Hello Aaron - no comments for this great two finger style lesson for awhile so I wanted to thank you again for getting me started on a style that is MUCH easier then even claw hammer! Please keep up the good work..
I lost my 5th string during the corona, couldn't get one, still don't have one so I started using thumb lead and using my index or middle finger in the 1st and 2nd. But I don't use a thumb pick and I still go down with my index and middle ( I alternate) I don't know if it's a certain style or not it's just what I do and its more comfortable I found out than boom dittty or your blue grass old time hybrid
+dapdapbamban Try a national thumbpick and metal or plastic finger picks. I like Alaska brand picks because they allow me to pick up and strum down with my fingers.
I am just learning banjo and coming from blues guitar background, so I am naturally drawn to this style. I have to ask why the picks? I prefer the sound without the loud scruggs like sound of finger picks, but I am biased as I have never used fingerpicks. I am wondering if the old players of this style used picks and how you feel on this topic? Without the picks, so much more potential to "work" the strings, from soft and brushing to all out "snapping" and everything in between, with the picks it seems to lock into the same sound and lose the subtle options to work the tones?? Thanks for you help and videos!
Some original players used picks and some didn't. This style is old enough that people did whatever they felt like. Yankees like me came later and wrote books, made rules and tried to fix a system in place. I prefer picks but I know many people who don't.
I'm a banjo player, and the more I get to love and play this instrument the more I believe there are no rules to technique, it is truly universal, the reason behind it's charm and appeal. Playing live I also use flat pick and fingers which work well on open back banjos, not resonator. The only rule that MUST be applied is that the banjo is always bang on in tune and played with the due respect it demands, and the tunes it accompanies. It is not as some would have believe a 'joke' instrument. Speaking also as a guitarist, thumb picks give the balance, volume, tone and articulation the fleshy part of the thumb cannot, particularly for picking melody. Personally would recommend thumb picks, except of course for frailing.
Very helpful for someone just starting out. I'm trying out claw hammer but as a guitarist is a pretty alien concept. 😬. Two finger is beginning to look like the way forward for me. Thank you. 👍🏻
Thanks Aaron for, as ever, an extremely erudite, straightforward and informative explanation. It has relieved me of the 'banjo guilt' of having to clawhammer my way to banjo heaven! There is another way of playing!!!
Thanks so much for this! I've been playing clawhammer for about a year and was feeling pretty stuck in my style until I stumbled on this and your website. Super helpful stuff.
Thanks Aaron I am interested in learning banjo and just starting to research the different styles . This is particularly helpful as when I go in to buy my banjo I do want to have some idea of what I want and what style I want to learn . This has been already an amazing journey . I had no idea that there were so many different styles and also types of banjo's to choose from . Currently brushing up my very old guitar and ukulele skills. Probably go for banjo next year which isn't far away . Time to stretch the 70 year old grey matter . Godbless Pat nz
i was watching a few videos on StringBean and ended up on yours.. i will say after watching your video you have just pushed me over the edge to get a banjo now.. looks pretty easy to at least get a tune going.. thanks ! subscribed and cant wait to find a banjo.. any hints on what i should look at getting for my first one !
thanks Aaron Good work I have been trying to play clawhammer for nearly a year I jus cant get the bunditty rhythm right i am now going to follow your two finger old style lets hope it now falls into place easier cheers John
I gave your video a thumbs up right away cause you did things the correct way to demonstrate the style first….then explain & show how to do it second. So many other videos here on UA-cam where folks drone on for 10 minutes and never demonstrate what they are trying to explain. KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK! 👍👏⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Aaron, thanks for this video. Would you/could you please tab out and make a video of scales and finger exercises for left hand in two finger thumb lead please? I wonder if having a better left hand(fretting hand) would be something to incorporate after watching THIS video and being able to go to a hand exercise video/tab in between learning different songs or as part of warm up before actual practice time? THANK YOU FROM BROWN DEER, WI.
HI Aaron, I play delta blues on guitar, but have always wanted to learn clawhammer banjo. Was wondering what make the banjo is you're playing here. I've been looking for a vintage 5 string, but I was wondering if you have an opinion about swapping to nylon strings vs steel. I like the warmer sound vs the tinny sound of steel. Thanks!
I made the banjo in this clip. Learn more here thebeansprout.com. I like nylon strings on banjos for sure. You might need to widen the string slots to fit them.
I am fascinated with this but; I can't find and cd's, full class video's or book. RATS! Do you know of any. I'm currently learning clawhammer but; I'm also drawn to this 2 finger method.
Hi Aaron, I’m trying to learn clawhammer but I seem to be stuck where I can’t think of my left hand without going awry with the bum diddy rhythm. Your two finger lesson has inspired me to try it your way. Thanks!
