Banjo Break: Practicing Irish Clawhammer

Hi folks,

When I’m working from home, I sometimes take some breaks during the day to practice some banjo.

My neighbors are probably SICK of this tune because I have been practicing it for months. I don’t actually know if the name of it, so if anyone can tell me, I’d appreciate it. I learned it from Faoilean, an Irish group out of New Jersey. I’m not affiliated with them so believe me when I say I really like their sound and you should go check them out. Their version of Hares in the Mountain was the first I heard of that song, and they’ve been putting out some really great music. This tune is played at the end of their version of Martinmastime, another song I’d never heard before. I absolutely fell in love with it and with their rendition of the song in general. It inspired me to try my hand at Irish clawhammer again.

If anyone’s got a tips or suggestions for Irish clawhammer, please drop a comment!

Thanks for listening!

[faoileantunes]

Maith thú! Love this, looking forward to hearing more of your stuff! 🎻🪕

[kimballeric]

Really great practice session. Helps me to see someone else, more advanced, runs through a tune. As I play more and more banjo I'm struck by how much influence Ireland has had on the instrument -- thinking tunes like Waynesboro, Johnny Don't Get Drunk, and even Undone in Sorrow (I'm sure the list goes on and on). Something about those triplets, drop thumbs, and double C is baked into all of us I guess. Great work here!!

[MarkWYoung-kyuc]

That's the first time I've heard Irish claw hammer. I like it!

[TheFifthIdiot]

I've been practicing all morning too

[bonniebanjo]

Oh just absolutely gorgeous. That’s my favorite sound 😍

[NoahCline]

Lovely playing. Sounds like you’ve got the right-hand triplets down. I find left-hand triplets to work better for me, especially for jigs.

[anyruginthehouse]

super cool seeing irish music on a 5 string. a dream to play it eventually. thanks for sharing! <3

[brodiemcmullan-jones]

Love your channel! I'm gonna pinch your smuggling the tin for my gig next month. Thanks for the Faoilean recommendation they rule :)

[BoarhideGaming]

What a beautiful song, and well played too! You were so close to the end too before the slip up, I know the feeling!

[ryanmckenzie]

Cool stuff! I did not expect "Irish clawhammer" -- I always assumed Irish banjo playing used a pick. Nice tea set, by the way!

[ryanrelater]

Greetings from a dublin lad missing home! :)
This is class. I'd love to be able to play some triplet stuff like that. Ye wouldnt be able to tell us a bit about how ye learn?
Most clawhammer stuff is american /scottish folk stuff and its hard to find to find some irish trad like jigs or skip jigs.

[zanemain]

It's a reel called Christmas Eve!

[peterrandall]

Very nice Mary. I think Irish and Scottish traditional tunes sound great on five string banjo. I hope you find the name of the tune, sounds lovely.
What tuning are you playing in ?
🇬🇧🪕

[Yallquietendown]

It sounds great- very beautiful tune — and the neighbors should have moved out to the country if they didn’t want to hear any sounds !