You seem to have a smile or a laugh waiting just underneath the surface and every now and then it pokes itself out, it's lovely. Also, love the different claw angles you held out, surprisingly useful
Thanks so much for the kind words, my friend. Much appreciated! Good luck on your clawhammer banjo journey and let me know if you have any questions along the way... I'm a bit of a chess dabbler so now, instead of getting my intended morning's work done, I'm perusing the wonderful vids on your channel.
I agree with the previous commenter - Your easy-going and 'learn the basics' approach resonates with me. Longtime guitar player - always digged frailing. Picked up a 70s Japanese banjo on eBay, and I'm tickled to begin. Thanks for the effort you've put into your lessons.
David Wenzel Another banjoist turned to the dark side. :) Yeah, I'm the same way, David. I can play in a 3 finger style but the clawhammer is more aligned with my sensibilities somehow.
This is amazing! Thanks a lot for posting this series. This would be a great value at any price but it's incredible that it's free. You're a really talented teacher.
Really well-described. Very thorough. Still very difficult to master/get down, but this does a good job explaining of what needs to be done/what needs to be practiced for thousands of times. Thanks!
I watched quite a few vids on this and your is the best! Well-spoken descriptions and the analogies with the thumb helped me turn the corner. Very well done. I've subscribed. Thank you for taking the time to do this :)
Have to agree with everyone here..this is the best place to start. I had a hard time getting started, years before the net , and afellow named Walt Lysak at the Winnipeg Folklore Center gave me this sage advice. ..."it should take as long to do this ,as it does to do this " in other words it should take as long to do "boom" as it does to do "chucka" That was my breakthrough moment...keep up the good work. ..
I like that (it'll take as long to do this as it takes to do this). Reminds me of a similar but equally valuable bit of advice: "It'll feel better when it stops hurting'". Thanks for the comment and the kind words, Clay!
Nice one Ryan, I've had my Banjo for a week now, and you've done the clearest explanation I've came across, I feel way more confident in my learning now, Thank you
Very helpful! I just finished building a gourd banjo and although I’ve been playing guitar and ukulele for decades, this is completely alien to me. I’m tuned in Old Time, GCGCD, but I think you are in standard GDGBD. This is going to take some work, but I’m looking forward to it!
I'm guessing if you've got guitar and uke experience you'll be surprised at how quickly you advance ONCE you get over the hump of learning the counterintuitive right hand motions of thew clawhammer ... keep at it, my friend!
@@PlayBetterBanjo Thanks! I know I have to be patient and work to establish this basic, fundamental motion if I want to play authentic banjo music. Looking forward to it, my wife, perhaps less so…!
Thank you very much for slowing down that motion and the close up pictures in the video and I will try to find more of your videos to learn this style thank you for this
Glad you found the vid helpful! If you want more videos like this you can check out the entire Beginner Clawhammer Course on my youtube channel here: ua-cam.com/play/PLSztJMofGub2Lk2HZUjT4aYdpdoZ_EwZY.html&si=4WpvaLBnFt7OT_2S
Thanks, David! Glad you're enjoying the early lessons and finding value in them. Best of luck with your banjo studies and let me know if you have any questions along the way.
Yeah, it's a beauty, ain't it? It's a Brooks Banjo btw (BrooksBanjo.com)...I love his work and play his banjos exclusively these days... Thanks for watchin'!
57 year old rock drummer here! Lol....my elderly father recently bought a 5 string banjo and then gave it to me. I do play a bit of guitar, but I sure am hoping these vids can teach me how to play this thing!! Hahaha...looks good so far.
Howdy! That's a great banjo backstory...you should have a good head start with your rhythmic sense as a drummer and your stringed instrument knowledge from the bit of guitar experience. Oughta be twangin' with the best of 'em in no time...
@@PlayBetterBanjoHello sir, can you tell me if your banjo has any tone ring or is your banjo tone ring free ??? I am trying to decide if I want a open back without the tone ring .. Thankyou for an answer...😊
@@harvdog5669 Howdy. Yes, the banjo i'm playing in the videos has a brass tone ring in it. Here's a vid explaining the details of my banjo: ua-cam.com/video/cgIC0FiFzq0/v-deo.htmlsi=HzfDDJXPHPSh2leP
THANK YOU! I watched your video while waiting for my banjo to be serviced. I watched it again with the banjo. Left-handed so it'll take me a few views in addition to all the practice. (:
Thanks for the great video. I just bought my first banjo yesterday, and will be back for more of your videos in a few days. For now, I'm off to boom-chic-ah!
+Ryan Spearman thanks Ryan, I will very likely have a few questions later on down the road. I appreciate your prompt replies to these comments, it's much appreciated and please keep up the great work.
thank you for teaching this basic clawhammer technique for free. i am just starting and excited to learn, but my classes don’t start for a couple weeks. steve martin and the steep canyon rangers, here i come!
Sounds good. Best o luck on your banjo journey, my friend. Get out there and make some noise and let me know if you have any questions along the way....
This is sweet man, good to see you. My lady is Kate McGrath who knew you in Winter Park days. I took some mando from Greg Scochet (sp?), and you and I picked one at Mary's Lake Lodge once. Probably more of a memory for me. Cheers man, thanks for this.
Oh yeah...been a while. Good to hear from ya. Glad to know you're still pickin'! Best o' luck with the clawhammer studies. Let me know if you have any questions along the way.
