In the Netherlands, the ukulele is not a very populair instrument, and also banjo-music is never played. People see a ukulele as a toy and it's so wonderful to see what is possible with the uke. I'm going to learn this. It's so awesome! thank you for your clear tutorial!
Thank you! This is a very thorough and helpful demonstration. My grandfather played clawhammer-style banjo when he was teaching me to play the guitar when I was 12y/o and I could never figure out how he did it. You make it easier to understand than any other video I've seen on UA-cam.
This is so exciting!!! I haven’t felt inspired to pick up my ukulele for a while because I was feeling very limited in what (I thought) I could do with it, and was even considering buying a banjo or guitar for something different, but this opens up a whole new world without me having to invest time and money in a totally new instrument
I've been struggling with this for a little bit, I've been told everything I know about fingerpicking gets thrown out the window with claw hammer, your video makes the motions very clear, thank you.
Thank you Aaron for making this video. I've been playing the tenor Ukulele since February and love it. Got your book on Nook and can't wait to get in some practice time. Your videos are very helpful. Thanks again.
I just got some banjo uke students that want to play claw hammer. This is excellent stuff man very helpful I’ll be directing them to your channel for sure. Thanks!
I'm from a small city, have encountered a few stringed instruments & I feel the freedom of the tenor uke...doing first couple songs, Shady Grove, The Weight...would like to do this style playing on some folkie tunes & yet...a personal instructor in real time would be best. Clawhammer seems like " magic" to me right now.
Hi Aaron, such a well illustrated video, thank you. It is wonderful to have lessons like these that get away from the "day to day" plonking. As the saying goes, "It's easy to play the Uke, but it's another trying to learn how to play it", given its potential possibilities. No wonder it's becoming referred to as the "Mighty Uke" seeing its popularity around the world. Hope to see you both in the U.K. soon. 😉🎸💐
It’s a brilliant video but the tricky part is trying to play the bit at 1:53 as it’s a mixture of the standard clawhammer with single notes which makes it harder
Very well explained making it easy to understand. I look forward to receiving your books and cd's to learn your style. All the very best with your family business. Success is in your hands for sure!
I think I'm finally understanding this. I've been trying to get it right from your book, but was getting confused by the word 'brush'. I kept thinking that was a multi string stroke like a chord, but you're calling the single note pick in this style a brush. Is that correct? Now I type it out I think I'm still not understanding the terms properly. My confusion stems from the book, I think. I don't understand the use of the arrow in the tabs, along with 'brush'. Is it indicating that there's a downward stroke of the 3 other strings every time the arrow appears, and that's in conjunction with the 0 or other number for the thumb pluck of the G string? I can do the examples in this video at least! [Edit: I mean I can play what you're instructing here, not the tune. Yet, anyway!]
Sorry you are having trouble. The arrow is the brush. It is a downward stroke, that can be 1-3 strings depending on the song, the tempo and your own taste.
I like your videos very much. Attempted to purchase the “2nd edition of Clawhammer Ukulele” seems I problem in using a credit card. After confirming correct information transaction still doesn’t go through. PayPal is to involved. Have other people had a similar problem? Is there another way to purchase your book? Thx.
Hi Aaron. I'd like to add my thanks for these videos. I have one question though that I don't see addressed in the series (I may have missed it, of course). It concerns where on the body of the uke you're picking the strings. Normally, when we're strumming, we're told to aim for a 'sweet spot' somewhere around the 10th fret on a sop or the 12th fret on a concert. I notice however when you're demonstrating the clawhammer, your hand is landing pretty much right over the sound hole. Is this just a personal style of yours, or is that where we all should be aiming to hit the strings too?
Cheers! I think that's been the missing part of the jigsaw puzzle for me; though, tbh, I don't think I've ever seen anyone mention that aspect of clawhammer. I only noticed it while trying to copy, exactly, what you were doing.
