The Two Target Technique for Clawhammer Banjo: The Golden Rule Simplified
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- čas přidán 9. 09. 2024
- Effortlessness and flow stem from simplifying your clawhammer stroke. Play better banjo by targeting two strings for every downstroke.
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Very good point. I like to say that every note should prepare for the next note. But same meanig just different words.
But apart from that. The credit card execise is still relevant to people not familiar to clawhammer.
Once they learned to keep that hand in the right position they can put the credit card back back in the wallet. But that first bump ditty exercise can really be a challenge to people with a finger picking muscle memory.
Hey Peter...I really like what you said "every note prepares for the next note". That's a really great way to think about it. You never know what phrase, or idea, will make the basic clawhammer mechanic "stick". I like having as many tools in my toolbox as possible to help turn that light on. Also agree about the credit card trick as an illustration of the basic concept! Cheers! Tom
Thank you!!! This answers my wondering where I should leave my thumb on an alternate stroke (or whatever you call it when you move your thumb to another string).
So glad the video was helpful, Bridget! Thanks for the comment.
OMG! Brilliant! Clear, concise. Tom, you are truly unique among my banjo mentors & spirit guides. Attention to detail is the hallmark of your teaching. This is REALLY helpful. I hadn't thought of it, and probably never would have. But this little tip will change everything -- and simplify and supercharge my CH chops. I'm so happy to be among the Keeps. You're a "keeper." Thank you!!
Wow Jay. I can't thank you enough for your kind words and encouragement. You made my day! Tom
thanks!
Welcome!
You mentioned this in another one of your videos and it really helped drop thumbing stick. I play on a resonator with metal string though so its really hard to avoid the 5th string ringing out on quarter notes and hammers and such.
The other advantage is you can accentuate it to get a consistent percussive note on the head. I've been trying to do better about this, and what got me was the efficiency piece. It often feels like I'm sacrificing some precision, but I think predictability is more important. Thanks Tom!
Precision will come in time, Brad! I think you could argue that this method yields a more precise stroke because it eliminates so many other variables. Streamlining = Precision! Good point about percussive notes on the head! Thanks for watching, and commenting! Tom
When playing “rest” strokes with the thumb, do you always target the fifth string? This is something I think about when doing drop thumb, if the rest stroke should return to the fifth string home in between drop thumb notes.
Oooh, Kyler..great question! I really had to think about this one....I think in general, rest strokes could happen with the thumb resting on any string (except the first!), but in my own playing I return to 5th for "bum" strokes 98% of the time. Really thoughtful point, Kyler!!
I can't thank you enough for this lesson. I saw it yesterday, thinking " Yeah , preach it brother!".
I actually THOUGHT that I've been doing this. When I started playing, I realized that my thumb was lagging behind the striking finger. Doing it the way you describe works so much better. Now it's time to replace my old habit with this superior technique.
I do have a question for clarity. In the bum diddy pattern, there is a sixteenth note rest between "bum" and "did". Do you lift your thumb from the drone string after "bum" in preparation to strike "did" or do you allow it to rest on the string during the rest?
Thanks again for the valuable insight.
Thanks for the comment! The thumb always leaves the string on the upstroke regardless of whether you're sounding the string or not. Basically the golden rule can be summed up as: the thumb always stays with the hand. Thanks for watching, and good luck!
@@FretlessFury thanks, I want to be sure I'm correcting my bad habit, and not creating a new bad habit.
Hey Tom, how do I get in touch with you for scheduling a private lesson?
Stay away from credit cards, kids.
Does anyone know what type of banjo Tom uses
Hey Glen! That's an Ome Omega. Happy New Year and thanks for watching, Tom
@@FretlessFury thank you. Beautiful instrument and skills.happy new year to you.🖖