Banjo Hangout - Other Banjo-Related Topics: Clawhammer/Old-Time Forum Feed

Pick positioning pictures

eric@banjohangout.org — Sun, 21 Jun 2026 18:57:33 CST

Hiya Boys and Girls!

I'd like your opinion on how my picks sit on my fingers. Ate they too far out?

I've come back to banjo after about a 10 year break. I'm retired and playing about 2-3 hours a day.

Things are going very well but I notice that I hit a LOT of wrong strings! It is SO frustrating.

Also, the picks come loose occasionally when I'm playing

Any observations would be so appreciated.

If I did this right, there should be 2 pictures attached!

I've heard this tune before, but for the life of me...

eric@banjohangout.org — Wed, 27 May 2026 10:57:19 CST

I can't recall the title!
Nate starts this tune at about 1:16 before he plays Shady Grove.

https://youtu.be/SmS6fzN_ths?si=C5zUlFoTMoncYqFS&t=76

I was at a party tonight and I figured something out about jams

eric@banjohangout.org — Fri, 22 May 2026 20:30:03 CST

One of the guys in my workout group’s daughter graduated from high school this week. She was accepted to Berklee college in the roots program to play fiddle and whatever else she plays.

Her graduation party was a get together of a bunch of professional Western swing and blues and bluegrass musicians from across the state. Most are studio musicians with a long list of records etc. there were upright bassists, a cocktail jazz drum set with a guy from an Irish band called the killldeer and many fiddles mandolins and guitars. I didn’t even bother to get my banjo out. As I listened, recognizing none of the songs and in awe at how fast and random the playing seemed I spoke with someone.

I know several tunes in clawhammer style taught by my teacher. Nothing I have learnedsounds remotely like what they were playing.

Someone I was talking to explained that the music was Western swing and Kentucky bluegrass and that’s probably why I didn’t recognize it. And that many of them attend the jam sessions that I had gone to in the past and felt equally lost. They explained that the clawhammer and traditional mountain songs I had probably learned were very different from what the group played and was playing.

I honestly kept thinking that I had absolutely no path to being able to ever join in anything because it was so fast and so alien. I was told to watch the chords but I was watching one of the guitarists playing flat picking style and he moved up and down the neck so much I’m not sure he played the same chord twice.

It was definitely out of my league but I also realized that I was waiting to hear a song I had learned and they weren’t even playing the style I have been learning.

Mt. Airy Blue Grass & Old Time Music Festival

eric@banjohangout.org — Fri, 22 May 2026 05:17:36 CST

I have not attended this festival before. Does anyone know if there are banjo builders displaying their instruments at this event? I have tried contacting people there but have had little success.

Thanks

Nameless Joe - Original Compositions and Free Book

eric@banjohangout.org — Tue, 12 May 2026 15:01:14 CST

Hi All,
It's been a while since I posted on this and I just made a very slight revision to the book. Download for free here:
drive.google.com/file/d/1vsSN1...p=sharing

The album is on Spotify and just about all the other streaming services:
Nameless Joe: New Old-Time Music for Clawhammer Banjo

The waiting is the hardest part !

eric@banjohangout.org — Wed, 6 May 2026 15:03:31 CST

New Starr open back banjo coming via FedEx....any time, moment ,minute, hour, ...website says "out for delivery". Anyone else feel my pain?? Stress-the final frontier .

Stephen Wade's upcoming book

eric@banjohangout.org — Wed, 29 Apr 2026 18:03:47 CST

I enjoy Stephen Wade's banjo music and eloquent, heartfelt, and informative writing. Here's a short video introducing his upcoming book, Our Common Life, Folksong from the Front Porch to the Concert Hall, including a bit of Stephen's banjo playing and a peak at some of the musicians.

Are the first and fifth Minstrel Aquila strings the same, interchangeable?

eric@banjohangout.org — Wed, 29 Apr 2026 06:31:50 CST

The first string wears out fastest being the thinnest. I just replaced a first string with a fifth string, so far so good, but I am wondering if they are the same, the same diameter etc. Anyone know? banjered

Headed to Norway, any clawhammer/old-time players around?

eric@banjohangout.org — Mon, 27 Apr 2026 12:46:02 CST

I'll be spending the summer in Norway (mostly Oslo). I'm not bringing a banjo, but I'd love to connect with local players.

