Learn to Play - Foggy Mountain Breakdown - Bluegrass Banjo 

If you would like a TAB for this video I did share it here: sellfy.com/p/vE6V/

This is hands down the best tutorial of this tune out there. Some people spend like 15 minutes explaining the open roll, and others blow past the tricky bits, but the pacing here is perfect, for me anyway.

Jim. I want to tell you that i appreciate you so much. I had a really rough time last may. I completely blew my knee out and had surgery 3 weeks after getting divorced, moving alone from Tennessee to North Carolina, and getting stuck alone on the mountian for 2 months, unable to go anywhere... I bought a banjo a week before surgery and im so glad i found you here. I tried learning 10 years before but times were different then and i gave up. You completely got me thru the tough times and i learned very easily with your videos! thank you so much for everything you do here. You are a national treasure.

My dad is teaching me this right now and whenever I get done what he wants me to, I come here immediately to learn more... im addicted to the banjo

I hope you don't take this the wrong way Jim, but I subscribed to your channel just to watch and listen to you teach. As I've said before, I've been pickin' the banjer for more than 35 years but I often come here just to listen to you teach. The way you peer into the camera gives me the feeling that you're directly connected to your students and it gives a really great personal connection to them in my opinion. Foggy Mountain Breakdown isn't the easiest easy tune to learn but you make it easy because of the way you chip it into small chunks and ask your students to stop there and practice. I think your teaching method is absolutely amazing Jim, and I wish I had you and RU-vid way back when I first picked up the banjo. Well done, Jim, and thanks for taking the time to build confidence in so many new pickers. You have a very kind soul Jim.

The fact that you take time to respond to people shows your dedication to making this teachable to everyone. Well done.

Jim, Your the Greatest !! I became disabled 12 yrs ago and I used to play banjo a little, I have lost all feeling on my right side and live 24/7 in Chronic pain. 10 major operations but my nerves in my neck are pinned along my spine, Ripped apart nerves can NOT be repaired. Doctors say something happened as a Vietnam Vet but I receive $0.00 from the U.S.M.C. , As u can see in my picture I rehab Hurt Squirrels but the ones that live with us can't be returned to the wild. They would die so They live in our home free like kings LOL, I want to thank you for taking your time to teach slowly , Living in Chronic Pain I have lost my ability to remember thing anymore. So I watch and watch your videos as much as I can. If you view my RU-vid page, DUNCAN the squirrel was born with Brain Disorder, I have had him to two specialist that say he will never be able to jump straight in trees, so, he will live a wonderful life with my wife and I. He travels with us up to Blue Ridge, GA. where we have some land.Thank you my friend, GOD BLESSSteve

Earl Scruggs was my cousin and I wasn't able to really pick his brain on the art he mastered. I did learn some. I enjoy watching your videos.

This is absolutely the best tutorial for this song on the internet! I've seen quite a few, tried playing by ear, but you explained it simple and perfectly. Greetings from Poland for all banjo fans!

It's like having an old friend teaching me in my home. Love the videos, love the tabs.....Thanks, Jim

I have been going through your videos for 9 weeks and have accomplished what I thought that would not be possible! Thanks for posting Jim! You are a great instructor!

Foggy Mountain Breakdown, my nemesis and the reason I started, you've given me hope here :-) Thanks, great video/lesson

Long time finger picker guitarist here. I bought my first banjo a couple weeks ago, some 1970's japanese made thing they used to sell here in Australia. Drove out to some guys farm in woop woop, got her cheap off facebook marketplace..nice bloke. She seems to stay in tune and makes a hell of a racket. Drives my wife crazy so I have to stuff a sock behind the bridge. This is the best channel to learn for us knuckleheads..love it mate!!

Bought a banjo, watched Your video for 2 Hours and got the notes down. Now rinse and repeat till I get the speed right. Loved your video, Jim. For me you are the Bob Ross of banjo.

