Geary - Posted - 04/11/2025:  08:20:21

For some reason I think I would enjoy playing Claw hammer style banjo. I don’t have any experience playing a banjo, I play a mandolin, and strum a guitar. Just bought a Deering Goodtime Gumby style banjo, it was just gone over, new head, bridge, strings the action may be a little bit low has a 1/2” bridge. What do you recommend for a beginner, I have looking at YouTube is there any that you recommend?

Mark Douglas - Posted - 04/11/2025:  09:52:44

There must be something about that style that appeals to you! Keep chasin' it!

You will find a plethora of knowledge on this forum.

May I say that the Deering may be all you need for now.
Many experienced players use a Deering Goodtime.

Why do you feel the need to acquire another banjo?

Owen - Posted - 04/11/2025:  10:49:35

... recommendations for a banjo or for basic instruction?

BG Banjo - Posted - 04/11/2025:  10:59:36

I'm in the same boat, except I've been playing bluegrass banjo. I belong to the Minnesota Bluegrass and Old Time Music Association and at the winter festival in March some how got pulled into the old time part of it. It is a struggle, but just one thing, I find double thumb easier to do than bum ditty.

pinenut - Posted - 04/11/2025:  11:30:32

Get the Tim Jumper Songbook, a 5/8" bridge and work that Gumby.

Culloden - Posted - 04/11/2025:  11:33:20

The banjo you have is fine for learning clawhammer style on. A 1/2" bridge used to be the norm for that style but I notice in recent years I have seen a lot of people who prefer a higher action and bridge. Stick with what you have for now. You will figure out what you prefer as you go along.

Geary - Posted - 04/11/2025:  12:08:32

Looking for instructions sorry about the confusion.

banjered - Posted - 04/11/2025:  12:19:46

Use the "Q" search engine to the left of this page. Your question has been answered many times in the archives. Best wishes! banjered

pinenut - Posted - 04/11/2025:  12:22:28

There is a lot of material out there: live, written, recorded, online, etc.



These books are solid.



- The Banjo Players Songbook, Tim Jumper

- Clawhammer Style Banjo, Ken Perlman

- Frailing the 5-String Banjo, Muller and Kohler

Edited by - pinenut on 04/11/2025 12:23:17

dbrooks - Posted - 04/11/2025:  12:28:05

You can search for instructors in your area using the Learn button in the left-hand margin. The Advanced Search lets you specify the playing style you want help with. This link shows two teachers in West Virginia, but I am sure there must be quite a few more. Banjo Hangout Teachers - Banjo Hangout

YouTube offers a lot of instruction and the quality can vary a lot.  Tom Collins and Josh Turknett have some good beginner lessons there.  Lessons are available here on the Hangout as well. 

There are quite a few who offer lessons on subscription sites, like Patreon, PegHead Nation, etc.

Quite a few instructors teach using live Zoom lessons.  I did that for a couple years for the Louisville Folk School during Covid.

Enjoy the journey.

David

Geary - Posted - 04/11/2025:  20:12:57

Thanks found the Tim jumper book on ThriftBooks.

Spudwheat - Posted - 04/12/2025:  01:35:09

quote:

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Originally posted by Geary

Thanks found the Tim jumper book on ThriftBooks.

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I see that no one recommended Lukas Pool (Ozark Banjo Company). He's got an outstanding (free) CH beginner's course (in the Banjo lessons tab). It starts at zero and turns you loose playing. You can take lessons for $20/month or $200/yr. I tried Josh Turknett, but I didn't click as well with his style. 

Bob in CT - Posted - 04/12/2025:  08:53:38

Wayne Erbsen has two good Clawhammer books at Native Ground Music.

Rusty - Posted - 04/12/2025:  11:03:05

So many great teachers and books to learn. Great suggestions already!
I recommend getting teacher in person to start with, on zoom if no teachers live close to you.
Adam Hurt does online, as does Clawhammer Dan, and this list goes on.
I love Clawhammer Dans beginner book and DVD. Dan Levenson.
Here is a link:
clawdan.com/

Paul R - Posted - 04/12/2025:  21:26:20

Welcome to the light side! Some great teachers have already been mentioned here.



Do you want to dive into fiddle tunes or accompany songs - or both? A lot of instruction is geared to fiddle tunes (of course, that will help with accompaniment, too). If you want to play fiddle tunes, make sure you listen to the fiddle - a lot.



Perlman's books are good. I started with his Melodic Clawhammer Banjo. I also used Clawhammer Banjo by Miles Krassen and John Burke's Book of Old Time Fiddle Tunes for Banjo (the Burke book, old and long out of print, will cost a fair bit if you can find one). There's lots more out there, and you'll have to be discriminating.

For videos I'm partial to Tom Collins (lots of stuff), Lukas Poole, Hilary Hawke, and Hilary Burhans ...and others.

Also, Old Time Jam gives lots of backing tracks for practice.

carlb - Posted - 04/13/2025:  06:00:10

quote:

---

Originally posted by Geary

For some reason I think I would enjoy playing Claw hammer style banjo. I don’t have any experience playing a banjo, I play a mandolin, and strum a guitar. Just bought a Deering Goodtime Gumby style banjo, it was just gone over, new head, bridge, strings the action may be a little bit low has a 1/2” bridge. What do you recommend for a beginner, I have looking at YouTube is there any that you recommend?

---

I suggest you get in touch with John Morris in Ivydale (the closest town to you that I know that has really fine banjo player). Send me a private message and I'll send you what I have for a phone number and address (hope they're still good). You should also go to the West Virginia State Folk Festival in Glenville (starts the third Thursday in June).

wvencyclopedia.org/entries/2369