Beginner banjo clawhammer lesson #2

[55bails]

What banjo do you recommend and style for a beginner?

[rpeek]

@55bails Anything with a straight neck, 5 strings, and the cheaper the better..

[stonedinky]

Thank You.I must be over analyzing.

[rpeek]

@stonedinky Yea, it works best if you don't think about it. Thinkin's bad for your banjo playin'..

[stonedinky]

Do you ever use an upstroke when playing the melody?If not how do you play eieghth and sixteenth notes.

[rpeek]

@stonedinky No I don't and sorry I don't know what either an eiegth or sixteenth note is.

[stonedinky]

Should I bring my index finger closer to my thumb as I come uo the strings.Or should the index finger and the thumb remain the same distance apart.

[rpeek]

@stonedinky Geeze! Beats me, I never thought about it.. Do whatever feels right.

[lyremyre]

Hi, i enjoy your lessons, and like your style - i'm learning!

[rpeek]

@lyremyre Awesome and good for you! Hope you have a lot of fun with it.

[2batman1cup]

you are the reason I bought a banjo...I am doing your videos step by step and everyday I am getting better...Great Teacher thanks a lot

[rpeek]

@2batman1cup That's just awesome! Thank You and good luck!

[ubie47]

looking to record a video with banjo. what sort of system are you using?

[rpeek]

@ubie47 I tape it with my Canon A650 and put it up...

[2zwaantjes]

So... where can I find lesson # 1? Thanks!

[rpeek]

@2zwaantjes Go to my channel. Under playlist click on "How to Play Clawhammer Banjo". Should find it there. Thanks.

[1965yukon]

Are you hitting the 1 and 2 strings with the same finger (index finger)?

[rpeek]

@1965yukon Yep..

[Josiahjjr]

That hitting the first string was easy. I've got that. But when I go for the 2nd string, it doesn't sound, or when it does, my second finger is hitting the 1st sting. I'd figures it was practice, but I still can't get it. Got any tips?

[rpeek]

@Josiahjjr Yep.. Keep practicing..

[jackuppercut]

is there a follow up to this? it's great!

[rpeek]

@jackuppercut Yep. Go to my channel and hit "see all" on the playlists and you'll find a how to play banjo series.. Should be in there.. Thanks. 

[jackuppercut]

@rpeek I watched the next vid..like your others it is excellent. But where is my joe clark lesson?

[rpeek]

@jackuppercut You didn't find 3x old joe clark lessons in the playlist?

[writerrad]

Hey I have been playing banjo for 13 years and give classes but this basic approach is great, rather than the bump diddy that I got taught on. after learning to hit notes this way then learn the bump diddy an everything else. Going to do this myself

[rpeek]

@writerrad Sweet! Good goin'.. hahah.. Yea, I think sometimes, no matter how you learn, people just make it harder than it should be. It should be about 90% havin' fun and a little grunt work to get it right. hahaha.

[cecil749]

Mr. Peek are you just hitting the string on the down stroke or are you poppin your finger up and hittin it on the up stroke, and does it make a diffrence.

[rpeek]

@cecil749 I don't know if it makes a difference or not, but I hit the string on the down stroke with one finger and my thumb. That's it.

[dhaeze]

i just picked up the banjo and you're a very big help! thank you very much

[rpeek]

@dhaeze I'm so happy that's helpin' you. I don't consider myself a real teacher or anything, and it's good to know that some folks can get a little good out of this stuff. Thanks.

[ytmmcosta]

Today was a great day... I spent all my time learning to play banjo following your instructions and I got it! :) Clawhammer is now easy to play! :) Thank you!!!

[rpeek]

@ytmmcosta Sweet! Always glad to hear when someone gets it. Good luck with it. 

[skitzonacid]

your lessons are great buddy. thanks alot

[rpeek]

@skitzonacid You betcha.. Good luck with your banjo pickin.

[jmuskov]

Wow! Thank you for the quick response!

My missin fingers are on my "hammer hand." I'm gonna try getting the hammer technique you demonstrated on your vid down over the next week and see where it gets me. It seems like the clawhammer technique is a muscle memory thing for starters so let me try it about a thousand times and report back in a week or so.

Really appreciate your quick response and by the way, that was one cool gas can banjo! Looking forward to learning some more!