Hey Jim, just wanted to say thanks! I bought a Deering Goodtime Classic 15 years ago with thoughts of learning to play. I picked for a few weeks and learned rolls and a couple easy songs that I never really played right. A couple weeks ago I got the itch to try it again and found this video. A night or two here and there turned into a handful of evenings over that last couple weeks and tonight I finally got the last roll down then….I played Foggy Mountain Breakdown! Finally, a song that other people can recognize! You’re a GREAT teacher! Please, keep it up!

Jim, your online banjo tutorials make learning how to play the banjo so much easier than other tutorials.

Nothing like spending a Saturday learning a new song, courtesy of Mr Pankey. Can't get much better than this.

I just saw Steve Pawluck's comment from two years ago and wish I had seen it earlier. Haha! That's exactly how I felt! It seemed like too many notes in this "G lick" to sound right... Today it came out sounding right with every note. YES!!!! I'll keep practicing it now. Man, I'm stoked!! Thanks Jim!!

I started playing banjo three days ago, so Foggy Mountain Breakdown is the next logical step

Mr. Jim thankful for everything you teach and the way you break down and simplify each lesson . I am 59 and just started playing thank you.

Mr Pankey, thank you for doing these video banjo lessons. I have been working on your lessons for almost 2 years now. I keep in mind from beginner video lesson one. Practice like bushing your teeth every day. Best advice from a pro to a beginner. Your a great man! You put smiles on peoples faces.

At 70 and beginning Banjo to play at my senior center with the other geezers on their guitars I'm looking forward to learning to play this and make them all have to adjust their pacemakers. Seriously I learned so much from your instruction and look forward to learning more. Thank you.

Holy smokes I learned it. I took my time to practice (it took me almost two months to make it through the video) but I can play it now with only a couple bad notes! Maybe another month and it'll be flawless! You rock Jim

A very long time ago (30-40 years) I was working in gas plant near Milnesand, NM and during the night shift an operator pulled out his banjo and started picking bluegrass tunes. He asked if I wanted to hear something, I said Foggy Mountain Breakdown. He looked at me, shook his head, and said "Everyone always asks for that song and I don't know why". In spite of that I thought he was amazing lol I then requested that he play his favorite piece. It was an old slow Bluegrass song that I long ago forgot the name of but it was very good. It turned out he travelled around on his off time and played festivals and competitions. You just never know when a banjo will show up :) My dad gave me a banjo, when I was 6 or 7, along with a Mel Bay Learn to Play Banjo book. That was over 50 years ago (how is that possible). I never got past a couple of rolls and some chords. I have had a banjo on order for a couple of weeks. when it shows up I'll start your beginner lessons, you're a good teacher.

Jim I started playing the banjo about 6 months ago. And I would not be playing like I I'm today if I did not come across you on RU-vid. So thank you for giving theses free lessons. I already have 5 songs down all from your lessons thank you again man really. 🙏

That's it Jim. Making the difficult simple.

The reason I picked up learning the banjo was to play "Foggy Mountsin Breakdown" because Earl Scruggs is my hero. After watching your video, I discovered to my absolute delight that I CAN PLAY THAT!!!!! Thank you so much for this video!!!!!

I got a banjo 3 months ago never having played an instrument before. If anyone told me I’d learn foggy mountain breakdown (even the simple version) in that short amount of time, I’d have laughed. Thank you very much, Jim, for all your lessons. (I did the first 10, then ‘you are my sunshine’, then this, and now dissecting your ‘groundspeed’ lesson lick by lick to learn it.)

I did what you said Jim and slowed the video down, right after you said that, and it sounded like you had a stroke!!!🤣 Thanks for the tutorials!!! Loving it.

