The banjo is such a wonderfully dynamic instrument with a wild variety of unique possible timbres and techniques from one instrument - Incredible really! I've been trying strange new ways to play, notably, with a bow and man does that sound haunting (several different ways to bow a banj too)
Absolutely brilliant video, to the point and as a new player you have demystified the various stylistic elements for me. As a guitar picker I have not too many issues with up picking, but as clawhammer is my preferred style at the moment as it presents more of a challenge your videos are putting it bluntly the best on youtube☺
Josh you are a very gifted player and teacher, thank you for your immense contribution to the craft..I am a clawhammer style player...!!!! Clawhammer is the future..!!!
After studying clawhammer with Josh for the past 6 months, I would highly recommend if you want to learn the banjo, go nowhere else! Josh is the best place to start, hands down! R
The great Pete Seeger didn't strike downward to play individual strings he picked upwards with his index finger followed by downward brush with other fingers. It was really a combination of both techniques pointed out in this video. It was the first type of clawhammer I learned to play decades ago. Pete was favorite of mine so I wanted to play like he did.
Excellent video, and I love the flow chart. Lays everything out exactly how I need. Just got my first banjo and I had no idea where to start. Now I feel a bit more confident.
Thank you Josh for this information very kind of you. I found this video most interesting . I’m following your course on Clawhammer. I have reached the start of the metronome piece, getting in-pace with the 80 clicks per minute. Happy Saint Patrick’s Day ! ☘️☘️☘️
Excellent breakdown of the various Banjo styles! You should write a book on this topic! It would be a NY best seller! on a sad note it pains me to see the so called `Seeger index upstroke strum style` all but disappearing. Derroll Adams played exclusively in that style and created some beautiful zen like music by leaving space in between the notes as you mentioned. The Mountain, The Sky, Memories to name just a few. Anyways you are a national treasure for me and many others!
I learned from Laura Weber on public television. She taught bump-diddy rhythm with an index upstroke. Given Pete Seeger's popularity, I'm surprised I don't see more of that.
Thanks so much, Dan! I so appreciate your enthusiasm for everything banjo. Yeah, it’s true there aren’t too many Seeger strummers out there these days (which was why I ultimately decided not to cover it, since I was focusing on the terms people were most likely to here). Pete reportedly has said he regretted not traditional clawhammer in his instructional book (as opposed to his hybrid approach). That said, one of my hopes in presenting these is that people will feel free to use the core techniques to ultimately create their own “styles.” To me, that’s the most “authentic” way to pick a banjo! :)
Interesting & informative... Tho' the flowchart at the end left me with questions I couldn't really answer! I think it's going to be quite helpful for an intermediate fingerstyle Guitar player looking to start learning Banjo. Thanks. :-)
I really enjoyed this video. Thanks Josh. The late Mike Seager also did a series of excellent videos and recordings about different Banjo styles which are worth looking up.
Well explained and thorough. Sadly, as an old man, I am sort of stuck in my mishmash style of some of this and some of that. I wonder if you could break down Jerron Paxton’s banjo style. He uses a particular technique that sounds like a roll or something, but is very driving.
Very nice video, Josh. Interesting how the terminology is not consistent, just like some things in the guitar world where I come from (such as the meaning of `tabs'. I had always thought `frailing' used up picking instead of the downpicking used in clawhammer. Thank you for this!
Again, left as an orphan! Long ago, I got grooved on the flexible "Seeger" style or "up-picking frailing". It features one (rather than two) up-and-down forearm movement per "bump-a-ditty" pattern. The one or several finger brush down stroke ("dit") provides pretty solid rhythm, though not as driving as down stroking, including that Dixieland tenor banjo style. Because it also adapts to drop and double-thumbing, it flows naturally into two finger INDEX lead; a more natural way to find the melody notes, unless one started out playing them with the thumb as a guitar player. The odd upbeat melody note calls for a drop thumb. Increasingly, I'm finding that using the middle finger for the first string notes works, but without any sense of organized "rolls". Saltydog
Yeah, for better or worse, not too many folks learn it these days - it may be an example of survival of the fittest. As mentioned in the video, the intent here was to cover the major styles and techniques a new player would likely encounter - there are of course many more idiosyncratic ways that folks have picked a banjo over the years. And they’re all great!!
@@ClawhammerBanjo Thanks, Josh. I have a more technical question (posted in the wrong place?) to help me with a tough (for me ) choice. You have lured me into the jungle of different tunings (open C, for Arkansas Traveller) and I'm surprised and pleased with the result. First question: My possible mis-perception that playing by ear meant that the melody in my mind calls for the sound of, say, a Bb note, so my finger automatically touches the 3rd fret, 3rd string (after suitable synapse development). Since relocating all the notes actually works, it seems rather that each song must get to be a memorized series of moves on a potentially different "keyboard". No "by ear" piano player could cope with that. What's up? Next question: I rather like the feel of open C tuning. If I were to choose just one more tuning, would you advise open, rather than double C, as my go-to tuning for "C" and "D" keys? Anything new is a big effort for me. Saltydog
I was pretty confused by these terms and though I heard them bandied about and thought I understood a little about some of them , I really was far from sure. Some I had no idea what they meant. This was a real help to me. Thank you.
