As a self-taught beginner-ish banjo player, I've been strumming away with my basic frailing and wishing I could make the beautiful sound I hear other clawhammer players making by mixing in drop-thumb. This is so helpful! It's such a beautiful instrument and playing style and I'm so excited to be progressing on it with the help of people like you who so generously make these free tutorials.
That lesson has solved all my problems about how you get the banjo sound I like! No one else I have found has been so simply clear! Thank you so much. You have made my day!
Thank u for your videos Steve...you hav helped me immensely with my clawhammer playing...ive watched many tutorials...but your style of teaching seems to really to make sense...thank u...from South Australia
Thank you! Best drop thumb tutorial I've BEEN ABLE TO USE. Nicely done and methodical. Takes time and I have what it takes to practice from this lesson.
You Opened My Eyes To Clawhammer - Steve I’ve taken a few clawhammer lessons in my younger years and learned the basic rhythm. Then I switched to guitar and formed a band and sang lead vocal. Our band was together for 12 years. It was 43 years before I went back to the banjo. It took me 2 years to get my clawhammer rhythm back up to speed. Then I found your videos on drop thumb. It was just what I needed. Your effort on that video has given me a whole new musical life. I’ve always loved the banjo....now it is a wide open road for me thanks to you and your videos.
Thanks Steve. This a really good video. I play and sing a lot of standard clawhammer, but never got into drop thumb. You break this stuff down to make it most simplistic. I feel like I’m learning banjo for the first time all over again with practicing drop thumb. 😂👍
I finally got the basic rhythm down by listening and then making my banjo sound like that. AHA! Now I am working on the drop thumb and the mix - listen to the music. Thank you - it may take all summer, but you made my summer.
Hi Steve Great instruction on all aspects of playing the banjo . I recently acquired the 5 string banjo that Billy Connolly played and I am learning from all your videos Many thanks Dave from st Andrews in Scotland
Hey buddy! Im a upright bassplayer who decided half a year ago that i should try the banjo. Fell in love instantly with the clawhammer style of it. Your chanel has helped so much you wouldnt belive. Keep it going
@@StevePlaysBanjo It's a huge deal when someone gets their head wrapped around the drop thumb. Changes everything. You did a good job 'splain'n it.. Good..
I find your instruction very helpful. I've been playing banjo for 59 years ( Dixie band accompaniment) , but I am just getting back to basics. Initially I was taught in the "classic style" plucking individual strings but now approaching "clawhammer" my fingers have their own memory which is slowing me down ( a lot ) I hope to persevere !!!
Alan Birkinhead I'm having the same problem but for a different reason. I'm going from N. Mississippi Hill Country rhythm blues to Clawhammer banjo. It's like trying to go from slide whistle to trombone, both my instruments have strings, but are played in two vastly different ways.
10:22 you are playing a song called blackberry blossom ❤Irish fiddle tune originally but often covered by bluegrass artists, famously Tony Rice & Norman Blake
Steve - that's really excellent instruction. I've been working on drop thumb for a while and you've given me a real incentive to struggle on. Rob London, England
Everything is upside down coming from the guitar. Thumb on the upbeat and picking with the back of the nail, it's like I'm taking crazy pills. Lots of fun though.
dodo dodo I think there’s something to that. The two finger technique is similar to the Carter Strum where you might occasionally brush the strings with the fat of your thumb. But, with Clawhammer you strum with the hardened middle finger nail. Different texture for sure.
This is a great video, but do you have one or can you make one where you go into more detail on the 'fusion' of the drop thumb and standard frailing strum? I'd like an exercise or a slower breakdown of that portion of the progression. Thank you so much!
Hey Steve, great video. I tend to noticed the fingers in my "claw hand" tend to splay out when attempting speed. I never see any gapes between your frail fingers during your videos. Is there a trick to develop this ?
Steve I am buying a Deering Artisan 5 string special open back with the sound ring. I have a question on your opinion of a scooped neck? First I'm not sure I can get use to the look, but that I am trying to be more interested in the sound. I noticed that the banjo you play is scooped, Why?? I really like and enjoy your teaching style.
My biggest problem is that my thumb plucks the 5th string to hard. Whether I do it fast or slow it's almost as if my thumb is hooking onto the string and plucking it hard. Everyone elses thumb seems to glide off of the 5th string without tension. Mine is more like "Brush - BOING"
You're probably making a "plucking" motion with your thumb unconsciously. You don't actually pluck the string, but just lift your thumb off the strut as your hand picks up to start the next hit.
