Well maybe Fretmentor has identified the missing link. Anyway if you were in class last Wed. you might remember a comment by Fretmentor addressed to the greater banjo community (I think he was being kind) where he mentioned that a common mistake with the banjo break is that typically the 1st 2 notes of the break area really part of an intro and need to come in on the 4th beat of the previous measure. If not the break starts out 1 beat off and, well you know the rest.

I will put the advice to the test. I have reviewed my break to make sure xtra notes have not crept in and Im convinced the break is OK but it never souds right when I paly it in class. As a matter of fact I have developed a hatred for the song. It's been doing a number on me for years.

I hope this is the missing link.

Sing aloud the actual melody, over and over until you really get it in your bones. Then tap out the banjo part RHYTHM with your hands (like on a bongo) AS you sing. SLOWLY if necessary. You'll get it, I know it.

Okay, now you got me pair a noid. Old Joe Clark is scary. Reminds me of one of those new slasher movies...like Texas Chainsaw Massacre or Zombieland. Gotta get that pick-up note right.

I think mmandy has it right. You really have to have the song ingrained sometimes to get the timing just right. Especially Old Joe Clark, which you'll find out, is a fun song to play.

I was doing pretty well with Old Joe Clark, but some how I got a brain cramp and lost it. now I can't get it back for nothing. sooooo, I've moved on to other stuff. once and a while I try to pick it up again, but it's just not happining. It's one of my favorites tooo