Good question. Sometimes I play the melody up there and still use first and fourth as a drone. But, most players just arrange the melody so it’s always on the 2-4 strings.
Hello Aaron - no comments for this great two finger style lesson for awhile so I wanted to thank you again for getting me started on a style that is MUCH easier then even claw hammer! Please keep up the good work..
Due to a table saw accident, the only two fingers that have full feeling are my thumb and index finger. This is a game changer for me. Thank you!
Me too. Table saws suck.
Check Nick Hornbuckle if you haven't already..his personal story and playing is amazing..
Good instruction Aaron. Love your banjo.
Downloaded and subscribed. A very useful tool to have,. You rock! 🇻🇮🌴〰
I am just learning banjo 2 finger style please do more videos i am learning so much from u
working on new tabs right now!
i apreciate you explination ,i resentlly gat me an old time banjo and its really hard for me to Claw hammer ,i will love to se more intructions on it
I lost my 5th string during the corona, couldn't get one, still don't have one so I started using thumb lead and using my index or middle finger in the 1st and 2nd. But I don't use a thumb pick and I still go down with my index and middle ( I alternate) I don't know if it's a certain style or not it's just what I do and its more comfortable I found out than boom dittty or your blue grass old time hybrid
Hi Aaron, I have never played with picks before only clawhammer but you have really peaked my interest. Any advice on the most suitable picks? Thanks.
+dapdapbamban Try a national thumbpick and metal or plastic finger picks. I like Alaska brand picks because they allow me to pick up and strum down with my fingers.
This is Etta Baker's style! Fantastic
Just been watching Etta,,, fantastic 👌👌🪕🪕🪕🪕🪕🪕🪕
Great video. That's the style I'd like to play because I'm used to picking the melody with my thumb on guitar and ukulele.
...Bill
What finger picks are you using? They look different.... Thank you !
They are called Alaska Pics. Thanks!
This is great,, been playing for a couple of months now,,, I’m more comfortable and quicker with thumb and index picks,,, 🤟🤟🪕🪕🪕🪕🪕
Could you use this style on a banjo ukulele without the 5th string and do you have lesson on that? I have your fingerstyle for uke book
Yes. Sorry, I don’t have this written out just for uke.
I have been playing two finger since I got the banjo because I can't make my fingers do Scruggs style
What scale are you using ?
I am just learning banjo and coming from blues guitar background, so I am naturally drawn to this style. I have to ask why the picks? I prefer the sound without the loud scruggs like sound of finger picks, but I am biased as I have never used fingerpicks. I am wondering if the old players of this style used picks and how you feel on this topic? Without the picks, so much more potential to "work" the strings, from soft and brushing to all out "snapping" and everything in between, with the picks it seems to lock into the same sound and lose the subtle options to work the tones?? Thanks for you help and videos!
Some original players used picks and some didn't. This style is old enough that people did whatever they felt like. Yankees like me came later and wrote books, made rules and tried to fix a system in place. I prefer picks but I know many people who don't.
Thx, I like you can choose your style and personalize your sound w however you chose. Nice to know it is not all fixed in stone.
I'm a banjo player, and the more I get to love and play this instrument the more I believe there are no rules to technique, it is truly universal, the reason behind it's charm and appeal. Playing live I also use flat pick and fingers which work well on open back banjos, not resonator. The only rule that MUST be applied is that the banjo is always bang on in tune and played with the due respect it demands, and the tunes it accompanies. It is not as some would have believe a 'joke' instrument. Speaking also as a guitarist, thumb picks give the balance, volume, tone and articulation the fleshy part of the thumb cannot, particularly for picking melody. Personally would recommend thumb picks, except of course for frailing.
Thanks for the very clear explanation and demo of basics, a good option for beginning banjoist who is intimidated by clawhammer.
Very helpful for someone just starting out. I'm trying out claw hammer but as a guitarist is a pretty alien concept. 😬. Two finger is beginning to look like the way forward for me. Thank you. 👍🏻
Dude........ You're a great teacher and i loved this basic 2 finger style introduction..
Good lesson. This is the style I like best on banjo
Thanks Aaron for, as ever, an extremely erudite, straightforward and informative explanation. It has relieved me of the 'banjo guilt' of having to clawhammer my way to banjo heaven! There is another way of playing!!!
I'm a Scruggs style mostly picker, but I do use my own two finger style very close to yours on certain things....its a great technique.
More two finger please
Thanks so much for this! I've been playing clawhammer for about a year and was feeling pretty stuck in my style until I stumbled on this and your website. Super helpful stuff.
Excellent tutorial on a very useful 5-string method. Thanks!
So basically it's intro slap bass too
Aaron..............hey, man, slow it down.........waaaayyy down.....we beginners cant keep up with your speed
This is great for us old farts with jerky hands. Please, keep on helping us.
