talmir - Posted - 02/08/2007:  08:55:24

I am trying my hand at clawhammer, and after reading a couple of tutorials on the bum ditty I decided to try and learn a song. At the same time I watched a video showing that you are supposed to pick the individual strings (the "bum") with the back of your fingernail? But when I do that I get this clicky sound I dont like.. I kinda play by picking the string normally with the underside of my finger and I think it sounds ok...

Am I missing something?

Check out "whiskey in the jar test1" on my homepage for an example.

tonehead - Posted - 02/08/2007:  08:59:41

Yes, with the back of your fingernail. You may need to change the angle at which you hit the string if you don't like the sound you're getting.

Take a look at this. He's playing with his middle finger.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S2oTOXSrxhA


Be significant.

Edited by - tonehead on 02/08/2007 09:04:51

talmir - Posted - 02/08/2007:  09:27:50

I´ve been experimenting using fingerpicks (the index and middle finger picks used in bluegrass) only turned upside down :P Since I have the suspicion my fingernail isnt long enough to make the correct sound, is that ok?

Rachel Streich - Posted - 02/08/2007:  10:23:12

Some people do use a fingerpick worn backwards (covering the fingernail), especially if their fingernail isn't long enough, or wears out and breaks easily. So that part is OK.

But using metal or plastic fingerpicks might be what's giving you that clicky sound you don't like. Take off the picks and try downpicking with your bare fingernail instead -- you might find you like the sound better. You don't need a really long nail to play clawhammer / frailing style anyway -- as long as your nail extends just a little bit beyond the tip of your finger, you'll be fine. Even if your nail is shorter than that, you can still frail with it -- you'll just get a softer tone.

Rachel Streich

What?: c 1920 Weymann 5-string openback
How Long?: Since 1989
Venues: Mostly jamming, willing to teach
Style: Old-time clawhammer
Other: Fiddle, guitar, some mandolin, vocals
Working On: "Garfield's Blackberry Blossom"
Dream Banjo: I'll know it when I see it

talmir - Posted - 02/08/2007:  08:55:24

I am trying my hand at clawhammer, and after reading a couple of tutorials on the bum ditty I decided to try and learn a song. At the same time I watched a video showing that you are supposed to pick the individual strings (the "bum") with the back of your fingernail? But when I do that I get this clicky sound I dont like.. I kinda play by picking the string normally with the underside of my finger and I think it sounds ok...

Am I missing something?

Check out "whiskey in the jar test1" on my homepage for an example.

ZEPP - Posted - 02/08/2007:  12:50:02

In preparation for a workshop next month, I have been expanding my ClearHead™ video series. We shot a few very brief instructional clips yesterday showing the motion of my hand during double/drop thumbing, as viewed from behind through a clear banjo head. I have run three of them together for your viewing "pleasure"

My middle (playing) nail is painted white, and I've used black strings to help make things visible.

http://zeppmusic.com/Clearhead/2thumbcomp.mpg

Cheers,
ZEPP





* zepp@zeppmusic.com website: http://zeppmusic.com/ Skype us at zeppmusic *

Limax - Posted - 02/08/2007:  13:34:15

Darn work machine won't do mpeg. I'll have to wait until I get to a machine that I have power over.

A salted slug gathers no moss.

Etnaforge - Posted - 02/08/2007:  13:46:30

Can't open it ?

ZEPP - Posted - 02/08/2007:  13:52:35

You can see it on YouTube at:
http://www.youtube.com/profile?user=zeppmusic

It lacks the mpeg's resolution, but http://zeppmusic.com/Clearhead/2thumbcomp.wmv works with Windoze Media Player...

Cheers,
ZEPP


* zepp@zeppmusic.com website: http://zeppmusic.com/ Skype us at zeppmusic *

Edited by - ZEPP on 02/08/2007 14:02:10

jasperr - Posted - 02/08/2007:  14:54:30

Videos on youtube are very instructive... just wish they were longer.

Jim

ZEPP - Posted - 02/08/2007:  15:04:36

quote:

---

Originally posted by jasperr

Videos on youtube are very instructive... just wish they were longer.

---

Thanks--they're just snippets of a project I'm working on. And, truth be told, it's really uncomfortable playing the banjo in the position I have to hold it for these shots!

Cheers,
ZEPP

KE - Posted - 02/08/2007:  15:41:15

Those are very helpful. Thanks for doing this. It's great instruction.

BConk - Posted - 02/08/2007:  16:08:35

quote:

---

Originally posted by ZEPP

Thanks--they're just snippets of a project I'm working on. And, truth be told, it's really uncomfortable playing the banjo in the position I have to hold it for these shots!

---

Limax - Posted - 02/08/2007:  17:25:28

quote:

---

Originally posted by Etnaforge

Can't open it ?

---

ajbadger - Posted - 02/08/2007:  17:55:28

It came across very clearly from what I could see,

Thanks for sharing it.

