Steve Martin's grand plan was do be a rich and famous comedian so he could play banjo full time. And it worked.

@Taphfy

Жыл бұрын

ABSOLUTELY !!!

@orbison

Жыл бұрын

Yeah. That makes sense. He joked that he never wanted to make a career strictly as a banjo player because there is a sentence no one ever utters, "Oh, look. It's the banjo player's Porsche." So he needed to sneak in by being a comedian/actor/screenwriter/author/playwright. Imagine doing all that to be able to play music.

@vetterburns1048

Жыл бұрын

@@orbison "Ohhh, I'm picking out a thermos for YOUUUU..."

@m.montague5228

Жыл бұрын

LOVE HIM!!!!!!!!

@evananderson5855

Жыл бұрын

Yes it did!!

Not enough people realize the beauty of this instrument.

@christopherparks2987

Жыл бұрын

Bazouki is better. Used often in Irish musics too. And has 8 strings. Best number.

@goofe.washington953

Жыл бұрын

Great comment

@sadem1045

Жыл бұрын

@@goofe.washington953 Thanks

@svenjansen2134

Жыл бұрын

Respecting it more. It sounds joyful and this man can play from the heart.

@namonrice1770

11 ай бұрын

Everyone does in NORTH CAROLINA HOME OF EARL SCRUGGS, AND DON RENO!!!!

i love his look of concentration as he narrows down from his more goofy comedic persona to being a person who has legitimately spent hundreds of hours honing his abilities with this instrument.

@christopherparks2987

Жыл бұрын

If you play any instrument then you know what it’s like to be in the zone, for lack of a better phrase.

@svenjansen2134

Жыл бұрын

You're completely off the world at that moment especially when you're improvising. It's the best feeling ever. Getting out a great guitar solo for example seems to be a lost skill almost.

@svenjansen2134

Жыл бұрын

You can't be more connected to music than that. And I also make electronic music. Nothing beats the real thing.

@twilliamsusmc

3 ай бұрын

Thousands of hours.

Steve Martin, keeping it classy since the ‘70’s.

He’s playing it finger-style, no pick! That’s awesome! 😎

@patmcintire9875

7 ай бұрын

Frailing or clawhammer style like the old timers did

@mikeabbott8521

2 ай бұрын

Drop-thumb is another term for this technique. Grandpa Jones, String Bean, and Doc Watson played this style.

Looks like we've been wrong about Steve Martin all along... He is a professional banjo player that is also a world-renowned comedian.

@DiogenesLantern

Жыл бұрын

Writer, dramatic actor, dancer, singer, etc.

Holy crap. He's playing a medley of Loch Lomond (Scottish traditional) and Simple Gifts (old Shaker hymn).

You can see it in his eyes that music was his true passion.

He did this during a STADIUM stand up routine.

@RataStuey

4 жыл бұрын

sixpakshaker88 I was just thinking that. He was on top of his game

@Ekkis25

3 жыл бұрын

I saw him in a live indoor arena with 19,000 other fans he was amazing. I will never forget the amazing dime trick, his best magic ever!

@sixpakshaker88

3 жыл бұрын

@Cindi Thomas He played stadiums at least the size of basketball arenas. So it was in front of 10s of thousands of fans.

@kevinkuenn5733

3 жыл бұрын

At the height of disco, no less.

@banjobailey1849

3 жыл бұрын

That’s the only way they’d allow it

The banjo. Simultaneously the happiest and most melancholy of instruments. Steve, always be with us with your smile and banjo at your side.

There are stars in the sky... and some fell to earth... you Mr. Martin are one of those beautiful souls... peace be with you.🤗😁

Obsequious purple and clairvoyant. He’s a comic genius.

I've played the banjo for over 45 years, and let me tell you this guy could play. What he's doing here is called frailing. Notice the banjo's open back, and the lack of finger picks. That's how you play the clawhammer or frailing style. I can't frail worth a crap. Steve also plays Scruggs (bluegrass) style very well, with finger picks and the back in place (he put the fingerpicks and back on at 2:25). That's my style. Very few banjo players can do both styles as good as Steve Martin. He could have been a professional banjo player, but as he once said nobody ever says "look at that banjo player in that Porsche". I guess he made the right vocational choice.

