Basic Overhand Banjo Picking
Added 2018-05-28 16:33:34 +0000 UTCThis is a very basic introduction to traditional overhand (or "clawhammer) style banjo playing. Even if you're already familiar with this style of banjo playing, you might get some use out of my relatively different approach to teaching it.
Banjo is tuned fCFAD (relative gDGBD standard "open G" tuning).
Comments
Dustin, that's OK. The fingernail will slide down and off the string of course; the main take-away is to *imagine* that you are playing directly into the strings/head of the banjo (not across the strings, as if strumming a guitar). You want your fingernail to slide off and thump the head every time you pick that first string, especially. Listen to George Gibson's overhand picking on Bandcamp, Youtube, or Digital Library of Appalachia, and you'll hear that sharp *thump* every time he strikes the first string.
Clifton Hicks
2021-06-06 12:08:08 +0000 UTCI’m dying here! I keep seeing people say you hammer straight into the strings but this doesn’t seem to work. There appears to be an in and down sweep even if very very small. I love Cliftons playing and singing just want to get this right. Help!
Dustin Nickerson
2021-06-06 01:44:52 +0000 UTCThe DGBD "melody" in this lesson is brilliant. It was a huge help for me as a total newcomer to "overhand". I think I re-played that part in the video 15 times already ! I'm guessing that much like rolls in bluegrass - this will simply take time, repetition, and perseverance. I agree with Tony on the "look around for tunes" thing - once the basics are down, I suspect everything else will fall into place.
James Poulette
2020-09-03 11:26:59 +0000 UTCI have beeb playing down picking banjo for about 20 years now and have even taught at a few banjo camos, but I till try to find as many good basic explanations of down picking, down stroking, whatever u call it like this that really take it apart. I find this more important than look around for tunes. This is a good breajk down If you play down picking you are going to keep working on these basics the rest of your banjo life and returning to this and getting little nuances of how you do this. This is the rock on which to build your banjo playing
Tony Thomas
2018-06-03 23:28:31 +0000 UTCPlaying into the drum head is an enlightening advice...thanks for the great lesson!
Jonas Nottbeck
2018-05-31 09:58:20 +0000 UTCThanks will do!
Evan Smith
2018-05-29 23:36:41 +0000 UTCThe drum is loudest and most easily struck when playing the first string, yes. Listen to my playing and that of George Gibson who OFTEN emphasizes his first string by letting his fingernail loudly wrap that drum head beneath the 1st. Of course when playing the inside strings the neighboring string will prevent you from getting such a crisp sound. You're doing fine, Evan, don't worry.
Clifton Hicks
2018-05-29 23:26:00 +0000 UTCMaybe I am over thinking this but can you comment on hitting the drum head, specifically when striking the 2,3,4 strings. I don’t have issue hitting the drum on the 1st and 5th string. But I end up muting the strings when trying to strike through and hit the drum on 2,3,4 strings. Thanks.
Evan Smith
2018-05-29 23:23:47 +0000 UTCVery nice overview, Clifton. I came from guitar and had the issue of strumming across the strings instead of down toward the head. I was unaware of that until i started lessons. I’m still constantly catching this error when I play. Been working on Frankie and Albert and looking forward to learning Going Across the Mountain overhand style . Love that song!
Mike Rebitzke
2018-05-28 22:18:46 +0000 UTCThanks for the lessons. I've been working on clawhammer now for around two yrs. Coming along slowly but I'm patient. I have to give you credit for picking it up. I've always liked the bluegrass banjo but when I heard you play, Been around this world. I was hooked buddy. Thanks again.
Keith Moses
2018-05-28 18:04:34 +0000 UTC
