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How-To Clawhammer: Striking the Right String

I spun up the camera to talk about how I practice striking specific strings to have control over the banjo melody.

Пікірлер: 47

  • @vivianfoster6534
    @vivianfoster65348 ай бұрын

    Hi Steve I live in the UK and I have watched hundreds of videos on banjo Im learning you are the only one that I have come to get the strum right and I thank you for that keep up the great work kind regards.

  • @amandasanders1141
    @amandasanders11413 ай бұрын

    Just thinking of changing from tenor banjo to 5-string and finding your videos really helpful, so thank you!

  • @kaintuffin-qb5wu
    @kaintuffin-qb5wu7 ай бұрын

    Good work mate. I just bought myself a nice tanglewood banjo. I'm loving it! I took to it like a duck to water, as I've been playing guitar for 30 something years. Banjo is the business....

  • @kc8tby
    @kc8tby5 жыл бұрын

    Thanks, Steve Harrison, for posting this video ! In my case at least, this is exactly what I need to help me with my difficulties trying to consistently hit the right string. I said it before and I’ll say it again; you have a true talent for teaching and a great way of encouraging those of us who want to learn but are so easily discouraged! Thanks and God bless!

  • @hellseeker-inc9756

    @hellseeker-inc9756

    4 жыл бұрын

    Well said, i am slowly getting bluegrass banjo, but clawhammer is so Insanely Hard to get the basic frail😳 I swear my right hand has a vendetta against me😯

  • @benjaminemberson86
    @benjaminemberson868 күн бұрын

    Brilliant video, thanks Steve

  • @banakula
    @banakula3 жыл бұрын

    Hi Steve. I’ve enjoyed a couple of your tutorial videos on banjo and now I see your Kent State t-shirt. I’m in kent getting started late on clawhammer banjo. Thanks fir your help!

  • @oakenarm
    @oakenarm Жыл бұрын

    THANK YOU! I have been struggling and this (and all your vids) have been amazingly helpful.

  • @d2dolan
    @d2dolan3 жыл бұрын

    Answered my question on striking finger orientation :45 degrees. No other instructor that I’ve seen has said that! Good man, Steve! Gracias, Amigo!

  • @bogwitchburke
    @bogwitchburke4 жыл бұрын

    Oh my GAWD thank you for explaining things in a way that finally clicks for me!! I've watched a million of these videos and I was about to beat my phone with my banjo.

  • @StevePlaysBanjo

    @StevePlaysBanjo

    4 жыл бұрын

    Burke I’d love to see someone play their banjo with their phone. 😂

  • @roderickfelder8016

    @roderickfelder8016

    3 жыл бұрын

    I know the feeling. Lol

  • @honusail
    @honusail4 жыл бұрын

    Just want to say thanks for all your instructional videos! At 61 I got the itch to learn how to play and just ordered a Deering Goodtime. I enjoy all the videos on your channel!

  • @JulenAnsotegi
    @JulenAnsotegi Жыл бұрын

    I love your videos, greetings from Spain :)

  • @carolynleedonovan
    @carolynleedonovan4 жыл бұрын

    I love your teaching style. Very understandable and most helpful. Exactly what I was looking for. You are great and I hope you continue

  • @cynthiavasiento
    @cynthiavasiento5 жыл бұрын

    Thank you for the reminder to JUST PRACTICE 😆 I often lament not being further along in my technique, but truly I don’t practice as often as I need to! You have a great teaching style and I’ve always appreciated your perspective. Thanks again 😊

  • @benhein7090
    @benhein70904 жыл бұрын

    I'm just learning, and this was a spectacularly helpful video, thank you! It's also a pleasure to listen to you play.

  • @suefrobert
    @suefrobert4 жыл бұрын

    I am just learning and I have watched many instructional videos and I feel like I am learning a little from each one but your passion and cool temperament of knowledge is so enjoyable. Thanks!

  • @alfike
    @alfike4 жыл бұрын

    Hey man, keep doing the videos, even if you repeat. You always offer great stuff where we have to be reminded because we forget, lol! So don’t stop!

  • @pauljosephbuggle3722
    @pauljosephbuggle37224 жыл бұрын

    Come on, man! We need your teaching. Having different explanations is positive. You've got a way of looking at the process all yours.

  • @alfike
    @alfike3 жыл бұрын

    Hey Steve, great info! Btw, you never have to worry about coming up with any new or innovative ideas. Just repeat your previous stuff in a new recording and we’ll still watch and learn. Besides, it keeps you in front of us! So keep repeating. We need it anyway. Tom Collins does, you can, too. Cheers, mentor!

  • @jesuschavarria5574
    @jesuschavarria55744 жыл бұрын

    That helped alot , thanks Steve. Keep on picking...

  • @tyronewilson364
    @tyronewilson3645 жыл бұрын

    thanks Steve you talk a iot of sense, i like your way of teaching. p s could you some time in the future show your technique on drop thumb and hammer on pull off etc; the complete technique at the same time if that makes sense. thanks again, Ty

  • @chamae01
    @chamae014 жыл бұрын

    Very helpful channel

  • @christineweatherford5852
    @christineweatherford58525 жыл бұрын

    Love this!!!!