Sincerely,

AJ

http://phritzysworld.wordpress.com
===============
"Reason is the slave of desire."

canerods - Posted - 02/08/2007:  18:32:58

Zepp, your clear head video's are really helpful...thanks for posting them! I've watched them many times -- they're great learning tools. Thanks for adding a new one!
Joe

"A gentleman is someone who knows how to play the banjo, but chooses not to." Mark Twain

talmir - Posted - 02/08/2007:  08:55:24

I am trying my hand at clawhammer, and after reading a couple of tutorials on the bum ditty I decided to try and learn a song. At the same time I watched a video showing that you are supposed to pick the individual strings (the "bum") with the back of your fingernail? But when I do that I get this clicky sound I dont like.. I kinda play by picking the string normally with the underside of my finger and I think it sounds ok...

Am I missing something?

Check out "whiskey in the jar test1" on my homepage for an example.

ZEPP - Posted - 02/08/2007:  12:50:02

In preparation for a workshop next month, I have been expanding my ClearHead™ video series. We shot a few very brief instructional clips yesterday showing the motion of my hand during double/drop thumbing, as viewed from behind through a clear banjo head. I have run three of them together for your viewing "pleasure"

My middle (playing) nail is painted white, and I've used black strings to help make things visible.

http://zeppmusic.com/Clearhead/2thumbcomp.mpg

Cheers,
ZEPP





* zepp@zeppmusic.com website: http://zeppmusic.com/ Skype us at zeppmusic *

talmir - Posted - 02/08/2007:  16:03:09

Do you know of any good books/dvd´s/tapes/stone tablets that teach clawhammer that can benefit a newbie like me? :) Preferably teaching both the technique and some songs.

thanks :)

ummy123 - Posted - 02/08/2007:  16:22:58

Ken Pearlman does a very good series of DVD's which are easy to follow and cover all of your requirements. Recommended*

jasperr - Posted - 02/08/2007:  16:53:55

CLAWHAMMER BANJO FROM SCRATCH: A GUIDE FOR THE CLAW-LESS! by Dan Levenson avaliable at http://elderly.com or from Dan. Also on the web is Mike Iversons tabs and mp3's. http://www.bluesageband.com Hope this helps

Jim

chip arnold - Posted - 02/08/2007:  17:02:39

Mary Z. Cox and R.D. Lunsford and Dan Levenson are members here as are others who have good learning materials available. Take advantage of their stuff and you get to ask them questions on the Hangout!.

Play with a plan
Chip

talmir - Posted - 02/08/2007:  17:15:57

I´m thining about this :
http://www.amazon.com/Clawhammer-St...e=UTF8&s=dvd

Is that good?

canerods - Posted - 02/08/2007:  17:59:30

An excellent on-line resource is Mike Iverson's website, excellent instruction for nearly all levels. Here's the link: http://www.bluesageband.com/Tabs.html

"A gentleman is someone who knows how to play the banjo, but chooses not to." Mark Twain

oldwoodchuckb - Posted - 02/08/2007:  18:06:11

talmir
Ken is one of the best teachers I've ever met and his books are organized beautifully. YOu can't go wrong buying his books.
That said, I still recommend finding a live teacher - someone who can give you direct feedback on the frail, drop thumb etc. It doesn't necessarily have to be straight weekl lessons, but it really helps to have someone who can point out what you are doing wrong and what you are doing right.

The Whiskey Before Breakfast variations and a few tunes in "F" tuning are now available on the web at:
http://home.thegrid.net/~fjbrad/id20.html

talmir - Posted - 02/08/2007:  18:09:59

oldwoodchuckb : That´s a big problem for me.. I live in a very small country (iceland), pretty much a big frosen rock in the north sea. There dont seem to be any banjo teachers in the country.. Otherwise I´d love to get weekly sessions :(

oldwoodchuckb - Posted - 02/08/2007:  19:29:26

Talmir
I would be glad to come over and give you lessons but the commute would be a bit too expensive for me.

My next best advice is to get a few videos over time and watch the difference between various styles. I don't know if any American (or for that matter European or Japanese) old time or folk groups ever play Iceland but I suggest keeping your eye out for an opportunity to see a live demonstration. If you can, you might arrange to meet and do a little study with a banjo player. Most are more than happy to help.

If there are folk music clubs in Iceland it would also be worth getting in touch with the management. Way back in 1966 a friend of mine went to Iceland for something to do with linguistics - his college minor. He carried his Frank Proffitt fretless 5 string everywhere and ended up playing a couple nights at what sounds very much like a coffeehouse style folk club. Time has faded the memory.

The Whiskey Before Breakfast variations and a few tunes in "F" tuning are now available on the web at:
http://home.thegrid.net/~fjbrad/id20.html

Faelan - Posted - 02/08/2007:  21:05:10

I am using Dan Levenson's book and it is working out very nicely. It's very informative and fun to read through as well. It also comes with 2 cds so you can hear what you're supposed to be doing.

scottee - Posted - 02/08/2007:  22:39:23

One more vote for Leveson's "Clawhammer From Scratch". I have both the the book/CD set as well as the double dvd package. I really feel like it's getting me off to a great start and helping me lay a good solid foundation. Penty there to grow on as well. Not JUST for basics.

It's the next best thing to a live teacher, (and even better in many cases, I suspect).