Clawhammer banjo 101

Subject: Clawhammer banjo 101
From: Burke
Date: 18 Dec 02 - 06:32 PM

I know there are lots of banjo threads, but I don't think I've seen some of my questions addressed.

I started on Clawhammer this summer with a borrowed instrument. Progress has been slow, but I think I'm ready to buy. I've seen the recommendations for the Deering beginning line, but think I'd like to go a step up from there. I've never really mastered any other instrument so there's not much I can transfer from anything else.

So here are some of my banjo newbie questions.

Playing:
Can you recommend one particularly good beginner instruction video? or book?
What are some good skill building drills?
What skills should I work on early to make learning new tunes easier later on?
How should I structure my practice time?
How should I approach learning something basic for playing along at a song circle?

Buying:
If I can only play one tune, how should I 'try out' an instrument? What do I look for?
What's with the tone ring? What is the difference between the types of tone rings?
What difference does the bridge height make? What about the material it's made of?
What about the string gauge?
What's the difference between 11 & 12 inch pots?
Apart from weight, what's with the different number of brackets? If I start out with a light instrument, will a heavier one later be a big adjustment?
Any other important construction considerations?
What would you recommend for <$1000?

Thanks in advance!
Burke

Subject: RE: Clawhammer banjo 101
From: GUEST,sorefingers
Date: 18 Dec 02 - 07:30 PM

Find a person who plays - ask them to show you how to do a tune.

When you know that move on to another.

Subject: RE: Clawhammer banjo 101
From: GUEST,Frank Hamilton
Date: 18 Dec 02 - 07:41 PM

Playing:
Can you recommend one particularly good beginner instruction video? or book?

Homespun Tapes. Happy Traum's. Get Pete Seeger's book, "How To Play The Five String Banjo". Get David Holt's tape from Happy. Get Happy's instruction tape for beginners. Check with Janet Davis Music


What are some good skill building drills?

Learn the basic strum first. Some use the index finger, some use the middle finger. Down on one string as if you were hammering a nail with your index or middle finger. Then brush across the strings either the same finger. Or you could use the first finger down and brush down with the others. Then, play the fifth string with your thumb. An instruction tape as suggested above will clarify this.
The "Bump ditty" strum is counted in music notation as "one, two-and"
the first being a quarter note and the second two as eigth notes.


What skills should I work on early to make learning new tunes easier later on?

Learning the basic strum. Eventually, drop-thumbing or double-thumbing but not at first.

How should I structure my practice time?

Have fun. If you want to get good, have the banjo in your hands at every opportunity as long as you don't get tired. The best practice is distributed practice, not mass practise. Do little bits at a time throughout the day rather than a lot of hours at once where what you learn gets broken down and less affective.

How should I approach learning something basic for playing along at a song circle?

Learn to sing a song and accompany yourself with the basic strum.

Buying:
If I can only play one tune, how should I 'try out' an instrument?

Listen to the recordings of those players you like and find out what they use. They are different.

What do I look for?

You might consider the Goodtime Banjo by Deering because it's pretty good sound and inexpensive.

What's with the tone ring? What is the difference between the types of tone rings?

It's the tone quality of the banjo. They differ. The Mastertone tone ring is a lot different in quality than the tu-ba-phone for example. There are fretless banjos, gourd banjos, minstrel banjos and electric banjos. They use different tone rings and sound different.

What difference does the bridge height make?

The higher bridge is generally preferable for frailing or clawhammer.
But the action has to be adjusted so that the strings are not too high.

What about the material it's made of?

Different materials. One maker I know uses a Brazilian seed...tocoa wood which is hard like ivory. There are plenty of good bridge makers. A good reference is Dick Weissman's book on Folk Music.

What about the string gauge?

It depends on the banjo type.

What's the difference between 11 & 12 inch pots?

11 inch pots are more standard. The larger the pot, generally, the lower the frequencies. More boomy.


Apart from weight, what's with the different number of brackets?


The more brackets is generally a sign of a better banjo.

If I start out with a light instrument, will a heavier one later be a big adjustment?

Every new instrument requires an adjustment. You have to live with one banjo for a while to get the hang of it.

