Okay that's great, thanks! One last thing; do you "bum" with your index or middle finger? I can't tell from the video, and I've heard you can use both, but I'm not sure which one, if any, would be better.
I use my middle finger but a lot of people find they get better control and more volume with the index finger. Try both and see what works best for you.
I want to learn clawhammer first and exclusively, but would it be a bad idea to learn both clawhammer and bluegrass styles at the same time? People tell me not to, but I love all types of music and I'd like to cover all facets of the banjo. Thanks
I learned both at the same time myself. It's fine. You will possibly gravitate more towards one or the other over time depending on which style suits you best but it's good to be able to play both (clawhammer and bluegrass) if you'd like to. The left hand works virtually the same way for both styles (for chords and single notes) so the biggest difference is in the style of picking.
I've been playing bluegrass for about 7 months now (which is what I learnt to play the banjo with)... I reckon I've gotten pretty good for the length of time I've had it and am a bit interested in learning clawhammer as well. Can you play bluegrass as well as clawhammer? Is it possible to learn both at the same time? And do you need fingernails to play clawhammer?
Jackson... Be sure to watch my video called "The Bum Ditty for Clawhammer Banjo," which contains a much better detailed description of the mechanics including how to use your thumb to pluck the strings.
I started out on Scruggs finger picking, but quickly got discouraged - the transition from flat-picking to 5-string finger picking was like trying to learn to brush your teeth with your feet.
Now there's hope - clawhammer uses some of my flat picking muscle memory, and I'm a born-again banjo student.
You're a great teach - thorough, but not too slow and boring like some You Tube banjo lessons that seem to be directed to 5 year olds.
Muchas Gracias for your time and gift to the rest of us!
Thanks for the tips. I`ll keep at it, but I`ve had no luck with the "drop thumb" business for fifty years now; got stuck on the Poole/Macon/Reno/Scruggs three finger stuff way back when. Old habits....(By the way, your thumb snuck down there a couple of times on levels 1 & 2...)
Thanks so much! I know several rolls, but could not for the life of me figure this out. It certainly helps when some one shows me! I think you have reinvigorated my banjo playing!
i have a problem with your left hand fingering as i cant see where you are putting your fingers
barneygole88 1 week ago
anyone have a recommendation as to what to buy for a beginner banjo?
caramellofox 1 month ago
beautiful fretboard
DroogMonkey 3 months ago
genio!
gilmur 4 months ago
Hi. Just wanted to compliment you on the simplicity and well thought out way of doing your video.
Excellent
Jimmy powells
UK
mandojimmy 8 months ago
DONOVAN BITCHES!
TheDrunkenHer0 8 months ago
hey, just wondering what setup are you playing with in this video? your banjo looks and sounds BEAUTIFUL
christian0oo 1 year ago
i play clawhammer thanx to this video...thak you for posting this...it changed my life
BrunoEspo 1 year ago
ezfolk777 should be highly recognized for his historic recognition. I am curious of his rolling capabilities.
Justin21280 1 year ago
this man looks like hes staring into your soul....
Smikfouc 1 year ago 4
what's the difference between clawhammer and bluegrass banjo?
MCv720 1 year ago
Im studying both.
Did about 2 months of bluegrass to learn
FMB, dueling banjos and a few other
easy scruggs style - most folks like to hear em.
Most of the songs I like though are old timey
clawhammer - shady grove , barlow knife
AMERICAN basically.
Openback banjos with wood tone rings are the best for that old backwood mountain sound.
Bluegrass with that tin can sound is just not my thingy, played too fast and sounds hillbilly for my tastes
CARLOMARTI149 2 years ago 3
@CARLOMARTI149 have you ever played a 'tenor banjo? it is a four string banjo that was used with a mandolin due to the higher tone.
Justin21280 1 year ago
This has been flagged as spam show
Awesome work Ezfolk
Great video. :)
Much love Kat
katrinaburgoyne 2 years ago
Great instructional video! It's interesting how each clawhammer player has their own style of "clawhammering"!
katvanbus 2 years ago
2:26... i got sooo scared, good thing lvl 2 came. great video keep em coming
notfromlongbeach 3 years ago
Okay that's great, thanks! One last thing; do you "bum" with your index or middle finger? I can't tell from the video, and I've heard you can use both, but I'm not sure which one, if any, would be better.
bigspartans17 3 years ago
I use my middle finger but a lot of people find they get better control and more volume with the index finger. Try both and see what works best for you.
ezfolk777 3 years ago
I want to learn clawhammer first and exclusively, but would it be a bad idea to learn both clawhammer and bluegrass styles at the same time? People tell me not to, but I love all types of music and I'd like to cover all facets of the banjo. Thanks
bigspartans17 3 years ago
I learned both at the same time myself. It's fine. You will possibly gravitate more towards one or the other over time depending on which style suits you best but it's good to be able to play both (clawhammer and bluegrass) if you'd like to. The left hand works virtually the same way for both styles (for chords and single notes) so the biggest difference is in the style of picking.
ezfolk777 3 years ago
I've been playing bluegrass for about 7 months now (which is what I learnt to play the banjo with)... I reckon I've gotten pretty good for the length of time I've had it and am a bit interested in learning clawhammer as well. Can you play bluegrass as well as clawhammer? Is it possible to learn both at the same time? And do you need fingernails to play clawhammer?
Thanks
matgonjinn 3 years ago
i dont know if you can use clawhammer to play bluegrass, but you could learn both seperately of course. why couldnt you?
jessupar 3 years ago
Jackson... Be sure to watch my video called "The Bum Ditty for Clawhammer Banjo," which contains a much better detailed description of the mechanics including how to use your thumb to pluck the strings.
ezfolk777 3 years ago
Comment removed
anhedonia101 3 years ago
I'm confused about how to use my thumb to pluck the strings, any advice would be excellent my friend.
JacksonBradwell 3 years ago
Hi what tune is being played in this ?
actiregulators 4 years ago
The tune at the very beginning is a small portion of "Keep on the Sunny Side," then into the video the song that is used is "Good Ol' Mountain Dew."
ezfolk777 3 years ago
I started out on Scruggs finger picking, but quickly got discouraged - the transition from flat-picking to 5-string finger picking was like trying to learn to brush your teeth with your feet.
Now there's hope - clawhammer uses some of my flat picking muscle memory, and I'm a born-again banjo student.
You're a great teach - thorough, but not too slow and boring like some You Tube banjo lessons that seem to be directed to 5 year olds.
Muchas Gracias for your time and gift to the rest of us!
pferdflecker 4 years ago
Your lessons have helped me tremendously! thank you
pit032 4 years ago
thank you so much ezfolk777 your demos are so good. could you please post more videos about Ukuleles?
I recent start playing uke and i am very happy with the sound and looking for better techniques...
cheers from Ottawa, Canada
fumarin 4 years ago
Ive your Cumberland Gap on my MP3.
Great to hear a lovely sound.
Allan
banjobilly9 4 years ago
Thanks for the tips. I`ll keep at it, but I`ve had no luck with the "drop thumb" business for fifty years now; got stuck on the Poole/Macon/Reno/Scruggs three finger stuff way back when. Old habits....(By the way, your thumb snuck down there a couple of times on levels 1 & 2...)
Wishuey 4 years ago
Thanks so much! I know several rolls, but could not for the life of me figure this out. It certainly helps when some one shows me! I think you have reinvigorated my banjo playing!
jayrbee60 4 years ago