Hi Margo ~ It seems there are several definitions of the clawhammer style picking. I use the term clawhammer when I play 5 string melody using primarily the fingernail on the first finger and fill in impossible notes using the thumb. There are several celtic tunes that sound real nice using this method. I'm curious as to your definition of clawhammer.

Some tunes are easier to pick using the melodic style using three fingers and the thumb toe pick out the melody (not the same thing as three finger bluegrass picking). I use finger picks when I play using melodic picking. There are a few melodic style books out there dealing with celtic music.

On the tenor banjo I play both ragtime and celtic tunes. When playing celtic tunes I use the standard "C" tuning and put the capo on the second fret. This makes playing in the keys of D,A,G quite easy. The "C" cord becomes "D" etc. I agree with everyone else that rhythm on the tenor doesn't sound just right.

Cap't Bob