How to Play Clawhammer Banjo
Clawhammer-style banjo is at least twice as old as bluegrass banjo and probably much older. The banjo's origins are African and the clawhammer technique is indebted to the African ancestry of the instrument. Clawhammer banjo is associated with the Appalachian Mountain regions of the southeastern United States. The clawhammer style is a simple and primitive style, but it is a difficult style to master. The term itself refers to the fact the right hand, the hand that plays the strings, is curled into a claw-like shape. Clawhammer technique is also referred to as "frailing" technique.
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Instructions
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Tuning and Chords
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1
Tune the banjo to open G tuning. Open G tuning, going from the fifth string to the first string, is G-D-G-B-D. The fifth string is the same pitch as the "G" fretted on the 5th fret of the first string. Acoustic instrument tuners are easy to use on the banjo. Clip the tuner to the headstock. Turn the tuner on. The LED display tells you if the string is sharp or flat.
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2
Learn the I, IV and V chords in the key of G. Most banjo and folk songs are two or three chord songs. The primary chords are referred to as the I, IV, and V chords. In the key of G the I chord is G major, the IV is C major, and the V is D7. Play G by simply strumming all five strings. Play C major by playing the fifth string (open), fourth string (2nd fret), third string (open), second string (1st fret) and first string (open). Play D7 by playing the fifth string (open), fourth string (open), third string (2nd fret), second string (1st fret), and the first string (open). A D major chord is played by fretting the second string on the 3rd rather than the 1st fret.
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3
Play the G major scale on the third, second and first strings. The melody notes come from the G major scale when you are playing in the key of G. It is possible to play the scale at various places on the fretboard; however, start in the first position. The G major scale is G-A-B-C-D-E-F#-G. Start on the third string and go to the first string in the following manner: G (third string - open), A (third string - 2nd fret), B (second string - open), C (second string - 1st fret), D (second string- 3rd fret), E (first string - open), F# (first string - 4th fret) and G (first string - 5th fret). For a bluesier sound, play F (first string - 3rd fret) rather than F#.
Clawhammer Technique
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4
Form a claw-shape with your right hand. Curl your index, middle, and ring fingers in towards your palm.
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5
Practice striking the second and first string with the back of the fingernail of the middle finger. Clawhammer banjo players typically play the melody notes with one finger, either the middle or the index finger. The notes are played by striking the string with the back of the fingernail. Clawhammer players don't pluck the strings like bluegrass banjo players or acoustic fingerstyle guitarists. Practice the G major scale using the clawhammer technique.
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6
Practice the "bum-diddy" rhythm. Brush down and up on the strings after playing a melody note. Strum the strings with the fingernails of the index and middle fingers. Rest your thumb on the fifth string at the same time.
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7
Pull the thumb of the fifth string, immediately finishing the strumming pattern. The thumb is pulled away by the motion of the right hand. Avoid plucking the fifth string in a downward motion. This is a difficult technique for someone more accustomed to bluegrass banjo or guitar.
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