Hitting an upstrum after thumbdrump

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All Forums / Playing the Banjo / Playing Advice: Clawhammer and Old-Time Styles

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Jul 31, 2026 - 2:03 PM

msv133

12 posts since 7/7/2024

Hey BanjoHangout!! So I've been playing clawhammer for awhile now, and I usually do downstroke with my middle finger and then thumb. I've recently started practicing hitting an upstrum note with my index finger whilst my hand is moving up after thumb. It seems like a very natural thing and developing this would allow one to play more notes in a natural way.

I think Pete Seeger is known for doing this. I have also seen at least one YouTube video that does it. I'm just wondering why it is not more common.

Thanks!!

Jul 31, 2026 - 8:08:05 PM

banjered

USA

5338 posts since 10/13/2005

I am not sure of the pattern you are using. Regular clawhammer is Bum(m) – pause – Dit(m) –Ty (T). Are you doing
M,T,I,T ("I" for index)? The usual clawhammer similar to yours is M,T,M,T (drop thumb). No right or wrong here....whatever works! Got a demo? banjered