Great lesson! I use my index finger but I wished I learned with my middle finger because it sounds so much better. The index finger sounds so harsh at times because of the angle of attack. Trying to learn with the middle finger now. Love your music BTW
Thanks! I agree...it's a beaut. Here's some more info on my 'lovely banjo' if you're interested: ua-cam.com/video/cgIC0FiFzq0/v-deo.htmlsi=vKGcfB5RgZ6Vmkth
I have trouble actually pressing the top string with my thumb unless I involve the joint, which you said not to do. It seems like i can just kind of let my thumb hit the string as a backstop like you've described, but then I don't really get much movement (and therefore sound) out of the top string, or I can involve my thumb joint to really press on it like you're showing. I guess I'm wondering if that top string is really intended to be played or is the thumb just kind of hitting and and maybe it will produce sound, we don't really care? Because to play that top string seems to require me to use my thumb joint. Thanks for the video, this is really good, I look forward to part 2.
Sounds like you need to focus on 'following through' with the motion of your entire hand. When the 5th string 'stops' the thumb, the momentum and 'intended follow through' of the Clawhammer hand should be creating a 'loaded sling shot' effect on that 5th string. The thumb should not hit the 5th string and stop. It should hit the 5th string and continue on until the tension of the 5th string stops the motion of the right hand (so to speak). At this point that 5th string should look and feel like a loaded sling shot and you should only, basically, need to release the 'loaded' string to produce a viable sound from the 5th string. The top (5th) string is intended to be played. There can be a TEENY bit of movement in the thumb joint but not much...it should not be a 'swiping' or a 'plucking' motion. To maneuver the thumb, maneuver the entire claw hand as one unit. I hope that helps! Keep practicing and keep experimenting...you'll get it!
I just gave a THUMBS up! lol Banjo is one of my FAV sounding instruments! I prefer the Scruggs-type picking over the claw though! Flatt and Scruggs were a great team! See: Theme song of the Beverly Hillbillies.
Thanks for the comments, good sir. I like pretty much all of the banjo styles, although I specialize in clawhammer/old time approaches. Love some Flatt & Scruggs and have fond memories of hearing that Beverly Hillbillies theme song in my childhood. Also really enjoyed The Darlings' (The Dillards) appearances on the Andy Griffith Show. Throw in Deliverance and one realizes that the 70s & 80s may have been a bit of a golden age for bluegrass banjo on television and the big screen...
Hey there, this is excellent! Lovely clear descriptions and demos to work from. I'm a little sad, I had the course open on my phone for a bit, but ended up closing the tab, and now the link in the description doesn't work. Did something happen? Is there still any way to access the course?
You can always access the course via the youtube playlist here: ua-cam.com/play/PLSztJMofGub2Lk2HZUjT4aYdpdoZ_EwZY.html Also, you can sign up at PlayBetterBanjo.com for a more streamlined user experience. If you've already signed up at PlayBetterBanjo.com and can't seem to regain access to your course materials, be sure that you are logged in (using the same credentials with which you signed up) and then navigate to your 'products'. In there you should find all of your lesson material access. Hope that helps!
Excellent method you are teaching Ryan. I honestly think you are an excellent instructor. You hit all the important points. I like your methods very much. Can you tell me if your banjo is a short scale? I try to play my Deering Good Time but, the neck length is just not very comfortable to me(too long) and I think that may be why I do not work with it as much as I should.
Thanks for the kind words! Yes, my banjo has a bit of a shorter scale than a good time banjo. I believe that the standard good time open back model has a scale length of about 26.25" and my Brooks Banjo has a scale length of 25.5". This seemingly small discrepancy can make a pretty big difference if you're having trouble with 'reach'. Also, the shorter scale length means less tension when the strings are tuned up to pitch which allows me a pretty improved range (over standard scale length banjos) when it comes to tuning strings up to higher pitches. I can tune my fifth string up to a "b" note without any problems but, on past banjos, that would usually result in the 5th string breaking. I hope that info helps. One final note. As I understand it, the term 'short scale banjo' is often used to refer to banjos with a MUCH shorter than standard scale length (see info online about 'A scale' banjos).
Thank you so much Ryan. This is the reason I have followed you after finding out about you as a teacher and ordering from you in the past. You always go the extra mile as some would say with your explanations as an instructor. You are just awesome.
Great videos! I have absolutely no music experience and picked up a banjo to try and learn during this quarantine, and your videos have made it way easier than expected! I do have a question, I can't get my banjo strum to sound nearly as nice as yours. I have made sure it is tuned correctly and the bridge is in the right spot, does it come down to the quality of the banjo?
Howdy Gordon. Glad you found the channel and are having success with the videos! Keep up the good work. As to your question: The quality of the banjo will play some part in the results you're getting but, more likely, it's probably just a matter of time. I've been playing the banjo for 25 years so if you sounded as good as me right out the gate that would be pretty darn impressive! It sounds like you're on the right path so, at this point, my advice is to keep on practicing and striving for that sound and flow that you are after...and it will come...sooner rather than later!
I taught myself wrong and now I have a hard time not strumming with my middle do my fingernail ends up being in pain I'm trying to readjust but it's hard
There is a style, much like clawhammer, that uses an upstroke for the 'boom' note. Most people call that approach 'upstroke' style. Check out folks like Clifton Hicks & Pete Seeger to get insight into that approach...