Flight plans with banjo

eric@banjohangout.org — Sun, 26 Apr 2026 13:51:11 CST

I am flying with my banjo for the first time traveling from DFW to the Midwest banjo camp near Ft Wayne IN. Fortunately it’s a direct flight. I’ve never flown with an instrument before. I purchased priority boarding and I bought a used but very sturdy crossrock air carbon case that fits the instrument very well. I’m going to get on as early as possible and I know that the OH bin space is limited but that there is some federal rule that instruments can’t be removed from OH bin space if they get it. Are there any other strategies. I’ve seen a couple of videos that scare me with baggage handlers and music instruments

Cary Fagan book, BANJO OF DESTINY

eric@banjohangout.org — Wed, 22 Apr 2026 12:14:38 CST

I’m late to this game – I stumbled across this book a few months ago, purchased it, and just today – 22 April 2026 – finished reading it. Actually, it didn’t take me a few months to read . . . I read it over the course of the last 3 days.

Here’s the archived BHO post:

banjohangout.org/archive/335625

The book is really a gem. Cary Fagan has built two main characters – and a host of others who play walk on roles – and all of them have been blessed with real, palpable personalities by the author. He has great command over the sort of conversation the two young friends might have.

That’s just part of the charm.

There’s a lot of banjo in this book – I’d say the banjo the young lad decides to build is just as much a character in the story as the boy.

Sorry to be so late to this, but I felt I ought to reach out, commend the author for a job well done, and urge other BHO citizens to grab a copy of this book – I got mine on AMAZON.COM:

amazon.com/s?k=cary+fagan&crid...EHSE1KK3O

I’m gonna try a bunch of Cary’s other books –he has a great touch as a writer.

V/R,

Lew Stern

looking for some slow, moody and atmospheric old time tunes to learn...

eric@banjohangout.org — Thu, 16 Apr 2026 07:58:28 CST

Hi all,

I’ve been playing banjo for a little over two years now and practice pretty much every day. I started out with clawhammer, but over the past year I’ve focused on two-finger style, which I’ve found suits me much better.

Lately I’ve realised I’m especially drawn to slower, more moody and atmospheric tunes. I love the way Nora Brown interprets songs like Chilly Winds, Rye Whiskey, Shade Grove, Darling Cora, and East Virginia. I’m also really into Lost Lula by Pharis and Jason Romero, John Riley the Shepherd by Adam Hurt, and tunes like Twin Sisters.

That said, I sometimes feel like the banjo naturally leans a bit more upbeat, which has even got me thinking about picking up guitar (I’m a big fan of Nick Drake and Bert Jansch).

Before I go down that route, I thought I’d ask here: does anyone have recommendations for moody, atmospheric banjo tunes (especially ones that work well in two-finger style)?

I’d really appreciate any suggestions—thanks in advance!

Craig

Wonder Banjo

eric@banjohangout.org — Fri, 10 Apr 2026 05:56:34 CST

Pisgah Wonder or Rickard Wonder or Vega Oldtime Wonder? 11 inch or 12 inch? 25.5 or 26.25?

Help Identifying Finger Pick / Thimble

eric@banjohangout.org — Thu, 9 Apr 2026 08:55:09 CST

I was wondering if anyone can identify the finger pick that Brooks is using in this video. Actually, it looks like a thimble. Maybe a Joel Hicks brass thimble? Or maybe Brooks made it for himself? It sounds good and looks interesting. I was wondering if I can find something similar. Thanks for your help!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZiOCf6zRtK4&list=WL&index=6

Kevin

Great new Bandcamp release from Mitch Depew

eric@banjohangout.org — Sat, 28 Mar 2026 00:42:37 CST

My good friend Mitch Depew, an American musician who has lived in Spain for years, has just released a recording project on BandCamp of wonderful clawhammer banjo playing. It consists of a collection of tunes from the great Virginia banjo player Wade Ward. Mitch’s renditions of the tunes are very much in the style of Wade Ward, but not slavishly so; he adds his own touches that, if anything, enhance and enrich Ward’s own renditions.