I'm 59 and I've played drums in rock bands for 40 yrs(geezer! I'm lookin at what I just wrote! Damn I'm old) but I've wanted to front my own country gospel band forever and if not now I'll never do it so I've been playing banjo now less then a month. I do practice and I know I have to learn what chords go together 1 4 5 and how to know that naturally, without thought, how to get comfortable picking and with finger picks, how to do all the rolls n all so thanks jim you have a comfortable relaxed way of teaching. I had to wait today at the dmv and brought the banjo and practiced in my car for hours before getting in to do my business. I like doing the licks but its putting everything together that a lil tough the fingers and brain dont necessarily agree but I know it takes time like drumming does. Well see in coupla yrs if I can do it. Thanks again jim.

I just got banjo yesterday and now it play this song, thank you

In these trying times, one needs to keep their head, & I couldn't think of anything better than to listen to Foggy Mountain Breakdown. The 5 string banjo...a true American instrument contrived from the mind of an American, and I just can't help but smile when I hear someone laying it down with a 5 string banjo. As a drummer, bassist & guitarist, I (in my old age) felt compelled to buy me a beginner-esque banjo with a mute & picks. Your vid is the one I went with and for good reason...its as simple a lesson as a lesson on FMB can be, & I took off my (now grown) kid's Act 1 toy guitar's low E string & replaced it with a 10 gauge string tuned to a high G. Therefore I have a miniature lil 'geeter' tuned to a banjo. (I just tuned down the A string so that it doesn't resonate) and I'm having a great time learning from your vid, Jim....the perfect thing for my demeanor during these Convid 19 times. By the time my banjo arrives, I should be ready enough to practice on my own because of you, friend. Thx a whole bunch now......hear?

Hi Jim fantastic job could watch you all day

I'm so glad i stumbled upon you - aged 58 & six weeks in on my first banjo with zero experience of playing any instrument, with the exception of random three finger picking on my son's 3/4 acoustic guitar that I somehow naturally gravitated to......I reckon I was born to pick banjo, the rolls come naturally to me - however my stumpy sausage-like fingers are causing a real issue struggle with chords, but I'm getting there.

You’re the best teacher ever, I’ve learned so much from you in only a week and now I can play songs all day long

Truly the Bob Ross of banjo teachers. You got me into banjo and I'm starting to get the hang of stuff so thanks a lot from England 👍

No mater what playing level you may be at or type of banjo we can all learn from Jim. I appreciate his easy way of explaining proper playing techniques. His not afraid to share his talents as we all develop our own. Everyone keep on picking!

From Singapore. I was in Savannah last year and enjoyed the Southern hospitality. And I have been watching a whole bunch of banjo lessons online and yours is really personal and connected, showing your great love for your music! It's really difficult to learn to play the banjo back here in the far East, let alone buy a banjo. But your video is really encouraging and I will probably buy one epicphone that is being sold here.

Learning to pick, your vids are the least complicated and I made progress I never thought possible. I'm 58 and could not imagine beginning this late but, I enjoy it even if I'm never as proficient as Jim Panky he makes you feel it's possible.

I've played Foggy Mountain Breakdown for years but I didnt like the way I was playing but now thanks to you I can play it way better now.

The man is a brilliant teacher and in my humble opinion the best banjo teaching videos on the internet, Thanks jim 😀 👍

wonderful lesson. I added the Chrome youtube looper and have now memorized all of foggy mountain breakdown.

You taught me cripple creek and now foggy mountain breakdown. Thank you for being such a great teacher!

The first time I ever discovered this song was on a RU-vid video, but I thought it was a tutorial for a song called Foggy Moountain and it was like a breaking down the parts of the song to make it easier to play!

I gotta say, after years of only playing from sheetmusic with several instruments, picking up banjo and commiting to only playing from memory is something else. The learning proces is very different and far more enjoyable

Putting the clawhammer down and picking up 3 fingers, you were the first I thought of to break into it, thanks

Just picked up a copy of the TAB. Thanks for putting this tutorial and TAB together. I am 17 days into my Banjo journey. I am bouncing from your beginner class and Eli's. Having an absolute blast getting 2-4 hours a day of practice! Thanks for taking so much time laying out a catalog of tutorials. Kudos!

