Bluegrass Banjo vs Clawhammer Banjo - What's the Difference?

[@doireallyhavetoask]

I was taught Scruggs style over a decade ago. I had to sell all my instruments, including my two gorgeous banjos, during a hard time. My husband got me one for Christmas this year! I’m teaching myself open back clawhammer style, and I feel so connected to music again! Banjos are such versatile instruments. Whichever style you play or invent, be grateful for the music 💕 it’s such a gift

[@richardbaldwin6919]

I am 75. Got a banjo June 2023. I rather play without finger picks. Trying to learn claw hammer

[@benjaminreevie7601]

I have my grandfathers old banjo, I always wondered why there was no resonator on the back, I guess that explains it

[@ckostyn]

The Clawhammer seems warmer, I like it!

[@sharoncorbin5466]

Like both. Just depends which sound you’re looking for

[@Gelathius]

As my right have only have two fingers (kinda like a claw 😂), it is clawhammer for me haha. I got a chance to meet Michael Martin Murphey's banjo player and told me to check it out.

[@torinmcconkey9061]

Don’t let that discourage you! Definitely prefer clawhammer myself, but have seen many great players that feel no need to keep their hand anchored. Even when I do play some Scruggs style I often find myself opting to leave my hand free, it is most important to do what is comfortable for you

[@kathyskorek2565]

@@torinmcconkey9061 I dont anchor my hand either, I've tried and cant do it I've been learning clawhammer since dec of last year. I can play notes changing to different strings easy now. I'm still a little sloppy put major improvements and speed is up considerably. I figure if I can play with a pick on tenor banjo without anchoring my hand, then can do it clawhammer style. I wish I could it by anchoring my hand, but I find I can play quite well not so.

[@davidd7197]

I've heard that Mother Maybelle Carter started on banjo and adapted that style to guitar. Many would call her the most influential guitarist in country music.

[@edwardpate6128]

Both are great but I love the clawhammer style.

[@viennapalace]

For the music I love, definitely clawhammer but the question is, why not learn both? Thanks for an enlightening video.

[@Flightless_Robyn]

I’ve been playing clawhammer for a few months and I absolutely fell in love with it. I prefer it over scruffs both playing wise and listening, but both are beautiful!

[@SlyShippy]

It seems like Scruggs style could be more versatile than clawhammer. What do you think?

[@jeffrogers210]

Thanks! I was wondering about the difference.

[@starleaf214]

Clawhammer, definitely. More mellow and relaxed sounding.

[@nathanminert3119]

Why does the design of the banjo have a effect on which technique you use? Couldn't you use either technique with either type of banjo?

[@kathyskorek2565]

Yes you can play both Styles on both types of banjos.❤

[@cG-es8mb]

I was thinking the same. Thinking of getting claw hammer banjo but play with finger picks

[@ReltubTheWiz]

Bluegrass! Thanks for the info! x

[@WGGplant]

I just can't help but love the bright ringing of bluegrass. It just feels more alive to me. It sounds like how pop rocks feel. I do like both, but the Clawhammer tone can be achieved by so many different instruments and is used in so many different styles. I think the nice plunky sound that banjos make shines through more on a bluegrass banjo. It feels like it's own thing.

[@jdmoncada8205]

Is the resonator a deal breaker? I just got a banjo without a resonator, but I thought I'd play with picks.

[@Mac_4906]

You can play either style with both. The resonator is just there to help the projection of sound. I've been playing on an open back Rover for years, and I pick Scrugg's style and clawhammer all the time.

[@BrettRidgewaysLearningForLife]

Not at all! Lol, watch Steve Martin switch back and forth.

[@brettstewart2386]

I like them both.

[@Ascottishsamurai]

As someone who can play both styles, which do you enjoy more and why?

[@BrettRidgewaysLearningForLife]

Definitely Clawhammer! But that's not how it started out. I started wuith Bluegrass as a kid and couldn't stand Clawhammer. But now I absolutley love it. Clawhammer is much more subtle, lends more to the melody and hard to explain, but it has a feel to it!

[@Ascottishsamurai]

​@BrettRidgewaysLearningForLife thank you for taking the time to respond. I appreciate your answer. I've spoken to a few players I know and most of them are saying the same thing. I think it's the direction I'm going to go as well.

[@itsamysticlife3500]

I love both, but with the old timey sound that is being lost with the homogenizing of blue grass and country. Thanks for sharing the differences and your skill.

[@gt-j1035]

I remember starting out with Clawhammer, it simply didn’t work out for me and I gave up for a while until I recently went at it with Bluegrass or “Scruggs” style and it immediately clicked

[@lovepeacesupport5548]

Same here clawhammer isn’t working for me for some reason immediately clicked with scruggs style though and do you any suggestions where can I learn to play online resources are limited unfortunately 😩

[@emmag9099]

​@lovepeacesupport5548 Eli Gilbert here on KZbin has a free 30 day course on his channel :)

[@BRIAN_IVERSON_20]

opposite for me - bluegrass is still a struggle but clawhammer i picked up pretty quick

[@sorian_delorean3348]

Very cool

[@myallforjc]

I always wondered what the difference was. Can you still play claw hammer style on a blue grass banjo?

[@BrettRidgewaysLearningForLife]

Well, yes, but it loses some of the feel and tone. But then again, Steve Martin does it and it sounds AMAZING!

[@supaF]

I thought to myself "Haha that's funny, there must be a banjo player with the same name as that actor/comedian." Looked up Steve Martin Banjo. Boy, was I excited. Of course he plays it strangely, that fantastically silly man.

[@johnhart6161]

I need a good clawhamer teach er. For irish jigs an reels. A teacher that can sing an play

[@eileencannon2298]

Clawhammer for me all day long

[@fionnmcnessa]

I can't make my mind up

[@Ascottishsamurai]

Same.

[@bryanlentz7160]

Clawhammer because it’s not as limited

[@Ascottishsamurai]

Can you explain what you mean? I'm a brand new banjo player and from reading it seems like song choice is more limited with clawhammer but that may be totally wrong and I'd love to hear from someone with actual experience.

[@johnhart6161]

Clawhamer

[@susbus4189]

Clawhammer