Right Hand Stops for the left
Strike, strum thumb. Over and over, alternating between third and fourth strings - like a robot. Can go all day, walk round the house, chat, even when watching the Dutch put two (now five) past...
View ArticleTuning my first banjo
Hi folks,You all have been so helpful in helping select my first banjo, what gage strings to you, and providing resources for placing the bridge and what gage what strings to use. I really do...
View ArticleThe Cluckin' Hen - video (and tab)
A wise man once said you can never have enough chicken tunes in your repertoire.I just posted my rendition of the Cluckin' Hen, a tune that comes from the fiddling of J.P. Fraley and that I've been...
View ArticlePlaying along with guitar tab
I had a chance to jam with a few friends for the first time last night. I was a great experience. They were guitar and mandolin players and really seemed to enjoy having a banjo in the mix. I think...
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"And the Cat Came Back" - Clawhammer Tunetorial for 6/15/14
Here's our fourth entry into this weekly series of tune lessons. This week, Dan teaches the Fiddlin' Doc Roberts tune, And The Cat Came Back. A long and interesting 3 part tune, it can give you quite a...
View ArticleReturning to the banjo?
I played clawhammer banjo for about 2 years while taking lessons. My teacher became ill and retired. I would say I was a beginner with developing skills. I was 40 when I started and it was my first...
View ArticleCrystal Files for Clawhammer nails
Just a note to help someone along here. I've been playing on and off for some forty years and have always had trouble with my nails. Yep, cracking, splitting, odd shapes, and hanging and have never...
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Okay...Galax lick or something else...?
A comment was made on one of my videos about using the Galax lick. To be honest, I knew the term existed but never really looked into what it was until last night. After watching a few youtube...
View ArticleAngeline the Baker
My take on a great tune I originaly recorded this on my phone John Balch was kind enough to convert it for me . He said it may have lost a little dynamics in the transfer to mp3 like to hear what...
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enjoy some cool music....from Chris Coole and Cathy Cress
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=218tAJxg-jAhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E-Sn3QdyoXY and here is the very adept Cathy Cress playing her version of Old Dog (enjoy Cathy's music with a glass of sweet...
View ArticleHEAD TENSION
Quick question. What would be a typical starting point for tension read by a drum dial for a 12" renaissance head?
View ArticleAny compelling reason to use Drop-C tuning?
Dear All,I've pretty much gotten used to Double C tuning and like here in the last few weeks after learning Open-G.I notice that many older tabs and publications use gCGBD tuning (Drop C, right?). Is...
View ArticleCathy Fink/Brad Kolodner teaching OT Banjo 6/29-7/4 Common Ground
Old-Time Banjo II This class is for you if you already play clawhammer banjo: you can tune your banjo to G tuning, you can play several songs and tunes start to finish, you know basic chords in G...
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TOTW 6/20/2014: Oklahoma Rooster
This week's tune is Oklahoma Rooster.From Fiddler's Companion:Old‑Time, Breakdown. USA, southwestern U.S. D Major. Standard tuning. AA'BB'. The tune appears in Gems of the Ballroom (c. 1890's) as the...
View ArticleFifth String on a Longneck
Hey y'all. This'll probably be a really easy question to answer, but should I have any trouble tuning the fifth string of my long-neck up to A? I'm thinking no, but figured it was better to make sure....
View Articledrop thumbing on the 1st string
Anyone else ever tried this? Last night while noodling around I started thinking about "single string" playing often associated with some of the 3 finger styles. So I messed around with it a bit. I...
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"Angelina Baker" - Clawhammer Tunetorial for 6/22/14
In this, Tunetorial number 6, Dan "Clawdan" Levenson teaches Angelina Baker. Also known by the tune name Angeline the Baker, this tune is often played at jam sessions and festivals all over. It is one...
View ArticleTook a video of me goofing with Ostrich tuning (B-B-B-B-b) tuning.
Thought it sounded really cool so I thought I'd share it with you guys. I don't know if this is tuning is anything but trivial in banjo music, but I wish it was easier to tune to because I'd love to do...
View ArticleBryan Sutton talks about the fretless banjo
Sugar Hill Records just posted this great video featuring Bryan Sutton both playing and explaining the fretless banjo. He does a great job of explaining the advantages and disadvantages of the...
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