Bum Ditty for Clawhammer Banjo

An explanation and demonstration of the bum ditty clawhammer strum for 5-string banjo from ezFolk

Category:

Music

Tags:

• clawhammer
• banjo
• clawhammerbanjo
• frailing
• 5-string
• lesson
• tutorial
• learn
• ezfolk
• Richard
• Hefner

[bloodties1]

I just started today and don't want any bad habits but I found that on the "bum" i can move quite quickly if i up pick it with my index finger. is there a downside to this method??

[ezfolk777]

@bloodties1 -- It's a different style. I think what you're doing is probably what Pete Seeger calls up-picking and it's his main style of playing. I think he has a video at Homespun, and if that style suits you better you might want to find the video and check it out.

[zimmy81]

thanks for the lesson, its very good, i tuned my banjo to yours but what key are we in?

[ezfolk777]

@zimmy81 The banjo is in G tuning.

[brummeister1]

Can I clawhammer with my index finger instead or should I keep trying to master it with my middle finger??

[ezfolk777]

@brummeister1 ... Yes, use your index finger if it's more comfortable (I'm pretty sure I said that in this video).

[cuppa03]

Brilliant video,got my Banjo yesterday and will be sat watching and practising this for months.

THANK YOU.

[popoaggie]

One of the best explanations of this style yet. Good job.

[mrdtrotter]

Has anybody come across any good Bum Ditty (clawhammer (NOT Travis picking)) videos for guitar with some chord progressions ? I found one but his since had his account killed by YouTube I haven't been able to find any more, I'm just after some material to help build on the technique on an acoustic guitar ! Thanks Karl.

[prettyfunny31]

This video was very informative. However, I was finding the "Bum" part difficult on any sting higher up then the first due to the fact that after hitting the string, my finger would remain in contact while resting on the one below... However, I tried it with the finger pick just on my index finger and it worked nicely :)

[thefranfood]

Wicked cool thanks ill be checking out your lessons. Very good.



[thefranfood]

Wicked cool thanks ill be checking out your lessons. Very good.

[justaddcorn]

good video, thank you sir

[tasilbhurn]

great video, thanks. I just started too. I find this tech trickier than bluegrass, but I like it. I'm finding it hard to not hit the skin and getting thumb position right so it rests properly, you bringing the thumb down a little bit to compensate? (I have small stubby fingers, is why i find fretwork hard lol fat fingers in the way, but chang angle of attack helps) learning banjo because I their REALLY cool and as an aid to learning guitar (psst dont tell anyone i think the banjo is cooler lol)

[rod1148]

Great instructions. One of the best I've seen. But I'm having a problem hitting the 2nd-4th strings and getting a clear sound. Usually more like a thud since my finger is hitting the next string yet getting in the way of the struck string. I suppose having long fingernails would help.

[slattikarma]

thanks. best youtube explanation of this style.