Aaron, thanks so much for sharing your knowledge. When I try to knock, i seem to always hit the box of the uke (actually making a knocking sound). Is that bad form? Should I try not to do that?
i was thinking about getting uke having played guitar and banjo.. it would make more sense to tune the uke DGBD then trying to play banjo chords on a uke..could that be done i wonder..might have to get custom strings?
Hi Aaron, just revisiting your book which I got a couple of years ago, is there an easy way to find the videos? I just seem to wonder around your site until I stumble across the one I want! Thanks so much, loving the sound, and gradually getting better at it!
Hello Aaron, thanks for a great book and videos! I've recently noticed that whenever I hit several melody notes in a row without a brush I tend to keep my thumb still on the 4th string while the index finger hits the various notes. I'm not flicking the index finger, my hand always stays in a clawhammer shape. Should I try to get rid of this habit and make sure I always "knock" with the whole hand on every melody note? Not sure if I'm expressing what I mean in a comprehensive matter, if not I'll elaborate. Thanks
+BogdanSkavic Keeping the thumb by the fourth string is great, many old timers always kept their thumb there and then rocked their hand away just enough to play the melody notes. Keep going!
In the Netherlands, the ukulele is not a very populair instrument, and also banjo-music is never played. People see a ukulele as a toy and it's so wonderful to see what is possible with the uke. I'm going to learn this. It's so awesome! thank you for your clear tutorial!
I have watched a few teachers play the clawhammer but this is the best so far! Well done!!
Thank you! This is a very thorough and helpful demonstration. My grandfather played clawhammer-style banjo when he was teaching me to play the guitar when I was 12y/o and I could never figure out how he did it. You make it easier to understand than any other video I've seen on UA-cam.
This is so exciting!!! I haven’t felt inspired to pick up my ukulele for a while because I was feeling very limited in what (I thought) I could do with it, and was even considering buying a banjo or guitar for something different, but this opens up a whole new world without me having to invest time and money in a totally new instrument
I've been struggling with this for a little bit, I've been told everything I know about fingerpicking gets thrown out the window with claw hammer, your video makes the motions very clear, thank you.
Thank you Aaron for making this video. I've been playing the tenor Ukulele since February and love it. Got your book on Nook and can't wait to get in some practice time. Your videos are very helpful. Thanks again.
I just got some banjo uke students that want to play claw hammer. This is excellent stuff man very helpful I’ll be directing them to your channel for sure. Thanks!
I'm from a small city, have encountered a few stringed instruments & I feel the freedom of the tenor uke...doing first couple songs, Shady Grove, The Weight...would like to do this style playing on some folkie tunes & yet...a personal instructor in real time would be best. Clawhammer seems like " magic" to me right now.
Hi Aaron, such a well illustrated video, thank you. It is wonderful to have lessons like these that get away from the "day to day" plonking. As the saying goes, "It's easy to play the Uke, but it's another trying to learn how to play it", given its potential possibilities. No wonder it's becoming referred to as the "Mighty Uke" seeing its popularity around the world. Hope to see you both in the U.K. soon. 😉🎸💐
I like the look of the uke headstock.
It’s a brilliant video but the tricky part is trying to play the bit at 1:53 as it’s a mixture of the standard clawhammer with single notes which makes it harder
Wow, thanks. Now to practice.
Thank you very much for the great, great tutorials; and the time you put into it.
Very well explained making it easy to understand. I look forward to receiving your books and cd's to learn your style. All the very best with your family business. Success is in your hands for sure!
Absolutely awesome. Many thanks!
Just got my copy today. Trying to find which methods I can adapt to my style.
Thanks for this helpful Tutorial, Aaron
Sounds so good but my forearm is busted up! lol
Thank you man
Thanks
I think I'm finally understanding this. I've been trying to get it right from your book, but was getting confused by the word 'brush'. I kept thinking that was a multi string stroke like a chord, but you're calling the single note pick in this style a brush. Is that correct? Now I type it out I think I'm still not understanding the terms properly.
My confusion stems from the book, I think. I don't understand the use of the arrow in the tabs, along with 'brush'. Is it indicating that there's a downward stroke of the 3 other strings every time the arrow appears, and that's in conjunction with the 0 or other number for the thumb pluck of the G string?
