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zang - Posted - 05/31/2024: 00:38:03
Hey, I'm pretty new to clawhammer and I came across this section in the tab and I wonder how is it played?
Do you just slide from 2 to 4 and back to 2, or do you slide from 2 to 4, and then play the string when you arrive back to 2? (hope that makes sense)
Texasbanjo - Posted - 05/31/2024: 04:20:37
You should be able to play either a slide or a hammer on. A hammer on would probably be easier for a beginner as you keep your index finger on the 2rd string 2nd fret, hammer on to 4th fret with either your middle or ring finger.
You can also slide from 2 - 4 and back to 2 if you want to do a slide.
janolov - Posted - 05/31/2024: 05:48:30
I think it should be a 2-4-2 slide: strike the third string second fret, then slide up to fourth fret and then slide down to second fret /without striking again).
However, remember that a tab is only a rough recommendation how a tune can be played, not a statement how it shall be played, so you are free to do whatever you think sounds good!
dbrooks - Posted - 05/31/2024: 06:09:32
This is an awkward move, but you have other options, as Sherry and Janolov point out. I think the most important consideration is to get the timing right. Four equal beats. The third note is a quarter note and will be very quiet if you slide back to it. In the PDF below, I suggest in the first measure that you play quarter notes without the slide to get the timing in your head. The second measure is how I would play the phrase to give the 3rd note its volume and timing. That may not be as cool as the slides, but I am comfortable being an old stodgy guy.
As Janolov notes, tab gives you a suggested arrangement that you can take as a starting point in finding how you want to play a tune.
David
RB-1 - Posted - 05/31/2024: 07:02:01
Am I the only one seeing a pluck, hammer and pull-off?
Edited by - RB-1 on 05/31/2024 07:02:26
lucas73b - Posted - 05/31/2024: 07:13:46
My understanding is that the bow over the three notes indicates that you should keep the string fretted at the 2nd fret. Thus a hammer on should be used.
Bruce Berry Banjos - Posted - 05/31/2024: 08:53:20
quote:
Originally posted by RB-1
Am I the only one seeing a pluck, hammer and pull-off?
Without any other side notes telling us specifically, I'd assume that's the best way to voice it as well.
zang - Posted - 05/31/2024: 14:42:49
Thank you all for your suggestions, I will play around it a little and find what works best :)
Didn't even think of a pluck, hammer and pull off, will definitily try it out
Dan Gellert - Posted - 06/03/2024: 10:42:30
What I see there (two slides under one slur) says just one strike, then slide up and down. That would be very difficult to do, and virtually impossible to do musically!
That may not be what was intended. There isn't any one established system of tablature. The only way to be sure would be to have a recording (preferably video as well as audio) of the tune played by the writer of the tab.
Assuming open G (A) tuning, there are several better ways to execute that series of notes. I suspect that what the writer meant was hammer on and pull off rather than slide up and slide down.
The way I'd do it, (most likely, depending on the context), would be to have the second string fretted at either the 1st or 3rd along with the third string when I strike the first note. The second note is the open second string, plucked by the left hand ("ASPO"), but keeping the finger down on the third. Then strike the third string again.
That is sounding the same notes. If I wanted the sound of the slide, I'd slide up to the 4th fret and stay there. Instead of going back down, substitute two eighth notes (open first, then thumb string) for that quarter note. That would harmonize well with anybody else playing along, and IMO be the easiest way to keep the rhythm flowing in good banjoistic fashion.
Edited by - Dan Gellert on 06/03/2024 10:43:53