Wade Mainer can drop the jaw of any Scruggs, including me...
This is exactly what I was looking for! Thank you, and I just bought the download.
Hi, what kind of banjo head are you using, trying to decide on Renaissance or Fiberskin for open back banjo
Hey Aaron this is a great simplified explanation. Thanks so much!
Thanks Aaron I am interested in learning banjo and just starting to research the different styles . This is particularly helpful as when I go in to buy my banjo I do want to have some idea of what I want and what style I want to learn . This has been already an amazing journey . I had no idea that there were so many different styles and also types of banjo's to choose from . Currently brushing up my very old guitar and ukulele skills. Probably go for banjo next year which isn't far away . Time to stretch the 70 year old grey matter . Godbless Pat nz
Grea!
That was fascinating. I would love to see more
i was watching a few videos on StringBean and ended up on yours.. i will say after watching your video you have just pushed me over the edge to get a banjo now.. looks pretty easy to at least get a tune going.. thanks ! subscribed and cant wait to find a banjo.. any hints on what i should look at getting for my first one !
Hi Aaron, Many thanks for the advice.
Trying to figure your bridge set up?
thanks Aaron Good work I have been trying to play clawhammer for nearly a year I jus cant get the bunditty rhythm right i am now going to follow your two finger old style lets hope it now falls into place easier cheers John
Very helpful. Thanks!
what tuning are you playing out of? Forgive the question but I'm new to banjo.
standard banjo tuning gdgbd
hi aaron are you using nylon strings? it sounds like it cause how it sounds
No, steel.
I gave your video a thumbs up right away cause you did things the correct way to demonstrate the style first….then explain & show how to do it second. So many other videos here on UA-cam where folks drone on for 10 minutes and never demonstrate what they are trying to explain. KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK! 👍👏⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Aaron, thanks for this video. Would you/could you please tab out and make a video of scales and finger exercises for left hand in two finger thumb lead please? I wonder if having a better left hand(fretting hand) would be something to incorporate after watching THIS video and being able to go to a hand exercise video/tab in between learning different songs or as part of warm up before actual practice time? THANK YOU FROM BROWN DEER, WI.
ok super je vais essayer...va voir ma chaine... Good job
laber laber laber
Bro i was this doing when I was trying to play bluesgrass because use three fingers felt weird
Excellent. I'm saving this tutorial. Plus practice it. Thanks.
noticed your pic on your index finger is the wrong way round??
HI Aaron,
I play delta blues on guitar, but have always wanted to learn clawhammer banjo. Was wondering what make the banjo is you're playing here. I've been looking for a vintage 5 string, but I was wondering if you have an opinion about swapping to nylon strings vs steel. I like the warmer sound vs the tinny sound of steel. Thanks!
I made the banjo in this clip. Learn more here thebeansprout.com. I like nylon strings on banjos for sure. You might need to widen the string slots to fit them.
@@ackeim Thanks Aaron!
@@ackeim Beautiful instrument! Thanks for the link!
What make is that banjo? 🤔
It’s one I built, www.thebeansprout.com. It is maple and ebony with a Dobson tone ring.
I am fascinated with this but; I can't find and cd's, full class video's or book. RATS! Do you know of any. I'm currently learning clawhammer but; I'm also drawn to this 2 finger method.
I am currently working on a book with ten lessons, stay tuned. you can join my email list at quietamericanmusic.com
Awesome ..thanks
Hi Aaron, I’m trying to learn clawhammer but I seem to be stuck where I can’t think of my left hand without going awry with the bum diddy rhythm. Your two finger lesson has inspired me to try it your way. Thanks!
What a gift! Thank you!
Thank you!!!
What kind of banjo are you playing? I can't believe how good it sounds!
It’s a banjo I made. Maple and ebony with a Dobson tone ring. www.thebeansprout.com.
i like
Lovely sounding banjo, what make is it?
www.thebeansprout.com
Over the years I have learnt a lot from you and this video I have watched many times🪕🪕🪕🪕
what happened to the 10 tabs for two finger old time banjo? its not at the website. i'm just starting out and need the help.
ua-cam.com/video/8SBejxF6hKM/v-deo.html
It’s here: quietamericanmusic.com/storestore
What is website to download the tabs? Thanks!!
Www.quietamericanmusic.com
hi aaron what kind of banjo are you using here?
mike gager Hello Mike- This is a banjo that I built myself. It is all maple with a dobson tone ring.
What kind of banjo is that? Love the tone.
I built it myself, www.thebeansprout.com
Aaron what do you do if the melody note is on the first string?
Good question. Sometimes I play the melody up there and still use first and fourth as a drone. But, most players just arrange the melody so it’s always on the 2-4 strings.
@@ackeim Thanks. Do you have any recommendations for other resources for learning old time thumb lead or index lead?