I can do the examples in this video at least!
[Edit: I mean I can play what you're instructing here, not the tune. Yet, anyway!]
Sorry you are having trouble. The arrow is the brush. It is a downward stroke, that can be 1-3 strings depending on the song, the tempo and your own taste.
I like your videos very much. Attempted to purchase the “2nd edition of Clawhammer Ukulele” seems I problem in using a credit card. After confirming correct information transaction still doesn’t go through. PayPal is to involved. Have other people had a similar problem? Is there another way to purchase your book? Thx.
Sorry about that. We haven’t heard anyone else having a problem with our site. Send me an email and we can try something else: info@thebeansprout.com
Hi Aaron. I'd like to add my thanks for these videos. I have one question though that I don't see addressed in the series (I may have missed it, of course). It concerns where on the body of the uke you're picking the strings. Normally, when we're strumming, we're told to aim for a 'sweet spot' somewhere around the 10th fret on a sop or the 12th fret on a concert. I notice however when you're demonstrating the clawhammer, your hand is landing pretty much right over the sound hole. Is this just a personal style of yours, or is that where we all should be aiming to hit the strings too?
I find it easier to play closer to the soundhole so that there is room for to play. When I pick over the 12th fret, it is harder for me to dig in.
Cheers! I think that's been the missing part of the jigsaw puzzle for me; though, tbh, I don't think I've ever seen anyone mention that aspect of clawhammer. I only noticed it while trying to copy, exactly, what you were doing.
Aaron, thanks so much for sharing your knowledge. When I try to knock, i seem to always hit the box of the uke (actually making a knocking sound). Is that bad form? Should I try not to do that?
No, that’s ok, I do it too. It shouldn’t be louder than the melody notes though. You will gain a more subtle touch as you work on it, don’t give up!
I'm struggling with that same thing - keep hitting the body of the uke.
A mirror helps a lot! Nice vid, btw!
Aaron, what is the name of the tune your playing at 1:29?
Train 45, Reuben’s Train or Old Reuben
Where is the tab for the tune please?
Thank you!!!
i was thinking about getting uke having played guitar and banjo.. it would make more sense to tune the uke DGBD then trying to play banjo chords on a uke..could that be done i wonder..might have to get custom strings?
I just tune it relative to the standard banjo G tuning (minus g drone) re GCEG (close to standard Uke tuning GCEA)
Hi Aaron, just revisiting your book which I got a couple of years ago, is there an easy way to find the videos? I just seem to wonder around your site until I stumble across the one I want! Thanks so much, loving the sound, and gradually getting better at it!
All the videos are organized as playlists on my UA-cam page. Look for the playlist section and click on the book or topic you are working on.
@@ackeim ok, thank you, it's the claw hammer I am on, I will take another look! Stay safe.
I seem to prefer hitting it with the middle Finger instead of the Index, is that a Problem in the Long run?
No, that works too. Go for it!
Great video.....but wow....so hard to do this...y i k e s ! !
I had a low G put on my uke....not sure I like it.....it's a metal string.....would you say that this technique works better on nylon high G ? Thanks
Yes, has to be high g.
Ticka Tock is the bum-dity for the Uke!
So....which finger hits the string? The pointer, index, both?
Pointer and index are the same finger
where is this book that is shown available from?
quietamericanmusic.com
Hello Aaron, thanks for a great book and videos!
I've recently noticed that whenever I hit several melody notes in a row without a brush I tend to keep my thumb still on the 4th string while the index finger hits the various notes. I'm not flicking the index finger, my hand always stays in a clawhammer shape.
Should I try to get rid of this habit and make sure I always "knock" with the whole hand on every melody note?
Not sure if I'm expressing what I mean in a comprehensive matter, if not I'll elaborate. Thanks
+BogdanSkavic Keeping the thumb by the fourth string is great, many old timers always kept their thumb there and then rocked their hand away just enough to play the melody notes. Keep going!