@ewokwarrior2656

3 жыл бұрын

And then he came out with a music album and played on NPR tiny desk and late night shows with banjo legends and was AMAZING! In a banjoish sort of way. ( Seriously he was/ is amazing as a musician.)

@marvinmeeker5765

3 жыл бұрын

Yes, he is good, both in the clawhammer style and 3 finger picking. One of the best in the world. I bet that if he could have made money with the banjo, he wouldn't have bothered with stand-up. He is world-class. Few are better. Never liked his acting, but I like his stand-up and his appearances on SNL, but I like his banjo picking best.

@JeromyBranch

2 жыл бұрын

He did indeed play with Scruggs n Flats. Was badass when he did too. I play guitar and started with mountain music a million years ago and you are right when u say Steve is an awesome banjo player.

@FranBro

2 жыл бұрын

Watch his new show, “murder in the building”. He is very “un-Steve” and shows off some serious acting chops in the subtle moments.

@MikeBarnhill

2 жыл бұрын

One of the best comments ever. I did start playing banjo about a year ago and practice in the back of my Tesla while my son is at his drum lesson.

The banjo is the most badass instrument and nobody can convince me otherwise.

@mouija1450

5 жыл бұрын

It has the most soul in the right hands, but it's hard to coax feelings out of it.

@jameshowen2445

4 жыл бұрын

bass guitar

@dean8842

4 жыл бұрын

As one who has played the 5-string banjo for over 47 years, I can attest to your sentiment that the banjo is, indeed, THE most bad-ass instrument around... and the mandolin runs a VERY close second!

@Srcsqwrn

3 жыл бұрын

It's very cool. Lots of history behind it too!

@LoudGamerzTM

3 жыл бұрын

Nuh uh! Oh man I just ended your whole career with that takedown

He’s 34 here... wow, looks the same now over 40 years later, respect

@ghomerhust

2 жыл бұрын

when you reach max level, you just stop leveling! haha

@kadenwatt2033

2 жыл бұрын

I for one believe Steve Martin was born with white-gray hair lol

@kaymuldoon3575

4 ай бұрын

@@kadenwatt2033he may as well have been haha. Actually there are clips of him on the Smothers Brothers show from the 60s and he has brown hair. Looks kind of odd on him. Lol

@dev5576

2 ай бұрын

this video is super low quality, though, if you recorded him now on these cameras, with this level of compression, i'm sure look the same

Steve should be declared a living National Treasure.

I will tell you something,He has brought so much entertainment through the years, he's hot and cold, just like us.What a wonderful teaching person, I am so proud that he is part of my generation.

Isn't this just amazing!

Can't believe this clip is 41 years old.

@allistairmitchell3845

Ай бұрын

😮😮😮!

@kishascape

Ай бұрын

And Steve Martin looked the same age ever since.

He really draws the music out of it. It's beautiful.

I don't know if I love him more being funny or playing the banjo.

@ZacBLive

3 жыл бұрын

You don’t have to chose!

The first and only time we ever met was much like this moment. An arrow was going straight through your head. I sat in the audience mesmerized. What a talented, very strange young man. Oh, we were just kids then. Remember? Thank you for your life.

The guy has 5 Grammy Awards, 1 Emmy Award, and 1 Academy Award, among others.

@freedapeeple4049

3 жыл бұрын

Plus numerous awards for his music

@orbison

2 жыл бұрын

The only one to have won both music and comedy Grammys

You can tell this is his true passion. Brings him joy it seems. Good on ya Martin!

This guy is so multi-talented! I've always loved him.

@svenjansen2134

Жыл бұрын

He really puts soul in his playing. And in 79 the cocaine wasn't too bad either. Just kidding Mr. Martin can really play and you don't need drugs for that. Talent and practice. Peace

What a wild and crazy guy... 🕺

Words to live by....

This concert changed my 14 year old life. My humor, a lot about what I found funny. Unreal - genius.

Did you ever see Harpo Marx play the harp in one of the Marx Brothers' movies? He would stop being "Harpo" and would suddenly become a serious musician...same expression on Steve's face...

@eaglebauersrecordcollection

2 жыл бұрын

I thought the exact same thing watching this. Both Steve and Harpo were self taught also.

@datetley

2 жыл бұрын

Yes thanks for the good reminder :)

@s.willis8426

2 жыл бұрын

Sometimes serious but still mostly silly. Chico could play the hell out of a piano too. The Harpo/Chico combo was usually the best part of the Marx Bros in my opinion. Chicolini and Pinky forever!!!

