Outstanding Cathy, I started out trying to be Pete Seeger way back in high school then on to Irish music for years. Decades passed with guitars, dobros and bluegrass filling my life. Catching your videos has renewed my first love, old time banjo. My old Wildwood tuba phone now travels with me everywhere. Thank you for helping me back to my personal roots. Bill Maxwell Greater Madawaska Ontario
Thank you for exposing the diverse tunings for the 5string so well. I been banging old time, blues, rags, rockabilly, and even tried surfer sounding rhythms since 1970. Got Pete Seeger's banjo book and learned to get that bumba ditty working, and later other plucks and brushes. I've seen Pete's info on the mountain minor, and never tried it. You did good to show how it works. Tunings I use: you showed dropC, openG, and i like D-A-F-D-a or g for G tunes like 'tennessee stud' which is very myxolodian or that 'a' on the ring string for some real moody minor sounds. Adapted nylon guitar strings to an old Harmony banjo to mellow it out; the bakelite body and plastic head were brash, but the neck and action deserved that string change. Also, I wanted more bass, so I've taken the 1st string over to the other side on a 6string banjo and some guitars; the other strings move one position...: A,1st; F#, 2nd, D, 3rd; A, 4th; D, 5th; d, 6th string like a 5.5 string banjo where one can ring the bass, treble, or both. 'Ring strings, are full neck length. So D tuning, with the same chord positions as G on a 5 string. Works well for slide guitar and allows old time picking styles Everyone Please keep on pickin'
Hey Cathy, that was really interesting. I play guitar and mostly dig Hendrix, Allman Brothers, Pink Floyd, ZZ Topp, etc., there is just something special about the banjo that gets your whole body moving, puts a smile on your face, makes you feel happy and good all over. Thanks for the educational and very moving lesson.
A huge secret to the banjo is it's played most often at 5 hertz. - 5Hz makes the brain Synchronize the Beta and Theda Waves, thus putting you into a trance state. You notice those songs right away make you want to dance or at least tap your feet. Welcome to Appalachia.
WOW Cathy, you 've just saved my Day and certainly the next few years !!! Was ,,normal'' was for me on my guitars and cigarboxes., (open cords),...did not sound nice at all on my old tennessy 5string banjo...But after 3times watching your gently and gifted made Video.,....it tuck me just a few moment's to understand what's the secret are...;) Tank you nice Lady and Hallo from Lake Constance (germany ;)!!!
Thanks, Cathy very informative, I am mainly a guitarist but always have had a secret yearning for a banjo over years so decided some months ago to buy one a 2nd hand Fender FB-58, fate was saying buy it now or you will never get round to getting one. So I did. Thanks for posting your clip it will help expand my horizons as I learn and become more adept at playing this great but damn heavy weighing instrument.
AH "The Coo coo"! I remember that from the Smothers Brothers' 45rmp record my folks had in the 70's... on the other side was a quick song "Oh slitheree-dee, he crawled out of the sea.... you might catch the others but you caaan't catch >SNORTSNUFFLECRUCH< Whoan I just noticed that Dobson's neck or fretboard extends down onto the head! Now that's contact.
A fine teacher you areI promised my son I'd learn He Plays Guitar well and knows many music folk as his company does Licensing for the music scene.following your videos will help me get there.Keep up the fine creative work,and thank's,creative people are the best
Hi I am a 80 year old clawhammer trier ,in your opinion would putting top Quality nylon strings on my Deering scooped 5 string be beneficial to my playing Bob Millar ps you are a very clever lady ,the way you play the banjo .
Not a guitarist but try both . I started with clawhammer but now I'm trying to get into finger style as well. I chose clawhammer because I found that every time I put the picks on my hand the phone would go off and I would have to take the picks off again, not a good excuse I know. People will say you can't do both but why not have a go?
I play guitar and both styles of banjo. I think for someone used to fingerpicking a guitar, the three finger bluegrass style will be easier to start with. It was for me anyway.
