I’ve always likened them to waltz and jigs, rags, hoedowns, laments, and hornpipes. These things typically refer to style and or timing. I never really knew the details of a breakdown other than they all seem to be fast.
I think Gunnar found it
But I really like what John said, whether it’s true or not
Ben, I started learning the banjo six months ago and started with you four months ago. My wife bought me an inexpensive banjo for my 70 th birthday—a $150 Jameson, We decided not to spend more until we determined whether I liked it. I have probably averaged practicing an hour and as half a day since. But when I play, especially with slides, hammers and pull offs, it just doesn’t sound as banjoee as you sound. For example, it doesn’t hold the sound as long, amongst other things. I am trying to figure out if that is me, or the banjo? Dennis
Probably the banjo, my friend 
A $150 is definitely a learner and if you played a quality banjo it would blow your mind. I have been where you are and I still remember the feeling I had when I got ahold of a good one!
I don’t have thousands to spend. I see some are very expensive. Do you have suggestions as to a next one? I have st stores and generally they carry very little.
Send us an email to generalstore@banjobenclark.com and let us know what your budget is and we’ll get you the best recommendations for the money! Make sure to include that you’re a gold pick member in your email.
I believe you are on the right track. What I’ve always heard, and later found this definition:
“In music, a “breakdown” is part of a song in which various instruments have solo parts (breaks). This may take the form where all instruments play the verse together, and then several or all instruments individually repeat the verse as solo parts.”
So with “Foggy Mountain Breakdown,” the fiddle gets a break, the dobro gets a break, and the flattop picker gets a break, as well as the banjo.
You must have heard some songs where someone says, “Let’s break it on down, boys!” and the slip into the instrumental portion of the song…and everybody gets a break.
You’ll even find breakdowns in heavy metal, punk & disco/dance music. I was going to post an example here, but nobody really wants to hear it! 
I am off my Christmas music detour and back on (banjo beginner’s) track. I am currently working on this one. FMBD is interesting in that it doesn’t even sound like the same song when played slowly. I am guessing you have to get maybe 240 BPM before it gets that driving sound. Anyway, I had some questions. I have Ben’s breakdown committed to memory and and working up speed. (currently cleanish in the 170 to 180 range). I am thinking of stopping working on this and start working on FMBD itself. Is that what you-who-have-trod this path before suggest, or should I get this clean up to 200/220?
Is FMBD a song that you just keep building speed as the years go by? Did you stick with woodshedding on FMBD until you could get to a speed that sounded right? Should I keep working on other lessons or concentrate on this until I get to X BPM? Just curious what others have done and what is suggested.
Thanks in advance!
Normally I’ll start learning a new thing as soon as I have the piece I’m learning memorized.
I will keep going through the memorized piece daily though to become more comfortable playing it and let the speed come in it’s own time.
Yes, I got faster and better at FMB as I went. It’s a great challenge to begin and you should start now!
I’m not seeing the FMBD lesson?
It had to be removed due to copyright laws, but here’s Ben’s tab: Ban-FoggyMountainBD.pdf (201.5 KB)
Two questions… in the intro video, Ben, are you playing from measures 1 - 16 or are you doing something else and embellishing it?
Secondly, FMB had to be taken down due to copyright laws? Seriously? Wow… that’s a shame as I really want to learn that some day and just looking at the TAB I don’t think will do it for me.
Hi John,
I just watched the video and the tab and it looks like he is playing it note for note as the tab has it.
I learned Ben’s Breakdown, and before I even got it to speed, I went straight to working on FMB and the transition was easy. The only odd thing I remember from FMB was the double hammer on which Ben covers in this song.
Best of luck, and even though Ben can’t charge to teach it, if you have questions, just ask on the forum. That’s fair game.
So, I’ve been working on this for a few days and it’s coming along. There is a slow version, but how fast is the Ben version?
Thanks Archie!
ON hammer on’s is it generally the practice to lift the first finger when hammering the second? I find sometimes it gives me more power but is this a bad habit or a good one? Or does it depend on the song? I notice Ben doing it sometimes in the breakdown.
Ordinarily I’d say NO simply because of the speed when playing a FMB Roll and the way I learned it many many years ago. But I just watched @BanjoBen doing it on the lesson video. So I hope Ben comments on this one David.
Honestly not something I’m considering and doing intentionally. I think you’re fine to proceed naturally.
On the MP3 practice songs, is it normal to finish a lot earlier? I think I’m in rhythm but at the end of the tablatures the song continues.