bridge height with scooped neck
I have a Pisgah Dobson that came with a bridge that the strings measure 5/8ths above the head. It isn't too bad to play over the head, but I feel like it is too high when I try to play over the neck,...
View ArticleTwo-Finger Thumb Lead In Key of C/D
Although I've played clawhammer for a long time, I've only just started to play Two-Finger Thumb Lead. I'm comfortable playing Two-Finger in conventional G tuning and a tune in the key of G (or A if...
View ArticleMore Questions on the Stanley Style
Someone please explain what Ralph Stanley did to develop his 3 finger picking after the 2 finger style discussed here: http://www.banjohangout.org/archive/193071 .I've almost got it, but not quite....
View ArticleMy deam banjo for custom build
I just got back from Clift top and saw some super banjos for sale from many luthiers. However none of the banjos made me pull the trigger and buy one. So I decided to make a list of what I want in a...
View ArticleProgressive Clawhammer workshops in Colorado next week!
I know it's last minute, but I thought I'd share this with the hangout anyway. I'll be on the faculty of the Colorado Roots Music Camp located in the mountains near Colorado Springs. Progressive...
View ArticleClik here to view.
"Bob Tailed Mule" - Clawhammer Tunetorial for 8/2/15
Key of A – aEAC#ETune number 53 means we start a second year of tunetorials. Well, start and hold. Dan is going to take the rest of August off as he travels west so it will be after Labor Day until the...
View ArticleSwaying with the music
When playing, I find myself swaying to the music. I guess its good that I’m really getting into it but I think it compromises my precision at both fretting and hitting the strings. I notice that most...
View ArticleOT 3 finger, classic & bluegrass style
Hello Is anyone able to explain and or highlight the differences between OT 3 finger, classic and bluegrass style playing?Regards Eric
View ArticleTOTW (OT) 8/7/2015 - Old Kentucky Whiskey
TOTW (OT) 08/07/2015 - Old Kentucky WhiskeyI’ve chosen Old Kentucky Whiskey for this installment of TOTW. Garry Harrison collected the tune from Illinois Fiddler Noah Beavers and published it in his...
View ArticleD7 chord: Is it just me, or is this really hard?
I spent a couple years as a teenager learning clawhammer and then life got in the way and I didn't pick up a banjo for the next 25 years, until a few weeks ago. I'm now absolutely having a ball going...
View ArticleHow to achieve the Clawhammer bounce?
My favorite claw hammer recordings have a lively bounce and softness of tone. I sense a little of the bounce when I play Liberty from Dan Levenson's Clawhammer festival book but otherwise my playing...
View ArticleOld Dog tuning question
Listening to Chris Coole this morning playing Old Dog. He's using an open tuning of F# B F# B C# ... What is this tuning called? It's the same tuning Richie Stearns uses sometimes but he capos it at...
View Articlesetting up for round peak
In trying to understand the banjo most suited for round peak i have this question.On a fretless or half fretless 25 1/2" scale banjo how would i set it up for tuning aEAC#E and aDADE. basically is...
View ArticlePlaying advice of Dwight Diller
Whether you are a fan of Dwight Diller or not, Clawhammer/Old-Time player or Bluegrass player I, personally, think it is advisable to read the first few pages ( 9 ) of Dwight Diller's TAB book. It is...
View ArticleLooking For Tab
Hi,I am looking for any tab material for "A Rose for Polly" a la Bob Smakulahttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4FAlJWxLXJA&feature=youtube_gdata_player(Sorry not quite sure how to make this a live...
View ArticleWhat can I play in fFGCD or eFGCD?
I've been learning Mike Seeger's "Little Betty Ann" arrangement in eFGCD. As long as I'm in this weird tuning, are there other songs to learn? I did have a look at Mr. Zepp's catalogue of tunings for...
View ArticleNew to clawhammer
I'm hoping my sheer determination and stubborness will finally get me success when learning this new skill. I'm on the basics.....trying to slowly sound each string independently and then in random...
View ArticleGuitar accompaniment for clawhammer banjo
question for any guitar players here, I have been learning clawhammer and can play some simple tunes now. My mom plays a little bit of guitar, but both of our guitar knowledge is pretty limited, she...
View ArticleTOTW (OT) 8/14/2015 - Dull Chisel
TOTW (OT) 8/14/2015 - Dull ChiselKey: A major Hi all, This week's tune is "Dull Chisel," composed by the late Garry Harrison and appearing on his ca. 2000 CD Red Prairie Dawn. Not sure when I first...
View ArticleNeed Tune of the Week volunteer for August 21 or 28
There is an open TOTW date on August 21 - I would just post an "emergency back-up" tune, but I am on the schedule for the 28th, and figure I shouldn't do two in a row. So if anybody would like to...
View Article