A note on styles. The current popular clawhammer style is the "round peak" style as practiced in the Mount Airy festivals in VA. Tommy Jarrel, Kyle Creed et. al. For this, you might need a lighter instrument, not a long neck. Stewart, Cole, there are many of them. Early Bacons, also. You can even clawhammer on a Mastertone and it sounds good but the style is usually an open-backed lighter instrument such as a Vega Whyte Ladye.

Any other important construction considerations?

Decide which clawhammer style you like. Uncle Dave? Round Peak?
Clarence Ashley? Buel Kazee? Then find out the banjo they play and go for it.

What would you recommend for <$1000?

Do some homework on the available lines. Deering, Ome, Wildwood(?)
Bart Reiter? Go to banjos on internet and look there. Don't be in a hurry to buy anything. do the research.

Hope this help,

Frank

Subject: RE: Clawhammer banjo 101
From: BanjoRay
Date: 18 Dec 02 - 08:34 PM

The type of tonering is less important than what the banjo sounds like to you. I've played identical banjos with different sounds - one I might like, the other I might not. It's only you who can tell what you like. When I bought my best banjo, I bought one with no metal tone ring because it sounded so good it demanded that I buy it. It sounded far better than two "identical" banjos next to it.

If I were in your position, I wouldn't buy a $1000 banjo yet. It would be easy to spend that money and hate what you bought in a year's time. I'd buy something like the Deering Goodtime or a cheap old banjo which someone you trust has looked over as a starter banjo, which if you take care of it you could sell later without too much loss when you know enough about what banjos sound like to get a good upgrade. The Goodtime is well made for the price, with accurate fretting and a nice, predictable sound.

While you're learning on your starter, listen to lots of different clawhammer banjo music and learn what sound it is you're looking for. Listen to people like Dwight Diller (good instruction videos), Walt Koken, Reed Martin, Howie Bursen, Brad Leftwich, Bruce Molsky, Ken Perlman (excellent instruction books). Listen to the old guys who are no longer with us - Wade Ward, Tommy Jarrel, Hobart Smith, Clarence Ashley, Kyle Creed, Fred Cockerham, Lee Hammons.

Listening is the most important part of learning. Once a tune is in your head and you can hum it, playing it is far, far easier. Learning from TAB is OK as a start, so you can get some techniques together, but as you improve it's better to learn the tunes and work out your own way of playing them.

Join the Banjo-L mailing list and ask some questions. There are some real experts on there - you'll soon distinguish between them and the wannabees. They're a lovely bunch of players.

Make time for playing, and play often. Enjoy it.
Cheers
Ray

Subject: RE: Clawhammer banjo 101
From: CraigS
Date: 18 Dec 02 - 08:37 PM

The standard advice if you're buying as a novice is buy a new instrument, then if there's something wrong with it you can take it back to the shop. If you know someone who knows about instruments, take them with you to help in the decision.

My best advice, after years of playing, occasionally working in music shops doing set-ups and repairs, is to find a good repair man who sells second-hand instruments and discuss the matter. He's the person who will spot a bargain that's not correctly set up or needs a small fix. If he knows you are ready to buy, he can take an instrument that he wouldn't normally risk being stuck on his wall for months, knowing that his profit is assured. Just make sure that you get the right man, and be prepared to wait until he's found something. And if you find a banjo you like, tell him about it so he doesn't waste his time, or slip him $20 and ask him to check it out when he's passing the store.

Subject: RE: Clawhammer banjo 101
From: Coyote Breath
Date: 19 Dec 02 - 12:55 AM

All good advice above.

As for a $1,000 banjo? gee I have been playing since 1961 and STILL haven't felt the need to go to an instrument costing THAT much. I did just get one for $350 which seemed pretty expensive compared to my Saga kit ($100 back in 1978) and it doesn't sound as good. I'd be scared to own an instrument that cost THAT much. I HATE the tuners but I agree the Deering Goodtime is a very nice banjo, easy to play and sounds GREAT!

In addition to listening to the players listed above, PLEASE get Mike Seeger's "Southern Banjo Sounds" CD. It is a stunner!

