I really like your style. I think you should call it Clawfinger style. Also I think you would attract more attention if you play a song at speed at the beginning.
What are you tuned to here sir.. I am oldtyme beginner tuned presently to double C. gCGCD I am having loads of fun with this tuning so far. I figure I can clawhammer and combine two finger together over time.😊 Thankyou for your videos sir.. signed beginner..😊
Thanks..Take it slow. Practice the basics. No need to force yourself into practicing for hours and hours. 15-20 minutes then put it down. Listen to the song you’re learning and be able to play the melody SIMPLY with your thumb ( or index) all the way through. Simple Clawhammer is basically playing a melody down stroking with your index ( some use the middle) the next is a brush down stroke striking one, two, three, four or all the strings. Then the thumb sounds the 5th string. I’ll be posting another RU-vid video to address again, the properly drop your thumb on any string. Thanks again for the comment. My apologies to all for not replying to many comments. I just don’t get to my PC a lot. 🪕
Howdy Lew!…. Thank you…Was recently at a OT jam and saw your old stickers behind some of chairs. Guess they came from Howards estate. I didn’t hear he had passed. He got his first fiddle lessons from my old music store Vintage Music around 1978-79. His teacher was Marilyn ( ? Forget last name) She played it all. Was in a mariachi band too. Hope you are well.
Hey Don! So waaaaay back in about 1976 or so I was a student of yours. After several lessons, you basically told me I just needed to play with other people, and I attended the Friday night jam sessions at your shop - what an amazing experience. The old pot-metal Kay got me started, but I fell in love with the Gold Star you had in your shop. Had to move away, but about 1978 I finally got my Gold Star, Flying Eagle archtop from when they were still made in Japan. Been picking that banjo for 45 years. Last year I had John Boulding in Mounty Airy, NC give it a thorough cleaning, fixing, and setup and it is just wonderful. Great to find you on RU-vid! Thanks for all you taught me!
Very glad to hear from you. Yes, those Gold Stars were, and are great banjos. The early ones made in Japan, seem to be the sought after examples. I still have one myself and it has held its own through countless lessons ( i calculated I’ve taught over 3 thousand- one on one, students and still counting) One long time friend said to me once- “ you’re not the best player out there but you sure can teach” I like that. Got lots of folks on the right path then our the door on there own. Their love and passion for the banjo will take them to anywhere they want to go after my foundational teaching techniques. Thanks for the note. Keep in touch. Don Rusnak 703 303 0539 CABOMA founder 1978- present
PS: Gold Stars often need the frets dressed on the ends. IT MAKES A POSITIVE DIFFERENCE - at least for me. The addition of a fret in front of the nut was an improvement on mine. Research Zero Glide from Goldtone.
Thanks for this. Extremely helpful. I've watched hours of different tutorials nut this one finally gave me the understanding how to play stuff and how to practise. My family will be delighted for hours of badly played Twinkle :D
Thank you so much! Please spread the word that I’m out here on RU-vid. I teach online if anyone needs more direct help. Banjodaddy@hotmail.com Keep on picking 🪕
Hello from Alexandria. Great picking. I am self-taught and largely just an improviser. I stumbled into some kind of hybrid style. I think a more regular style would open more rhythms to me. Anyway - I enjoyed your video.
Thanks Don! I really appreciate getting that melody by itself. Usually I have to spend a lot of time listening to recordings to figure out the melody notes so I can "wrap them up" again.
I’ve been looking for something like this. Essentially transposing to open G. Love the sound. I play clawhammer myself but have been trying up picking/mixing the two and now I’m trying to grasp two finger thumb and index. I think I can do thumb lead I guess but I’m just completely making it up and doing what sounds and feels naturally. Making my head spin a little trying to figure out all the differences
