Starting Clawhammer Guidence

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The Practice Group

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For/to help beginners/improvers indulging in deliberate practice to improve their banjo playing. An open group.

88 Members, Created 11/6/2017 -

Administrators: AndyW (owner) , Boadicea , WayneConrad

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From Junior_co on 2/8/2018 12:10:26 PM

Hello all, My name is Jason, but around here, please call me Junior...

Quick Back story... While helping my gal's parents, I found an abandoned Banjo in the basement. Never knew there was a musical bone in her family, but guess he played the guitar, but never got into the banjo he picked up. (probably because it's a right handed banjo, and he's a Lefty)

With permission, I took it. That's when I fell in the Banjo Rabbit Hole. Started with three finger picking (for a couple weeks) then I got the banjo set up a little bit better. While that was being done, I came to the conclusion that I would prefer to learn the claw hammer style instead. (to be noted: this is my first ever instrument so I'm a musical nit-wit)

So, new videos were looked up and since then, I practice whenever I'm home for ~20 min (minimum) 3-4 times a week.

I'm getting good with a pointer finger strike up and down the strings (needs work still) and even do a strike and thumb (5th) ok up and down the strings. the Bum-ditty works ok as long as I don't try to move strings.

Just strumming, I work through the Open G, C, and D7 chords...

I wanted some practice just tinkering around before I paid for a lesson (which will probably happen in a week or two.

All that being said, what pointers do you have for me in regards of what to do first? Every video I've seen says to start with different things...

Thanks in advance,

Junior

10 Comments
	AndyW says: 2/9/2018 12:46:11 AM Ideally, if one can be afforded and accessed a good teacher would be the best thing. If you are like me and a bit of a cheapskate, then I were you I'd pick a good book to learn from. A number of people are having success with Dan Levensons 'Clawhammer Banjo from Scratch. Another book highly praised is Ken Perlman's 'Clawhammer Banjo'. Even cheaper would be to utilise Tony Spadero's RocketScienceBanjo which is a free download. Tony states it is designed to only be a companion to Ken Perlmans book, but it is a great standalone document to get you started.
	Junior_co says: 2/9/2018 10:24:37 AM Thanks Andy... The Banjo from Scratch is actually in my Amazon wish list, but since yesterday was my Birthday. I have to wait a week before I'm allowed to buy anything! Also checked out the RSB... and will start reading that. And in about 2-3 weeks, I'll look at getting some actual lessons before I develop any terrible habits.
	Boadicea says: 2/10/2018 2:19:50 AM Welcome Junior! So glad that you could join us! A good teacher is worth her/his weight in gold! You learn so much just from seeing the way they hold, tune and play their own banjos. I say go for it if you can!
	WayneConrad says: 2/10/2018 6:28:33 AM Welcome. It's good to see a new picker here. You are off to a good start. I think @AndyW gives good advice.
	Junior_co says: 2/10/2018 8:57:13 AM Thanks guys... I appreciate it very much. Feels like a daunting task to finally learn an instrument after 40 some years, and then you add to that the feeling of getting nowhere. Lol, Thanks for the guidance!
	WayneConrad says: 2/10/2018 9:35:29 AM The feeling of getting nowhere is normal. I still get it. I'll bet everyone gets it. Don't be discouraged, just keep picking. The only way you don't get better is if you don't practice. If you practice a lot, you can't help but get better. I think practice leading to better is as close to a sure thing as you can find in this world.
	AndyW says: 2/11/2018 12:58:38 PM It's a weird curve learning. It's very difficult at first. Push through that though and the choices open up. Don't push, and your banjo will end in a cupboard. Any doubts, ask here or in the forum, we are all dedicated to ending 'cupboard' banjos.
	Judith511 says: 2/11/2018 2:47:38 PM Keep at it Junior and things will Improve. Some days will be good and others not so but just keep going. :)
	Junior_co says: 2/11/2018 5:46:30 PM Thanks guys... Loving the support from y'all. I'm hell bent on not letting the Banjo find it's way to a cupboard. Keeping monotony down with just picking a string and plucking the 5th, but slowly working on the bum-didy and strumming three basic chords all while working on picking all the different strings in some relative order! Again, love the feeling of inclusion from this group... Thanks again
Deleteme says: 2/12/2018 1:44:40 PM Welcome Junior, horray for finding a banjo!!! This is a fun place to get acquainted with lots of friendly helpful folk.
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