CB

Subject: RE: Clawhammer banjo 101
From: Mark Cohen
Date: 19 Dec 02 - 01:21 AM

Anybody who thinks the Mudcat "isn't what it used to be" has been missing threads like this.   I have a used banjo that somehow took possession of me at some time in the past, that's been judged as "not bad" by them that knows. A visiting friend from the Mainland recently showed me the basic strum, and now, armed with some of the info from this thread, I'll be ready to start learning...in the unlikely event that I find the time to practice! Meanwhile, it has a place of honor, next to the accordion and dulcimer and ukulele and pennywhistle that I've been hoping to learn to play, also. I'm lucky to get my guitar out of the case more than once or twice a week, these days, but one day....

Aloha,
Mark

Subject: RE: Clawhammer banjo 101
From: Banjer
Date: 19 Dec 02 - 06:06 AM

While we are asking questions, I just recently became aware of 'compensating bridges'. What are they used for? Looking at one it would seem that the strings would all be of differeing lengths. What do they 'compensate'? I own two banjoes, one open back nylon strung and the other is a resonater steel strung. Both have straight bridges. What difference would a compensated bridge make on either one?

Subject: RE: Clawhammer banjo 101
From: GUEST,noddy
Date: 19 Dec 02 - 06:10 AM

ken perlman is well worth looking into. I am not keen on banjo but saw him in concert and WOW and changed my mind . It IS a musical instruement after all!

Subject: RE: Clawhammer banjo 101
From: BanjoRay
Date: 19 Dec 02 - 07:41 AM

Compensating bridges compensate for the fact that different thicknesses of strings bend in different ways when they're fretted, and also stretching them when you press them down to the fingerboard produces an unwanted small change in the pitch from what you'd theoretically expect. Straight bridges placed by ear (compare fretted octaves with harmonics) usually give a good usable compromise, but some banjos seem to need a bit of compensation in the shape of the bridge. If you can't hear it, you don't need it.
Cheers
Ray

Subject: RE: Clawhammer banjo 101
From: Richie
Date: 19 Dec 02 - 07:53 AM

Guest Brian,

Do you really think that info you posted belongs on a clawhammer banjo thread?!!!

Richie

Subject: RE: Clawhammer banjo 101
From: Bagpuss
Date: 19 Dec 02 - 08:03 AM

Or any of the other threads he is currently spamming?

Subject: RE: Clawhammer banjo 101
From: Oaklet
Date: 19 Dec 02 - 08:06 AM

If Brian gives me his address, I'll start filling jiffy bags with cowshit. I have 18 tons of the stuff to shift over the break.

Subject: RE: Clawhammer banjo 101
From: Steve Latimer
Date: 19 Dec 02 - 08:08 AM

Wow, imagine a filthy rich banjo player.

The Goodtime hws been recommended her a few times, I now that in past discussions a number of catters have opted for the Saga that is in the same price range as the Gootime. Worth looking at both.

Subject: RE: Clawhammer banjo 101
From: Richie
Date: 19 Dec 02 - 08:22 AM

Thanks for removing Guest Brian's post (just before my last post) from this thread which was a sort of pyramid scam, unrealted to the banjo. I'd rather die a thousand deaths than participate in that sort of rip-off.

The next several posts are related to Guest Brian's spam, which has no place here and was thankfully removed.

I'd recommend a Gold tone banjo, new for under $1,000. They have a great tone and lots of volume.

-Richie

Subject: RE: Clawhammer banjo 101
From: Fingerbuster
Date: 19 Dec 02 - 10:12 AM

Subject: RE: Clawhammer banjo 101
From: Fingerbuster
Date: 19 Dec 02 - 10:13 AM

Try this site
oops

Subject: RE: Clawhammer banjo 101
From: Charcloth
Date: 19 Dec 02 - 10:27 AM

Well Burke,a $1000 is a good chunk of change for a banjo especially for someone starting out. For frailing style you can even get an old SS Stewart for $500 (Isaw one a few days ago @ The Guitar Center)
Chanterelle has a nice thumpy sounding open back, Wildwood banjos have just a tad more susuatin & slightly brighter sound. The Saga SS-10 is a very nice Stewart inspired banjo for about the same bucks as the Goodtime. I personally prefer my Saga over my Chanterelle & over the Goodtime. I've never played a Goldtone. I sold my nice yet very Heavy bluegrass banjo to a fellow mudcatter because it didn't have the oldtimy sound I was seeking. The Saga SS-10 had it perfectly (for me)