When you brush down, do you use more than one finger? I use index finger for the “boom”, so do I use all my fingers… (maybe not include the pinky) … to brush down, or just the index finger only to brush down? Thanks
That's a good question. I I recommend that you 'focus' your main playing finger (the index, in your case) as the prime actor but certainly allow for the others to brush the strings along with your index. Some folks I know use their index for the boom and their ring (& a little bit of the pinky) for the chick. Hope that makes sense...
Refining that right hand motion to be able to hit just one string is important but I would FIRST focus on programming in the general motion and technique, allowing yourself to be a bit sloppy along the way. Don't worry too much about a 'clean' single string strike in the early stages. Just focus on getting used to the right hand motion. Then, after you've got that down, you can start working on refining your attack. To your question: once you've got the fundamentals of the motion down, then focusing on some very subtle adjustments you can manage to consistently strike a single string at a time. It's really a matter of practice, pause, adjust repeat... It will happen for you sooner rather than later if you patiently persist in the pursuit. Hope that helps!
Please humor me. Say you were playing Clawhammer style on a 4 String 22 Fret Banjo. What tuning would you use ? What type strings would be used for that sound ? Asking for a Friend. 🙃
Hi Charles, I'm assuming that this banjo, having four strings and twenty two frets, is a 'plectrum' banjo. These banjos are not set up to play in the clawhammer style as the style requires that 'top' string (the one closest to your head when your holding the banjo in the proper manner) to be a higher pitched string. This higher pitch string placed on 'top' is known as a drone string and is essential to clawhammer technique. The five string banjo (with the shorter drone string on top) is really the only banjo design that properly accommodates the clawhammer style. There are ways, I reckon, that you could 'rig up' a smaller gauge string in place of the regular fourth string but I have never tried this. It would take quite a bit of experimentation to figure out what gauge string you would need to use. Also, you would have to get a new bridge and have the fourth string slot cut to fit the smaller string. Finally, there would be some serious melodic limitations resulting form the fact that there would only be three 'non-drone' strings. I would recommend getting a hold of a standard, 5 string banjo for clawhammer purposes. If you did alter the plectrum banjo as I hypothesized above, you would want the tuning to be: gGBD With the lower case g indicating the new fourth string. This g note would need to match the same g note you would get when sounding the 1st string at the 5th fret. My guess would be that you would need a string gauge somewhere around .09 but that's just a guess. Again, I would recommend getting a hold of a 5 string. Hope that helps,
Interesting. While waiting for your reply someone told me this. Yes, you can play clawhammer on any instrument that is normally strummed or picked. Its a technique or style. The tuning and strings would remain the same and would have no bearing or reason to change because of the style. Please Advise
Well, I guess, technically, you could apply the basic right hand 'clawhammer' motion to any stringed instrument meant to be strummed but the effect will not be at all the same due to the lack of higher pitched, drone string on top. I have heard of folks playing guitar in a 'clawhammer style' but, I admit, I've never seen or heard that guitar approach in action. I imagine one would have to significantly vary the basic approach (as it would be taught for clawhammer banjo) to produce any desirable musical effects on a guitar or similarly strung instrument. I guess my conclusion is: Clawhammer banjo instruction for the 5 string banjo would not be easily or effectively transferable to other stringed instruments (again, because of the unique string configuration of the 5 string banjo). The only exception I know of is the ukulele as most of them have a higher pitched string on 'top'. I've played ukuleles using the same approach that I use on clawhammer banjo with good results. In fact, Aaron Keim has some great clawhammer ukulele instructional material online. Hope that helps a bit and doesn't just add to the confusion.
@@PlayBetterBanjo Roscoe Holcomb, best known as a banjo player in the documentary, "The High Lonesome Sound," can be seen here playing "Pretty Polly" on guitar using a modified clawhammer technique, where the high "E" string becomes the drone. ua-cam.com/video/61bEwkqn8LE/v-deo.html
I've seen a lot of very accomplished players who extend their index finger while striking with their middle. Although I don't do it myself, I don't think it's a bad habit. I say go with it if it feels right for you.
When i touch the frets it doesn’t make a different sound than an open string, just got my banjo today and want to know what’s wrong with it, can you help me
Hmmm...from your description, it's hard to tell what exactly is the problem. Is it possible to take a quick video (using a smart phone) ? If so, send the vid to: Ryan@PlayBetterBanjo.com and I'll take a look at it to see if I can help you solve the problem.
Yes siree, the basic clawhammer strum can feel really odd if you're already used to fingerstlye BUT it's gets pretty easy pretty quickly if you push through the initial muscle/mental confusion...!
Yes, you certainly can. Most folks prefer to use a little bit of finger nail growth to bolster their results but you can certainly get by with out a nail. Be patient and keep banging away at it. You'll start to hear some musical sounds soon enough. NOTE: If you're not using a nail or fingerpick, may find your tone and volume improve after you've practiced enough and managed to build up just a little bit of callous on the skin of your striking finger...
@@ryanspearman2620 Just paid my deposit a couple of days ago! I'm spotting more and more of them on UA-cam. Maybe a loaded question, but how do you like it?
@@adifferentbanjoguy9603 That's awesome. You won't be disappointed. To answer your question, I love it. Had this one for about 10 -11 years now as my main banjo and can't recommend it enough. I've also got a second (fancier) Brooks banjo with the 30 brackets and the silver spun rim and it's pretty sweet, too!
