Four Styles of Play Explained

[rollmop7]

is it wrong to be bias and say clawhammer is the best style? lol

[zeppmusic]

@rollmop7 No! It would be wrong to say one of the other styles is, though. :-)

[Hikikomori013]

@zeppmusic All playing styles are equally good, as long as you're playing the banjo.

Preferably in a two finger thumb lead style.

Not that I'm biased, or anything.

Great demonstration.

[jsnbeat]

@rollmop7 it would be ignorant to say clawhammer is the best style - up picking can bridge three finger, two finger, and clawhammer styles seemlessly ... most people who say clawhammer is king, can only play clawhammer - which though IS awesome, IS also limiting.

[d2majzoub]

Thanks Donald. I was looking at a GoldTtone (OB) but that seemed strictly geared to bluegrass. Gold Tone makes banjos for clawhammer, too; and I like the sound they produce. That means two banjos, though; and I can't afford that right now. I'll be sure to check out suggestions. I've heard of the Whyte Laydie, but not the Tu-Ba-Phone style you mentioned. I'll have to so a search on that one. Do those have resonators? On my old Kay, I can take off the resonater to go folksy.

[zeppmusic]

@d2majzoub Both the WL configuration and the TBP have been used for open backs and resonator style bluegrass banjos: Richelieu's Lyte Ladie series uses a WL tone ring, and Vega used the TBP ring in their Earl Scruggs model back in the '60s. The TBP tends to be a bit louder and brighter, while the WL is a bit plunkier. Unfortunately, I cannot say one is better than the other. They are different. :-)

[kleiboff]

Nice video !

Ken

[justaman6972]

any opinion on Deering banjers? Thinkin bout getting one ,but as it seems, I'd have to sell my house to afford it. Price doesn't mean quality sound so I value your opinion. Thanks.

[zeppmusic]

@justaman6972 Deering makes excellent instruments ranging from reasonably priced (e.g., the Goodtime I used in this video) to the ridiculously expensive. At some point with any builder, your extra money is purely for cosmetic reasons (fancier wood, inlay, engraving, etc.) and won't improve the sound a jot.

Gold Tone and Recording King brand banjos are made in China and offer some very affordable pricing. Please contact me privately for my candid opinions.

[d2majzoub]

Hi Zepp. Thanks for the vid. I've been playing both Seeger style, and bluegrass on my banjo for years; but it's a cheap old Kay banjo:  the fifth string peg isn't even geared which makes getting it in tune and keeping it there difficult. I'm now working learning true clawhammer. Is there a best banjo if you want to do it all? Thanks so much for this vid.

[zeppmusic]

@d2majzoub Hmmm... Best all-around? No such thing. :-) But, that said, from what you describe, I should think a Whyte Laydie or a Tu-Ba-Phone style. They are bright enough for picking, yet have a full sound for CH.

[justaman6972]

Mr. Zepp I gotta question and since yer in the biznass I'm figerrin you'd be the man that would know. I was given and Orlando banjo and can't find squat on the maker. I spoke with Bill Knopf ,he said he hadn't seen one in many yrs. Any Idea on the maker,the thing is a piece of art,very well made,and well played. Thanks!

[zeppmusic]

@justaman6972 Sorry, I didn't even see this question until now. Not that it makes any difference, because I can't remember ever having seen an Orlando banjo. Sorry for missing the question and sorry too for not having any answers!

[justaman6972]

@zeppmusic not to worry ,you are not alone aparently ha ! Doesnt really matter i will just enjoy playing this manufactureless beauty. Cheers Mr. Zepp and thanks for the reply.

[senrabecorah]

Thank you for showing... up close, the 4 styles of playing a banjo. Then I have a fifth way... because I use a straight pick!

Horace

[HillbillyWayne88]

@senrabecorah I started with a straight pick but now i play with 2 fingers and sometimes 3

[senrabecorah]

I suppose it makes no difference as long as you get the tune played! I know a left-handed banjo player here in Tucson, AZ! He's good. Plays the guitar the same way. Amazing.

Horace

[zeppmusic]

@senrabecorah Yep--and there are tons of other styles and variations--these four are the most used these days, insofar as I can tell.

[windyrec]

very nice. Loved the dual views. I will send this to my students. however, I teach two finger picking (what I called old time style picking) with thumb and middle finger. Regards, Robin in NYC

[DeanHoff]

Brilliant Donald! Great work.

[matthewfbyrnes]

very nice! I like those scooped neck deerings!

[shas1814]

An excellent educational video!

Even folks who don't (yet) want to learn to play banjo

can appreciate LISTENING more by knowing this.

Very clear, very engaging.

5 stars and a thank-you

[strollby]

just starting so somewhat confused by the various styles and having difficulty finding a style to suit so your clip makes an excellent starting block, thank you

[toadeepants]

Mr Zepp,

Can't thank you enough for your vids. It's great having people here who love to teach and do it well.

Warm Wishes!

--toadeepants

[BanjoBoog]

Hi Zepp:

Thought I'd send along a Video response of a Snarlhammer tune. :-)

Cheers

Boog

[1radstallion]

you're awesome!

[basenjimusic]

Mr Zepp--Thank you for the demos. I had only read about or heard recordings of 2 of the styles & couldent picture how they were done.

Your vids are always a valuable asset.

Thank You!

[RTFLDGR]

Mr. Zepp:

Thank you for this video. I am learning to play the banjo and studying styles. I am fascinated with the musician Otis Taylor's "trance-drone" style. Could you explain what he is doing? Thank you very much.

RTFLDGR

[zeppmusic]

Hmmm.. Dunno about "trance-drone." Can you give me a URL or a recording where I can hear this? In his youtube dot com/watch?v=M0_NjBbh0C8 he is playing straight-forward clawhammer.

[switzforge]

What about tenor, plectrum and classical? :) :)

[zeppmusic]

Excellent point, and one I had considered, but as literally more than 99% of the inquiries we receive at our shop are about 5-string, I thought I'd restrict my comments to that instrument: In the past 10 years, we have sold three tenors, and zero plectrums.  Similarly, the number of people playing classical banjo is so much smaller than those using it for "folkier" music that I think it's best left for another discussion! :-)

Thanks for the feedback!