For instructional stuff, anything by Homespun (Happy Traum & Associates)is outstanding. Ken Perlman, David Holt, & all those guys are great. Perlman has a Book & CD called "Basic Clawhammer banjo" but it IS NOT FOR RANK BEGINNERS!
The most common Book I know of for learing is the Book & CD called "Frailing the Five String Banjo" by Eric Muller & Barbara Koehler. You can get it from Elderly Instruments. It is the book I learned from & I am well satisfied with it.
Best to ya Charcloth

Subject: RE: Clawhammer banjo 101
From: John Hardly
Date: 19 Dec 02 - 11:10 AM

just excellent, Frank! Bravo on a fine post.

Subject: RE: Clawhammer banjo 101
From: GUEST
Date: 19 Dec 02 - 12:54 PM

Another person who has good instructional material out is Dan Levenson. I've not used his books/videos, but I've taken a couple of lessons from him, and I'd recommend his approach. It made a big difference for me.

~ Becky in Tucson

Subject: RE: Clawhammer banjo 101
From: Desert Dancer
Date: 19 Dec 02 - 01:19 PM

Somebody ate my cookie.

~ Becky in Tucson

Subject: RE: Clawhammer banjo 101
From: chip a
Date: 19 Dec 02 - 01:20 PM

On finding the right banjo: As you learn to play, you'll also be developing your own style of playing and your own taste for sound. As this development progresses, you'll be attracted to certain banjos and turned off by others. For now, you ought to be able to get by on less than the $1,000.00. Find a well made, inexpensive banjo with good clear tone. Saga is in my opinion a better choice than the Goodtime. By the time you're ready for a more costly banjo, you'll know what you want to hear and probably have a good idea where to find it.
On playing and practice: If you've been picking since summer, it's high time you incorporated drop thumb into your practice. I recomend doing this from day one.
Play clean! If you have to pick slowly to pick clean, that's fine. But do pick clean, clear notes.
Strive for accuracy in your attack on the strings.
Pay close attention to the force and volume you put into each note. Learn to lift the melody up from the accompanying notes.
Learn tunes in several different tunings.
Go after finesse in your technique rather than building a huge repertoir at first.
Hunt for different ways of accomplishing things with each hand.
PLAY WITH OTHERS AT EVERY OPPERTUNITY!
Have Fun,
Chip

Subject: RE: Clawhammer banjo 101
From: GUEST,chris
Date: 19 Dec 02 - 03:32 PM

I second the recommendation of Dan Levenson - if possible, go to the weekend camp that he has at his home in So. Ohio.   It is really important to develop an attack that works for you. I like the David Holt stuff too - that's where I learned to drag my following fingers after the note to get that old-time clucking sound (sort of an upside-down Travis mute).
Also, I think it is more important to learn the syncopated rhythm of old-time music by playing along with chords or single note runs, than it is - at first - to learn a bunch of songs.
Clawhammer is fun in that it sounds better solo than bluegrass - IMHO. But it is also really great to jam with folks who know how to play. The biggest problem I have with jamming is to know if the folks are playing crooked tunes. I know fiddle players love those crooked numbers, so I just try to play quieter once I recognize what is going on. You can also play along with the Funky Seagull cd's for pc's and listen to old timey tunes on Honking Duck to learn the tunes.
Would that I had the time to do all this on a regular basis --- someday........
Chris

Subject: RE: Clawhammer banjo 101
From: Burke
Date: 19 Dec 02 - 06:07 PM

WOW, hanks so much for all the advice! From all you've said, I guess I'll stick with less expensive for now.

One of my problems is that there is no one locally who sells open back banjos. I may have a chance while in the Twin Cities, MN over the holidays to actually find a place that has a few that I can look at more closely. Most of my questions come from reading catalog descriptions and not really understanding them.

One thing I'm having trouble with is that when the right hand fingernails have broken off too short, I really can't seem to get much sound, or really even tell how cleanly I'm hitting the strings. Any and all fingernail advice is appreciated.

Right now I'm really hot on Dwight Diller's style, but the video I have lacks a bit on some of the basic techniques. I'll probably be happiest if I can accompany myself when singing ala Sheila Kay Adams.