That's what I'm talking about! I could never get it before, now I'm catching on, thanks, Jim!

I really like the way you teach the song in pieces. Even I can understand it.

Undoubtedly the best banjo teacher on the internet and what a lovely lovely guy as well, Thanks jim 😀

Awesome! Wanted to learn this for a long time. This is the best instructional on RU-vid.

Wanted to learn banjo ever since I first heard this tune in the movie as a kid. Got my instrument March 2nd and began the included instructions and CD lessons- they were great and I learned beginning rolls, a few chords and timing techniques and was just starting on songs when I remembered this video that was one of the factors in getting my banjo in the first place. Thought I'd take an Easter break and give this a shot- could always come back to it later. On Friday I started and had it locked Tuesday- granted a waltz version, but still, had all the licks in the right direction. I even had to look in the first 10 lessons to understand the forward reverse roll starting with 5. Not to knock the original course, just for me personally, I think the book I had was kind of a crutch- and by using your technique of small bites, adding on, repeating up to the new stuff- watching listening and hearing you play was for me, far superior in memorizing the licks. So kind of bass ackwards- I will now start your first 10 lessons, while continuing to practice this--my first month of practice was like learning a stringed instrument--but over the past few days- with your instruction- that instrument now actually sounds like a banjo---granted, a banjo in slow motion- but without slides and hammer-ons, the picture is still black and white- no color. Just like you say--I think I'm hooked---and thank you for helping me get there!

Best teacher EVER!!!!

Thanks Jim. Teaching licks to us clumsy fingered mortals must be like teaching a centipede which leg to put on the ground next without it falling over. Also your banjo sounds & plays much better than my pawn shop buzz box which goes clunk clunk clunk instead of ring ring ring.

Hey Mr. Pankey, I am about three weeks into playing my first banjo, and I have already pretty much mastered your version of Cripple Creek, and Banjo in the Hollow, and am now halfway through this version of Foggy Mountain Breakdown. My wife is thoroughly impressed with how quickly I've picked up this instrument. I must say, you are absolutely a phenomenal teacher, and I really appreciate your first ten lessons and this one as well. I am absolutely stoked to continue learning from your excellent lessons here. You have brought a lot of joy to me up here in rural Ontario in just the past few weeks alone; I've always wanted to play the banjo but never had the confidence that I could conquer the instrument. With your brilliant teaching style I have all of the confidence in the world that I can play with pride this instrument. My wife has been kind enough to order me a Gold Tone Cripple Creek 100 banjo as an upgrade to my Amazon banjo (which required hours of tinkering and a new head to set up, and has a terrible warble to the sound at the best of times), because she's so impressed with the speed of my learning. Anyway, thank you for these excellent lessons, I greatly appreciate your time and effort in producing these. Cheers!

Ive had to watch this a dozen times to absorb it all, but I have to agree with previous comments that call it a comprehensive tutorial. Thanks for all you do Sir!

This is still one of my favs

Just spent 2 hours on this after neglecting my practice and that was hard work.. My hands are getting stiff so back at it tomorrow..Started back in February on your videos every day but family commitments drew me away but determined to get back on it.. cheers Jim for being a great teacher...

That does it. Jim, I’m buying a darn banjo!

Thank you for the lesson. I’ve had my banjo for about a month now and been watching your videos. I’m working on foggy mountain breakdown. You make it simple to learn. The biggest problem is me lol. The fact that I’m 64 years old don’t help me a lot. I know the entire song now. I just want to make it sound better. The speed may never come but I really enjoy playing the banjo. I appreciate all the time you put into these lessons.

