Hi Steve I live in the UK and I have watched hundreds of videos on banjo Im learning you are the only one that I have come to get the strum right and I thank you for that keep up the great work kind regards.
Thanks, Steve Harrison, for posting this video ! In my case at least, this is exactly what I need to help me with my difficulties trying to consistently hit the right string. I said it before and I’ll say it again; you have a true talent for teaching and a great way of encouraging those of us who want to learn but are so easily discouraged! Thanks and God bless!
Well said, i am slowly getting bluegrass banjo, but clawhammer is so Insanely Hard to get the basic frail😳 I swear my right hand has a vendetta against me😯
Oh my GAWD thank you for explaining things in a way that finally clicks for me!! I've watched a million of these videos and I was about to beat my phone with my banjo.
Good work mate. I just bought myself a nice tanglewood banjo. I'm loving it! I took to it like a duck to water, as I've been playing guitar for 30 something years. Banjo is the business....
Hi Steve. I’ve enjoyed a couple of your tutorial videos on banjo and now I see your Kent State t-shirt. I’m in kent getting started late on clawhammer banjo. Thanks fir your help!
Just want to say thanks for all your instructional videos! At 61 I got the itch to learn how to play and just ordered a Deering Goodtime. I enjoy all the videos on your channel!
Thank you for the reminder to JUST PRACTICE 😆 I often lament not being further along in my technique, but truly I don’t practice as often as I need to! You have a great teaching style and I’ve always appreciated your perspective. Thanks again 😊
I am just learning and I have watched many instructional videos and I feel like I am learning a little from each one but your passion and cool temperament of knowledge is so enjoyable. Thanks!
Hey Steve, great info! Btw, you never have to worry about coming up with any new or innovative ideas. Just repeat your previous stuff in a new recording and we’ll still watch and learn. Besides, it keeps you in front of us! So keep repeating. We need it anyway. Tom Collins does, you can, too. Cheers, mentor!
thanks Steve you talk a iot of sense, i like your way of teaching. p s could you some time in the future show your technique on drop thumb and hammer on pull off etc; the complete technique at the same time if that makes sense. thanks again, Ty
You have to consciously try some different approaches to striking the string with your finger to see what works best. Then after repetition, and consciously noting which approaches work the best, you will unconsciously start doing it the way that has the most success. In that sense, practicing technique is a creative act bc you have to create the style that works for you.
Kevin Thrasher you said it way better than I could have. You have to start by consciously working out the details. Then practice until it becomes subconscious. 👍
I’m attempting to teach myself clawhammer, with help from your videos. This is a pertinent video, I currently am trying to not sound like a buffering car accident because of missed strings and poor rhythm. When strumming, do you strum all 5 or just 1-4? I’ve apparently taught myself to miss the 5th string...
Swollen Fingers truth is, you can strum the amount that sounds right for the song. Most of the time, I strum 2 or 3 strings to keep it light. If I want a full sound to break up the song, I might strum all 4. If you accidentally include the 5th string, that’s still ok, as long as it’s in key, it’ll still sound good.
Steve Harrison thanks for the reply! I’ll keep at it then, your videos are really super super helpful. Between yours and Clifton Hicks I may just be able to stumble through a little tune some day haha
Hey Steve, I'm learning frailing banjo and I have the shortest of short nails. It's kind of an obsession, really. Here's the thing I find I get a clearer sound when I use a backwards fingerpick to act as a nail. Should I be worried about practicing like this or should I try to figure out how to just play well without it?
Inanedata I think you’re in good shape. Using custom picks or even fake nails is common. The important thing is that you’re playing regularly finding a sound that works well for you. I’m kinda the same regarding short nails, because I type code all day. I’ve only grown out the middle of my right for claw hammer. I’m on a bit of a banjo-hiatus, so my nails are all short right now.
Is there a good pick to use on the middle finger? I don't have a useful nail and keep hitting muted notes. I have tried the metal picks wearing it both ways but cant seem to get the strike right. Cheers from Tasmania.
ozdatman they make some great frailing picks, but I’ve found that, through use, the nail gets a bit thicker on its own. I grow my nail out a little bit, but through practice you can aim to target the center of your nail to the string. Some folks get nail extensions added. Another alternative is try playing with your index instead of the middle, if all else fails. Everyone is a little different, so it’s more about finding what’s right for you.
I still have my Vega in the basement. I keep my banjos out of their cases propped up tempting me to play. 😄 I should make a video with the Senator, just for the fun of it! The Pisgah is all stock, so Patrick may have spare parts to sell. I still get my strings from him.
Hi Steve I live in the UK and I have watched hundreds of videos on banjo Im learning you are the only one that I have come to get the strum right and I thank you for that keep up the great work kind regards.
Just thinking of changing from tenor banjo to 5-string and finding your videos really helpful, so thank you!
Thanks, Steve Harrison, for posting this video ! In my case at least, this is exactly what I need to help me with my difficulties trying to consistently hit the right string. I said it before and I’ll say it again; you have a true talent for teaching and a great way of encouraging those of us who want to learn but are so easily discouraged! Thanks and God bless!
Well said, i am slowly getting bluegrass banjo, but clawhammer is so Insanely Hard to get the basic frail😳 I swear my right hand has a vendetta against me😯
Oh my GAWD thank you for explaining things in a way that finally clicks for me!! I've watched a million of these videos and I was about to beat my phone with my banjo.