@@ryanspearman2620 I'm just learning clawhammer, but I've been playing tenor for a bit now. By ordering the Brooks, I'm taking a lesson I learned right off the bat - as soon as you can play reasonably well, you'll want something nice, and the cost of the name brand banjos appears to be about 60% label. So I figure six months on a real piece of crap that I picked up for $200 will get me to where I want to be by the time the Brooks is done. Also, this video breaks down the rhythmic concept of clawhammer beautifully! Thanks!
@@adifferentbanjoguy9603 Thanks for the encouraging works regarding the video. Yes, you oughta be pretty good to go once you get that Brooks in your hands after a half of year on a crappy banjo. When I was first learning to play mandolin, a friend loaned me a Stella brand mando that had a LOT of issues. I couldn't even get any of the notes to sound past the 7th fret on most of the strings due to some serious set up and structural problems ... BUT ... I learned as best I could on it and when I managed to get my hands on a MUCH nicer mando a few months later, it was nothing short of glorious...! Best of luck in your studies and look forward to seeing/hearing you and your new Brooks once you get it in your hands ...
I feel like this is not a good thing to watch as a beginner learning why would you demonstrate it differently than they would be doing it or from how you do it on a day to say basis
Hi there, I appreciate your comment but I'm not sure I understand your objecton. I'm demonstrating the basic strum as it is indeed played in the real world. Perhaps you're looking for a 3 finger style banjo tutorial as opposed to a clawhammer style?
I think this is the first time ive ever heard the word onomatopoeia used in an actual sentence outside of a classroom
You seem to have a smile or a laugh waiting just underneath the surface and every now and then it pokes itself out, it's lovely. Also, love the different claw angles you held out, surprisingly useful
Thanks, for the comments, Tom!
This is the best video on the subject. I didn't get it untill i watched this one.
That's good to hear, Gabriel! Let me know if you have any questions along the way.
same
Same here!
Holy crap this is the best beginning vidya for banjo on youtube. THANKS much!
Thanks so much for the kind words, my friend. Much appreciated! Good luck on your clawhammer banjo journey and let me know if you have any questions along the way...
I'm a bit of a chess dabbler so now, instead of getting my intended morning's work done, I'm perusing the wonderful vids on your channel.
I agree with the previous commenter - Your easy-going and 'learn the basics' approach resonates with me. Longtime guitar player - always digged frailing. Picked up a 70s Japanese banjo on eBay, and I'm tickled to begin. Thanks for the effort you've put into your lessons.
Thanks for the videos, I was trying to learn more of a bluegrass style of banjo but this makes more sense to me.
David Wenzel Another banjoist turned to the dark side. :)
Yeah, I'm the same way, David. I can play in a 3 finger style but the clawhammer is more aligned with my sensibilities somehow.
Man I LOVED your analogies on the thumb picking, helped me out so much
That's great to hear! Thanks for sharing your positive experience with the vid and best of luck on your banjo journey...
This is amazing! Thanks a lot for posting this series. This would be a great value at any price but it's incredible that it's free. You're a really talented teacher.
Thanks, Dude. Glad you're diggin' the course!
Really well-described. Very thorough. Still very difficult to master/get down, but this does a good job explaining of what needs to be done/what needs to be practiced for thousands of times. Thanks!
Thanks for the positive feedback, Tom S.!
This is a fantastic, comprehensive look at a basic style. Very useful for this here beginner
That's a beautiful banjo! Thanks for finally helping me get it right!!!
You bet! Good luck with your banjo studies, my friend. That beautiful banjo is a Brooks Banjo, if you're wondering (BrooksBanjos.com)...cheers!
I struggle with the boom note consistently but this makes me want to try it again. Ive been having fun learning 3 finger but my soul wants clawhammer.
follow yer soul, my friend ... 🤓
I watched quite a few vids on this and your is the best! Well-spoken descriptions and the analogies with the thumb helped me turn the corner. Very well done. I've subscribed. Thank you for taking the time to do this :)
Beautiful banjo.
You are a phenomenal instructor! Thank you
Thanks for viewing ... and for the very kind words!
Have to agree with everyone here..this is the best place to start. I had a hard time getting started, years before the net , and afellow named Walt Lysak at the Winnipeg Folklore Center gave me this sage advice. ..."it should take as long to do this ,as it does to do this " in other words it should take as long to do "boom" as it does to do "chucka" That was my breakthrough moment...keep up the good work. ..
I like that (it'll take as long to do this as it takes to do this). Reminds me of a similar but equally valuable bit of advice: "It'll feel better when it stops hurting'". Thanks for the comment and the kind words, Clay!
Nice one Ryan, I've had my Banjo for a week now, and you've done the clearest explanation I've came across, I feel way more confident in my learning now, Thank you
Hey, that's great to hear! Best of luck in your continued banjo journeys and be sure to let me know if you have any questions along the way...
@@ryanspearman2620 Thanks man.
Very helpful! I just finished building a gourd banjo and although I’ve been playing guitar and ukulele for decades, this is completely alien to me. I’m tuned in Old Time, GCGCD, but I think you are in standard GDGBD. This is going to take some work, but I’m looking forward to it!
I'm guessing if you've got guitar and uke experience you'll be surprised at how quickly you advance ONCE you get over the hump of learning the counterintuitive right hand motions of thew clawhammer ... keep at it, my friend!
@@PlayBetterBanjo
Thanks! I know I have to be patient and work to establish this basic, fundamental motion if I want to play authentic banjo music. Looking forward to it, my wife, perhaps less so…!
Great video. One of the best I have seen....and I have watched a lot of them. Thank you!