[rpeek]

@jmuskov You're welcome.. Missing fingers on that hand shouldn't be any problem.. You only need one and a thumb..

[jmuskov]

Love your videos! Can't wait to give this a try. Here's the deal. Been playin' Scruggs style for several years but I'm missing the top half of my index and middle fingers.

I'm gonna give this Clawhammer style a try but I have to use my ring finger/ ring finger and pinky and I refuse to accept it can't be done. Any words of wisdom?

[rpeek]

@jmuskov Yep.. Can be done.. I actually have a video up where I play Wildwood flower with one finger for a guy who's only got one finger on his left hand, askded me to figure it out for him and I did.. You missin' fingers on the right or left hand. If it's on your hammer hand it don't matter at all. On your fretting hand, is a bit more challenging, but can be done. Go for it!

[kleinster1]

Love your videos and have subscribed to your You Tube page. Look forward to watching more videos.

[rpeek]

@kleinster1 Thank You!

[rod1148]

I got the hang of hitting the first string fairly easily. But the 2nd string--- that's another story. Best I seem to be able to do is produce a THUD. The first string gets in the way. Any advice? A finger pick perhaps? Thanks.

[rpeek]

@rod1148 Yep. Practice.. You'll get it.. Finger pick? Heck No! That's the worst idea I ever heard of.. hahaha..

[fralin1966]

You are my inspiration man watched over 500 of your videos your clawhammer vids are great so are you

[blueglassdave]

I see. Thanks a lot. The stories and the lessons are all great. Tiny little patches of truel America. Keep up the great work. Dave.

[rpeek]

@blueglassdave I'm from Georgia, but I live in Maine..

[blueglassdave]

Wow! Quick response. Thanks. Sorry to repeat myself, I didn't know these comments went to you directly.  I'm very glad to see the way you move your right hand. Too many people around here keep it very stiff. Your playing has much more life and drive in it. I'm a rank beginner so I might be wrong but it reminds me of Dwight Diller's motion, which I admire. Where about's are you from? WV? Thanks again.

[blueglassdave]

Thanks for the great lessons. When you move onto striking the 2nd- 4th strings, what fingers are hitting the banjo head? Assuming you continue to strike the head each time. It looks like you are. Thanks a lot. Very inspiring and helpful little lessons. 

[rpeek]

@blueglassdave The point is not to hit the head. The point is to hit the string. You just hit the head to get started. Once you've learned how to hit the strings, whatever hits the head it okay, but don't think about it. It's not part of the playing, it's just a by-product..

[rpeek]

@blueglassdave Once you start hitting the string, don't think about hitting the head. Whatever finger hits the head is okay, but don't focus on that. Focus on hitting the string.. The head thump is automatic..

[techman65]

I think I've learn more about how to play clawhammer style banjo from watching your videos than from any other source!

Thanks for the time and effort you have put into these lessons!

By the way, you are an awesome player.

...and, lol, you are (almost) as old as me!

Best to you!!

[rpeek]

@techman65 Thank YOu! Good luck with your playin.

[MrCraig1329]

how many banjos do you have????????????????????

[denrizza]

I've gotten down yer first lesson and still working on perfecting the others. The problem I'm having is that because my nails are so short, the string plinks off the end of my nail then gets "struck" by the end of my finger. I've been using a pick on the end of my finger moving it up enough that it is a part of my finger instead of an extension of my finger like in picking. Is that ok?

[rpeek]

@denrizza Yep.. It's okay. I know people that do that. Know one guy who fiberglasses his finger nail to keep it from wearing off. I just wear mine down and play with skin, but it don't matter how you do it, as long as you're doin' it and it's fun...

[gw5000]

hey are you actually making commercial money?

I wanna learn ol' joe clark, I'll practice...

how bout cluck ol hen?

[earnestw]

Would it take that much time to tune your banjo to standard G. Sure would make it easier to play along with you. Whew!

[byan70]

awesome vid

[Rev1981]

Is it better to play the guitar before you start playing (clawhammer) banjo?

[rpeek]

@Rev1981 Beats me.. Can't hurt none..

[MrNick2D]

Good lesson but how do you hold your finger to pluck the 2nd string without hitting the 1st string?

[rpeek]

@MrNick2D It takes a bit of practice.. you'll get it after a while if you keep at it.

