AthabascanDave - Posted - 03/10/2026:  11:36:36

So I'm trying to skill up on my drop thumb and am doing my exercises, but I am stumped by a strumming pattern I'd like to pick up used by Willi Carlisle in the below video (timestamp 98s). It's got a bum-ditty-ditty-bum rhythm with frequent drop thumb and I can slow this down and start to pick it apart but I'm certain my life would be easier if I just knew the name of the technique and some related exercises.



What's this pattern called, and is there a resource where I could learn how to play it?

 

Edited by - AthabascanDave on 03/10/2026 11:37:53

Bill Rogers - Posted - 03/10/2026:  12:03:03

Why do you assume it is an established technique with a name? I think it’s more likely he’s just playing what works for him on this particular song. It’s really easy to overthink clawhammer, especially when looking at song accompaniments. Have you ever tried to work out your own song accompaniments, based on what you need to know to accompany a song? BTW, any of the Seegers are great accompanists. Dig through YouTube for examples. Peggy’s probably the easiest to find.

bill t - Posted - 03/10/2026:  17:46:43

Thanks for mentioning Willi Carlisle! I hadn't heard him before.

Andyrhydycreuau - Posted - 03/11/2026:  06:25:49

Hi, I think he's just playing regular clawhammer - mostly with a basic strum ("bum ditty" a quarter note and 2 eighth notes) followed by a drop thumb strum (bum and ditty - 4 eighth notes). I guess sometimes a hammer on or pull off replaces the drop thumb, so you could achieve almost the same sound without drop thumbs.
This is a really nice strum pattern to accompany singing - and this guy's voice sounds really good here.

Lew H - Posted - 03/11/2026:  09:19:15

I think there's also a recurring pull off, 1st string 2nd fret to open. He seems to be a dandy picker. Like Bill Rogers said, he just is playing something that works for that song. It may be one of several picking patterns he uses for different songs.