David Holt teaches clawhammer banjo players how to "double thumb." This is one lesson from a series of clawhammer banjo lessons produced by Homespuntapes.com
I've been playing Scruggs style for a little while and recently have been trying to play some clawhammer tunes. This by far the most helpful video I've come across for learning clawhammer techniques. Thank you!
Good example of how to teach. Give something to learn that's relevant and useful, not too much at one time. But enough so they can take something away and practice.
David, your vids are so wonderful. I thank you for posting 'em. I'm still having trouble getting used to clawhammer. I've played Seeger style pick n brush up until now; and getting used to the down pick with the back of my finger is tough. Can you possibly do a demo on how pick n brush is different from clawhammer? They seem so similar. Am I just as well off sticking with pick n brush? Do they produce the same results? I can't tell.
I love your banjo playing. I just started banjo, about a month ago and I have been practicing your bum-diddy using thumb and index. I decided to take lessons from this older man who says he plays both styles however he only plays using thumb and index and middle. H e plays an upward stroke with the index and middle. Is this bluegrass style? He has never heard of playing the banjo with the back of the fingernail and thinks this is bizarre. Do you think it would be too confusing to learn both method?. I just want to learn the correct way and not develop bad habits.
I'm not a professional...but I've been playing for almost 50 years...and I'm lucky enough to've been exposed to lotsa great home-made music. One thing I'm sure of--there ain't no "correct" way. If there were...Earl Scruggs would've never been the innovator that he was. My advice is...trust your instincts. If you find a new lick, develop and practice it. I'm sorry...but don't be discouraged by what some old guy thinks is "bizarre". No doubt Earl's innovations sounded bizarre, too. If it feels good, do it. And PRACTICE PRACTICE PRACTICE.
David Holt is a folk power-house, love all his playing, but as a fellow banjo picker, the style he is playing is drop thumb, not double thumbing. Where I'm from double thumbing is two fingered picking because the thumb combines going in and out of the inside strings while at the same time striking the fifth string in between beats. No?
This is so clear and easy to follow. Makes me wanna just practice all day!
This was extremely helpful, thank you for posting. I loved how that sweeping lick sounded toward the end
Fantastic instruction!!
THANKS!!!
GREAT! Simply awesome tutorial!! Thank you sooooo much!
The banjo is such a beautiful sounding instrument 🥺😭
I've been playing Scruggs style for a little while and recently have been trying to play some clawhammer tunes. This by far the most helpful video I've come across for learning clawhammer techniques. Thank you!
Oh I am astonished . Getting a banjo this week can't wait to start learning . This sounds amazing , love it . Thankyou Pat nz Age 70
Thanks man this is great !
This is drop thumb. Double thumb is hitting the 5th string every other note. Not thumbing a different string.
awesome lesson, love the dual camera angle
That's the way I understand it. Drop thumb to hit any string other than the 5th string, double thumbing to play the 5th string after each down stroke.
Fantastic!
Thx fr Crete...
ah, finally something other than a deathly simple banjo lesson.
That is some MIGHTY fine a’pickin and a diggin! ❤️💣🔥
Good example of how to teach. Give something to learn that's relevant and useful, not too much at one time. But enough so they can take something away and practice.
David, your vids are so wonderful. I thank you for posting 'em. I'm still having trouble getting used to clawhammer. I've played Seeger style pick n brush up until now; and getting used to the down pick with the back of my finger is tough. Can you possibly do a demo on how pick n brush is different from clawhammer? They seem so similar. Am I just as well off sticking with pick n brush? Do they produce the same results? I can't tell.
To me this looks like drop thumb and not double thumbing
I love your banjo playing. I just started banjo, about a month ago and I have been practicing your bum-diddy using thumb and index. I decided to take lessons from this older man who says he plays both styles however he only plays using thumb and index and middle. H e plays an upward stroke with the index and middle. Is this bluegrass style? He has never heard of playing the banjo with the back of the fingernail and thinks this is bizarre. Do you think it would be too confusing to learn both method?. I just want to learn the correct way and not develop bad habits.
I'm not a professional...but I've been playing for almost 50 years...and I'm lucky enough to've been exposed to lotsa great home-made music. One thing I'm sure of--there ain't no "correct" way. If there were...Earl Scruggs would've never been the innovator that he was. My advice is...trust your instincts. If you find a new lick, develop and practice it. I'm sorry...but don't be discouraged by what some old guy thinks is "bizarre". No doubt Earl's innovations sounded bizarre, too. If it feels good, do it. And PRACTICE PRACTICE PRACTICE.
s,e,k, fiddle player old timey is the best but i am a fan of split lip rayfield
Is that not drop thumb?
Who “disliked” this video-oboe players?
Thanks🪕🪕🪕
David Holt is a folk power-house, love all his playing, but as a fellow banjo picker, the style he is playing is drop thumb, not double thumbing. Where I'm from double thumbing is two fingered picking because the thumb combines going in and out of the inside strings while at the same time striking the fifth string in between beats. No?
Double thumb i what is shown in the video, what you're referring to is drop thumbing
EDIT I have no idea why I wrote that, you're definitely right