@proudamerican2133

2 жыл бұрын

I noticed that expression too!

@ifbpeanut

Жыл бұрын

@@s.willis8426 one of the best, although, I think a little Rufus T. Firefly thrown in made it so much better too

Just because everyone should see Steve Martin play the Banjo at least once in their lives. He's probably the greatest entertainer of all time, if you really consider his entire body of work and it wasn't all him either. Probably why he looked 70 when he was 30 and he was probably born that way. My appreciation for him has grown just watching his stuff of late. The banjo and all of it. It's amazing how all of his acts he would always do something different as well. This is truly awe inspiring to me. With all that can seem wrong with the world all you have to do is replay it to this and you can die happy or sad or rolling laughing or whatever. This breaths so much energy into things that can seem so lacking at times even if they really are.

While I was working on the road, I was listening to a late night radio called "Randy Bachman's Vinyl Tap." Randy recalled a time while they were on tour, they had a comedian who would go on stage before the performance and tell jokes. Randy went on to say that this guy would sit quietly behind stage before hand and practice the banjo..... "I wonder if Steve Martin remembers us?"

The single most talented entertainer out there. He has honed his every craft. When someone says "I just don't 'get' him, it tells me everything.

I've seen Steve play banjo but never clawhammer style. Most play one style or the other. 3 finger roll, Scruggs style or clawhammer but not both. Talented guy.

@theusher2893

Жыл бұрын

Anyone who can play both styles knows what the hell they're doing.

The musician who was funny. One of my idols.

@tamie341

4 жыл бұрын

Man, myth, legend.

@triplerushhd4799

3 жыл бұрын

He’s not dead

@DiversifiedMachinist

3 жыл бұрын

@@triplerushhd4799 Correct, not dead. Who said he was dead?

Steve, You ALWAYS make me smile!

If someone told he, that guy is just one of the best banjo players, I would believe him. But then he will tell me what this man has achieved in other fields, I'm blown away.

Saw him live opening for Johnny Cash and others. Too young too get it then, before he was known. What a talent

@RataStuey

4 жыл бұрын

Hot Japan Rock Bands Yes wow

@RataStuey

4 жыл бұрын

Hot Japan Rock Bands Yes when was that?

@portalbuilder7021

11 ай бұрын

@@RataStueyere’s him with Johnny cash in 1978 kzread.info/dash/bejne/gGWjxLutc5iYmKg.html

EX-CUUUUUUUSE- ME!!!!!! I can't remember any time I watched one of his stand up routines where I could still breathe normally (from laughing)....truly my favorite comedian ever.

@proudamerican2133

2 жыл бұрын

Do you remember....." Grandpaaaaa bought a rubber ".....

One of my favorite entertainers of all time. What a guy.

@svenjansen2134

Жыл бұрын

His playing touches and heals the heart. He's amazing.

I saw him in 1978 at Indianapolis convention center, I’ll miss him

@edwardhass2561

3 ай бұрын

As far as I am aware, he's not dead .

Almost as fantastic an instrument as the bagpipes 🤓 Huge react . That laddie is a master of his craft …☀️🤗👍

Crazy wild guy

It was cool that the audience did not start clapping along while he played that first tune.

I love the first part of this. I watch at least once a day. Love watching the fingering! Amazing!

I was in high school when he was on tour with this show. I went to see it with a guy I was dating. Steve was amazing. The crowd was amazing. I'm still thrilled I got to see him.

@svenjansen2134

Жыл бұрын

Read that as 'I was high in school' my bad lol

I was not expecting him to be exceptionally good at that. Like, I'm a guitarist, I have some reference for how to play the banjo, and he is legitimately insanely good. Id be really impressed even if I didn't know who he was.

@AyeCarumba221

4 ай бұрын

Watch Steve play banjo on David Letterman with Earl Scruggs. They do Foggy Mountain Breakdown. Steve is a world class banjo.

How could put so much talent in one human?

Saw him on the Let’s Get Small tour in St. Paul & obviously, he played this number 🪕

That’s IMPROVISATION to the MAX. Love ❤️ and ALOHA

always thought how impressive it was that one minute he's so random and funny and then could just click into the silent concentration of playing an instrument like the banjo. pretty cool!

