Clawpicker00 - Posted - 07/24/2026:  18:54:10

I've been playing clawhammer a few years now, and I'm looking for more experienced players to point me into the right direction. I never really go past the fifth fret, and I don't know where to begin to start doing so. My playing seems to be mostly the classic "bum-ditty" with the occasional drop thumb. It sounds fine, but I don't enjoy playing as much as I used to. This led me to stop playing almost completely for a few months. I'm back and ready to take the next step to improve my playing. Any tips are appreciated!

banjoboyd - Posted - 07/24/2026:  20:50:45

Fastest way to get above the 5th fret is to play the melodies you already know an octave higher than usual. You can also start learning your up-the-neck chords, at least in open G and double C tuning.

John Yerxa - Posted - 07/24/2026:  23:30:33

Find a fiddler to play with. Explore all the different ways to get up-beat notes - pull-offs, slides, drop-thumb etc. - and all the different variations of rhythm - bum-a-diddy, diddy-bum, rack-aracka, up-strokes, silent strokes, chucks and clucks (and how to use these tastefully). Learn the so-called Galax lick. Listen to a lot of different players in different styles, explore variations in sound playing from the bridge to the fingerboard.

There's plenty of fun to be had without ever going above the fifth fret.

EEB - Posted - 07/24/2026:  23:44:38

Musicianship is as much about doing the basics better as it is about doing ‘more’.



Work on tone, accuracy, timing, phrasing and economy of movement. This isn’t a ‘stage’ we complete and move on from. This is a lifelong engagement. There is always scope for improvement.



Gradually extending our use of the fingerboard occurs naturally as we attempt tunes that include those notes, typically starting by adding the 1st string 7th fret.



But a left hand that is all over the higher frets without constant, close attendance to those basics is simply an illusion of advancement.

Edited by - EEB on 07/24/2026 23:54:52

Bill Rogers - Posted - 07/25/2026:  00:21:34

Learn Blackberry Blossom. It will get you up the neck a bit and work on usng your thumb for melody notes. It’’s not all that hard, really. When you have learned it, you’ll be on your way to working up the neck and with your thumb dropping as needed instead of in a pattern. Working out a tune is more fun than practice exercises—and brings you to the same end.

tonygo - Posted - 07/25/2026:  11:35:55

Bump dit ty is not quite the right way to see it. It is a four count so I would recommend thinking bump ah dit ty. The ah is a pull off on the 1st string, for starters. It is a Paradiddle, RLRR. Bump=R Ah=L Dit=L Ty=L. I would also highly recommend Brad Leftwich's book on Round Peak Banjo. It will push you into new abilities and possible new directions even if you don't particularly want to sound like that.

Hope this helps even tho it is not about up the neck.

Edited by - tonygo on 07/25/2026 11:38:17

Tim Jumper - Posted - 07/25/2026:  16:47:40

Check out the arrangements in various books by Michael J. Miles. They are well-crafted and usually include up-the-neck variants.

pghmatt - Posted - 07/25/2026:  18:09:50

These might help you out a little

Clawpicker00 - Posted - 07/25/2026:  18:34:41

Lots of handy info! I learned some new chords, and I've been pickin' on a few songs. I'm having more fun now. Also saw a Allison De Groot video about the X shape. I tried it in a couple songs, and I'm feeling like a pro  Will give Blackberry Blossom a try, and check out a few other things yall mentioned. 

     Thanks,

          Zach

carlb - Posted - 07/26/2026:  05:00:02

I found many melody notes from playing in chord positions. The position in my chord charts go up as high as the 12th fret.

pghmatt - Posted - 07/26/2026:  09:14:06

carlb i didnt realize the dr cranium chord sheets originated from you, or else id have credited. I have the ones I posted printed out and sitting on a stand at all times. Tremendously useful when jamming with non old time players, especially in double C

jojo25 - Posted - 07/29/2026:  11:11:14

chord charts?...I say learn the chord forms...there are only 3 of them in G tuning for major chords...and... as others have noted/suggested...liberate your thumb to flop all over the place...try a tune or 3 that is out of your comfort zone...learn to sing a few tunes whilst you claw...even if you think your singing stinks...sing anyway!

R.D. Lunceford - Posted - 07/29/2026:  17:56:58

quote:

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Originally posted by John Yerxa

There's plenty of fun to be had without ever going above the fifth fret.

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Go fretless.  That'll keep you busy for awhile!

JSB88 - Posted - 07/30/2026:  02:18:19

quote:

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Originally posted by R.D. Lunceford

quote:

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Originally posted by John Yerxa

There's plenty of fun to be had without ever going above the fifth fret.

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Go fretless.  That'll keep you busy for awhile!

 

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Having recently done this (and being at best, a mediocre player) I wholeheartedly endorse this advice.

BG Banjo - Posted - 07/30/2026:  09:04:17

quote:

---

Originally posted by tonygo

Bump dit ty is not quite the right way to see it. It is a four count so I would recommend thinking bump ah dit ty. The ah is a pull off on the 1st string, for starters. It is a Paradiddle, RLRR. Bump=R Ah=L Dit=L Ty=L. I would also highly recommend Brad Leftwich's book on Round Peak Banjo. It will push you into new abilities and possible new directions even if you don't particularly want to sound like that.

Hope this helps even tho it is not about up the neck.

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Are you a tap dancer? Paradiddle is a tap dance step. It is a pretty good term to describe it too, for me at least. I used to be a pretty good tap dancer, but I had never thought of it in that term.