Burke I’d love to see someone play their banjo with their phone. 😂
I know the feeling. Lol
Good work mate. I just bought myself a nice tanglewood banjo. I'm loving it! I took to it like a duck to water, as I've been playing guitar for 30 something years. Banjo is the business....
Answered my question on striking finger orientation :45 degrees. No other instructor that I’ve seen has said that! Good man, Steve! Gracias, Amigo!
Brilliant video, thanks Steve
THANK YOU! I have been struggling and this (and all your vids) have been amazingly helpful.
Hi Steve. I’ve enjoyed a couple of your tutorial videos on banjo and now I see your Kent State t-shirt. I’m in kent getting started late on clawhammer banjo. Thanks fir your help!
Just want to say thanks for all your instructional videos! At 61 I got the itch to learn how to play and just ordered a Deering Goodtime. I enjoy all the videos on your channel!
I love your videos, greetings from Spain :)
Thank you for the reminder to JUST PRACTICE 😆 I often lament not being further along in my technique, but truly I don’t practice as often as I need to!
You have a great teaching style and I’ve always appreciated your perspective. Thanks again 😊
I'm just learning, and this was a spectacularly helpful video, thank you!
It's also a pleasure to listen to you play.
I love your teaching style. Very understandable and most helpful. Exactly what I was looking for. You are great and I hope you continue
Hey man, keep doing the videos, even if you repeat. You always offer great stuff where we have to be reminded because we forget, lol! So don’t stop!
Come on, man! We need your teaching. Having different explanations is positive. You've got a way of looking at the process all yours.
I am just learning and I have watched many instructional videos and I feel like I am learning a little from each one but your passion and cool temperament of knowledge is so enjoyable. Thanks!
Hey Steve, great info! Btw, you never have to worry about coming up with any new or innovative ideas. Just repeat your previous stuff in a new recording and we’ll still watch and learn. Besides, it keeps you in front of us! So keep repeating. We need it anyway. Tom Collins does, you can, too. Cheers, mentor!
That helped alot , thanks Steve.
Keep on picking...
thanks Steve you talk a iot of sense, i like your way of teaching. p s could you some time in the future show your technique on drop thumb and hammer on pull off etc; the complete technique at the same time if that makes sense. thanks again, Ty
Very helpful channel
Love this!!!!
You have to consciously try some different approaches to striking the string with your finger to see what works best. Then after repetition, and consciously noting which approaches work the best, you will unconsciously start doing it the way that has the most success. In that sense, practicing technique is a creative act bc you have to create the style that works for you.
Kevin Thrasher you said it way better than I could have. You have to start by consciously working out the details. Then practice until it becomes subconscious. 👍
Steve would please tell us the make and model of your banjo? It has very nice warm tones.
Hi Steve, another great lesson, but why is it that I can never get it to sound like you, sort of not very musical,?
I’m attempting to teach myself clawhammer, with help from your videos. This is a pertinent video, I currently am trying to not sound like a buffering car accident because of missed strings and poor rhythm.
When strumming, do you strum all 5 or just 1-4? I’ve apparently taught myself to miss the 5th string...
Swollen Fingers truth is, you can strum the amount that sounds right for the song. Most of the time, I strum 2 or 3 strings to keep it light. If I want a full sound to break up the song, I might strum all 4. If you accidentally include the 5th string, that’s still ok, as long as it’s in key, it’ll still sound good.
Steve Harrison thanks for the reply! I’ll keep at it then, your videos are really super super helpful. Between yours and Clifton Hicks I may just be able to stumble through a little tune some day haha
Hey Steve, I'm learning frailing banjo and I have the shortest of short nails. It's kind of an obsession, really. Here's the thing I find I get a clearer sound when I use a backwards fingerpick to act as a nail. Should I be worried about practicing like this or should I try to figure out how to just play well without it?
Inanedata I think you’re in good shape. Using custom picks or even fake nails is common. The important thing is that you’re playing regularly finding a sound that works well for you. I’m kinda the same regarding short nails, because I type code all day. I’ve only grown out the middle of my right for claw hammer. I’m on a bit of a banjo-hiatus, so my nails are all short right now.
@@StevePlaysBanjo thanks man, I really appreciate the advice.
What kind of banjo is that? I don’t see any label on it.. thanks for the great vids..
G Wilkins I was wondering the same but I’m thinking it’s from the Pisgah Banjo Company in Asheville NC.
Is there a good pick to use on the middle finger? I don't have a useful nail and keep hitting muted notes. I have tried the metal picks wearing it both ways but cant seem to get the strike right. Cheers from Tasmania.
ozdatman they make some great frailing picks, but I’ve found that, through use, the nail gets a bit thicker on its own. I grow my nail out a little bit, but through practice you can aim to target the center of your nail to the string. Some folks get nail extensions added. Another alternative is try playing with your index instead of the middle, if all else fails. Everyone is a little different, so it’s more about finding what’s right for you.
Fred Kelly picks work for me as my nail kept breaking. I've tried a few but these work for me. Just a suggestion
@@martin701 Thanks , have just ordered some of these .
Ozdatman. Hope you get on with them. I’m sure you will!
Steve Harrison i
I love that banjo. What happed to your Senator? And where can I find black pearl buttons like that?!?
I still have my Vega in the basement. I keep my banjos out of their cases propped up tempting me to play. 😄
I should make a video with the Senator, just for the fun of it!
The Pisgah is all stock, so Patrick may have spare parts to sell. I still get my strings from him.
Steve Harrison that Pisgah is a beautiful thing. I thought you had a banjo with an all metal pot as well?