First I need to say I don't know where to post this. The bluegrass topic is not bluegrass music, it is Scruggs style playing. And the Clawhammer topic is not Old Time music, it is clawhammer style. The topics mix up musical genre with playing technique. Oh well.....
I play clawhammer style, and sometimes just strum with my fingernails mimicking a tenor banjo strum. And I play in a bluegrass slow jam session. We are a mostly not very proficient, and sometimes people introduce songs that might be considered Newgrass, or Old Time. I know there are lots of traditional old time tunes that bluegrass bands play (e.g. Red Haired Boy).
I am trying to find a place to contribute in this jam session. I've led a couple traditional tunes that are common in bluegrass, and it seemed to work out. But when I am comping while others take their breaks, I basically don't know my role. A lot of people would probably say a clawhammer banjo just doesn't belong, but I really enjoy this session and my aim is true.
I'm looking for advice. Can anyone give me a link to a bluegrass band with a tenor or clawhammer 5-string to see how it can work?
Look for videos with Steve Martin and Alison Brown on YouTube…
I've played clawhammer banjo on bluegrass songs and tunes much like the renowned Mark "Clawgrass" Johnson. Back when I played bluegrass banjo I used to clawhammer some fiddle tunes and get a big hand from audiences. If you play in time and tune, keeping the rhythm and pulse of the music, important to both, genre's you will be ok. In the real old time world, both styles are played together. Look up recordings of Larry Richardson and Happy Smith. Great stuff, two banjos one in each style.
Terms of Use | Privacy Policy | Privacy Consent (EU/GDPR Only)
Copyright 2026 Banjo Hangout. All Rights Reserved.
