What kind is it? Does it have an open back or is there resonator covering the back of the banjo? That may help you decide. An open back is more for clawhammer than three-finger style.

First, if you provide examples of songs you like, that will help us tell you which style, or technique, is involved. Three finger/scruggs, two finger (index, thumb, or no lead), clawhammer (frailing, Round Peak)... the list goes on.

Second, you can play multiple styles/techniques on almost any banjo, although some are more traditionally tied to certain songs.

Third, there's no "starting wrong".

Fourth, and this may just be the way my crazy brain works, In my mind there's a distinction between "style" (bluegrass, old time, Irish jigs...) and technique (the aforementioned three finger, two finger, clawhammer, etc.). Style = type of music. Technique = how to accomplish it.

The main two styles (clawhammer and 3-finger Scruggs style) have different picking-hand (usually right-hand) skills/techniques with them. They still both share similar fretting-hand (left-hand) techniques that you'll remember while learning the music, so that part is transferable. I'd agree with the statement but disagree with the phrasing calling it "very difficult to switch" because it shouldn't be expected that if you learn one style, you'll know how to switch to another style with completely different picking techniques. To me, it's like comparing boxing and jiujitsu.

The larger preference I'm thinking you should consider is whether you prefer the individual finger movements in Scruggs, or larger wrist movements in clawhammer.

It's a choice and I've personally enjoyed learning both. I'm more driven to learn songs in the style I like hearing them better, and that Aria banjo you have is more bluegrass style but can definitely do both.

I think thats a very vague statement made in that video.
If you are learning the 3 bluegrass style most great banjo players will tell you to get the basics of the straight up Scruggs style down. That will be the foundation for springboarding to the reno, or single string style , and the melodic, or fiddle tune style of playing.
Ive been around players who were good at fiddle tunes but were really weak at playing straight up bluegrass.
If you plan on jamming with others in a bluegrass setting, Then learning the straight up 3 finger style of Earl Scruggs or Ralph Stanley is job 1

Switching styles is really depends on the musicianship and dedication of the individual

quote:

---

Originally posted by smithn00

Last week a friend gave me a nice banjo. Today I learned there are two styles of playing. I watched a video demonstrating the different methods and at the end they stated "once you learn one style it is very difficult to switch to the other." So now I am concerned about starting wrong.
Comments?

---

Hi Ned,

Welcome to the hangout.

There are more than two styles and there are multiple philosophical approaches to the different styles.

If you already read musical notation or are interested in learning to read, consider 'C' tuning and the Bradbury approach to up picking (Banjo Method: C Tuning - Concert Style).  This is the versatile and universal play style, and it transfers.  note:  single tuning, capo uncommon, strong use of left hand chords and single note play

Clawhammer (down picking styles) is associated with learning to play tunes that sound like music, faster.  This style is good for supporting the vocalist/melody-makers and has a warmer tone.  note: multiple tunings (scordatura), capo use, left hand single notes and partial chord play.  

2F/3F up-picking styles (pre-Scruggs) have a lot in common with the clawhammer learning curve, play style and is a good introduction and foundation for moving on to the Scruggs bluegrass styles, or not... 

Scruggs up-picking is bluegrass, has an edgy tone and is often used as a lead style.  note: mostly 'G' tuning with some capo use and strong use of left hand chords.  Yes, you can play bluegrass with any style; the musical role may shift, but, we always provide the character and punctuation. 

Play with others as much as you are able.  Be patient with yourself.  Choose a style and/or work on several, concurrently; what works for you will become apparent. 

Cheers, Kam

I learned clawhammer first, and then switched to primarily to Scruggs style picking.

In my experience, it is easier to get up and running with clawhammer. It's also better suited for singer songwriter and casual folk style singing and playing if that's what you're wanting to get into.

No reason to not learn both though. I found myself pretty entranced by the sound of Scruggs style and I just had to learn it. I caught the "Scruggs bug" if you will.

Just start with what music appeals to you the most. Learning a new instrument requires some dedication, a willingness to practice. If you are playing music that inspires you, that is no problem.

quote:

---

Originally posted by smithn00

I watched a video demonstrating the different methods and at the end they stated "once you learn one style it is very difficult to switch to the other." . . .
Comments?

---

My only comment is this says everything you need to know about what you see, hear or read on the Internet.

quote:

---

Originally posted by reubenstump

Fourth, and this may just be the way my crazy brain works, In my mind there's a distinction between "style" (bluegrass, old time, Irish jigs...) and technique (the aforementioned three finger, two finger, clawhammer, etc.). Style = type of music. Technique = how to accomplish it.

---

Exactly!

And Smithn00 hasn't helped us be clear on what he's asking about. His topic title says "style," while his post says "method."

I'd say that to many of us, "method" used interchangeably with "style" implies clawhammer vs three-finger. But we don't know for sure.

Anyway, plenty of banjo players can play both three-finger and clawhammer. So I'd really like to know who it was in the video who said learning one after starting with the other is very difficult.