STEVE , JUST CURIOUS WHAT STATE DO U RESIDE IN?p.s. WE JUST DONATED $500. to local boy scout troop from jam donations.thank you for the great coaching.
Hi Steve! How much tension do you use on your thumb.. I mean... when we hit the fifth strings in frailing is almost automatic, no tension, just the weight of our hands.. its the same for drop thumb? Do you relax the thumb in other strings or do you put tension in your thumb to hit the other strings?
As a self-taught beginner-ish banjo player, I've been strumming away with my basic frailing and wishing I could make the beautiful sound I hear other clawhammer players making by mixing in drop-thumb. This is so helpful! It's such a beautiful instrument and playing style and I'm so excited to be progressing on it with the help of people like you who so generously make these free tutorials.
Greeting from Dublin Ireland Steve - great lesson. Thanks for sharing. Really useful and brilliantly explained. 👏👏👏👏👏👏👏🙏🏿
You are a natural teacher Steve, especially with your relaxed style. Thanks.
Steve, you are the BEST Clawhammer Banjo teacher ever, period. Awesome.
That lesson has solved all my problems about how you get the banjo sound I like! No one else I have found has been so simply clear! Thank you so much. You have made my day!
It's been a few years now that I keep coming back to you, thanks.
Thank u for your videos Steve...you hav helped me immensely with my clawhammer playing...ive watched many tutorials...but your style of teaching seems to really to make sense...thank u...from South Australia
Awesome breakdown, you're an excellent teacher. Thanks!
You are fantastic at breaking this down... this is exactly what I've been needing to see demonstrated and explained. Thanks!
YOU ROCK DUDE
been trying to comprehend drop thumb and you showed me the best way to learn. Appreciate this video so much!
Fantastic video. Very helpful! I’m just learning drop thumb and your breakdown makes total sense. Thanks
You are the BEST Teacher !!! Please keep at it. Thank You !
Really good tutorial Steve, makes learning very enjoyable and rewarding. Thank you.
This is such sweet sounds!!! Excellent instruction!!! I know what I am doing for the next several months!!
Very useful insights and nicely encouraging at the same time. Thanks!
Wow - thank you for this! It’s exactly what I needed.
Thank you! Best drop thumb tutorial I've BEEN ABLE TO USE. Nicely done and methodical. Takes time and I have what it takes to practice from this lesson.
Nice one Steve, it really does help.
You Opened My Eyes To Clawhammer - Steve I’ve taken a few clawhammer lessons in my younger years and learned the basic rhythm. Then I switched to guitar and formed a band and sang lead vocal. Our band was together for 12 years. It was 43 years before I went back to the banjo. It took me 2 years to get my clawhammer rhythm back up to speed. Then I found your videos on drop thumb. It was just what I needed. Your effort on that video has given me a whole new musical life. I’ve always loved the banjo....now it is a wide open road for me thanks to you and your videos.
Great lesson Steve really helping me.
Thanks Steve. This a really good video. I play and sing a lot of standard clawhammer, but never got into drop thumb. You break this stuff down to make it most simplistic. I feel like I’m learning banjo for the first time all over again with practicing drop thumb. 😂👍
I finally got the basic rhythm down by listening and then making my banjo sound like that. AHA! Now I am working on the drop thumb and the mix - listen to the music. Thank you - it may take all summer, but you made my summer.
You are an amazing teacher.
Hi Steve
Great instruction on all aspects of playing the banjo .
I recently acquired the 5 string banjo that Billy Connolly played and I am learning from all your videos
Many thanks
Dave from st Andrews in Scotland
Some great tips there dude really appreciate it
Hey buddy! Im a upright bassplayer who decided half a year ago that i should try the banjo. Fell in love instantly with the clawhammer style of it. Your chanel has helped so much you wouldnt belive. Keep it going
Really helpful tips, thank you. 🙏🏻
Fantastic it works. Also made my basic stroke better.
i've been looking a whiiiillle for this exact video! awesome!
Brilliant lesson. Thanks
This helped me so much thank you
I'm lovin' that drop thumb..
Aw man, you made my day with that comment. 😊
@@StevePlaysBanjo It's a huge deal when someone gets their head wrapped around the drop thumb. Changes everything. You did a good job 'splain'n it.. Good..
Great video! Thanks!
Great help! Thanks Steve!
