I'm looking for some haunting clawhammer banjo songs to learn. I really like the darker, slower, rolling, bluesy side of clawhammer, as opposed to the more bright, upbeat traditional old-time sound.
I've already gone down the Dock Boggs rabbit hole, and while I really like his playing, it's not quite the sound I'm looking for. I'm looking for something more slow, spacious, and haunting rather than the more raw, driving bluesy sound of Boggs. A couple of good examples of the kind of sound I'm looking for (although not banjo) is Janel Drewis's version of "In the Pines." or The Last of Us Theme (scruggs-style) I love the slow, sparse, rolling quality of it.
I'd love some recommendations for songs or arangments with a similar feel. I'm mostly interested in finding songs that sound really good played in a darker, haunting clawhammer style.
Maybe Glory in the Meeting House at a slow tempo.
Any of these work for you?
Write some
Check out Paul Lion Sinclair , definitely and underrated fella (AKA the Black British Banjo Player). I could listen to his playing for hours
Edited by - pghmatt on 08/08/2026 18:25:10
Yes,
Larry please do write something for us...Jack
Also pretty polly played on a fretless might be the vibe you are in search of
Edited by - pghmatt on 08/08/2026 19:21:35
Check out “For to Lay this Body Down” by Brooks & Wood on YouTube.
Even the old timer music grows every time someone plays it
These songs came from somewhere, so in my view it’s valid to comment by composition. Down in the holler will still be there when you get back
"Ashokan Farewell":
youtube.com/shorts/Cx27J6mgbzk
"(Joe) Coleman's March" - the story behind this one is dark. This is played a bit on the fast side; slow it down to 3/4 speed:
youtube.com/watch?v=FBcfXQ7S1As
Little Pink is a good one- youtube.com/watch?v=7I1MOHt2R5E
Almost anything in sawmill tuning might fit the bill.
Here’s a YouTube playlist of videos I’ve made of tunes that are modal and minor. Each has a free linked tab. This might give you some ideas/inspiration. Some are clawhammer style, some are two finger style.
Sally in the Garden, Boll Weevil, Undone in Sorrow, Cut Knife Hill, "spooky tune" Peat Bog Soldiers and Crazy Tune are probably the darkest of the bunch, at least to my ear.
https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL00z9mDkwwfeZYvnfGtZ46n2HDqBiqIs_&si=QkDQgoJyD6U3Fki9
quote:
Originally posted by carlbAny of these work for you?
I really liked your folksy take on the Grateful Dead's "Me and My Uncle." That's much closer to the kind of sound I'm looking for. Do you have tabs available for your version? I couldn't find one on Banjo Hangout.
Here's a couple in 2FTL that would be easy to play in downstroke style...
Edited by - RG on 08/09/2026 13:29:22
quote:
Originally posted by S_Dquote:
Originally posted by carlbAny of these work for you?
I really liked your folksy take on the Grateful Dead's "Me and My Uncle." That's much closer to the kind of sound I'm looking for. Do you have tabs available for your version? I couldn't find one on Banjo Hangout.
I don't right tabs anymore. However, but here is a verse with the chords and the chord positions I use (A modal - aEAde). Maybe you can work it out from this information.
quote:
Originally posted by jack_beuthinHere’s a YouTube playlist of videos I’ve made of tunes that are modal and minor. Each has a free linked tab. This might give you some ideas/inspiration. Some are clawhammer style, some are two finger style.
Sally in the Garden, Boll Weevil, Undone in Sorrow, Cut Knife Hill, "spooky tune" Peat Bog Soldiers and Crazy Tune are probably the darkest of the bunch, at least to my ear.
https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL00z9mDkwwfeZYvnfGtZ46n2HDqBiqIs_&si=QkDQgoJyD6U3Fki9
I love Jack's Boll Weevil Blues. I learned it and played it for ages on my basic banjo with very old strings and stuffed pot. Now I have a nylon stung hide head 12 inch fretless it sounds just beautiful, even with my less than brilliant playing.
Two potential tunes that you may find dark and haunting:
"Falls of Richmond / Squirrel Hunters" medley by Jacken Elswyth;
link.deezer.com/s/344Ss2JPR6n8fP1iZsaTz
"Twin Sisters" by Nora Brown and Stephanie Coleman;
youtube.com/watch?v=dIlajJcpxmY
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