I think you could do well with both. The first style I learned almost 2 years ago now was bluegrass 3 finger. I liked it well enough, but it didn’t really suit my playin style. I generally like to learn tunes by ear rather than by tabs, and I wasn’t able to wrap my head around 3 finger enough to do that. If I wanted to learn I knew tune, I needed to find the tab or a RUclips tutorial or something, and then work my way through it slowly increasing speed u til I got it down. I started learning Clawhammer about a month ago after taking a 6 month break from the banjo. I find it much more intuitive to learn tunes by ear, and I already have almost double the repertoire I did with 3 finger. That’s just for me personally though. If you prefer learning music by tabs, or you already have some experience with finger style guitar, you may take to 3 finger more easily than I did.
I am new to Banjo (but old in age, 69) and I am trying to learn Crawhammer banjo. I thought that if you put the capo on the second string, you would have to use the spike on the 7th string. I am not sure if Cathy did that. This is something different and new for me. I am still trying to figure it out. I am also trying to learn three finger (Earl) banjo. And none of my banjos have spikes because where I live and with the pandemic caotic situation here in Brazil I have no way to install spikes in the banjo. I do not want to take the risk of installing them myself. Thanks for any help. Be safe!
I'm just a beginner but thought I was the only one who put cloth behind the banjo pot. I like how it makes the banjo sound. Why do you do it? Is there a professional reason?
At about 7:50 she just tunes standard G and drops the 4th string to a C?? she confused me when she said about taking the second string back to G . By the way the courses on trump fire are great !!!! recommend!
she dropped the second string back down to b from c (I think she was saying she dropped the tuning back down to g, not the string) and dropped the fourth string to c
A large part old oldtime and bluegrass banjo is that 5th string acting as a drone. Techniques like Clawhammer are specifically built around it. 4 string tenor banjos are generally used for chords in Dixieland jazz, or in Irish music. If you want to play old-time or bluegrass, I would suggest getting a 5 string. Basic ones generally aren’t too expensive as far as instruments go. I got mine at a pawn shop for like $150
Nail glue - apply half hour before bed, should do the trick, will likely wear off after an intense session, but will save your nails from wearing down and causing pain. It creates a layer of buffer between your nail and the metal strings, and I find it helps a lot (but I never get to anymore because I work in the food industry and it's possible for chunks to flake off into someone's food). *Edit: also, I find that moisturizing helps a lot too - gotta take care of those hands! Hope all this helps, best of luck~
Plenty of old-time banjo players don’t play with finger picks, since they generally don’t play 3 finger, but it seems to me that you aren’t particularly familiar with old-time music. Bluegrass is generally more popular, since it is is more performative in nature, so old-time does fly under the radar.
If one can play piano, you can get multiple drones by holding down the sustain pedal! Nothing more musical than hearing the same notes incessantly. Of course, a bagpipe will give you four drones at once too. You should be aware that Appalacia is losing favor because of coal use so one might have to use makeup on their face to emulate the hard-working poverty flavor by playing a synthesizer set to "banjo."
![Hunxho - Ball Forever [Official Video]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/nki9ZTF9Uls/mqdefault.jpg)
Outstanding Cathy, I started out trying to be Pete Seeger way back in high school then on to Irish music for years. Decades passed with guitars, dobros and bluegrass filling my life. Catching your videos has renewed my first love, old time banjo. My old Wildwood tuba phone now travels with me everywhere. Thank you for helping me back to my personal roots. Bill Maxwell Greater Madawaska Ontario
This wonderful, well worth watching several times. I wish Cathy would make more Clawhammer Banjo courses for TrueFire. There is so much to learn.
Thank you for exposing the diverse tunings for the 5string so well. I been banging old time, blues, rags, rockabilly, and even tried surfer sounding rhythms since 1970. Got Pete Seeger's banjo book and learned to get that bumba ditty working, and later other plucks and brushes.
I've seen Pete's info on the mountain minor, and never tried it. You did good to show how it works.
Tunings I use: you showed dropC, openG, and i like D-A-F-D-a or g for G tunes like 'tennessee stud' which is very myxolodian or that 'a' on the ring string for some real moody minor sounds. Adapted nylon guitar strings to an old Harmony banjo to mellow it out; the bakelite body and plastic head were brash, but the neck and action deserved that string change.