Thanks, that was very useful. I tried learning banjo a while ago, having done classical guitar in my youth. I don't think I was trying to learn the right style. Before I head off trying to learn again I was investigating styles to see if I can head in the right direction. Question - is there such a thing as four finger up-picking? The guitarist in me feels my ring finger is sitting idle.
Your never to far along to learn new things and ways. You can never know everything, ever. If you think you know it all, you are a know it all. And you will never learn anything else from other people... I am sorry you feel that way...
How would you classify someone like Evan Westfall from Caamp, who uses a flatpick and a strumming style similar to guitar? Love the video by the way, so informative and easy to grasp
Which is the best technique to learn when you’re first starting out? I’ve started with claw hammer,, but I would love to hear your thoughts on which is best to learn.
I think you can almost toss a coin between clawhammer and 2 finger thumb lead. So I’d so with the one you enjoy most. And if that’s equal, then maybe literally toss a coin to decide. :)
The banjo is such a wonderfully dynamic instrument with a wild variety of unique possible timbres and techniques from one instrument - Incredible really! I've been trying strange new ways to play, notably, with a bow and man does that sound haunting (several different ways to bow a banj too)
Just purchased my first banjo. Watching this video helped me immensely. Many thanks from London, England.
I've just added to the number of English 5 string banjo players. 😁👍🏻
Me too, but being an Australian living in the UK does that increase or decrease that number?
@@DG5466Personally, I'm including you in the club.👍🏻😁
Absolutely brilliant video, to the point and as a new player you have demystified the various stylistic elements for me. As a guitar picker I have not too many issues with up picking, but as clawhammer is my preferred style at the moment as it presents more of a challenge your videos are putting it bluntly the best on youtube☺
Thanks so much for those comments - much appreciated!
I love that you show appreciation for all the things banjo!
Josh you are a very gifted player and teacher, thank you for your immense contribution to the craft..I am a clawhammer style player...!!!! Clawhammer is the future..!!!
Thank you - what a wonderful comment!
After studying clawhammer with Josh for the past 6 months, I would highly recommend if you want to learn the banjo, go nowhere else! Josh is the best place to start, hands down! R
Thanks so much, Robert! That’s really great to hear.
The great Pete Seeger didn't strike downward to play individual strings he picked upwards with his index finger followed by downward brush with other fingers. It was really a combination of both techniques pointed out in this video. It was the first type of clawhammer I learned to play decades ago. Pete was favorite of mine so I wanted to play like he did.
Yes, Seeger style is a hybrid of clawhammer and fingerstyle (or downpicking and up picking).
Excellent video, and I love the flow chart. Lays everything out exactly how I need. Just got my first banjo and I had no idea where to start. Now I feel a bit more confident.
Thank you Josh for this information very kind of you. I found this video most interesting . I’m following your course on Clawhammer. I have reached the start of the metronome piece, getting in-pace with the 80 clicks per minute. Happy Saint Patrick’s Day ! ☘️☘️☘️
Your tutorial, sir, is very good and inspiring not only for banjo players
You are a proper banjo scholar sir, thank you for this video.
I’m not sure there’s a greater compliment than being referred to as a “proper banjo scholar” :)
Excellent breakdown of the various Banjo styles! You should write a book on this topic! It would be a NY best seller! on a sad note it pains me to see the so called `Seeger index upstroke strum style` all but disappearing. Derroll Adams played exclusively in that style and created some beautiful zen like music by leaving space in between the notes as you mentioned. The Mountain, The Sky, Memories to name just a few. Anyways you are a national treasure for me and many others!
I learned from Laura Weber on public television. She taught bump-diddy rhythm with an index upstroke. Given Pete Seeger's popularity, I'm surprised I don't see more of that.
Thanks so much, Dan! I so appreciate your enthusiasm for everything banjo.
Yeah, it’s true there aren’t too many Seeger strummers out there these days (which was why I ultimately decided not to cover it, since I was focusing on the terms people were most likely to here). Pete reportedly has said he regretted not traditional clawhammer in his instructional book (as opposed to his hybrid approach).
That said, one of my hopes in presenting these is that people will feel free to use the core techniques to ultimately create their own “styles.” To me, that’s the most “authentic” way to pick a banjo! :)
@@ClawhammerBanjo The Carter scratch guitar technique works well on banjo to and is really easy to learn. Same Bum Ditty rhythm!
Interesting & informative... Tho' the flowchart at the end left me with questions I couldn't really answer!
I think it's going to be quite helpful for an intermediate fingerstyle Guitar player looking to start learning Banjo. Thanks. :-)
You bet! Thanks for your comments.
I really enjoyed this video. Thanks Josh. The late Mike Seager also did a series of excellent videos and recordings about different Banjo styles which are worth looking up.