If you’re not familiar with Mitch Depew and his terrific banjo playing and fiddling, you’re in for a treat. He took first place in the banjo contest at Clifftop last year, and took second place in the fiddle contest there in 2022. Mitch is one of my favorite fiddlers and banjo players, both to listen to and to play with! Give this a listen:

mitchdepew.bandcamp.com/album/...tom-creek

Aaron Tacke Interview on Banjo Head

eric@banjohangout.org — Sun, 22 Mar 2026 08:24:13 CST

Hello old-time enthusiasts. I thought you might be interested to read this interview with Aaron Tacke of Hard Drive and Steam Machine: Heart o' Tacke.

Thanks for reading!

Upcoming progressive clawhammer banjo album for your consideration

eric@banjohangout.org — Thu, 19 Mar 2026 09:18:22 CST

Greetings banjo enthusiasts! I'm excited to share that my upcoming album, Mountain States, is now available for preorder. The lead track, Departure Valley is available now and the rest of the album will be out May 8. Follow this link to check it out.

Dwight Diller - Newly released - Albums, and most of his Instructional DVDs

eric@banjohangout.org — Thu, 12 Mar 2026 17:20:00 CST

I am involved with Yew Pine Cultural Traditions (Non-Proffit), and the team has been working to get some of Dwight's long out of print material available on-line via Vemio.

Folks on the BHO used to ask me about getting Dwight's "Just Rhythm" DVD, and Dwight would burn off a few copies for them, but otherwise that DVD and all the others have not been available for quite a long time.

Check out the below link.

Dwight Diller DVDs

Help Jeff Menzies rebuild his banjo workshop after hurricane destruction!

eric@banjohangout.org — Thu, 12 Mar 2026 17:09:51 CST

Hello!
Jeff Menzies is a wonderful banjo builder in Jamaica whose shop was destroyed by Hurricane Melissa in the fall. He's best known for his amazing gourd and tackhead banjos. Here's a gofundme if you'd like to help him rebuild his business.

gofundme.com/f/help-jeff-menzi...-workshop

20 Years on BHO!

eric@banjohangout.org — Wed, 11 Mar 2026 20:14:53 CST

This probably belongs on another forum, but I've spent just about all of my time posting on the Clawhammer/Old-Time forums.

Just realized I signed up for BHO twenty years ago today!

It's been a great ride. I've made a lot of friends and had recourse to the knowledge and experience of some of the greatest banjoistas around (many of whom are just everyday folks).

Thanks to you all for the friendship and conversations.

R.D. Lunceford

Anyone else not play well with others?

eric@banjohangout.org — Sat, 7 Mar 2026 18:49:54 CST

I love playing and practicing my banjo. I find that I hate playing with others in jams or pick ups or any sort of group get together. It’s my least favorite to big to do musically. I know that for most banjo players playing with groups and being part of that music is one of their biggest reasons for playing.

I wondered if there are others like me out there who really dislike jams, music sessions and playing with groups? I know I’m in the minority but I wondered if others enjoy playing clawhammer style but without any need to play with groups and if someone of yall might want to chat and share practice tips and learnings that don’t have to do with fitting into jams and groups playing together?

Playing clawhammer with a guitar player that plays a heavy backbeat strum

eric@banjohangout.org — Thu, 5 Mar 2026 08:00:22 CST

My DH and I play together as a duo for open mics. He has been a rhythm guitar player for over 50 years. 30+ as a worship team leader.

I've played now for 5.5 years, putting in 2 plus hours of learning and playing and practice daily. As we develop our song list and I've grown in musical knowledge - I am realizing that some songs and tunes seem off kilter and realize it is his heavy backbeat playing. I have mentioned it a few times for certain songs maybe to go easy on that, but need tips to know how I can adapt to this style of playing.

It has taken him a few years to even get used to playing with a banjo and as he wants to keep everything fun - I don't think he is interested in learning a new strum style.

Thoughts appreciated!