Also, I wanted more bass, so I've taken the 1st string over to the other side on a 6string banjo and some guitars; the other strings move one position...: A,1st; F#, 2nd, D, 3rd; A, 4th; D, 5th; d, 6th string like a 5.5 string banjo where one can ring the bass, treble, or both. 'Ring strings, are full neck length. So D tuning, with the same chord positions as G on a 5 string. Works well for slide guitar and allows old time picking styles
Everyone Please keep on pickin'
Cathy Fink is such a legend. ❤️
🎼What a wonderful refresher course this is for me!🎶 Thank You very much for posting!🌹
Hey Cathy, that was really interesting. I play guitar and mostly dig Hendrix, Allman Brothers, Pink Floyd, ZZ Topp, etc., there is just something special about the banjo that gets your whole body moving, puts a smile on your face, makes you feel happy and good all over. Thanks for the educational and very moving lesson.
A huge secret to the banjo is it's played most often at 5 hertz. - 5Hz makes the brain Synchronize the Beta and Theda Waves, thus putting you into a trance state. You notice those songs right away make you want to dance or at least tap your feet. Welcome to Appalachia.
WOW Cathy, you 've just saved my Day and certainly the next few years !!! Was ,,normal'' was for me on my guitars and cigarboxes., (open cords),...did not sound nice at all on my old tennessy 5string banjo...But after 3times watching your gently and gifted made Video.,....it tuck me just a few moment's to understand what's the secret are...;) Tank you nice Lady and Hallo from Lake Constance (germany ;)!!!
Thanks, Cathy very informative, I am mainly a guitarist but always have had a secret yearning for a banjo over years so decided some months ago to buy one a 2nd hand Fender FB-58, fate was saying buy it now or you will never get round to getting one.
So I did.
Thanks for posting your clip it will help expand my horizons as I learn and become more adept at playing this great but damn heavy weighing instrument.
Brilliant! Wish I'd seen this earlier would have saved me lots of searching. Great advice. Even better playing. Thanks.
Cathy Fink is a master
Hi Cathy, love your playing. Clawhammer definitely is part of your soul....Jack Baker NYC
FANTASTIC lesson! Thank you! I gottat try that G modal tuning. I'll be back!
Examples of knowledge mixed with talent. Thank you.
I like the nylon string it softens it way down, im just learning and watching you play is spurring me on, thanks for your videos :)
Great stuff, thanks very much David.🎶🇬🇧😎
I love the 3rd. Open back nylon/gut.
AH "The Coo coo"! I remember that from the Smothers Brothers' 45rmp record my folks had in the 70's... on the other side was a quick song "Oh slitheree-dee, he crawled out of the sea.... you might catch the others but you caaan't catch >SNORTSNUFFLECRUCH< Whoan I just noticed that Dobson's neck or fretboard extends down onto the head! Now that's contact.
Awesome! Thanks so very much for sharing!
A fine teacher you areI promised my son I'd learn He Plays Guitar well and knows many music folk as his company does Licensing for the music scene.following your videos will help me get there.Keep up the fine creative work,and thank's,creative people are the best
Thanks Kathy that double C tuning is awesome
Love it!
Thanks for sharing! Learned a lot :)
Hi I am a 80 year old clawhammer trier ,in your opinion would putting top Quality nylon strings on my Deering scooped 5 string be beneficial to my playing Bob Millar ps you are a very clever lady ,the way you play the banjo .
Hey :! Cathy,,you are doing good ! Did you ever try finger picking? it is so much fun !!!!
Hi. For a fingerstyle guitarist that wants to learn banjo, should I start with picking or claw hammer style? Thanks.i like your teaching.
Not a guitarist but try both . I started with clawhammer but now I'm trying to get into finger style as well. I chose clawhammer because I found that every time I put the picks on my hand the phone would go off and I would have to take the picks off again, not a good excuse I know. People will say you can't do both but why not have a go?
Like your handle. Cheers.
I play guitar and both styles of banjo. I think for someone used to fingerpicking a guitar, the three finger bluegrass style will be easier to start with. It was for me anyway.
