Beginner Clawhammer Banjo Crash Course - The Basic Strum

This is an excerpt for Play Better Banjo's BEGINNER CLAWHAMMER COURSE

Watch the full course for FREE at:

Go "from zero to banjo" with the BEGINNER CLAWHAMMER CRASH COURSE.

If you're an absolute beginner that wants to learn to play clawhammer banjo then this is the course for you:

TWENTY PLUS VIDEOS: You’ll have instant access to the course video player containing more than twenty instructional videos on a variety of essential beginner banjo topics.

CLEAR & SIMPLE INSTRUCTION: Just the bare minimum of information presented in a laid back, simple and easy to follow fashion.

PLAY ALONG VIDEOS: Play along with me as I guide you through a bunch of jam-friendly songs.

LIFETIME EMAIL SUPPORT: Email me at any time and I’ll respond promptly with answers to any questions you may have about the lesson materials.

HERE'S WHAT YOU’LL LEARN IN THE COURSE:

THE BASIC STRUM: How to execute the fundamental “clawhammer motion”.

CHORDS: How to play them and what to do with them.

TUNING: Three different tried and true methods for tuning your banjo.

SONGS: How to play along with a whole pile of recognizable and easy-to-follow songs

TIME SIGNATURES A practical understanding of “common time” and “waltz time”.

TIME SIGNATURES: A universal system for numbering and organizing chords within a tune or song

THE MUSICAL ALPHABET: Easy foundational musical knowledge and some simple ways to apply it.

KEY SIGNATURES: A practical understanding of what it means to play in some basic keys.

[danegoodwin]

I think this is the first time ive ever heard the word onomatopoeia used in an actual sentence outside of a classroom

[Since-UniqueOriginalPersonaliz]

I agree with the previous commenter - Your easy-going and 'learn the basics' approach resonates with me. Longtime guitar player - always digged frailing. Picked up a 70s Japanese banjo on eBay, and I'm tickled to begin. Thanks for the effort you've put into your lessons.

[teevee]

You seem to have a smile or a laugh waiting just underneath the surface and every now and then it pokes itself out, it's lovely. Also, love the different claw angles you held out, surprisingly useful

[ChessDiagnostic]

Holy crap this is the best beginning vidya for banjo on youtube. THANKS much!

[gsockpuppet]

This is the best video on the subject. I didn't get it untill i watched this one.

[davidwenzel]

Thanks for the videos, I was trying to learn more of a bluegrass style of banjo but this makes more sense to me.

[clayhepburn]

Have to agree with everyone here..this is the best place to start. I had a hard time getting started, years before the net, and afellow named Walt Lysak at the Winnipeg Folklore Center gave me this sage advice. ..."it should take as long to do this, as it does to do this " in other words it should take as long to do "boom" as it does to do "chucka" That was my breakthrough moment...keep up the good work. ..

[xXdarkestlightXx]

I struggle with the boom note consistently but this makes me want to try it again. Ive been having fun learning 3 finger but my soul wants clawhammer.

[pfatalbert]

Really well-described. Very thorough. Still very difficult to master/get down, but this does a good job explaining of what needs to be done/what needs to be practiced for thousands of times. Thanks!

[trackie]

Very helpful! I just finished building a gourd banjo and although I’ve been playing guitar and ukulele for decades, this is completely alien to me. I’m tuned in Old Time, GCGCD, but I think you are in standard GDGBD. This is going to take some work, but I’m looking forward to it!

[nickolaistefko]

This is a fantastic, comprehensive look at a basic style. Very useful for this here beginner

[camberdived]

Nice one Ryan, I've had my Banjo for a week now, and you've done the clearest explanation I've came across, I feel way more confident in my learning now, Thank you

[jazzdog]

I watched quite a few vids on this and your is the best! Well-spoken descriptions and the analogies with the thumb helped me turn the corner. Very well done. I've subscribed. Thank you for taking the time to do this :)

[howeybunch]

Thank you very much for slowing down that motion and the close up pictures in the video and I will try to find more of your videos to learn this style thank you for this

[derrickmarr]

57 year old rock drummer here! Lol....my elderly father recently bought a 5 string banjo and then gave it to me. I do play a bit of guitar, but I sure am hoping these vids can teach me how to play this thing!! Hahaha...looks good so far.

[JohnSims]

That's a beautiful banjo! Thanks for finally helping me get it right!!!

[guiltypeperami]

Man I LOVED your analogies on the thumb picking, helped me out so much

[boatert]

This is amazing! Thanks a lot for posting this series. This would be a great value at any price but it's incredible that it's free. You're a really talented teacher.

[augustasugarbean]

Thank you. The closeups down the neck really help. I was having a lot of trouble visualizing the hand position.

[jamespg]

Thanks for taking some of the confusion out of this!