Makes sense to me -- I struggled with bluegrass three finger for years before I found my clawhammer chops. Then a whole new, big beautiful bright fun world opened up and I was jamming with fiddlers, learning new songs, and making new friends at festivals.
@IdahoRambler Isn't it great! I've got a friend down in Atlanta that's still torturing himself and everyone else with Scruggs Style. Wonder how many years it'll take him to get the message.. hahaha
@OGKush2010 You can, but I don't play banjos with resonators on 'em. I take 'em off. I don't have a banjo with a resonator, but I've got a pile of resonators up in the attic..
@rpeek Same here. I like the more natural old timey sound you get from frailing without the resonator...is that your reason also? you cant beat that cluckey wooden sound, magic. thanks for the video..9000+ hits aint bad! nice to see so many people interested in the banjo.
Stewarts, Vegas, Fairbanks... weren't made for clawhammer though. They were made for classic fingerstyle, which is miles ahead of anything Scruggs ever played. They played anything and everything -- ragtime, plantation songs, marches, dances, original solos... heck, Scruggs style is just classic style's degenerate son. Vess Ossman, Fred Van Epps, Joe Morley, Tarrant Bailey Jr, William Ball... Scruggs is an amateur compared to those guys.
You almost make it sound like any old hack can pick up a banjo and in 5 minutes be frailing Get Along Home Cindy. Ain't as simple as all that. Also, 3-finger ain't as hard as all that. You can get Cripple Creek or Cumberland Gap going in a matter of a few weeks if you have someone to show you how. You gotta develop some technique and practice the thing no matter what style you play. I don't think one style is necessarily "harder" than the other -- depends on how far you want to take it.
I have an old banjo that my Great Grandfather brought back from Alaska in 1897. He traded it from another miner during the gold rush. I want to learn to play it, but my fingers don't work as well as they used to. I just found your videos here. They're great. I think I can do it (claw hammer). Thanks.
Glad I came across your videos. I have been playing banjo for about 2 years and been learning 3 finger style and have been getting a bit frustrated. not to the point of putting my banjo in a corner or anything, but none the less frustrated. learning to frail has given me a freshness to learning, and within just two days I have already learned Old Joe Clark...Thanks so much for you videos!!!
I don't play a lick but have family members that do. Maybe I will yet? Recently had an Uncle pass that played banjo. Thanks again for spending your time with us Richard. Don't know if it will ever happen, but I would really enjoy meeting you one day. You are what "we" down here call a good feller. Take care.
I think you're right. I live remote part of the Netherlands and I just can't find a banjo anywhere. Online there are a few, but not that much(and they are expensive!). Maybe I will sell my guitar and get a banjo. Gonna learn me some good ol' Uncle Dave tunes haha. Thanks for the video's!
looking forward to it! I tried to play guitar and my uncle inlaw let me use his 12 string (I had my brother in-law put strings on it just 6) but my fingers kept hitting the other strings so I thought it might be easier to play an electric guitar so for Christmas I got one (just need an amp now) but maybe I can trade that for a banjo.I've always loved the sound of a banjo.my friends when I was younger would make fun of me because I Love the sound of a banjo and steel guitars
Amen Brother, I thought banjo was to hard but now I love it I play better than I thought I ever would because I gave up trying to play like everyone else. and found rpeek and clawhammer (Thanks).
i love scruggs style more than anything but i would have to agree, its too darn hard, shyed me away from banjo all my life, i think you sold me on your thinking on this banjo situation.
HOW COULD ANYONE WITH YOUR ACCENT NOT PLAY THE BANJO.....BRILLIANT, KEEP ON POSTING AND PICKIN'
jimbo9580 3 weeks ago in playlist How to play Clawhammer Banjo
@jimbo9580 I agree!
rpeek 3 weeks ago
Banjo resonators make Awesome spinner covers for your trucks. Take em off b4 muddin' tho.
MrHelloecho 1 month ago
@MrHelloecho Make pretty good frizbie's too, just don't let one hit ya in the head..
rpeek 1 month ago
Makes sense to me -- I struggled with bluegrass three finger for years before I found my clawhammer chops. Then a whole new, big beautiful bright fun world opened up and I was jamming with fiddlers, learning new songs, and making new friends at festivals.
IdahoRambler 1 month ago
@IdahoRambler Isn't it great! I've got a friend down in Atlanta that's still torturing himself and everyone else with Scruggs Style. Wonder how many years it'll take him to get the message.. hahaha
rpeek 1 month ago
Amen brother!!! Excellent video. Thanks for the inspiration!
mingusfan 1 month ago
@mingusfan Thank You for watchin'!
rpeek 1 month ago
Can i play clawhammer on my resonator banjo? if so could you put a video of you playing on one.
OGKush2010 1 month ago in playlist How to play Clawhammer Banjo
@OGKush2010 You can, but I don't play banjos with resonators on 'em. I take 'em off. I don't have a banjo with a resonator, but I've got a pile of resonators up in the attic..
rpeek 1 month ago
@rpeek Same here. I like the more natural old timey sound you get from frailing without the resonator...is that your reason also? you cant beat that cluckey wooden sound, magic. thanks for the video..9000+ hits aint bad! nice to see so many people interested in the banjo.
