WOODSTOCK, NY workshop with Cathy Fink
This weekend, WOODSTOCK, NY Oct. 25/26, I will be appearing at the Woodstock Invitational Luthier's Showcase http://woodstockinvitational.com/clinics2014.htm in workshop, & concerts 2pm- Cathy...
View Articlewhere to get matching beginner tabs/music samples
Hi, total banjo newb here. Got my Goodtime last Tuesday and been practicing my clawhammer everyday. Where can I get tabs that come with an audio file that is played exactly as the tab?I've been...
View Articledamn you steel strings
after almost a year of nylgut reds on my brooks banjo i never thought i'd use anything else. however, on a whim, after one of the strings finally broke, i decided to see what steel strings would sound...
View ArticleNew to clawhammer questions
Is it easier to learn without the armrest? I'm playing a Deering Goodtime 2.Thanks.
View ArticleGoing to my first jam
Well, the time has come at last and I'm girding my loins to attend my first OT jam in a couple of weeks. I have been playing for a few years and believe I have the basic techniques under my belt,...
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TOTW (OT) 10/24/14: Hob Y Diri
Good morning all,Towards the beginning of September I had the good fortune to attend a Celtic festival in Monroe, LA. It was held in a beautiful park with tall pines, the weather was pristine, and the...
View ArticleWhats the Style?
The ever present question of definition... I know my evolving playing style is becoming less claw and more frailing.... but what is it? less OT feel.. up picking, and right hand cutting... staying to...
View Articlefinger coordination question
Occasionally I encounter a tab with a notation similar to this: 1-02- 11345- 0Rather crude, but I trust that you get the picture. Play the open 1st string, play the 2nd string, 1st fret twice and...
View ArticleSteel strings or nickel
I am interested in learning clawhammer banjo. Today I traded my BG banjo for an open back on layaway. My question is....What is the difference between steel strings and nickel strings? I like to buy...
View ArticleFavorite minor key tunes?
Hi folks. I've been looking to build a strong repertoire of minor-key, dark, savage, passionate, cathartic clawhammer banjo songs to learn from. I'm thinking of the likes of Meadowlands by Ray...
View ArticleFirst Time Fretless
I just converted my cheap Epiphone to semi-fretless (5th string and up), and I love it. I did it using a brass sheet about the same thickness as my frets.I'm definitely not a super good player- I have...
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"Washington's March" - Clawhammer Banjo Tunetorial for 10/26/14
Watch a preview video >Key of D – aDADE In this, Tunetorial number 23, Dan "Clawdan" Levenson teaches the tune Washington’s March. This is one of Dan's favorite tunes both on fiddle and banjo, and...
View Article3-Finger Clawhammer
Behold my immensely talented brother from the glimmery shores of Oostende, Belgium, Sideshow Skip. He was a mandolin virtuoso when we were kids and went on to play jazz guitar in later life. Now, he's...
View ArticleRecall-one more reason dependent on tab
Now that I’m getting to the point of figuring out tunes by listening and working them out—I’m finding I have trouble bringing them to mind. The tunes I learned by tab, my mind pictures enough of the...
View ArticleTunings question
Can someone explain to me what is meant by "Double-C (double-D)" tuning?
View ArticlePike's Peak: old-time 3 finger picking, Ozark Highballers
Here's a joyous video of the Ozark Highballers with the solid old-time 3 finger string band banjo style playing of veteran banjo player Clarke Buehling. This is the way you do it! You can see very...
View ArticleHammers and Pulls
I'm getting mixed opinions. One camp says that the hammer and pull should be executed at the same time as the next note is played, basically one note without hearing the hammer or pull. The other side...
View Article"New" repertoire for the oldest banjo
Is anyone else interested in expanding the repertoire for Early Banjo?I am finding so much material suitable for the Minstrel banjo in old texts. I am transcribing, playing, and sharing these on my...
View ArticleTOTW (OT) 10-31-14 - Peter Francisco
Tune of the Week: "Peter Francisco"Peter Francisco is a tune found in Knauff’s“Virginia Reels,” published in 1839. In the original manuscript, it is set in the key of F for piano forte.[see attached...
View ArticleHow did you unlearn anchoring?
i am a fairly long time 3 finger player trying to learn some clawhammer but my ring and pinky finger (right hand) seem to have developed a symbiotic relationship with the head. How did some of you...
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