Indeed! Mike is one of my heroes.
i realize I'm kinda randomly asking but does anybody know of a good site to stream newly released series online ?
Another winner Josh.
Well explained and thorough. Sadly, as an old man, I am sort of stuck in my mishmash style of some of this and some of that. I wonder if you could break down Jerron Paxton’s banjo style. He uses a particular technique that sounds like a roll or something, but is very driving.
Nothing wrong with mishmash!
Thanks for this, very helpful.
You bet.
I'm a huge man of your channel both for your playing and your lessons. You've inspired me a lot to practice my banjo more and more. Thank you
You bet - thank you!
Very nice video, Josh. Interesting how the terminology is not consistent, just like some things in the guitar world where I come from (such as the meaning of `tabs'. I had always thought `frailing' used up picking instead of the downpicking used in clawhammer. Thank you for this!
Again, left as an orphan! Long ago, I got grooved on the flexible "Seeger" style or "up-picking frailing". It features one (rather than two) up-and-down forearm movement per "bump-a-ditty" pattern. The one or several finger brush down stroke ("dit") provides pretty solid rhythm, though not as driving as down stroking, including that Dixieland tenor banjo style. Because it also adapts to drop and double-thumbing, it flows naturally into two finger INDEX lead; a more natural way to find the melody notes, unless one started out playing them with the thumb as a guitar player. The odd upbeat melody note calls for a drop thumb. Increasingly, I'm finding that using the middle finger for the first string notes works, but without any sense of organized "rolls".
Saltydog
Yeah, for better or worse, not too many folks learn it these days - it may be an example of survival of the fittest. As mentioned in the video, the intent here was to cover the major styles and techniques a new player would likely encounter - there are of course many more idiosyncratic ways that folks have picked a banjo over the years. And they’re all great!!
@@ClawhammerBanjo Thanks, Josh. I have a more technical question (posted in the wrong place?) to help me with a tough (for me ) choice. You have lured me into the jungle of different tunings (open C, for Arkansas Traveller) and I'm surprised and pleased with the result. First question: My possible mis-perception that playing by ear meant that the melody in my mind calls for the sound of, say, a Bb note, so my finger automatically touches the 3rd fret, 3rd string (after suitable synapse development). Since relocating all the notes actually works, it seems rather that each song must get to be a memorized series of moves on a potentially different "keyboard". No "by ear" piano player could cope with that. What's up?
Next question: I rather like the feel of open C tuning. If I were to choose just one more tuning, would you advise open, rather than double C, as my go-to tuning for "C" and "D" keys? Anything new is a big effort for me.
Saltydog
This has clarified so much for me, thank you!
I was pretty confused by these terms and though I heard them bandied about and thought I understood a little about some of them , I really was far from sure. Some I had no idea what they meant. This was a real help to me. Thank you.
Bloody awesome mate! thanks a lot and greetings from bumfuck nowhere in Australia!
Fascinating and informative.👍🏻
Great video, thanks.
Thanks, that was very useful. I tried learning banjo a while ago, having done classical guitar in my youth. I don't think I was trying to learn the right style. Before I head off trying to learn again I was investigating styles to see if I can head in the right direction.
Question - is there such a thing as four finger up-picking? The guitarist in me feels my ring finger is sitting idle.
Theres no "correct" way to play the banjo bro.. If it sounds good however you play it.. then it sounds good!
Great channel. I'm too far along to need a teacher, but you've got some of the best content out there
Thanks so much!
Your never to far along to learn new things and ways. You can never know everything, ever.
If you think you know it all, you are a know it all. And you will never learn anything else from other people... I am sorry you feel that way...
How would you classify someone like Evan Westfall from Caamp, who uses a flatpick and a strumming style similar to guitar? Love the video by the way, so informative and easy to grasp
I would imagine he’s not playing a 5 string. So probably the best term would be “plectrum style.”
Nice work, thanks!
You bet!
OK, I'll probably be an up-picker and Scruggs/bluegrass style. Where do I go from there?
Brilliant! Thanks.
My pleasure Karen!
Which is the best technique to learn when you’re first starting out? I’ve started with claw hammer,, but I would love to hear your thoughts on which is best to learn.
I think you can almost toss a coin between clawhammer and 2 finger thumb lead. So I’d so with the one you enjoy most. And if that’s equal, then maybe literally toss a coin to decide. :)
I was hoping you would demonstrate index lead.
What style is it when you up-pick and then down-pick with the same finger, and then follow it with the thumb? Up down thumb, up down thumb, etc.
Sounds like you’re describing what would be referred to as “Seeger style,” after Pete Seeger.
I’m trying to get started learning to play the music of Pete Seeger. Which style did he use?
Very nice
Maybe I should say flatpicking style (like on a guitar) says Judy Corrette
What style do you consider West Virginia claw hammer as played by the Hammons’ family and taught by folks like Dwight Diller?
Can you flat pick on a 5 string banjo?? asks Judy Corrette
scruggs was the jimi of banjo
do you wear finger picks
PS: we are not all in jail here, that is just Fox News talking shit again. :)