Beginners Guide to Clawhammer Banjo
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What is clawhammer banjo?
Watch this fun demonstration
By learning the basic stroke, you can play every song in the course!
The basic stroke, also known as the Bum-Ditty or the Train Rhythm, runs all the way through the clawhammer banjo style. Learn this one technique and you are most of the way to playing clawhammer banjo!
You can learn the basic stroke for free by clicking the button below
What is the 'Basic Clawhammer Stroke'?
Also known as the bum-ditty
Clawhammer, or Frailing banjo is generally played with a series of downstrokes, striking the strings of the five-string banjo with the fingers of the right hand.
This playing technique gives a distinctive driving rhythm to everything you play, it can be very satisfying to play. The rhythm is often said to mimic the sound of the old steam trains.
The Basic Clawhammer Stroke is Made of these three actions of the Right Hand
1. The Strike
The initial strike is performed by either the index or middle finger of the right hand (for right handed players). Most players use the fingernail of the striking hand, but it is possible to wear a pick on the striking finger. The goal is to make a single, clean note and this will take some practice. The Thumb comes to rest on the fifth string with every strike.
2. The Strum
Brush downwards across all the strings with the same finger you used to make the initial strike. The thumb comes to rest on the fifth string as you complete the strum.
3. The fifth string
As the hand comes up, the thumb sounds the fifth string.
Learn the Basic Stroke (bum-ditty) for free
We’ve created a whole collection of tutorial videos so you can come and join in. Click the button below to learn the basic stroke with Frank.
The Basic Clawhammer Rhythm
The basic rhythm of Clawhammer Banjo comes from striking down with the fingers onto the strings. This is normally done with the back of the hand and especially with the fingernails of the right hand. This is where it differs from Fingerpicking or Bluegrass style which pick upwards with the Index and Middle fingers. Frailing (Or Old-Time) style banjo players can play upwards with the fingers as well, but to start with, we will concentrate on playing downwards with the fingers. This can be done by brushing downwards, and also by knocking down, or ‘Striking’ the strings. You can see free videos right here to help you learn to do this.
The Thumb plays the same way in all styles of banjo playing, downwards. Most frailing players (Also called ‘Frailers’) will pick and strum downwards with the Thumb, especially when they want to play softly or if they don’t fully know a song and are feeling their way into something.
When you’re ready – try our premium song packages
Joff & Frank spent an entire week filming the easiest to learn Clawhammer banjo course so you can come and join in from the comfort of your own home.
Each song gives you more techniques so you’ll keep getting better!
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The first clawhammer song you’ll learn is:
Black Eyed Susie.
Black Eyed Suzie is easy and enjoyable for a complete beginner. During your first song, you focus on the Right Hand using the basic stroke to play a melody. The Left Hand is only involved on one note making it simple and fun!
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The second Clawhammer song you'll learn is:
Shove the Pig's Foot a little Further in the Fire
In your second song you will learn how to add extra rhythm and melody using the Left Hand. You will learn to perform the hammer-on and pull-off, two left hand tricks vital to the frailing banjo style.
