Open-String Pull-Offs in "Little Birdie"
Added 2018-02-19 15:49:12 +0000 UTCIn this video we'll take a look at how I play "Little Birdie." The standard tuning for this classic song is eCGAD (my tuning here is dropped to dA#FGC).
I am using an up-picking technique that is slightly modified from what I would call standard up-picking which involves more emphasis on strumming the strings and almost no percussive "tapping" of the banjo head.
This less brushy/more percussive approach seems specially suited to this song: George Gibson once told me that "Little Birdie" when played from this special tuning "contains the prettiest combination of notes that can be produced on the five-string banjo." I do not disagree.
Comments
That's a great idea! I've never thought to.
Clifton Hicks
2021-08-20 12:37:47 +0000 UTCClifton, could you please hammer out a tab on this beautiful rendition of yours?
Josh Z
2021-08-20 04:01:22 +0000 UTCBeautiful!
Curtis
2018-02-23 15:27:58 +0000 UTCHoly smokes!
Christina Petro
2018-02-22 03:34:27 +0000 UTCYou just answered my question on percussive sounds when uppicking. I use my thumb on the head like that on overhand sometimes but wasn't sure how that was accomplished uppicking. I'm sure is probably already on the adgenda at some point, but your fanning up the neck is a fantastic stylistic component. I have multiple albums of yours and enjoy supporting your music. Great videos.
Alan
2018-02-19 22:10:11 +0000 UTCWe definitely will, Tim, and soon!
Clifton Hicks
2018-02-19 20:20:31 +0000 UTCHi. Could you talk in more depth about the up-picking technique? ty
Timofey Tverdiukov
2018-02-19 20:09:48 +0000 UTCReally enjoying the videos, thanks for posting
Bob Spencer
2018-02-19 19:49:28 +0000 UTCAwesome video and thanks for going nice and slow for this beginner!
Sean McComber
2018-02-19 16:59:46 +0000 UTCGreat..thanks for playing each string of the tuning! Fantastic song!
Jonas Nottbeck
2018-02-19 16:30:59 +0000 UTCer....I meant play it not what I wrote!
Tom Tomasi
2018-02-19 16:16:35 +0000 UTCOne of my favorite tunes. So glad you have provided some fine skills for me to learn so I can plait it.
Tom Tomasi
2018-02-19 16:15:19 +0000 UTCThis is amazing, thank you. Loving this page.
Lewis Coe
2018-02-19 16:01:35 +0000 UTC
