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!!
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
Kinda like this?
youtu.be/aT3Zr0xIHVg?is=vFIMxoUXVvIGjQDr
Check this out. And note the caveat.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=XxpI8HI7iwY&pp=0gcJCaMLAYcqIYzv&ra=m
I have known a lot of fine clawhammer banjo players in my life, and I don't think I have ever heard one claim to play the "right" way. So, if all of them are wrong, what's the problem? It's your banjo, play it any way you want to.
Bill,
I personally prefer the drop thumb sound, percussion and feel...Jack
Originally posted by Bill RogersCheck this out. And note the caveat.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=XxpI8HI7iwY&pp=0gcJCaMLAYcqIYzv&ra=m
Edited by - Jack Baker on 08/01/2026 09:11:27
I think you're describing a style similar to George Landers, Ola Belle Reed and Buell Kazee... yep, you can get a nice syncopated sound doing that, if you don't overdo it.
RG,
Thanks so much for the videos. I especially like Buell Kazee....Jack Baker
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