5-String Banjo Instructional Tutorial: "I'll Fly Away"

Find complete run-through with guitar chords starting at 17:15.
This is an instructional tutorial TH-cam video lesson teaching my 5-string banjo version of the gospel tune "I'll Fly Away" on 5-string bluegrass banjo. The music was written in 1929 by Albert E. Brumley and published in 1932 by the Hartford Music company.
As usual, I teach the instrumental tune lick by lick using on-screen tablature, then put it together -- slowly at first, then faster toward the end, adding guitar audio overlay, as well as guitar chords.
This is my own version, which reflects my desire not only to teach the melody of the song, but also to teach certain licks that I deem to be important (at least to me) and fit the given space. So there are parts where I stray from the pure melody. My main goal, as always, is to have fun playing the banjo.
I have posted this teaching video for instructional purposes only and, in my opinion, it constitutes fair use:
"The fair use of a copyrighted work, including such use by reproduction in copies or phonorecords or by any other means specified by that section, for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching (including multiple copies for classroom use), scholarship, or research, is not an infringement of copyright."
Free tab and play-along tracks at different speeds are available at my website, littlerockbanjo.com.
I have had the privilege of playing on stage several times with Albert E. Brumley Jr., always a pleasure. He now lives in southern Missouri and is very proud of his father's extensive musical heritage, and has spent a lifetime spreading his Dad's great music, which includes not only this song (probably his most famous), but many other popular titles like "Rank Stranger," "Turn Your Radio On," "I'll Meet You In the Morning" and others.
Hope you enjoy.

[@brandonjones5826]

Thanks for putting out free lessons with tabs like this. Videos like yours are helping me learn banjo!

[@danhamilton1920]

This is the best explanation on non clawhammer of this song, thanks buddy, really helpful x

[@OceanBlueProjectOBP]

This is great and is easy for someone new to follow with out being confused.

[@tomcatcamp6143]

Great video ; been picking for years and am more than ready to learn a new song . This is just what I need to learn this song . Thanks

[@tomcronin9780]

Eternally grateful William, great instruction and the tab too. Thanks.

[@beaudog59]

What a great lesson and what a great sounding banjo. Thanks for posting.

[@mikefinley4367]

Have watched a few of your vids giving thumbs up. This is a positive suggestion ... Play every tune through first sonpeople can decide if your version is what they are looking for or you waste Thier time and probably get either no thumbs up or down it just down. It's a crazy world filled with instant gratification seeking people who can't cook in ten minutes but go ballistic because they have a seven minute wait in a fast food drive through. Your playing is a enjoyable break from the zoo.

[@mahdesian]

Thank you for posting these lessons!

[@Rip1Outdoors]

Thank you again Bill. Keep up the good work!

[@joearhart]

Excellent lesson! Thanks for this and other tutorials.

[@tonyparrish5366]

Great teaching!

[@LM-jd1ww]

Loved this. Thank you. Next on my list to learn!

[@bradwright9187]

Thanks Bill. Been working on I Saw the Light and now this. Lessons are thorough and the tab at the bottom really helps.

[@josephmecca9920]

so great!!!!!

[@AntoinePayen]

Excellent videos, thank you so much for sharing your knowledge ! :-)

[@harpingon1296]

Thanks so much for your videos. Sounds great and not too hard to play. Do you think you could add the lyrics to the tab please if possible, can't work out where they go?

[@alisonbunnell5131]

Thank you for this great video.

[@jimib3]

bless you

[@josephhopper6150]

The best teacher on the internet that I have found. I wish I had a list of all the songs that you do. Is there anyplace I can find them?

[@thijs5328]

Look at every video, and it says littlerockbanjo.com

[@teenagewormaphobe6871]

15:11 play thru with tab

[@paulmcmillan1998]

used to learn from homspun videos,mike seeger,doc watson and etta baker and bill Keith.....keep up the good work bill..The back up guitar parts make the arrangements sound great and helps with timing!

[@joearhart]

Hi Bill, Love all of your lessons and music. Do you have Life is Like a Mountain Railway online anywhere? Thanks, Jo

[@code9millmusic616]

Fast play through at 20:30

[@bluegrassmovie12]

Thank you. Usually I look for the fast play first.

[@ElsieDIY]

16:33 when I die hallelujah by and by

[@elisabethemory]

9:09 chorus

[@tlbmusic]

Is it possible to get your tab for this arrangement?

[@ElsieDIY]

0:40

[@cswrighty]

Be better if you initially played the whole tune before going into the tutorial so viewer can get a better idea for the song.

[@josephhopper6150]

I always fast forward first.

[@nikndel]

what else do you want ?GOLD

[@cswrighty]

Nikki Clark If you’re offering.

[@stefanschedler4168]

I agree please give us initial run through at a decent speed then go into the lesson.

[@shadowmanNI]

It's free, you can go right to the end. Ungrateful

[@sarahglenn4091]

why is the tab shown upside down?

[@ronaldletourneau9074]

How do you get the tabs?

[@williamanesbitt]

www.littlerockbanjo.com... bottom of page 1

[@garyvoigt5090]

That is called a push off not a pull.off???

[@hnjmoose3251]

That is totally called a pull off

[@banjopickingbuddy]

This is so clunky and bad

[@zodshouldawon4149]

banjopickingbuddy nope, you're wrong

[@blainedecker1]

You would complain it's too heavy if someone gave you a free gold brick! Thanks Bill.

[@nikndel]

moaning wimp