Yes, he is very generous. I have been playing just two years and started at age 51. I learned from the Wayne Erbsen books first. I have played almost every day from 30 minutes to one hour for two years. I have learned Dueling Banjos from the Geoff Howland book and plenty from the Wayne Erbsen books.. I have the Foggy Mountain Break Down in the Earl Scruggs book, but every time I looked at it I thought "nah" not today, and did another song such as Ground Hog , or Down The Road. Ok now it is time to learn this from your video. Three months I reckon. I am from the UK and now live in Taiwan. I pretty much have the only banjo in the whole country. Your videos reach far and wide Mr Panky. In three months I will be blasting this in the parks of Taipei just over the small sea border from Communist China. THANK YOU Mr Jim Pankey , in three months my banjo will sing this song.

Never Get tired of learning from Jim.... I'm up to 6 songs of his that I can actually play with various degrees of proficiency. Still working on speed and confidence, still can't sing and play at the same time but I have it down pretty well at slow speed.... 3 months in and people can hardly believe how fast I picked it up. Thanks Jim.... Maybe someday we can Jam together.

You are my hero. I've spent the last 8 years not playing my banjo. You just made me pick it up again and remember how amazing it feels to get this.

Amazing tutorial. I'm learning this an hour before going camping with some buddies and feel like I've k own the song forever. Thank you so much

Well Jim, I'm back, finally bought the banjo, tuner, stand, picks and strap...learning how to tune the banjo, managed to snap the 3rd string.(don't ask) anyway heading back to your 1st lesson on Monday after a trip to the music store for the extra strings, I didn't buy on Saturday. (go figure).. Just dating this comment on 01-10-21, I want to play this song on my 50th wedding anniversary this year. Practice Practice Practice as you say, and hope to be back here in 10 months. Coming up on 70 years this fall...'bout time to start learning banjo. And yes my favorite performer was Earl Scruggs every since I saw him on the black and white tv..... never mind the year..long time ago. Thanks for the help.. dave

Jim, thanks so much for these lessons. I hope you and the family are keeping well and safe.

finally picked up my banjo after purchasing it MANY years ago. This video content is awesome, thanks a lot!

Oh I’m excited fell in love with bluegrass bout 2 year ago I burned my self outa good old country cause they don’t make it like they used too but I enjoy some the newer bluegrass love the old even more bought myself a banjo this last weekend can’t wait to start playing

Thank you so much! I been claw hammering for a decade but only dabbled in 3 finger picking. Your teaching style is just perfect! Thank you!

Jim thanks to you this is the 5th song I’ve learned from your teaching! I really appreciate your simple teaching I just picked up banjo 2 months ago!

Love your lessons and tutoring, you are by far the best instructor that I have found on RU-vid yet, I have tried other instructors and until I found you almost gave up,now I'm enjoying it and loving what I'm learning, thank you so much for doing this, oh yeah my 6 yr old grandson was able to play the first part of Foggy Mountain brake down ! Now thats awesome.Thank you again.

You are a great teacher.

I just bought my first banjo. It's an open back 5 string (I'll get a bluegrass one some day) Your videos are helping me so much! And you're a great teacher. Your videos actually get me playing. Thank you!

Thank you so much for this tutorial. I finished a bluegrass banjo class last semester and I have trouble following what some tab and other tutorials have to say, but this felt like being back in class. I'm getting a hang of it now, but I still need to practice!

Hey Jim!! I've learned the entire song 'I'll Fly Away" and now I'm moving on to this one!! Thank you so much for your lessons! I've only been playing a little over a month, and your videos have helped me so much! I don't read the banjo tabs, so these videos really help. God bless you Jim!! Your friend from N.C. ~ Elisabeth. 😁

Before going through your 10 beginner lessons, i watched this video (because it's Foggy Mountain Breakdown) in awe. It seemed so hard. Now after going through your 10 lessons and watching this video again, I'm thinking "I can do this"! (I can even hear you saying "Folks, you can do this") Thanks Jim.

I never thought I would be able to play foggy mountain breakdown and I cant very fast, getting there like you said the speed will come. Many thanks jim your the man!!!!!

life at the college of banjo jim is dope

Just want to say thank you Jim here from the uk i started playing banjo a month ago thinking i would never be able to play but your lessons are perfect and have got me going and im enjoying every minute of it i prays you sir thankyou once again

Thanks Jim! Foggy Mountain Breakdown is the reason I wanted to learn to play the banjo, and now I can play it (sort of lol) !!

