That one comment “sometimes I hit the wrong string or miss a string and it sounds cool anyway” really helps my playing by not trying to be perfect all the time. Thank You !
I'll echo other folks praising your innovation and the sharing of your formidable gifts. Your love of the process of playing, not just the product of it, is quite evident and, happily, quite infectious. Please keep up the good work.
Some can teach. You are one of those young man. I have listened to literally dozens of videos. I've been trying to learn the frailing banjo for at least 5 years. This is the best explanation of all and I'm finally getting it. 71 tears of age and I swore I was going to get before I konk out. Many thanks Steve.
I may have said this already but Ill say it again.. your excellent, instruction may be the reason i actually have any level of success with clawhammer banjo... thank you! and a very nice RL 250 wont sit quiet in the corner
Steve Harrison : well your efforts are very much appreciated (I'm sure I'm speaking on behalf of all frailers here). Only 9 months in myself, your videos are a great educational resource. Thanks again.
Thank you Steve for showing the details and nuts and bolts of claw hammer, I have much clearer now.... but I have practice all this over and over to consolidate it all.
+1 on This is great! Very very very helpful! Day 3 of tryin to frail I found this, and can see the light now! Thank You Steve for takin the time to put these up!
Steve I am a beginner and watch all of your video's. I had my first lesson yesterday and my instructor covered this claw hammer style. It is awesome to watch and listen to as well, begin to learn. You really help a lot of people. Thank you .....!
That was very informative. I really needed a. explanation how this drop thumb thing works - and not “just” seeing it played slow. This video nailed it. Thanx Steve, again i learns somthing new - now i know what to do today (instead of working 😉)
Thank you Steve for all of your videos! I have learned so much from you and have just begun to explore them! So much info and hopefully, enough time to digest! Take care and keep them coming!
Yes, this helps! Thanks Steve!! Tonite I ordered a special Pisgah Banjo. You can build one from scratch on their web site. I am almost positive that you have helped sell a few of their Banjos.
i have to say (not making fun or anything...) I love watching this at half speed. You sound like you're on HEAVY drugs barely conscious :-) However, it allows one to see all the notes individually which greatly helps. GREAT stuff here.
Tried to send a private message. I would really like to see your take on ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-1MAMu3LHIYA.html This is one of the best songs I've ever heard and it would be great to see what you do with it.
Thanks for posting this and all of your video's, they are really helpful. Just a quick question about using this technique. When you're playing a song, do you establish a certain pattern of drop thumb and clawhammer "bum-ditty" that you maintain throughout the song? Or is the pattern more fluid, changing through the song?
David Dehne that’s a great question and something I’m still working on myself. I think I inevitability end up with a pattern by way of muscle memory. But I aim to keep it more organic. I try to play in a way that compliments the singing. For example, I’ll try to play more softly and plainly while I’m singing. And then between the lyrics I’ll add more embellishments. I might do more strums or heavy playing during the chorus. There’s really no wrong way to do it - this is the part of playing that can define your own style. And if you’re still learning a song you can always start with a simple steady pattern and work up from there.
I've got the bum ditty strike strum part down pat... But I have trouble understanding how to keep that pattern while also plucking the string that is fretted for the song... For example: ( Bum ditty, Bum ditty, - - - - Pluck pluck pluck - - - - Bum ditty, Bum ditty, Bum ditty.... How do you combine the fretted strings music in with the bum ditty pattern without a pause in between the motions?
Danny Hunt it’s really a matter of preference. If you can keep the nail short and still make solid contact with the string, then you’re good. Otherwise you could try growing it out a little. Or try using a different finger. And if all else fails, some people buy a finger pick, but the sound won’t be as warm.