Subject: RE: Clawhammer banjo 101
From: X
Date: 19 Dec 02 - 08:30 PM

I once used a Clawhammer on a banjo...

Subject: RE: Clawhammer banjo 101
From: Charley Noble
Date: 19 Dec 02 - 10:05 PM

Do try e-Bay, search for "vintage or antique banjo" and see what comes up. I've seen some awfully nice banjos go for less than $500, some of which would have taken more money to properly set up. Buying on e-Bay has the disadvantage of not being able to play the instrument first, to hear how well it sounds. And I suppose there a lot of judgment and experience that goes into risking a bid. But if you don't live nearly a fine old-time music store, such as Elderly in Michigan, e-Bay may be your best bet. You can always check "completed items" to see what "antique banjos" have gone for recently.

Otherwise, I'd probably also recommend the Saga-10 as a reasonably priced beginner's instrument for old-time playing.

Cheerily,
Charley Noble, who plays an S.S. Stewart Orchestra Model banjo

Subject: RE: Clawhammer banjo 101
From: Desert Dancer
Date: 20 Dec 02 - 12:55 AM

I bought my first banjo (a nice little ca. 1900 no-name) sight-unseen from Elderly Instruments via mail order. Back then it was $125. Valued more than twice that nowadays. The Elderly folks were very helpful when I told them what I wanted to play and what my price range was. They gave me a few options to choose from. I made my decision and then had them send me the Polaroid of the instrument anyway. It came with a "scratch and listen" dot stuck on it. (Joke.) All 'round pleasant experience and a nice little banjo I still have.

'Course that was nearly 20 years ago now...

~ Becky in Tucson

Subject: RE: Clawhammer banjo 101
From: Coyote Breath
Date: 20 Dec 02 - 01:12 AM

Burke, I just bought the Muller/Koehler book charcloth mentioned (I have been playing for almost forty years and never learned to double thumb!) and I agree that it is excellent. It is a Mel Bay publication and I bought my copy at Music Folk in Webster Groves, Missouri. Hopefully Muller's double thumb lesson will get me going. I would ordinarily NOT suggest a book but this has clearly performed examples on the CD and the tab is easy to follow. I struggled with the Pete Seeger book when I first wanted to play and gave up on it for "in person" learning.

I think the Saga 10 is similar to my "kit" and if so it IS a good beginner's banjo.

CB

Subject: RE: Clawhammer banjo 101
From: Banjer
Date: 20 Dec 02 - 05:13 AM

My first banjo came from a pawn shop. (Come to think of it so did my second one!) I took the resonator off the first one and strung it with nylon strings for the 'old time' sound. The second one is a bakelite pot Harmony with resonator and steel strings. They both play fine for my needs right now. If I ever get better I may upgrade to something better. The first one cost me $60 and the second one I think was only $50.

Subject: RE: Clawhammer banjo 101
From: chip a
Date: 20 Dec 02 - 10:19 AM

I also recommend the Muller/Koehler book. I've had a copy for years. Also a tab book by Miles Krassen. I forget the name but I bet Elderly has it. Brad Leftwitch has a good Round Peak tab book out as well. And yes, Dan Levenson! A great, fun guy and a good teacher. It's best, at least at first, to use tab for tunes you've already heard. Tab is great for picking up licks and learning "how somebody else does it" but work on your own arrangments.
:-),
Chip

Subject: RE: Clawhammer banjo 101
From: fretless
Date: 20 Dec 02 - 10:25 AM

Burke, re: fingernails, try Sally Hansen Hard as Nails or a similar paint-on fingernail toughener (you'll find it at the pharmacy with the nail polishes). You'll need to reapply the stuff after each playing session because the playing wears it off. Ken Perlman used to put a small piece of scotch tape across the top of his playing nail. Had to replenish that pretty often, too. I tried it a couple of times but never got used to it. Gelatin, as a dietary supplement, is supposed to toughen nails and make them less brittle. I've never tried it, though.