What an absolute legend 🤘🫡

That was amazing

I saw him in the late 1970s as an opening act for Janis Ian in Los Angeles. He had just begun to zoom in popularity and it was interesting to see him do his set and then many of the audience members leaving, having seen who they really wanted to see.

I adore Steve Martin💙🇺🇸

KickAss music!

First piece of music I ever fell in love with, on the first record my parents ever bought for me (Comedy Is Not Pretty). Wasn't until way later, after I had already developed a similar love for Simple Gifts that I realized the two were the same.

True all around talent

He really shreds on that banjo!

@svenjansen2134

Жыл бұрын

Improvising.. He's gifted.

He is my favorite comedian of all time

I recall his first album from, I think, 1978. A classmate had it and we listened to it at his house. The guy was funny without being filthy. Shorty after I "discovered" him, he started making appearances on SNL. What a nut he was. And that he has evolved into this brilliant, but still occasionally funny, musician is a gift to the world. His banjo playing is probably nearly as good as anyone who has command of this five string instrument.

Could listen all day long.

Love Steve Martin, so multi talented and all around funny.

that song king tut was so popular back then

So funny! We love you Steve

Tremendous!

Plays with such ease!!

This is the “Wild and Crazy Guy!!!”

King of the Dance, also bela flecks big country just seamlessly

Amazing

What a great video.

Didn't know he is a kosher banjo player. Learn something new every day.

Amazing!! I've known for a while that he plays. This video is about the only time I've seen him with a straight face with him concentrating on playing!! It's really cool we can see him play in a bunch of youtube posts. Sure wish I had seen him at Red Rocks Amphitheater in the King Tut era - the show must have been a once in a life time show for sure! Elvis and the Beatles played at Red Rocks too but before my time. Neat!

Luv his Banjo playin❣🎶🎵🎶❤

I've always felt a relation to this guy. Either from him always being in the movies or that he seems like such an honestly good person.

Legend! The only celebrity I would cry to meet. I love you man 🧡

@MamaShmoi

2 жыл бұрын

I chatted with him as we waited to cross the street in Paris in 1982..he was so nice and told me a few jokes!😊

@debrabrabenec3731

6 ай бұрын

@@MamaShmoi What a great memory to. treasure!

you gotta love Steve Martin, man!

Good ol Steve... in my top 10 comedian list... but just multi talented.

Im not sure Ive ever known Steve Martin could play the banjo! Im really impressed!

This guy is soooooooooo talented.

I’m here from Steve’s video on twitter. Simply amazing

"You're a wizard, Steve."

I remember the first time he brought a banjo out on stage of Carson or Merv Griffin and everyone assumed it was part of his comedy routine. Until he started playing. The man is a far better banjo player than he ever was a comedian.

he’s just incredible. and so handsome too. the jerk is my favorite movie. i wish that people wouldn’t clap while people play. it’s so rude and they’re usually off rhythm anyway.

The talent of this man...

Steve Martin ...Cool Banjo guy ..peace.

Saw him in 1979 at the UNI-Dome, Cedar Falls, Iowa.

Grest from Québec city

I have to say the banjo is my favourite instrument. If I could play it, I would.

He’ll always be Lucky Day to me 🥹

i sadly missed him here in fargo damn i wanted to see him, i love his banjo playing

"Ring, ring the banjo!". Stephen Foster

this guy is a legend.

The story of how Navin Johnson learned to pick the banjo was cut from The Jerk...

Starting around 2:30, his banjo strings keep hitting the lower microphone, creating a series of strange background squawks while he talks 🤣😂

@flautalee3090

3 жыл бұрын

I think he’s actually hitting the rim of banjo against the microphone ON PURPOSE. Great sing-a-long! Terrific!

@cjbotkin1

3 жыл бұрын

That's Comedy!

@cisium1184

2 жыл бұрын

I'd never seen him do that before. It must have been something he'd just come up with. It's hilarious.

I had no idea he could play, so cool

@hippiepeace8614

3 жыл бұрын

Check out steep canyon rangers with steve

gotta adore this man, so incredibly talented

@gregoryjgarcia3862

2 жыл бұрын

Agreed!🪕

Saw him play in westbury NY....awesome show,. He did some humor played banjo then the professionals played. great show

Great!!!

Still hilarious in 2022

I can literally listen to this 100×'s over