rkdjones - Posted - 06/03/2025:  11:11:17

I've seen tabs where a couple of eighth notes are played with two downstrokes. For example the following set o eighth notes:
downstroke second string - downstroke first string - downstroke first string - fifth string.

I've not really tried to master this and wonder if it is even a good idea to try. Is it a common technique?

janolov - Posted - 06/03/2025:  11:33:37

Are you sure that you have understood the tab right? I think it looks very strange and is absolutely not a common technique in clawhammer. Can you post a pic of the tab in question? Are you sure it is a clawhammer tab?

I think there are some (advanced) techniques that give  a similar result, but is not two following down-strokes:

1. The second string (the second note) may be an alternate string pull off, played by the left hand.


2. There is also a technique where the clawhammer finger rakes from second string to first string in the same movement giving to separate eight notes, but that does not explain the third note on the first string. This technique is used in the so called Galax Lick which ends with the thumb on fifth string on an on-beat.

pinenut - Posted - 06/03/2025:  12:01:23

Same as Jan says.

Without seeing the tab; the description sounds like a "Round Peak" style using an alternate string pull off.



or something similar...

Edited by - pinenut on 06/03/2025 12:05:21

jsinjin - Posted - 06/03/2025:  12:05:18

Sounds tough

pinenut - Posted - 06/03/2025:  12:08:25

Not tough; just different and fun, maybe even a little quirky.



It's a poppy sound effect that kinda twists the brain and makes the ears dance.

Edited by - pinenut on 06/03/2025 12:13:23

Bill Rogers - Posted - 06/03/2025:  14:51:36

If you have a recording of the tab, that would help significantly.

rkdjones - Posted - 06/03/2025:  19:28:53

Thanks. I think you have answered my question about this.

I couldn't manage to paste the tabs. But this is from the Brainjo website and recordings. For example youtube.com/watch?v=TxuFSISlaxo

I realize that I might be reading the tabs incorrectly, and every time I see something that looks like two downstrokes, the second is either a pull-off or hammer-on on an adjacent string.

janolov - Posted - 06/03/2025:  23:47:36

I checked with the tab from Josh Turknett, and it is typical alternate string pull off in Whiskey Before Christmas. The pull-off is indicated by the number (1) below the tab which means that he make the pull off by the first finger on the left hand.

He has has a page where he teaches how to read tabs: clawhammerbanjo.net/how-to-rea...njo-tabs/. This pic is from that page and shows how he writes alternate string pull-off and alternate string hammer-on.

Edited by - janolov on 06/03/2025 23:49:42