Nashville Acoustic Camps - Clawhammer Camp September 2026

eric@banjohangout.org — Wed, 4 Mar 2026 15:47:52 CST

Has anyone gone to the Nashville Acoustic Clawhammer camp? I'm wondering what it's like as compared to say Midwest Banjo Camp. I'd be flying there so it would be a commitment. I'm wondering if the smaller more intimate setting provides for a better learning experience. Anyone care to share any experiences with this camp?

Steel vs. nylon strings on clawhammer demo

eric@banjohangout.org — Tue, 3 Mar 2026 04:27:31 CST

I'd been thinking about swapping over to nylon strings and after making the change on one of my other banjos, I thought it might be time to do it on my main player (my last build). This time, I figured I'd make a quick video so that I could more easily hear the difference. I'm leaving it here in case it helps someone who's considering the same. Don't mind the wild hair—it was a tired night—or the loud kids—they were having a blast upstairs.

The change is from D'Addario EJ61s to LaBella Classic 17s (the ones that are not actually 17s). Since making this quick video, I put a lighter bridge on and the banjo has felt great.

what's Nora brown playing here...a Bouzouki?

eric@banjohangout.org — Tue, 17 Feb 2026 00:28:58 CST

wonderful!

is this an Irish Bouzouki?

Why is clawhammer (still) traditionally played on an open-back banjo?

eric@banjohangout.org — Sun, 15 Feb 2026 15:02:34 CST

I get the historical reason; clawhammer predates bluegrass, and open-backs came first. But practically speaking, wouldn’t a resonator help with projection and volume, especially in jams? Are there downsides?

Why does modern clawhammer still lean so heavily open-back? Is it just tone preference, or is there something about the technique that really pairs better with open-backs?

I’ve never seen a banjo that has both a claw hammer scoop, and also a closed-back resonator

I know this gets asked a lot, but I’m just curious what the reasoning is.

How far from fretted to fretless?

eric@banjohangout.org — Mon, 8 Dec 2025 11:37:44 CST

I'm not sure where I should post this topic, but this question isn't very germane to bluegrass/Scruggs/three finger, so I'll start here and the mods can move it if they see fit to do so.

I play two finger - TFTL. I occasionally try to play some clawhammer, but only the basic technique, no actual songs. But it's on my radar to learn someday, as another old time technique.

Irrespective of TF or clawhammer, how much of a playing difference is there, in technique, migration, etc., from fretted to fretless? Am I likely to produce a Hell's worth of sour notes, at least to start? If so, will anyone other than other musicians notice? Does consistency of scale (25.5, 26.25, etc.) matter? I don't have large hands or long fingers, so 25.5" might be better for me in any case.

Thanks.

Woman Builder/Owner Ellis Banjo Company

eric@banjohangout.org — Thu, 4 Dec 2025 11:06:33 CST

Hello all,
I wanted to introduce myself to the hangout. I am Emily Ellis, a banjo builder down in Alabama. I make gourd banjos and steambent-rim tackheads. Everything I do is hand guided. I do all my inlay by hand. Check out my website if you'd like more information or to get in touch! I love to chat about banjos!
Www.EllisBanjo.com

I am now taking commissions for 2026 if you would like to get in line and on the list. Thanks!

My "Tunes with Tabs" playlist

eric@banjohangout.org — Wed, 17 Aug 2022 15:12:56 CST

Hi Folks,

I've been building up a playlist on YouTube of videos of me playing tunes on the banjo with each video having a link to a corresponding tab that I've placed here on the BHO. I'm up to 50 videos now, with more coming. The repertoire is eclectic, but mostly falls in the old time/traditional realm, and the styles include clawhammer, 2F, and old timey 3F.

The playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL00z9mDkwwfefdIPHvcnca7dehR_oXhRn

Anyway, I hope this provides some value to folks playing traditional banjo.

I can't 100% guarantee that my tabs are free of occasional goofs or omissions, and they aren't always exact transcriptions of my playing, but I've checked them for errors as best I can, and they follow my playing in the videos close enough to put you in the right direction. If you use this resource, and notice something off in a tab, please let me know--it's easy enough to correct the error.

Thanks, and have fun!

Jack