OpenTube

Spice up your Backup with These Three Licks - Bluegrass Banjo

Jim Pankey

37,213 views

Here's an expansion pack with three handy-dandy licks for your backup playing.

Here is a tab for the three licks:

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1h...

Patreon: jimpankey

00:00 - Introduction: Expansion Pack for Your Backup
01:05 - Lick Overview: Closed Position Versatility
01:27 - Recapping the Recent Live Stream
01:46 - Lick 1: The High G Run Breakdown
02:16 - Mastering the Slide and Finger Swaps
03:07 - Right Hand Technique: Index-Index Eighth Notes
03:47 - Practice Exercise for the High G Run
04:20 - Lick 2: The "Six White Horses" Lick
05:08 - Breakdown: Fingerings in the C Position (10th Fret)
06:14 - Finger Efficiency and Keeping the Shape
06:40 - Practicing "Six White Horses" Across G, C, and D
07:15 - Cautionary Advice: Using Licks Tastefully
07:48 - Lick 3: The Rolling Pattern with Thumb Fretting
08:22 - Technique: Reaching for the 5th String at the 7th Fret
09:04 - Right Hand Roll Pattern (3-1-5-2-1-5-1-5)
10:00 - Applying the Roll to C and D Shapes
10:35 - Full Slow Walkthrough: Combining All Three Licks
12:13 - Closing Thoughts and Practice Encouragement
12:24 - Patreon and Channel Support Information

I'm playing my Recording King M5

Strings: https://amzn.to/34phGv2

Finger Picks: https://amzn.to/2OoKxKs

A Thumb Pick: https://amzn.to/2LarEZI

Tuner: https://amzn.to/35Gl2ds

20 Comments

@bobfrombc5441 6 years ago

Ive been learning these licks on top of the 10 basic lessons plus Cripple Creek Expansion pack as well as the 7 back up lessons and it is unbelievable how much material a new player can put together in their foundation skill set. 30 years ago I tried banjo from a well know methodology book and got to grade 3. In the 3 months or so Ive been doing this I am so far ahead of that its amazing. Jim you make it really fun to learn but your style gets results for learners like me. Love it and thanks from us "visual " learners!

@joejoe1234fightfan 11 months ago

You made banjo simple enough for us guitarists to cross over. Also you have a great voice. its been a joy learnkng from these videos!

@MR.SHERMANATOR 8 months ago

this just saved me hours of trying to tab out these up the neck licks i had in my head👍 you're the best

@Daves5wire 7 years ago

Thanks Jim for the effort you put into these videos. For me,The more back up stuff you can do the better Thanks again Ive had a lot of fun with your videos

@gypsieband-h9f1y 1 year ago

35 years as a guitarist to a badass banjo player

@adamlevinson7739 3 years ago

Such seemingly complicated stuff but the video makes it super clear and simple! Thanks for your teaching videos!

@Knappist 4 years ago

Many thanks Jim I have been working on the white horses lick for a long time, you have made it a lot easier to play for me👍

@braddobmeier1991 7 years ago

Thank you so much Jim. I truly appreciate these videos

@billduffey7756 7 years ago

I appreciates you Jim, I started with the first ten lessons, pushed thru the fingertip discomfort & now on to some other lessons.
Someday maybe we can share a cold drink or two, my treat. Thx!!

@Brother-Donnie 7 years ago

Good stuff, thank you been looking for those licks. My favorite part of Scruggs was his backup stuff, be bop backup dittie licks. Thanks for that, appreciate ya.

@DMainRC 5 years ago

Thanks Jim!

@brazilhead 4 years ago

And yet another great lesson Jim. Thanks so much!

@Mando287Banjo 2 years ago

this is exactly what i was looking for, thanks!

@stevepawluk4129 6 years ago

These are great fun! I'm probably annoying my wife and neighbors by practicing them so much, but they are quite handy and wonderful practice. I'm also finding that, if one plays the first two licks a bit slower, and adjusts the timing just a little bit, one can play several blues tunes on the banjo as well. Excellent bonus! Thanks!!

@tomference4618 5 years ago

Those are great!

@bomark2002 5 years ago

Dude you are right up our alley, West Virginia, it don’t git any hillbillyer than that

@5stringPimp 5 years ago

Good job! I like your Nick lucus pattern neck too..

@gypsieband-h9f1y 1 year ago

Thanks Jim July 13th 2025 are they listening to your shows for 2 years and I'm finally doing it everyday

@Isaiah_46_4-5 4 years ago

Thank you Sooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo much! Your Amazing!

@daveandrews6670 6 years ago

Thanks Jim for more Scruggs & other licks.i,v always herd them but didn't no what they were.these are beauties your the best your a real character mate.you crack me up some times.i,m a relearner tuart myself at 11 to 13 years old.now at 54 have picked it up again.for good this time I hope.exscise my spelling.