ShadyGrove08 1 month ago
@ShadyGrove08 Yea, 'tis.. Very cool..
rpeek 1 month ago
Real good video ! I think I'm going to give clawhammer a try , thanks !
cadillacpeet 2 months ago
@cadillacpeet Good luck with it.
rpeek 2 months ago
Excellent video Mr. Peek, I love listening to you talk and play!
bailliekins 4 months ago
Stewarts, Vegas, Fairbanks... weren't made for clawhammer though. They were made for classic fingerstyle, which is miles ahead of anything Scruggs ever played. They played anything and everything -- ragtime, plantation songs, marches, dances, original solos... heck, Scruggs style is just classic style's degenerate son. Vess Ossman, Fred Van Epps, Joe Morley, Tarrant Bailey Jr, William Ball... Scruggs is an amateur compared to those guys.
ComradeMorshu 5 months ago
@ComradeMorshu You are right on every point and not a lot of people know that anymore.. Preach it Brother!
rpeek 5 months ago
can you make a ghost riders in the sky lesson
nick10722 7 months ago
@nick10722 Think so. I'll give it a try.
rpeek 7 months ago
You almost make it sound like any old hack can pick up a banjo and in 5 minutes be frailing Get Along Home Cindy. Ain't as simple as all that. Also, 3-finger ain't as hard as all that. You can get Cripple Creek or Cumberland Gap going in a matter of a few weeks if you have someone to show you how. You gotta develop some technique and practice the thing no matter what style you play. I don't think one style is necessarily "harder" than the other -- depends on how far you want to take it.
williamanesbitt 7 months ago
For a long time I've been wanting to learn the banjo, but I've figured it would be, well, too hard. Thanks for turning that thought around for me! :D
Now the holdup is the finances ... maybe a gascan banjo is the way to go?
Zoidberg227 9 months ago
@Zoidberg227 I'd get a real banjo if you're going to be learning. Go to ebay and find a cheap one. It'll do for starters..
rpeek 9 months ago
I have an old banjo that my Great Grandfather brought back from Alaska in 1897. He traded it from another miner during the gold rush. I want to learn to play it, but my fingers don't work as well as they used to. I just found your videos here. They're great. I think I can do it (claw hammer). Thanks.
rockinkgin 10 months ago
@rockinkgin I have the same problem. Ruined my hands with hard work, but clawhammer plays easy for old tired hands.. haha.
rpeek 10 months ago
Glad I came across your videos. I have been playing banjo for about 2 years and been learning 3 finger style and have been getting a bit frustrated. not to the point of putting my banjo in a corner or anything, but none the less frustrated. learning to frail has given me a freshness to learning, and within just two days I have already learned Old Joe Clark...Thanks so much for you videos!!!
keatube 11 months ago
@keatube That's good to hear.. Another convert! Praise the Lord! hahahaha..
rpeek 11 months ago
I don't play a lick but have family members that do. Maybe I will yet? Recently had an Uncle pass that played banjo. Thanks again for spending your time with us Richard. Don't know if it will ever happen, but I would really enjoy meeting you one day. You are what "we" down here call a good feller. Take care.
woodsinme 1 year ago
Comment removed
cz2509 1 year ago
Claw hammer and no frets!
hoppes9 1 year ago
I think you're right. I live remote part of the Netherlands and I just can't find a banjo anywhere. Online there are a few, but not that much(and they are expensive!). Maybe I will sell my guitar and get a banjo. Gonna learn me some good ol' Uncle Dave tunes haha. Thanks for the video's!
Rev1981 1 year ago
Enjoyed your wee lecture there. Fantastic.
Wiegieboard 1 year ago
Forgive me brother Peek, for I have sinned...
edda520 1 year ago
@edda520 You know who you are.. hahahaha..
rpeek 1 year ago
@rpeek Been thinkin' this over. Video response to follow...
edda520 1 year ago
@edda520 Are you on the verge of conversion? hahaha.. Praise the Lord!
rpeek 1 year ago
looking forward to it! I tried to play guitar and my uncle inlaw let me use his 12 string (I had my brother in-law put strings on it just 6) but my fingers kept hitting the other strings so I thought it might be easier to play an electric guitar so for Christmas I got one (just need an amp now) but maybe I can trade that for a banjo.I've always loved the sound of a banjo.my friends when I was younger would make fun of me because I Love the sound of a banjo and steel guitars
So I can't wait
2LateIWon 1 year ago
@2LateIWon Cool. Good for you.. Have fun with it.
rpeek 1 year ago
Clawhammer banjo is how banjo's should be played simple & easy...
phill903 1 year ago
Amen Brother, I thought banjo was to hard but now I love it I play better than I thought I ever would because I gave up trying to play like everyone else. and found rpeek and clawhammer (Thanks).
60inmay 1 year ago
i love scruggs style more than anything but i would have to agree, its too darn hard, shyed me away from banjo all my life, i think you sold me on your thinking on this banjo situation.
doberfag 1 year ago