Off topic: Is your "Land of Pleasant Living" the Chesapeake Bay region of Maryland, as described in the old National Bohemian commercials?

This video doesn't include two finger or other techniques, but it does serve as a good comparison of 3 finger (venturing into melodic) and clawhammer (venturing into Round Peak).

m.youtube.com/watch?v=F5LeYKLhk6Q

Just regarding those two techniques, I tend to think of 3 finger/Scruggs as quite crisp and staccato (bluegrass style) with clawhammer being more mellow and fluid (old time), but those aren't hard and fast lines.

quote:

---

Originally posted by Old Hickory

Off topic: Is your "Land of Pleasant Living" the Chesapeake Bay region of Maryland, as described in the old National Bohemian commercials?

---

More or less.  I can't find a link anymore, but when Captain John Smith first sailed up the Chesapeake Bay ("chesapioc", spelling varies) in 1608-1609 he described it as "the land of pleasant living", which National Bohemian adopted many years later.  If I remember correctly "chesapioc" was the name he used for the native americans, or the name they used for themselves.  Back when you could see 10-20 feet down or more without any problem.

I'm on the western shore, due east of you.  As a young lad, my parents, siblings, and I went to Takoma Park Baptist church.  I still remember the huge arching oak trees over some road at or near the church, which were incredible, spanning one side to the other.  I recall that you had to have yours cut down years ago.

quote:

---

Originally posted by reubenstump

I still remember the huge arching oak trees over some road at or near the church, which were incredible, spanning one side to the other.  I recall that you had to have yours cut down years ago.

---

You recall correctly! Don't remember discussing that here. Both suffered root rot and had to be taken down for safety. Didn't even have to pay for the City's tree removal permit.

Fewer oaks here in "Tree City" than there used to be. But still some nicely shaded streets.

Guessing you're somewhere between Bowie and Annapolis.

quote:

---

Originally posted by Old Hickory

quote:

---

Originally posted by reubenstump

I still remember the huge arching oak trees over some road at or near the church, which were incredible, spanning one side to the other.  I recall that you had to have yours cut down years ago.

---

You recall correctly! Don't remember discussing that here. Both suffered root rot and had to be taken down for safety. Didn't even have to pay for the City's tree removal permit.

Fewer oaks here in "Tree City" than there used to be. But still some nicely shaded streets.

Guessing you're somewhere between Bowie and Annapolis.

---

I used to be around Annapolis ("a drinking town with a sailing problem") and The Maritime Republic of Eastport, and before that Edgewater/Mayo.  Now in Calvert County.

My suggestion: listen to bluegrass, clawhammer, jazz, classical music, etc. and see which one is the one you'd like to play.... then take live lessons from a good teacher in that particular genre.

Hi
I'd say you should learn to play the music and style that inspires you most. There's no reason you can't learn to play bluegrass on an open-back 5 string banjo (I did), or clawhammer on a resonator 5 string banjo. However, if you are drawn to Irish music or Dixieland jazz, you may be better served by a 4 string tenor banjo.
There really are no absolutes here, except one. To play any banjo well in any style is a complex skill requiring a degree of aptitude and many, many hours of practice. In short, you have to really want it and be prepared to put in the effort. There are no shortcuts, even for the rare individuals who are blessed with gifted ability or massive natural aptitude.
That said, for me the rewards have easily repaid the investment in time and effort I've put in over the years. I hope you find the same.

I find no problem playing traditional Scruggs style or melodically;often mixing both styles within a single song.

Learning to play melodically opens up all styles of music,imo.

I guess I would suggest getting a nice open back banjo to start out. Saying that you have to have this kind of banjo to play that kind of music is the same as people telling you that you can't play bluegrass on anything other than a Martin dreadnaught.

When I started out, I was a bluegrass guitar player. So naturally I bought a big heavy resonator banjo and learned three finger Scruggs style banjo. After a few years I wanted to learn clawhammer, so I bought a nice open back banjo with a 12" head and a scoop, and learned some clawhammer. Over time I got to taking the open back to country/bluegrass jams, and playing it three finger Scruggs style and two finger style. Just because it isn't as heavy and more fun to play. And I'm not the only one who brings an open back to a country/bluegrass jam. No one thinks anything about it, I've never been asked to leave, and no one has ever asked me if I could crank it up a little louder. I seldom play the resonator anymore unless it is an acoustic gig somewhere.

As far as style, most every banjo player I know can play more than one style to some extent or another. I've even been known to flatpick a banjo like a guitar on rare occasions. Why not?

quote:

---

Originally posted by smithn00

Comments?

---

There have been plenty.

Eleven days later and we're waiting for you to continue your discussion. And maybe clarify what you meant by two stlyes or methods of play, and which appeals to you more. That is, what kind of banjo music do you want to make?

If you want to play banjo not on the canon of banjo music (whether old time or bluegrass) that's totally acceptable. Banjo can be put to music from all genres. Depending on the piece, certain playing approaches probably fit better than others.