Subject: RE: Clawhammer banjo 101
From: BanjoRay
Date: 20 Dec 02 - 12:45 PM

For the last 4 years I've used glue-on false nails, cut to size & shape. They seem to double my volume, and give a good predictable tone. They usually stay on 3-4 days, by then they've moved forward so that a string catches under the back of them and they fly across the room and land in somebody's beer. I sometimes use a piece of scotch tape to prevent that happening. You sometimes have to scrape the glue off your real nail before you put another one on.
Cheers
Ray

Subject: RE: Clawhammer banjo 101
From: Songster Bob
Date: 20 Dec 02 - 01:59 PM

Well, I've been known to play a banjo myself, and to write about it, too. If our friend Burke would like to send me his address, I'll send him a copy of The Old-Timey Banjo Book (©1976) by Bob Clayton (©1941).

Send your address to my email address, [e-mail].

I sell the books, too, if anyone else is interested. Chance wrote me once, but I think the process got shortchanged and I never sent him a book. I sell them for $10 postpaid (it used to be less -- the cover price is $4.25, but them's 1976 dollars).

Bob Clayton
8401 Cedar St.
Silver Spring, MD 20910

And I recommend Ebay and antique shops as sources for good used banjos. I don't recommend hock shops, 'cause they don't have good ones, usually, and charge too much. Antique shops often charge too much, too, so I really recommend Ebay.

Bob

Subject: RE: Clawhammer banjo 101
From: chip a
Date: 20 Dec 02 - 03:09 PM

Bob,
Tell us about your book. What's in it. Stories, tab, tunes, what?
Chip

Subject: RE: Clawhammer banjo 101
From: GUEST,sorefingers
Date: 20 Dec 02 - 04:16 PM

A good laugh is worth a day off work! Seriously somethings cannot
be described at all, this happens to be one of them.

As for tapes and videos, yeah but.... , waste of money IMHO.

Find a person who already plays and have them show you one tune at a
time until know the basics.

Subject: RE: Clawhammer banjo 101
From: Coyote Breath
Date: 20 Dec 02 - 05:13 PM

I usually use a light gauge string set and have no problems with breaking nails from playing. Heavier strings usually clip the top edge of my nail but working around the house and especially working on engines does my nails in every time. I tried many different things as suggested above. Gelatin DOES work but it takes a while to realize benefit. I once used a plastic finger pick, turned "backwards" and carefully filed and sanded to conform to a normal finernail's shape and feel. Worked just great until it flew off, landing.... somwhere. I began to play without fingernails when ever one broke and after making a tape playing that way I realized that it sounded very much like Clarence Ashley (not the playing, the sound of the fingerless nail hitting the string!). Maybe he had fingernails breaking too!

CB

PS Cla-Whammer or Claw-Hammer?

Subject: RE: Clawhammer banjo 101
From: Burke
Date: 20 Dec 02 - 07:45 PM

CB, Cla-Whammer for sure.
Bob, I sent you a PM, but did not really say Thank-you enough.

Everyone, thanks so much for all the advice.

I'm leaving now & probably won't be able to check back in until after New Year's. I'll check back then to see what's added & make a report.

B.

Subject: RE: Clawhammer banjo 101
From: Uncle_DaveO
Date: 20 Dec 02 - 08:22 PM

I've used the Sally Hansen fingernail treatment in the past. I found it peeled off the nails too easily, so I gave it up.

My Beautiful Wife recently (6 months ago?) twisted my arm to try Nailique nail hardener. I'm much more satisfied with it. It does seem to help. You paint it on the nail(s) once a day, and you need to remove it for a day once a week or so.

If my picking fingernail(s) is broken so I can't use it, I'll use a plastic fingerpick, reversed. I used a nail clipper to reshape the tip, and then soften it in hot water and straighten out the "hook" of the pick a little. It's louder than playing with fingernails, but the sound is fairly similar. I wouldn't use metal picks because I couldn't shape them in either way mentioned, and the sound is wrong for my taste too.

Dave Oesterreich

Subject: RE: Clawhammer banjo 101
From: GUEST,sorefingers
Date: 21 Dec 02 - 11:18 AM

I swore I would not do this, but reading the thread above put fire under my lazy butt.

Addressing the issue of broken nails. It is purely the combination of
bad technique and steel strings. How so? To begin the style 'Clawhammer' was used exclusively on gut strings, so no matter how hard a player thwacked, the nails would never wear out. Now with Steel the tale is not so happy. In one days 'hardish' playing, in the wrong
position, one can almost draw blood from your poor fingers.