I find your instruction very helpful. I've been playing banjo for 59 years ( Dixie band accompaniment) , but I am just getting back to basics. Initially I was taught in the "classic style" plucking individual strings but now approaching "clawhammer" my fingers have their own memory which is slowing me down ( a lot ) I hope to persevere !!!
Alan Birkinhead I'm having the same problem but for a different reason. I'm going from N. Mississippi Hill Country rhythm blues to Clawhammer banjo. It's like trying to go from slide whistle to trombone, both my instruments have strings, but are played in two vastly different ways.
Dude, thanks for the great video
Very helpful! Thanks a bunch
Thanks for the lesson really helped me
Great help Steve been struggling with changing between basic strum and drop thumb. You've made it very clear. Thank you. Dublin Ireland
Thanks! Making these videos helps me practice too!
Great lessons Steve, thanks
These techniques seem so much less scary when you explain them
thanx steve!! very well explained!!
10:22 you are playing a song called blackberry blossom ❤Irish fiddle tune originally but often covered by bluegrass artists, famously Tony Rice & Norman Blake
very helpful thanks amigo
Greatness!
Awesome!
thanks sooooo much, it is a great help for me an I learn a lot
johann Wieghardt glad to hear that! Thanks!
Thank you!!!!!
Steve - that's really excellent instruction. I've been working on drop thumb for a while and you've given me a real incentive to struggle on. Rob London, England
Robert Coyle glad to hear that! Keep on frailing!
You should link your previous video in the description 🙂
Must be this m.czcams.com/video/LtGtkMBFKY4/video.html
This guy is rad
Everything is upside down coming from the guitar. Thumb on the upbeat and picking with the back of the nail, it's like I'm taking crazy pills. Lots of fun though.
My man!
Interesting. Drop-Thumb without brush reminds me two-finger technique.
dodo dodo I think there’s something to that. The two finger technique is similar to the Carter Strum where you might occasionally brush the strings with the fat of your thumb. But, with Clawhammer you strum with the hardened middle finger nail. Different texture for sure.
hey my names steve too! haha! XD
This is a great video, but do you have one or can you make one where you go into more detail on the 'fusion' of the drop thumb and standard frailing strum? I'd like an exercise or a slower breakdown of that portion of the progression. Thank you so much!
Steve, what type of picks are you using? Good lesson, I've just started the clawhammer style. thank you
Hey Steve, great video. I tend to noticed the fingers in my "claw hand" tend to splay out when attempting speed. I never see any gapes between your frail fingers during your videos. Is there a trick to develop this ?
Steve I am buying a Deering Artisan 5 string special open back with the sound ring. I have a question on your opinion of a scooped neck? First I'm not sure I can get use to the look, but that I am trying to be more interested in the sound. I noticed that the banjo you play is scooped, Why?? I really like and enjoy your teaching style.
scooped is perfect for clawhammer. OF COURSE!!
I almost forgot, do you have any way to to improve bad finger nails.
Apparently I have a lot of practicing ahead of me :)
My biggest problem is that my thumb plucks the 5th string to hard. Whether I do it fast or slow it's almost as if my thumb is hooking onto the string and plucking it hard. Everyone elses thumb seems to glide off of the 5th string without tension. Mine is more like "Brush - BOING"
You're probably making a "plucking" motion with your thumb unconsciously. You don't actually pluck the string, but just lift your thumb off the strut as your hand picks up to start the next hit.
STEVE , JUST CURIOUS WHAT STATE DO U RESIDE IN?p.s. WE JUST DONATED $500. to local boy scout troop from jam donations.thank you for the great coaching.
Hi Steve!
How much tension do you use on your thumb.. I mean... when we hit the fifth strings in frailing is almost automatic, no tension, just the weight of our hands.. its the same for drop thumb? Do you relax the thumb in other strings or do you put tension in your thumb to hit the other strings?
Don't add any tension, the only thing that changes is your thumbs position.
What kind of banjo is that?
Pisgah Rambler Dobson. Love that deep tone!
How do you like the slightly wider nut and string spacing? I'm considering a Rambler shorter scale (25.5) and like the idea of the wider nut...
Wht idiot whatches somthing like this and then thumbs it down ? If u dont like it stop whatching.
Good Video .
Maybe they’re practicing that drop-thumb! *dad joke* 😂
WHO ELSE GOT BLISTERS ON THEIR THUMBS NOW?
volume up to 95 percent still cant hear you. please speak up
get speakers or hearing aids