Rocket Science Banjo - Lesson Three "The Cluck"

[diggity53]

Good Lord have mercy, I love the sound of a banjo! Thanks for the video - I just found out I've been clucking wrong. Thanks for setting me right!

[EaglesLongSnap55]

..I've been doing the cluck and not even knowing it sometimes haha.

Great video

[hurdigurdi1]

Sounds fantastic - Right now I'm working on a "Cluck" that can be heard at the end of the street! Thanks for the useful video Mr Woodchuck

[PlayinBanjo]

this is a nicely produced, and helpful video, on a technique that is widely used by clawhammer banjo players. I found it really helpful, thanks Oldwoodchuck!

[scotty744]

Sounds really horrible

[PlayinBanjo]

when you are obviously ignorant about a subject, it is better to keep quiet. contributors don't get paid for their time and effort, and deserve more than a stupid and mean comment from ignorant jerks.

[Oldwoodchuckb]

Oldwoodchuck here again. RSB is now available on the web. just put rocket science banjo together as a single word and do the dottedcom ending

[batum44]

whats the name of that lovely little tune at the end of lesson two please?

[Oldwoodchuckb]

I had to go back and check. I had forgotten. The Tune is "Rock The Cradle Joe" and I first got it from Alan Block but it is found all over the country now. It is a relative of "Soldier's Joy" and exists in several forms. The Skillet Lickers recorded "Rock The Cradle Lucy" which is a variant - or perhaps "Joe" is the variant.

[Oldwoodchuckb]

I'm Tony Spadaro - the guy in the video. This is just a note to let everyone know there is a new edition of Rocket Science Banjo, the ebook, available complete with about 36 easy clawhamemr tabs. It's free. Just send an email to oldwoodchuckb AT yahoo Dot com with RSB in the subject line. I will not keep or re-use your email address.

[Oldwoodchuckb]

If you are havign trouble seeing the cluck, my apologies, were I doing this video now it would be better, but at the time it was pretty much experimental. Donald Zepp of Zepps Country Store has a good video taken through a clear banjo head that might help anyone haveing trouble seeing this version. Google Donald Zepp or Clearhead and you will get the URL.

[boblabla14]

I think my banjo won't let me cluck, probably cause my action is too low and I am using a cheaper older banjo.

[eyknow]

I have the same question as bassman. What exactly is clucking here?

[bassman350]

I don't understand how you get the strings to cluck and not ring the notes when they are hit...are you loosely fretting the strings when you hit them? thanks

[bassman350]

I don't understand how you get the strings to cluck and not ring the notes when they are hit...are you loosely fretting the strings when you hit them? thanks

[Oldwoodchuckb]

The fingers come down and basically "crash" into the strings. This sounds them and stops them in one motion. Get the book by emailing me at oldwoodchuckb @ yahoo dot com - it's free and has a full explanation of the cluck

[Artcarnie]

Great video! What the Cluck? You know what!

[Oldwoodchuckb]

I'm oldwoodchuckb the man in the video. There is now a free ebook to go with the video. The Cluck is explained in detail. Send an email to 'oldwoodchuckb @ yahoo dot com and put "Cluck" in the subject line. The banjo is a Ramsey Special - and yes, the cluck is a matter of taste, but so is the banjo.

[wolfieboyer]

heya ignore my last comment, but is that a Fielding Banjo?

[wolfieboyer]

...for me the cluck just comes natural when I let my middle finger hit the 1st of 2nd string after my index while playing the tune. Though do not be fooled, too much clucking in a tune = bad taste! Go video though!

[jwoodman]

Nice video, but you don't actually tell us how you make the cluck! What is it that you do with rhose fingers?

[CageyKYT]

Howdy,

I can't quite make out exactly what it is you're hitting with your middle-ring finger combination to make the cluck.

Are you hitting jus the first string or the first two strings or something else?

Great video. Hope you can clarify for me. With clarification I just bet a might finally figure out how to get that cluck.

Thanks.

[JakeRaytheRounder]

Funny I ran across this cause I was just playin cluck old hen this mornin!

Good work

[villagemedia]

Can you tell me trhe tuning for this piece so I can play alon?

[banjoland]

The tune is "Down On Penny's Farm" and it is in the key of D. I use Double C tuning. My capoing is 2 frets higher than most as I tune my banjo a full tone low.

[Wishuey]

I may never master the "cluck" but I`m going to figure out the "drop thumb" if it kills me. My ancient brain got hard-wired the wrong way when I started playing finger style back in the fifties. Your video really spells it out in a sensible fashion.

Thanks!

[banjoland]

Many thanks.  We may do more! Do you play?

[bumblecrow]

I do indeed... there are some videos of my playing on my friend "spektix"'s account. I have been listening to Dan Gellert's playing a lot and trying to work this sound into my own... I appreciate the information a lot!

[bumblecrow]

Hey I can do it now! This is great! Thanks!

[bumblecrow]

Interesting technique, great video, nice playing!