the choice: bluegrass or clawhammer
the choice: bluegrass or clawhammer
If you’re new to the banjo, you probably don’t know that there is more than one style of playing the banjo.
THE TWO MOST POPULAR ARE BLUEGRASS AND CLAWHAMMER.
It’s important, before you begin your journey, to choose your path.
From a technical standpoint, they use very different mechanics, and from a musical standpoint, they sound very different.
Think of this as two completely different paths, with different views and experiences. So take a moment to listen to examples of both styles. Which one moves you more? As you’ll see on the next page, both are technically challenging.
Have no fear: whichever path you take, we will guide you to the top.
If you’re new to the banjo, you probably don’t know that there is more than one style of playing the banjo.
THE TWO MOST POPULAR ARE BLUEGRASS AND CLAWHAMMER.
It’s important, before you begin your journey, to choose your path.
From a technical standpoint, they use very different mechanics, and from a musical standpoint, they sound very different.
Think of this as two completely different paths, with different views and experiences. So take a moment to listen to examples of both styles. Which one moves you more? As you’ll see on the next page, both are technically challenging.
Have no fear: whichever path you take, we will guide you to the top.
CLAWHAMMER
Spotted Pony – Advanced Clawhammer
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”
BLUEGRASS
Roanoke – Advanced Bluegrass
Also known as three-finger style or Scruggs-style (after Earl Scruggs whose innovative approach influenced generations of players) the picking consists of an up-picking motion by the fingers and a down-picking motion by the thumb. Traditionally the player wears finger picks on the thumb, index and middle fingers.
CLAWHAMMER
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”
Spotted Pony – Advanced Clawhammer
BLUEGRASS
Also known as three-finger style or Scruggs-style (after Earl Scruggs whose innovative approach influenced generations of players) the picking consists of an up-picking motion by the fingers and a down-picking motion by the thumb. Traditionally the player wears finger picks on the thumb, index and middle fingers.
Roanoke – Advanced Bluegrass