Jim you are a GOOD Dude! Thank you for your time and passion with the banjo!

Just came across this vid after looking for beginner banjo vids. I just picked up a stagg 5 string with reno head which i plan to learn on and have subscribed to your channel. I am taking a look at your beginner vids so i can start learning.... long road ahead :). Thanks for your instruction vids, it really is appreciated.

I literally just started playing consistently three weeks ago and this is by far one of the most technical pieces I’m learning. You taught me how to play cripple creek and the first part to rainbow connection. You’re a great teacher can’t wait to learn more with you

I never thought I'd be able to play foggy mountain breakdown, but your fantastic teaching style really helped me break it down and me get through it--thanks! Your tab book was also a very helpful reference for this :)

only on lesson two, but looking forward to playing this some day!. very informative videos. Thanks for taking the time to post.

Hi Jim,I am as you are an avid banjo player.I love your work as you teach in very easy well selected blocks,just enough to absorb and not too much to overwhelm. I reckon two well placed small elastic bands wrapped on the end of your glasses arms will stop slipping.I change my elastic bands about once each year.Really works.I also know that you are tutoring me on a very personal level, cos you keep looking right close at me through the camera lens each time you make a point.You have succeeded in getting through my grey matter without clutter.I am subscribed & you are on my favourites.Ray Victoria Australia

Thanks Jim, It took me about 5 days to learn each section and practice them individually but now I have it. I just need to work on putting them all together. I've been playing banjo for about 6 days now and this video has helped me learn my first song.

Got it, thanks for another excellent lesson. It's mind-boggling how fast Earl Scruggs plays this song. It must be months or years of sheer repetition where playing fast becomes as easy as talking fast.

I like the way you teach banjo. I always learned more from someone taking their time and break it down slowly and teaching that way. I enjoy these very much and hope to get better over time. Keep up the good work. Thanks again....

Thank you for teaching me how to play banjo!!!

Now, you got me bending down looking through my laptop screen back at you, haha! Love your videos, and teaching, even bought some tab from you, though that version of Breakdown is a bit different, 32 Arrangements and Ideas for… Bluegrass Banjo. Thanks, much, for all you do for banjo players.

Whew! That was a bit of work for a beginner. That "G Lick" just didn't feel right for a while. But persistence and practice paid off in the end. I recognize that you've taught us a simplified version of the tune, but learning it produces a good feeling of satisfaction and enjoyment nevertheless. Thank you, very much, Mr. Pankey.

Buddy u kick ass!! Wow what a great teacher!!! Thank you so much!!

Somehow when I see that you can teach a whole song in 15 mins makes me confident that I can play the song too

you're a really good teacher. i'm a guitarist, just got a banjo last week. your video is exactly what i was looking for. thanks, i'm rollin!!

Thanks Jim! It‘s taken me two weeks to learn You are my Sunshine and this. This one was much easier after the struggle last week. Now I have five songs to practice. Great teaching!

Thanks Jim love how you break it down into parts this will keep me busy for a while

You Sir do an outstanding job teaching. I came back to playing for years and years of absence and your step by step is so much appreciated. I am actually going unlearning some muscle memory in my picking rolls and am loving it. Thank You!!!

Jim, I just got my banjo a week ago, I have played and sometimes taught guitar for many years. Your teaching is fantastic and I can now play cripple creek and various other tunes to a acceptable level (a bit slow but it's still early days). I wish I had your talent for teaching by talking sense to people and clearly letting them know exactly what is needed to learn a tune. I am so pleased I found you when I searched for banjo lessons! Best wishes from Scotland !

I've been talking about picking up a banjo for years, well my wife surprised me with one for Christmas. I've been watching all your videos, you make it look so easy! And really after just a week it's not too bad. Thanks Jim for breaking it down so nicely.