Aww, shucks...thanks for the kind words Shelly!
Thank you very much for slowing down that motion and the close up pictures in the video and I will try to find more of your videos to learn this style thank you for this
Glad you found the vid helpful! If you want more videos like this you can check out the entire Beginner Clawhammer Course on my youtube channel here: ua-cam.com/play/PLSztJMofGub2Lk2HZUjT4aYdpdoZ_EwZY.html&si=4WpvaLBnFt7OT_2S
Thank you very much for this. It's clear, friendly and really appealing--and I say this after checking out a lot of such intros. Cheers!
Thanks, David! Glad you're enjoying the early lessons and finding value in them. Best of luck with your banjo studies and let me know if you have any questions along the way.
This tutorial was very useful. I’m able to play clawhammer banjo now! Thank you!
Yee haw! Glad to help!
I love the wood and brass on your banjo, beautiful.
Yeah, it's a beauty, ain't it? It's a Brooks Banjo btw (BrooksBanjo.com)...I love his work and play his banjos exclusively these days...
Thanks for watchin'!
Thank you. The closeups down the neck really help. I was having a lot of trouble visualizing the hand position.
Glad the vid was helpful!
Enjoyed that. Love the aircraft carrier annalouge.
Glad to hear it...!
Very nice thorough tutorial with all the angles! Excellent help! Thanks
You bet, Dawn!
Love the Aircraft carrier analogy.
Thanks for taking some of the confusion out of this!
Thanks for this great video!
57 year old rock drummer here! Lol....my elderly father recently bought a 5 string banjo and then gave it to me. I do play a bit of guitar, but I sure am hoping these vids can teach me how to play this thing!! Hahaha...looks good so far.
Howdy! That's a great banjo backstory...you should have a good head start with your rhythmic sense as a drummer and your stringed instrument knowledge from the bit of guitar experience. Oughta be twangin' with the best of 'em in no time...
@@PlayBetterBanjoHello sir, can you tell me if your banjo has any tone ring or is your banjo tone ring free ???
I am trying to decide if I want a open back without the tone ring ..
Thankyou for an answer...😊
You've got this! A banjo's just a drum with some strings on it , anyway..🪘🎶
@@harvdog5669 Howdy. Yes, the banjo i'm playing in the videos has a brass tone ring in it. Here's a vid explaining the details of my banjo: ua-cam.com/video/cgIC0FiFzq0/v-deo.htmlsi=HzfDDJXPHPSh2leP
THANK YOU! I watched your video while waiting for my banjo to be serviced. I watched it again with the banjo. Left-handed so it'll take me a few views in addition to all the practice. (:
Aw, the ole Southpaw conundrum...glad you found the video series. Let me know if you have any questions along the way!
Now I know how the claw hammer strum works. Thanks.
Best instruction I’ve seen!
Thank you kind sir...glad it's proving useful for ya!
Thanks. I enjoyed learning from your video.
Thanks for the great video. I just bought my first banjo yesterday, and will be back for more of your videos in a few days. For now, I'm off to boom-chic-ah!
That's great, Rudy! Welcome to the wonderful world of banjo...good luck and let me know if you have any questions along the way.
+Ryan Spearman thanks Ryan, I will very likely have a few questions later on down the road. I appreciate your prompt replies to these comments, it's much appreciated and please keep up the great work.
Thanks!
Thanks! was just what I needed today!!
Happy to be of service, Emma! Good luck on your banjo journey and let me know if you have any questions along the way.
Mannnn this was so helpful thank you so much!
thank you for teaching this basic clawhammer technique for free. i am just starting and excited to learn, but my classes don’t start for a couple weeks. steve martin and the steep canyon rangers, here i come!
Sounds good. Best o luck on your banjo journey, my friend. Get out there and make some noise and let me know if you have any questions along the way....
Great pacing and explanations. Thanks for the help!!
Glad you found it useful. Thanks for watching and best of luck on your banjo journey!
So well explained. Love all your songs...Jack Baker NYC
Thx Jack!
Haven't tried it yet but looks like the best vid I've ever seen on this. You are so awesome dude.
YOU"RE awesome, dude...
Love you videos very well explained.😛🙂🇨🇮🇨🇮🇨🇮
Chris Eliot is a great teacher. Wish I saw this years ago
Great lesson!
Thank you , my friend!
This is sweet man, good to see you. My lady is Kate McGrath who knew you in Winter Park days. I took some mando from Greg Scochet (sp?), and you and I picked one at Mary's Lake Lodge once. Probably more of a memory for me. Cheers man, thanks for this.
Oh yeah...been a while. Good to hear from ya. Glad to know you're still pickin'! Best o' luck with the clawhammer studies. Let me know if you have any questions along the way.
Great lesson! I use my index finger but I wished I learned with my middle finger because it sounds so much better. The index finger sounds so harsh at times because of the angle of attack. Trying to learn with the middle finger now. Love your music BTW
oh yeah, and played a lot with Garth Lewis and Greg Miles up in Estes. In Montana now. Cheers.
Boom!☺️
1:02 the word is "onomatopoeia" that you defined. Thanks for the lesson.
Lovely banjo!
Thanks! I agree...it's a beaut. Here's some more info on my 'lovely banjo' if you're interested: ua-cam.com/video/cgIC0FiFzq0/v-deo.htmlsi=vKGcfB5RgZ6Vmkth
Thanks so much for your video! I can’t wait to get started!
you bet! good luck and let me know if you have any questions along the way...
nice course!
thanks for your help!
gonna go boom-chicka now!