  • @mikeclarke9281
    @mikeclarke92812 жыл бұрын

    Hi Steve, another great lesson, but why is it that I can never get it to sound like you, sort of not very musical,?

  • @chris2realnice229
    @chris2realnice2294 жыл бұрын

    Steve would please tell us the make and model of your banjo? It has very nice warm tones.

  • @KevinThrasher
    @KevinThrasher5 жыл бұрын

    You have to consciously try some different approaches to striking the string with your finger to see what works best. Then after repetition, and consciously noting which approaches work the best, you will unconsciously start doing it the way that has the most success. In that sense, practicing technique is a creative act bc you have to create the style that works for you.

  • @StevePlaysBanjo

    @StevePlaysBanjo

    5 жыл бұрын

    Kevin Thrasher you said it way better than I could have. You have to start by consciously working out the details. Then practice until it becomes subconscious. 👍

  • @HE-162
    @HE-1625 жыл бұрын

    I’m attempting to teach myself clawhammer, with help from your videos. This is a pertinent video, I currently am trying to not sound like a buffering car accident because of missed strings and poor rhythm. When strumming, do you strum all 5 or just 1-4? I’ve apparently taught myself to miss the 5th string...

  • @StevePlaysBanjo

    @StevePlaysBanjo

    5 жыл бұрын

    Swollen Fingers truth is, you can strum the amount that sounds right for the song. Most of the time, I strum 2 or 3 strings to keep it light. If I want a full sound to break up the song, I might strum all 4. If you accidentally include the 5th string, that’s still ok, as long as it’s in key, it’ll still sound good.

  • @HE-162

    @HE-162

    5 жыл бұрын

    Steve Harrison thanks for the reply! I’ll keep at it then, your videos are really super super helpful. Between yours and Clifton Hicks I may just be able to stumble through a little tune some day haha

  • @Inanedata
    @Inanedata4 жыл бұрын

    Hey Steve, I'm learning frailing banjo and I have the shortest of short nails. It's kind of an obsession, really. Here's the thing I find I get a clearer sound when I use a backwards fingerpick to act as a nail. Should I be worried about practicing like this or should I try to figure out how to just play well without it?

  • @StevePlaysBanjo

    @StevePlaysBanjo

    4 жыл бұрын

    Inanedata I think you’re in good shape. Using custom picks or even fake nails is common. The important thing is that you’re playing regularly finding a sound that works well for you. I’m kinda the same regarding short nails, because I type code all day. I’ve only grown out the middle of my right for claw hammer. I’m on a bit of a banjo-hiatus, so my nails are all short right now.

  • @Inanedata

    @Inanedata

    4 жыл бұрын

    @@StevePlaysBanjo thanks man, I really appreciate the advice.

  • @ozdatman
    @ozdatman5 жыл бұрын

    Is there a good pick to use on the middle finger? I don't have a useful nail and keep hitting muted notes. I have tried the metal picks wearing it both ways but cant seem to get the strike right. Cheers from Tasmania.

  • @StevePlaysBanjo

    @StevePlaysBanjo

    5 жыл бұрын

    ozdatman they make some great frailing picks, but I’ve found that, through use, the nail gets a bit thicker on its own. I grow my nail out a little bit, but through practice you can aim to target the center of your nail to the string. Some folks get nail extensions added. Another alternative is try playing with your index instead of the middle, if all else fails. Everyone is a little different, so it’s more about finding what’s right for you.

  • @martin701

    @martin701

    5 жыл бұрын

    Fred Kelly picks work for me as my nail kept breaking. I've tried a few but these work for me. Just a suggestion

  • @ozdatman

    @ozdatman

    5 жыл бұрын

    @@martin701 Thanks , have just ordered some of these .

  • @martin701

    @martin701

    5 жыл бұрын

    Ozdatman. Hope you get on with them. I’m sure you will!

  • @DW5200

    @DW5200

    4 жыл бұрын

    Steve Harrison i

  • @gwilkins4617
    @gwilkins46174 жыл бұрын

    What kind of banjo is that? I don’t see any label on it.. thanks for the great vids..

  • @honusail

    @honusail

    4 жыл бұрын

    G Wilkins I was wondering the same but I’m thinking it’s from the Pisgah Banjo Company in Asheville NC.

  • @sethhamilton5824
    @sethhamilton58245 жыл бұрын

    I love that banjo. What happed to your Senator? And where can I find black pearl buttons like that?!?

  • @StevePlaysBanjo

    @StevePlaysBanjo

    5 жыл бұрын

    I still have my Vega in the basement. I keep my banjos out of their cases propped up tempting me to play. 😄 I should make a video with the Senator, just for the fun of it! The Pisgah is all stock, so Patrick may have spare parts to sell. I still get my strings from him.

  • @sethhamilton5824

    @sethhamilton5824

    5 жыл бұрын

    Steve Harrison that Pisgah is a beautiful thing. I thought you had a banjo with an all metal pot as well?