I have tried many times over the years to play an instrument and failed, all of a sudden I am learning thanks to Jim Pankey he really has a way about him, thanks Jim from Jim.
To the folks that tuned in here, I bought a Recording King Madison OT25 open back.. This open back puts out plenty of sound.. and does not need a tone ring. A great instrument to learn on, and a keeper... I am totally pleased so far.. Even Mr Pankey has one that he plays.. This is my first lesson on frailing/clawhammer style with my own banjo 🪕 This is my official start day on banjo lessons. This is day one. Oh one other thing folks, this banjo 🪕 Tuned up right out of the box.. I recommend this banjo for front porch playing, campfire playing, playing with friends & family... From brother Harvey ✝️🇺🇸🤠🪕🪕🪕
I think I know why my Grandpa’s Stewart banjo has the skin worn above the strings on the head. I could never figure out why the wear was not below where a little or ring finger would be anchored. I didn’t get to hear him play much, but I can tell he must have been using this style based on the wear. Makes sense since he was born in 1902 in SW Virginia before Scruggs style. Thanks for all these lessons. I’m a reading/ history teacher and I can tell you have been blessed with the natural gift of being a really great teacher (and banjo player!)
Your timing is incredible, Mr Pankey. I just picked up my banjo this morning and started practicing my bum Diddy. And, i thought, "too bad Pankey doesn't have a beginner series for clawhammer." Thanks for your excellent videos.
Thank you so much for making this video. After trying other videos and books I was left so confused. With the help of your video I finally am able to comfortably and confidently play a basic clawhammer strum. Even up to speed at times! Your explanation of rapping on the banjo finally makes the hand shape make sense. Thank you again.
What a nice find the video is! I have returned to banjo after more years that I care to count. I built one in High School, but it sat unused. A few months ago I stumbled on Rhiannon Giddens and was (am still) mesmerized by her playing. Then I found Abigail and Béla & the many artists playing banjo in many different styles. My interest is sparked and videos like this make the journey so enjoyable. Thank you!
I just recently bought a banjo because I’ve wanted to learn clawhammer for a while now. It arrived in the mail last week and I’ve had such a hard time finding someone on RU-vid to explain how to play clawhammer in a way that I understand. Jim this video is absolutely wonderful. You explain things very clearly and I was finally able to understand what to do. I will continue watching your videos. Thank you!!
Great Lesson! I've been playing bluegrass banjo for about a year now and have been interested in learning Cawhammer. This is just what I needed! Please keep these tutorials coming
Thank you for sharing your talent with us! Oh my guy!! I have that same flannel! Bought in the men’s section of Tractor Supply, but such excellent quality at a great price, I didn’t care it was not “feminine”!
Broke my plastic thumb pick for bluegrass and can't get any until the end of the week, couldn't of thought of a better time to learn some clawhammer style :)
Nice clear explanation. I don't wear picks and play bluegrass style. but I know it takes oodles of hours practicing. I tried and went with up stroking and, down stroking Clawhammer style. Anything new takes practice, but I feel frailing and right hand noting was much easier to pickup. If you know the full chord shapes, a person could do cool stuff with frailing.
Very good. I would make it easier for rhe complete beginner if he would have stuck with the simple bum diddy instead of jumping onto the brush and alternating string. As a beginner it makes it easier to play along with the bum diddy which only was demonstrated for about five seconds.
I didn’t do this video as something for people to play along with, but rather just show the techniques to master before progressing to the next video. I was also trying my very best to introduce this style to people that already play.
Thanks for this. I recently injured my middle finger picking hand and my 3 finger is really hampered. Wanting to learn some alternatives to bluegrass style.
I noticed in your video of mulheron he was wearing a pick to play fralin, what pick was it or any recommendations as Ernie ball picky picks don’t seem work for fralin
Quick question...Does this style require a finger nail that's at least as ling as your finger? I keep my finger nails extremely short and I have a problem with the the middle finger muting the string if I "pick" it with the nail or light sound when I use the end of my finger.
You know Jim, this ain’t easy, but I’m determined to get it down. All the clawhammer players I see and hear on RU-vid make it look so easy…..but it ain’t.
Hey Jim. I found this to be more difficult than it appears. On your strokes it looks like you are just moving in an "In and out" motion on the banjo. When I try this it seems like the motion is more elliptical when I do it. Like down and in on the downward stroke, and then out and up on the outward stroke. Is this an acceptable way? Also, when I hit those strings with this style, they are really loud with my resonator banjo.
Hi! I'm new to the banjo. Been only playing for a few months. Your videos have beens SO helpful! I have mostly only done bluegrass so far. I really like Pete Seeger though and even got his book How to Play the 5-String Banjo, but am struggling to make good progress with it. I’ve been trying to figure out Joe Hill in bluegrass style, but it’s just not clicking for me. I was wondering if you could do a tutorial for Joe Hill in either bluegrass or clawhammer style?
Tighten the head, get a lighter bridge, and maybe get a taller bridge. Edit: also, you can install a thinner drum head (Remo Renaissance series are pretty much universal). Old strings can also dampen your sound. If you're playing clawhanmer style, you also need to accept that the style is inherently less twangy than playing with steel fingerpicks right next to the bridge.
On Wikipedia, I read that clawhammer and frailing are not the same: "In frailing, the index fingertip is used for up-picking melody, and the middle fingernail is used for rhythmic downward brushing. In clawhammer, only downstrokes are used, and they are typically played with one fingernail as is the usual technique on the banjo." Not true?
@@JimPankey - You can't always trust anyone! :) So are you saying that frailing and clawhammer are, in fact, the same? Thanks for your video, by the way, which is awesomely clear!
I have a question and this is by far my biggest hangup with the clawhammer technique. When striking with my index or middle finger I cant ever get a good strike. On the first string its easy, theres nothing to block it below that. But any other string and my finger just hits the one below it and never gets the sound. If I do get through the string below, then the string I struck is landing on the meat of my striking finger and just dies instantly. I cannot get over this hump and it is extremely frustrating! One of the reasons I went to bluegrass after trying clawhammer for a while.
Howdy Mr Pankey,, Having fun practicing. I have a question. Aquila string company makes a nylon string called Aquila Reds made for banjo, they are supposed to be more typical thickness size banjo strings, they are metal and nylgut combination of some sort.. Can you investigate these strings & can you tell me if i would or could use them on my OT25. Thankyou , i really do appreciate your time and thoughts..😊
@@JimPankeyHey Mr Pankey, Thankyou for input on the Aquila reds.. So I have been practicing hitting number 1 string, 2, 3, 4 th strings and now magically I am able to pluck the fifth string too. So it has been about six weeks and most of all I am having a blast and I practice every day for about 30 good minutes.. I think I will keep working on smoothness through August before I add more to the rt hand movements. As well I have been practicing pull offs & hammer on,s and slides in both directions on fret board for some reason.. I want to learn how to do proper banjo chords while I continue with right hand movements.. Your fan brother Harvey 😊 oh one more habit I gave myself to do.. I tune & detune my banjo every single time I pick it up every day. I believe this is helping my ear for tuning... Have a great day and a better tomorrow..