Yeah, start with picking. It will be an easier transition for sure
I think you could do well with both. The first style I learned almost 2 years ago now was bluegrass 3 finger. I liked it well enough, but it didn’t really suit my playin style. I generally like to learn tunes by ear rather than by tabs, and I wasn’t able to wrap my head around 3 finger enough to do that. If I wanted to learn I knew tune, I needed to find the tab or a RUclips tutorial or something, and then work my way through it slowly increasing speed u til I got it down. I started learning Clawhammer about a month ago after taking a 6 month break from the banjo. I find it much more intuitive to learn tunes by ear, and I already have almost double the repertoire I did with 3 finger.
That’s just for me personally though. If you prefer learning music by tabs, or you already have some experience with finger style guitar, you may take to 3 finger more easily than I did.
Thx u for the quick tutorial vdo. :-)
A wireless mic would be a great good addition. Making it easier to understand. Love the banjo
I am new to Banjo (but old in age, 69) and I am trying to learn Crawhammer banjo. I thought that if you put the capo on the second string, you would have to use the spike on the 7th string. I am not sure if Cathy did that. This is something different and new for me. I am still trying to figure it out. I am also trying to learn three finger (Earl) banjo. And none of my banjos have spikes because where I live and with the pandemic caotic situation here in Brazil I have no way to install spikes in the banjo. I do not want to take the risk of installing them myself. Thanks for any help. Be safe!
Damn fuckin shredddiiin it !!
I'm just a beginner but thought I was the only one who put cloth behind the banjo pot. I like how it makes the banjo sound. Why do you do it? Is there a professional reason?
Airbugg ... I wonder too.
Airbugg
It dampens the tone a little and cuts out some overtones.
Thank,s good video
Wow!
is that up picking or clawhammer
One week into banjo and I understand why players like alternate tunings. And here I thought it was just a guitarist thing....
I play Scruggs style but this would almost convert me.
At about 7:50 she just tunes standard G and drops the 4th string to a C?? she confused me when she said about taking the second string back to G . By the way the courses on trump fire are great !!!! recommend!
she dropped the second string back down to b from c (I think she was saying she dropped the tuning back down to g, not the string) and dropped the fourth string to c
Good sounds and pretty woman
499
hey I have a 4string will it d o the same as a five string
No the majic is in the 5th street drone.
In some of the 19th century minstrel banjo instructional books, there are a few tunes that mostly ignore the fifth string.
A large part old oldtime and bluegrass banjo is that 5th string acting as a drone. Techniques like Clawhammer are specifically built around it. 4 string tenor banjos are generally used for chords in Dixieland jazz, or in Irish music. If you want to play old-time or bluegrass, I would suggest getting a 5 string. Basic ones generally aren’t too expensive as far as instruments go. I got mine at a pawn shop for like $150
Hi I clawhammer a lot I’m a beginner and my problem is my nails wear down. any tips
Nail glue - apply half hour before bed, should do the trick, will likely wear off after an intense session, but will save your nails from wearing down and causing pain. It creates a layer of buffer between your nail and the metal strings, and I find it helps a lot (but I never get to anymore because I work in the food industry and it's possible for chunks to flake off into someone's food). *Edit: also, I find that moisturizing helps a lot too - gotta take care of those hands! Hope all this helps, best of luck~
Thanks will try nail glue and let you know
Fred Kelly picks.the clear ones .we,r my solution
Lighter gauge steel strings might help.
Clear nail polish is what ken Perlman recommends in his clawhammer book
How old are you ?
So loud that you stuffed a sock in it. Loud.
This looks like a great video, unfortunately the sound quality is so bad it is hard to listen to. The banjo is very loud and your voice is very low.
is me and you the only five string players on the planet that is not using finger picks even four and six string players uses it
Plenty of old-time banjo players don’t play with finger picks, since they generally don’t play 3 finger, but it seems to me that you aren’t particularly familiar with old-time music. Bluegrass is generally more popular, since it is is more performative in nature, so old-time does fly under the radar.
If one can play piano, you can get multiple drones by holding down the sustain pedal! Nothing more musical than hearing the same notes incessantly. Of course, a bagpipe will give you four drones at once too. You should be aware that Appalacia is losing favor because of coal use so one might have to use makeup on their face to emulate the hard-working poverty flavor by playing a synthesizer set to "banjo."
The Banjo is an African instrument. The Banjo can played for all genres of music.