Right hand thumb
Hi!! I am trying to learn the best possible right hand technique now that I'm starting to play the banjo, but I am having some problems with my thumb (I pick with my index finger, and I'm always...
View ArticlePanic at the OT Jam
Last night I ended up in a little impromptu jam. My solo playing has improved a lot, but when I get to a jam, even a nice, slow, friendly one, I suddenly can't pick! Even with songs I feel I know well,...
View ArticleJune Apple is kicking my a**
Is this tune particularly fancy? I'm trying to dial in the high part where I play the first string fifth fret and drop thumb on the 2nd string-3rd fret, then po 1st then po 2nd-dayam! So tricky!
View ArticleDo you keep different banjos in different tunings?
You can always tell it is a practice day when I come up with a million random reasons to stop and hit the hangout:) Someday, I'd like to have more than one banjo so that I don't have to retune all the...
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Choosing between two tunings for the same song
I'd like to learn "Man of Constant Sorrow" and downloaded the two clawhammer tabs from the archives for this tune. One in Sawmill and the other in Double C. I've been listening to the two versions...
View ArticleI noticed that my thumb hits the banjo head a lot! Is this considered bad?
Ive been playing clawhammer for about two years now and I recently noticed that I almost always hit the head of my banjo with my thumb...Is this a bad habit?
View ArticleFretted hammer on help/question
Hi all I've never really encountered this type of hammer-on until today. I have no problem with open hammer-ons, but this one is kind of confusing me. How are they performed? Normally the open ones...
View Articlealternative fretting?
Can anyone suggest an alternative pattern for this (third) measure in the tune 'Old Yeller Dog'? I'm finding the sequence with an APO sandwiched between two normal pull-offs very awkward. I'm using my...
View ArticleBeginner Clawhammer Player looking to play Irish music eventually
Hi folks, I've recently started playing at Irish sessions in 3 finger style, but I came across some of Ken Perlman's playing and really dug his approach. I've only the rudiments of clawhammer playing,...
View Articlelow-tuned banjo and playing with fiddler
Hello all- I have been playing banjo for about 5 months. Mostly clawhammer and more recently some two-finger. I have a Prust tackhead that I've kept tuned down to standard D with Nylgut minstrels....
View ArticleTuning a standard banjo to Open F - questions about neck tension
Hi, banjerheads! I read the archived note about tuning a banjo from Open G to Open F, but could not reply to it because it was, well, archived. So, here goes. Because my voice seems to work best when...
View ArticleFellow needs a phone call about Clawhammer
Got a phone call from somebody in Mammoth Springs, Arkansas. (Which brings up an interesting question: How high can a mammoth spring?) Anyway, he's played Bluegrass some, and wants to start on...
View ArticleCool link for key changes
Haven't been around this site long enough to know if this link has already been posted but thought it might be of some help to other newbies. The site: http://www.worshiparchive.com/ has tabs for...
View ArticleOT 2-finger brush stroke
I'm a clawhammer playing learning some ot 2 finger. I keep wanting to do brush strokes but am not sure how to accomplish this with the technique. do players usually just do pinchs or what?
View ArticleTOTW 26 Oct 2012 Mr. Clyde Davenport's "Polecat's Den"
Although one of my favorite things in the banjo world is to jam fiddle tunes all night (and I am blessed to be able to do that weekly with some awesome OT fiddlers & guitarists), I am still a huge...
View ArticleHumm…
Testing the video quality on my new iphone, I discovered a problem with my playing: http://youtu.be/s8zMa_Fc73A Watching this somewhat embarrassing video, I realized I hum the tune as I play it....
View ArticleBoat's up the River - tuning
Anyone know the tuning/chords that Old Sledge uses for "Boats up the River"?
View ArticleBooth Shot Lincoln & Shove The Pig's Foot Farther Into The Fire
Me and my 12 inch pot Enoch Dobson. For your listening and casual dining pleasure! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Qc62IQBbFM&feature=youtu.be Wayne
View Articlebest way to begin clawhammer
what's the best way to learn clawhammer for a beginner? what videos, you-tube pages, etc do you recommend? Looking for something that will get me playing basic tunes quickly. thanks -M
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