Yeah, man...go make some noise!
got my banjo yesterday. Spent hours on boom chicka boom. Very frustrating to start with but ,Im determined. Thanks for the assistance.
billmacaulay keep up the good work! A little patience and persistence will get you over that first hump in no time...
@@PlayBetterBanjo im now 77. If I can master it ,it will give me something to do when Im old.
billmacaulay Ha! Yep. Sounds like a plan...
@@PlayBetterBanjo im now 81 and back to start again - maybe this time
Thank you very much !!
Tis my pleasure...! Best o luck w/ your banjo journey
This is super awesome! Thanks! I'm new on this so I'm toying a bit between this and Bluegrass and your videos are really good!
Glad you found me, Jerring. Best of luck in your banjo journey. Let me know if you have any questions along the way!
I sure will :) have a great day! and thanks again for the videos and effort you put into them
So slow. But wouldn’t have it any other way. Made mistakes as described. Best instruction vid ever. Thankyou
Glad you found the video helpful, my friend. Keep at it ... before ya know it, it will start flowing!
Merci pour cette vidéo très facile à comprendre pour le clawhammer je m abonne😊
De rien, mon ami et merci pour abonne !
great video thank you !
Thanks, Corey. Best of luck with your 'banjoin' . Let me know if you have any questions along the way.
thats a beautiful banjo
Thanks. I agree..it's a beaut! It's a Brooks Banjo btw (made by Brooks Masten in Portland, OR).
Thanks, this will help a lot, great starter course!
Excellent! Best of luck in your banjo studies. Let me know if you have any questions along the way...
great video, thank you for posting it :)
pretty cool thank you..it works
Yee haw! Glad to hear it.
Great teacher.
Keith Rose Thanks. Really appreciate the positive feedback!
Thanks
You're very welcome! Thanks for watching ... and good luck in your banjo journey
I have trouble actually pressing the top string with my thumb unless I involve the joint, which you said not to do. It seems like i can just kind of let my thumb hit the string as a backstop like you've described, but then I don't really get much movement (and therefore sound) out of the top string, or I can involve my thumb joint to really press on it like you're showing.
I guess I'm wondering if that top string is really intended to be played or is the thumb just kind of hitting and and maybe it will produce sound, we don't really care? Because to play that top string seems to require me to use my thumb joint.
Thanks for the video, this is really good, I look forward to part 2.
Sounds like you need to focus on 'following through' with the motion of your entire hand. When the 5th string 'stops' the thumb, the momentum and 'intended follow through' of the Clawhammer hand should be creating a 'loaded sling shot' effect on that 5th string. The thumb should not hit the 5th string and stop. It should hit the 5th string and continue on until the tension of the 5th string stops the motion of the right hand (so to speak). At this point that 5th string should look and feel like a loaded sling shot and you should only, basically, need to release the 'loaded' string to produce a viable sound from the 5th string. The top (5th) string is intended to be played. There can be a TEENY bit of movement in the thumb joint but not much...it should not be a 'swiping' or a 'plucking' motion. To maneuver the thumb, maneuver the entire claw hand as one unit. I hope that helps! Keep practicing and keep experimenting...you'll get it!
I just gave a THUMBS up! lol Banjo is one of my FAV sounding instruments! I prefer the Scruggs-type picking over the claw though! Flatt and Scruggs were a great team! See: Theme song of the Beverly Hillbillies.
Thanks for the comments, good sir. I like pretty much all of the banjo styles, although I specialize in clawhammer/old time approaches. Love some Flatt & Scruggs and have fond memories of hearing that Beverly Hillbillies theme song in my childhood. Also really enjoyed The Darlings' (The Dillards) appearances on the Andy Griffith Show. Throw in Deliverance and one realizes that the 70s & 80s may have been a bit of a golden age for bluegrass banjo on television and the big screen...
Can you show us what it looks like when a banjo is launched off an aircraft carrier?
Danke ❤
Freut mich!
Good stuff, thank you!
Thanks for watching!!
Hey there, this is excellent! Lovely clear descriptions and demos to work from.
I'm a little sad, I had the course open on my phone for a bit, but ended up closing the tab, and now the link in the description doesn't work. Did something happen? Is there still any way to access the course?
You can always access the course via the youtube playlist here: ua-cam.com/play/PLSztJMofGub2Lk2HZUjT4aYdpdoZ_EwZY.html
Also, you can sign up at PlayBetterBanjo.com for a more streamlined user experience. If you've already signed up at PlayBetterBanjo.com and can't seem to regain access to your course materials, be sure that you are logged in (using the same credentials with which you signed up) and then navigate to your 'products'. In there you should find all of your lesson material access.
Hope that helps!
Excellent method you are teaching Ryan. I honestly think you are an excellent instructor. You hit all the important points. I like your methods very much. Can you tell me if your banjo is a short scale? I try to play my Deering Good Time but, the neck length is just not very comfortable to me(too long) and I think that may be why I do not work with it as much as I should.
Thanks for the kind words! Yes, my banjo has a bit of a shorter scale than a good time banjo. I believe that the standard good time open back model has a scale length of about 26.25" and my Brooks Banjo has a scale length of 25.5". This seemingly small discrepancy can make a pretty big difference if you're having trouble with 'reach'. Also, the shorter scale length means less tension when the strings are tuned up to pitch which allows me a pretty improved range (over standard scale length banjos) when it comes to tuning strings up to higher pitches. I can tune my fifth string up to a "b" note without any problems but, on past banjos, that would usually result in the 5th string breaking. I hope that info helps. One final note. As I understand it, the term 'short scale banjo' is often used to refer to banjos with a MUCH shorter than standard scale length (see info online about 'A scale' banjos).
