![]() The term "double thumbing" is sometimes used interchangeably with "drop thumbing", though double thumbing refers specifically to striking the fifth string after every beat rather than every other beat, while drop thumbing refers to dropping the thumb from the 5th drone string down to strike a melody note.Ĭonfusing the nomenclature further are the terms that are used for perceived variations on the method. There are yet more variations of the distinction between "clawhammer" and "frailing", but they all refer to the same general style of playing. There is also a known style where two fingers are used brushing down described as "Knock-Down". Some players further distinguish between "drop thumb" and "clawhammer", in which the thumb plays rhythm in drop thumb, but melody in clawhammer. On the banjo, frailing most commonly means always picking the drone string, while clawhammer allows the picking of other strings with the thumb, which is also called "drop thumbing". While the terms "clawhammer" and " frailing" can be used interchangeably, other old-time players draw a distinction between the two. The result is a change from the "bum-ditty" sound to a "bum-pa-ditty". Using a motion similar to a pull-off, the left hand picks up at the top of the neck, usually on the second half of the first beat. This combined with the middle finger strumming provides a characteristic "bum-ditty bum-ditty" banjo sound, whether actually played on a banjo or on a guitar.īanjo players often also use the left hand, the fingering hand, to pick. ![]() Here, the thumb plays the high drone on the second "and" of "one and two and". Immediately following (on the second half of this beat), pick a note with the thumb, usually the shorter fifth string.On the second beat, strum a few strings with your strumming finger (roughly an eighth note).Pick a melody note on the downbeat ( quarter note). ![]() For example, this is a common, basic 2/4 pattern: Early practitioners include Clarence Ashley, Tommy Jarrell, Grandpa Jones, Kyle Creed, and Wade Ward.Ī common characteristic of clawhammer patterns is the thumb does not pick on the downbeat, as one might in typical fingerpicking patterns for guitar. Actor/comedian Steve Martin played clawhammer banjo as part of his stage act in the 1970s and on his 2009 musical debut CD The Crow: New Songs for the 5-String Banjo. Miles, Ken Perlman, Leroy Troy, Abigail Washburn, Emily Robison, Julie Duggan, Riley Baugus and many others. Musicians who use or who have used the clawhammer style of picking include Old Man Luedecke, Hobart Smith, Neil Young, Bob Carlin, Dwight Diller, Eric Clapton, Mark Johnson, Dick Kimmel, Mark Knopfler, Brad Leftwich, Dan Levenson, Michael J. In its most common form on the banjo, only the thumb and middle or index finger are used and the finger always downpicks, hitting the string with the back of the fingernail. The hand assumes a claw-like shape and the strumming finger is kept fairly stiff, striking the strings by the motion of the hand at the wrist and/or elbow, rather than a flicking motion by the finger. ![]() Clawhammer picking, by contrast, is primarily a down-picking style. Traditional picking styles (classic banjo), including those for folk, bluegrass, and classical guitar, consist of an up-picking motion by the fingers and a down-picking motion by the thumb this is also the technique used in the Scruggs style for the banjo. The principal difference between clawhammer style and other styles is the picking direction. For other uses, see Claw hammer (disambiguation).Ĭlawhammer is a highly rhythmic banjo playing style and common component of American old-time music. ![]()
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