Moving the hand over the end of the Fretboard and away from the stiffer Bridge position does two things, one - the sound softens and - two ones nails last.

Secondly - I laughed at the idea when first I heard about it - turning
two standard blugrass finger picks back to front will both provide a
protected if clumsier technique and boost your normal learning curve by 100 percent. Yes it does work, if I can do it then
anyone can. I had to practice using the 'jello and wait' method of
erudication for banjoists.

Banjoist's Erudications
One practices about half an hour a day - NO MORE - but every day for
upto 6 months. Apparently our bodies grow nerve tissue when we learn
'motor' skills and that is why it takes so long no matter whether we
practice one hour or 12 hours a day.

Strings
It is a myth that ligher is better for this style, since all the pros
I have seen - a bunch, use the heavier and it is far harder to get a 'rhythm' out of flimsier lights. Combining a good setting to the tension hoop together with medium guage say Vegas, gives a nice firm bounce which I prefer for the standards such as Molly Hare, Black Eyed Suzie, Soldiers Joy. In fact I think most tunes except songs - oddly here it makes no difference since most of the time all we need to do is frail - I can see no reason why I would bother with the hassles of lighter strings.

A foundation lick for the Clawhammer Student - origin Granpa Jones.

Place the finger next the thumb on the D string, rest the Fingernail lightly on the string. Place the flesh of the thumb on the B string.

Now sound the D moving down off the string
then 'flip' the thumb OUT off of the B. As the thumb comes off and out reset the finger onto the D string and wait. Place the flesh of the thumb onto the bell or 5th string.

Now sound the D with the finger nail follow that with the thumb off
and out from the 5th string.

When your fingers are used to this, use a metronome to tidy up the timings - VERY VERY VERY important. You should be sounding a string on each click of the nome, IOW the spacing is equal.

Banjoes and Clawhammer, any old banjo stung with gut will do fine. Later when one is an expert then a Vega,or Bacon, or Stuart or copy of one is a great instrument. Be ready to spend a bag of money since these often make 3 thousand dollars or more.

My very first tune which I failed to learn was 'Old Jawbone'
but now that I play lots of other tunes I can sound very convincing, I must say though the first part is very simple so a novice
can get it.

Subject: RE: Clawhammer banjo 101
From: Songster Bob
Date: 23 Dec 02 - 01:01 PM

<< Subject: RE: Clawhammer banjo 101
From: chip a - PM
Date: 20 Dec 02 - 03:09 PM

Bob,
Tell us about your book. What's in it. Stories, tab, tunes, what?
Chip >>

Well, back in the 70s I was teaching banjo and guitar, and didn't like any of the books available, so I wrote one (in 1972) and wrote another, better one, in 1976. That's the one I still have a few of. It has instructions in up-picking ("Pete Seeger" style, though tradition-based), down-picking (clawhammer, frailing, knocking, call it what you will), and two-finger picking (index lead a la Doc Watson and thumb lead a la Hobart Smith). There is also a songbook section, and there are something like 25 tunes total, counting the instruction and songbook sections. Now, my terminology in the book has been brought into question, since I use "clawhammer" to mean "drop-thumb" frailing, but that was because at the time, lots of my students were trying to use the John Burke book and he reserved the term for MELODIC drop-thumb frailing, so I was trying to use terms my students had become used to. If I were to redo the book now, I'd have a section on all the different names people have used for traditional banjo styles (my favorite, from Buell Kazee: "I've been playing banjo since I was six years old, and we always called it 'picking' the banjo.").

So that's the book. I'll check my mail here, but really don't get around to reading mail here, so if you want an answer, use [e-mail] and you'll get me sooner.

Bob Clayton

Subject: RE: Clawhammer banjo 101
From: GUEST,sorefingers
Date: 23 Dec 02 - 03:24 PM

An omission...

Apologies to the Jones's

I paid five dollars for the lesson and it was well worth it, the price of a train load of videos and books, because it got me started the EASY way which is to say the hard way, if that makes any sense.

Keep thumping on that banjar and have a merry christmas!

Shingle Dingle

Oh shingles fell
roofrats smell
How'd I get this way
Pleas call me ma me dawg me paw

I have to get away....