[sjeter61]

good lesson! I want the prize today though LOL Im gonna work on it

thanks

[rpeek]

Surprisingly enough, a guy recently learned to play extraordinarily well within a month or two. .. I guess it can be done.. Good luck with it.

[sv650pimpin]

Livin' in Mississippi! Still working on lesson #1 for this week. THANK YOU for making it as simple as it really is ( of course with practice) , I will be ready for #2!!!!

[rpeek]

You're welcome.. Good luck with it..

[samuel2041]

hey "rpeek" im an ol boy up here in the hills of West Virginia dying to learn the banjo. what type of banjo is the best for a beginner? i would rather hear from you than a slick talking salesman

[rpeek]

If you know how to find a good one you can go on ebay and see several thousand on any given day.  Some of those old banjos are good ones.. For the cost of what they'll sell you a "beginner" banjo for in a music store you can find a pretty good old antique banjo, which will be better quality, long as the neck is straight and it's fretted right and the string height is correct, and the head is good, it should be fine..

[bwv998PFA]

For the price...ABSOLUTELY! Simple, but elegant.

[bwv998PFA]

Well I just got me a banjo too! Real basic, but sweet Slingerland open back birdseye maple 5-string (1920's?) on eBay - always wanted to learn clawhammer-even before I knew what it was! Now you gonna help me do it! Thanks soooo much!

[rpeek]

That's a good banjo. Better than any of those new things they sell in the music stores.. Great banjo to learn on..

[altchang]

I just got my first banjo TONIGHT -- it's an Ephiphone, dunno the model. I have been listening to folk music all my life and loving it. Now that YouTube is so great, I've found your videos and love them as well. You are a kind soul and a great teacher -- your passion shines through and inspires me.

[rpeek]

Sweet! Good deal... You'll love that banjo..

[willwkrueger]

same here, i just bought one today! great videos sir

[pintopowerwheels]

You a good guy dude, like ya rat rod keep the vids coming ! hi from scotland

[rpeek]

Cool... Scotland.. Yessir..

[InCharacter]

Thanks for teaching the world, you are doing God's work with your banjo.

[CalixtoElDiablo]

Oh I am in love and sold. I just got my banjo for Christmas and I'm very excitd to start playing. Not many simplified lessons out there. I love the way you teach it. You have a warmth to teaching that not many banJoes are doing.

[rpeek]

Thanks. Good luck with your banjo..

[lululabeille]

so you won't put the third lesson of frailing ?

I don't want to learn earl scruggs ' technique but the clawhammer style (or frailing ?)

hoping to learn with your third lesson...

see you soon.

Hopefull lulu

[rpeek]

I've already made a third lesson and a fourth. It's up.

[rpeek]

It's called "Quick & dirty banjo lesson number 3"

[banjotogo]

ive been learnin the earl scruggs technique, but i think it would be neat to learn clawhammer, i think it sounds better...

[rpeek]

I never could get the hang of Scruggs. It was like trying to read a map instead of driving..

[lululabeille]

hi !

i am french and i like your lessons for beginners of clawhammer banjo !

i am trying to learn, and i was using your lessons... but i don't find a "lesson 3" video....

I hope you are going to put the other lessons, because i think your "quick and dirty" lessons are very clear and let the time to learn step by step.

see you soon !

hopefull Lulu.

[edda520]

Trying to rewire my over-50-year-old brain to play music with something as complicated as three finger may not have been the best move for me, but I have enjoyed it tremendously.

My banjo teacher got laid off at the park, so I'll have to drive a couple of hours up to North Georgia for lessons or find someone new down here in Atlanta. That'll probably decide clawhammer vs. three finger for me.

[edda520]

I found my old clawhammer tab for Big Rock Candy Mountain. Took about three or four clawhammer lessons in North Carolina years ago before I moved and got a three finger pickin' teacher here in Georgia. Gonna try to get back into clawhammer again.

[rpeek]

I think three finger works for some folks, but I never could get good at it..

[cz2509]

Great lesson - nice and simple

[YoppyKyabetsu]

It's a good thing you are doing here.

[rpeek]

Thanks. If only one person learns to play the banjo, my quest will be worthwhile......

hahaha

[psychodelicdragon]

great lesson, wish i had one to play :(

[rpeek]

Me too..

[rpeek]

Sure you will..  hahaha

[thoeckel]

Great lesson!!!! I gotta start practicing that one - bet I won't sound like you, tho'...!