Thank you so much Ryan. This is the reason I have followed you after finding out about you as a teacher and ordering from you in the past. You always go the extra mile as some would say with your explanations as an instructor. You are just awesome.
Great videos! I have absolutely no music experience and picked up a banjo to try and learn during this quarantine, and your videos have made it way easier than expected! I do have a question, I can't get my banjo strum to sound nearly as nice as yours. I have made sure it is tuned correctly and the bridge is in the right spot, does it come down to the quality of the banjo?
Howdy Gordon. Glad you found the channel and are having success with the videos! Keep up the good work. As to your question: The quality of the banjo will play some part in the results you're getting but, more likely, it's probably just a matter of time. I've been playing the banjo for 25 years so if you sounded as good as me right out the gate that would be pretty darn impressive! It sounds like you're on the right path so, at this point, my advice is to keep on practicing and striving for that sound and flow that you are after...and it will come...sooner rather than later!
I taught myself wrong and now I have a hard time not strumming with my middle do my fingernail ends up being in pain I'm trying to readjust but it's hard
Hmm. I thought the basic stroke on the string was an upstoke. That's how I do it on guitar.
There is a style, much like clawhammer, that uses an upstroke for the 'boom' note. Most people call that approach 'upstroke' style. Check out folks like Clifton Hicks & Pete Seeger to get insight into that approach...
Little bit of a jump scare with headphones at 4:00 . Wow. Nice video though. I thought someone was behind me for some strange reason.
Ha ha! Must be that stereo mic ing... Thanks for watchin' the vid!
Nice video. Where did you get your banjo, it's a cool one!
Howdy Aletha, It's a Brooks Banjo. Here's more info if you want: ua-cam.com/video/cgIC0FiFzq0/v-deo.html
When you brush down, do you use more than one finger?
I use index finger for the “boom”, so do I use all my fingers… (maybe not include the pinky) … to brush down, or just the index finger only to brush down?
Thanks
That's a good question. I I recommend that you 'focus' your main playing finger (the index, in your case) as the prime actor but certainly allow for the others to brush the strings along with your index. Some folks I know use their index for the boom and their ring (& a little bit of the pinky) for the chick. Hope that makes sense...
What is your banjo tuned to in this?
Thanks… just trying to learn something.
Howdy Mike. My banjo is tuned to the (modern day) standard tuning of 'Open G'.
From the little fifth string to the first: gDGBD
"" BOOM--CHICK--AHH--BOOM"" DON'T YA JUST LOVE IT???
reminds me of a song from the early 70's
Also, very nice vid, very comprehensive
So how are you able to hit one string at a time with all of your fingers bunched up like that?
Refining that right hand motion to be able to hit just one string is important but I would FIRST focus on programming in the general motion and technique, allowing yourself to be a bit sloppy along the way. Don't worry too much about a 'clean' single string strike in the early stages. Just focus on getting used to the right hand motion. Then, after you've got that down, you can start working on refining your attack. To your question: once you've got the fundamentals of the motion down, then focusing on some very subtle adjustments you can manage to consistently strike a single string at a time. It's really a matter of practice, pause, adjust repeat... It will happen for you sooner rather than later if you patiently persist in the pursuit. Hope that helps!
@@ryanspearman2620 Thank you for the answer! That certainly makes sense to me; and I will just focus on the hand movement and strum pattern at first.
Love it but man, just play through the whole boom-chick-a at a medium pace at some point so I know what I'm shooting for.
I didn’t know Freddie The Freeloader is teaching banjo.
Please humor me. Say you were playing Clawhammer style on a 4 String 22 Fret Banjo. What tuning would you use ? What type strings would be used for that sound ? Asking for a Friend. 🙃
Hi Charles, I'm assuming that this banjo, having four strings and twenty two frets, is a 'plectrum' banjo. These banjos are not set up to play in the clawhammer style as the style requires that 'top' string (the one closest to your head when your holding the banjo in the proper manner) to be a higher pitched string.
This higher pitch string placed on 'top' is known as a drone string and is essential to clawhammer technique. The five string banjo (with the shorter drone string on top) is really the only banjo design that properly accommodates the clawhammer style.
There are ways, I reckon, that you could 'rig up' a smaller gauge string in place of the regular fourth string but I have never tried this. It would take quite a bit of experimentation to figure out what gauge string you would need to use.
Also, you would have to get a new bridge and have the fourth string slot cut to fit the smaller string.
Finally, there would be some serious melodic limitations resulting form the fact that there would only be three 'non-drone' strings.
I would recommend getting a hold of a standard, 5 string banjo for clawhammer purposes.
If you did alter the plectrum banjo as I hypothesized above, you would want the tuning to be:
gGBD
With the lower case g indicating the new fourth string. This g note would need to match the same g note you would get when sounding the 1st string at the 5th fret.
My guess would be that you would need a string gauge somewhere around .09 but that's just a guess.
Again, I would recommend getting a hold of a 5 string.
