends who served in the french military and also during several trips to the US with people who experienced ww2 from both sides and soon noticed how similar their human experience was... What you tell us about being at the center of attention in Iraq sounds familiar to me. I play in a Reunion Island folk band, and that tradition has a deep spiritual connection to it, and we use to say that if Nature/God gave you the ability to play and sing, you have the responsibility to share your music and play it with and in front of other people and keep the tradition of your ancestors alive, which means you don't have the right to run away from it by loosing yourself in self-destruction or choosing to ignore where you come from and what you were meant to be... Sorry my english is getting a little rusty 😁
Well said! "We use to say that if Nature/God gave you the ability to play and sing, you have the responsibility to share your music and play it with and in front of other people and keep the tradition of your ancestors alive, which means you don't have the right to run away from it by loosing yourself in self-destruction or choosing to ignore where you come from and what you were meant to be."
Clifton Hicks 👍thanks
thank you
Dude. Thankyou for your service! I had no clue you served. Thats awesome.
I like that kettle!
Little late to this video but I want to let you know that I appreciate you and your life experience.
WoW this is a great intensely personal video! Like being around the campfire late at night telling stories! Thank you so much for your service to our country! I could never sing around anybody either until TH-cam came around. Still cant in person but online I sing like a canary. Love these video`s your doing!
Well young man,thank you for your service. And yup...still wish you were my neighbor!! Great video ✌
Get Spielberg on the phone because this would make for a great film.
I like the way you sing. I like the way Tom Waits sings. I like the way Dave Gahan from Depeche Mode sings. Along with a lot of other vastly different singing voices. I might not be the best American Idol judge.😄
💘
Clifton, you are a great storyteller. That was very interesting, and funny in a way.
I can see why that would help you in your music. Similar to being forced on stage in a way...
As the story unfolded, my thoughts were that you were destined for the banjo...
😊
Don't forget to remember the words, now!
he got banjos, and he got soul
You had my full attention up until you started transporting your self 🤣 that's a little wacko , but I do understand just being in the moment and enjoying the time and the tune
It's true though...
: )