What is
Clawhammer Banjo?
Clawhammer banjo is played using a downward strumming motion over the strings.
Typically, the melody of a song is played by striking one string, quickly followed by a strum of two or three strings. This creates a rhythm that sounds like: “boom – chick – a” or, more precisely, “claw – ham – mer.” The method involves one’s thumb and pointer finger shaped in a “claw.”
Cripple Creek performed by our teacher John from the Beginner Clawhammer Songs course.
Background on Clawhammer Banjo
The biggest difference between clawhammer banjo and bluegrass is the picking technique. Bluegrass (or Scruggs style) consists of picking upward with the index and middle fingers and downward with the thumb to create “rolls” or patterns of picking with those two fingers and thumb.
Clawhammer picking, on the other hand (ahem), is primarily a down-picking style. The hand assumes a claw-like shape and strums downward with the index finge,r hitting single notes or brushing while the thumb catches the 5th string. This creates a rhythm that sounds like “boom-chick-a” or, more precisely, “claw-ham-mer.”
Here is a free clawhammer lesson, Spotted Pony, from our Advanced Clawhammer Songs course.
Want to see a list of our Clawhammer lessons?
Go from zero musical experience to advanced playing by just following the lessons in order.
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