Hope that helps,
Interesting. While waiting for your reply someone told me this. Yes, you can play clawhammer on any instrument that is normally strummed or picked. Its a technique or style. The tuning and strings would remain the same and would have no bearing or reason to change because of the style. Please Advise
Well, I guess, technically, you could apply the basic right hand 'clawhammer' motion to any stringed instrument meant to be strummed but the effect will not be at all the same due to the lack of higher pitched, drone string on top.
I have heard of folks playing guitar in a 'clawhammer style' but, I admit, I've never seen or heard that guitar approach in action. I imagine one would have to significantly vary the basic approach (as it would be taught for clawhammer banjo) to produce any desirable musical effects on a guitar or similarly strung instrument.
I guess my conclusion is: Clawhammer banjo instruction for the 5 string banjo would not be easily or effectively transferable to other stringed instruments (again, because of the unique string configuration of the 5 string banjo).
The only exception I know of is the ukulele as most of them have a higher pitched string on 'top'. I've played ukuleles using the same approach that I use on clawhammer banjo with good results.
In fact, Aaron Keim has some great clawhammer ukulele instructional material online.
Hope that helps a bit and doesn't just add to the confusion.
@@PlayBetterBanjo Roscoe Holcomb, best known as a banjo player in the documentary, "The High Lonesome Sound," can be seen here playing "Pretty Polly" on guitar using a modified clawhammer technique, where the high "E" string becomes the drone. ua-cam.com/video/61bEwkqn8LE/v-deo.html
Is it OK to extend my index finger? Will I pay for it later if I don't correct it
I've seen a lot of very accomplished players who extend their index finger while striking with their middle. Although I don't do it myself, I don't think it's a bad habit. I say go with it if it feels right for you.
Ryan Spearman awesome. Thanks for the lesson and advice. I greatly appreciate it
When i touch the frets it doesn’t make a different sound than an open string, just got my banjo today and want to know what’s wrong with it, can you help me
Hmmm...from your description, it's hard to tell what exactly is the problem. Is it possible to take a quick video (using a smart phone) ? If so, send the vid to:
Ryan@PlayBetterBanjo.com and I'll take a look at it to see if I can help you solve the problem.
Ryan Spearman I feel so stupid, I didn’t put the bridge on the banjo sorry for wasting your time haha
probably could have started the video at 15:20
What is your banjo tuned in, I'm at open g will this work
Yes. I'm tuned to open G in this video so you're good to go.
Great video! However I would consider burning that fedora!
Ha ha! Although I did not burn it, I did retire the hat years ago...
Haha same problem I have with guitar. I can play fingerstyle at an advanced level, but my strumming is garbage. This feels odd.
Yes siree, the basic clawhammer strum can feel really odd if you're already used to fingerstlye BUT it's gets pretty easy pretty quickly if you push through the initial muscle/mental confusion...!
My hand is dumb, maybe I need to do this 3600000 more times
Or there about... :)
It's an awkward hand movement at first and pretty durn challenging to most folks but...keep at it and it'll happen much sooner than you think!
Boom,,,,,Boom,,,,Is it Benny Hill?
4
Can you do this style without fingernails?
Yes, you certainly can. Most folks prefer to use a little bit of finger nail growth to bolster their results but you can certainly get by with out a nail. Be patient and keep banging away at it. You'll start to hear some musical sounds soon enough. NOTE: If you're not using a nail or fingerpick, may find your tone and volume improve after you've practiced enough and managed to build up just a little bit of callous on the skin of your striking finger...
I didn’t know Clem Kadiddlehopper taught banjo.
Is this claw hammer for slow people? 5 minutes to pick one note?
That's a Brooks, isn't it?
Yes siree!
@@ryanspearman2620 Just paid my deposit a couple of days ago! I'm spotting more and more of them on UA-cam. Maybe a loaded question, but how do you like it?
@@adifferentbanjoguy9603 That's awesome. You won't be disappointed. To answer your question, I love it. Had this one for about 10 -11 years now as my main banjo and can't recommend it enough. I've also got a second (fancier) Brooks banjo with the 30 brackets and the silver spun rim and it's pretty sweet, too!
@@ryanspearman2620 I'm just learning clawhammer, but I've been playing tenor for a bit now. By ordering the Brooks, I'm taking a lesson I learned right off the bat - as soon as you can play reasonably well, you'll want something nice, and the cost of the name brand banjos appears to be about 60% label. So I figure six months on a real piece of crap that I picked up for $200 will get me to where I want to be by the time the Brooks is done.
Also, this video breaks down the rhythmic concept of clawhammer beautifully! Thanks!
@@adifferentbanjoguy9603 Thanks for the encouraging works regarding the video. Yes, you oughta be pretty good to go once you get that Brooks in your hands after a half of year on a crappy banjo. When I was first learning to play mandolin, a friend loaned me a Stella brand mando that had a LOT of issues. I couldn't even get any of the notes to sound past the 7th fret on most of the strings due to some serious set up and structural problems ... BUT ... I learned as best I could on it and when I managed to get my hands on a MUCH nicer mando a few months later, it was nothing short of glorious...! Best of luck in your studies and look forward to seeing/hearing you and your new Brooks once you get it in your hands ...
I feel like this is not a good thing to watch as a beginner learning why would you demonstrate it differently than they would be doing it or from how you do it on a day to say basis
Hi there, I appreciate your comment but I'm not sure I understand your objecton. I'm demonstrating the basic strum as it is indeed played in the real world. Perhaps you're looking for a 3 finger style banjo tutorial as opposed to a clawhammer style?
anyone else watch this with headhones?
booom... booom... boooom.