6 clawhammer banjo tunes for beginners that you should know and why!

[@felixmadison5736]

I love your beautiful square jaw Hilary! I had a hard time concentrating on the banjo! 😂

[@bobcline2069]

Thank You for sharing, Love the tunes.. Time to practice!!🥴

[@michaelhamilton7757]

Great video! What brand/make banjo is that?

[@metalfamily4153]

So Much Talent

[@hikrose]

What is that banjo?

[@terrywood3268]

Hi you have a great sound just wondering what gauge strings you are using

[@Jimmietwotimes]

I subbed. Then I heard you do that crap kids do where they purposefully don't pronounce the 't' in words. It's MounT-ain, not Mou-ain. Unsubbed. If you can't speak properly, I doubt your ability to teach. Good luck.

[@jimhuskins8506]

I like your video. It does promote banjo accessibility. Your presentation and your attitude are both encouraging. Thanks for posting.

[@frettedinstrumentsschool-g280]

Hi Hilary, great tone and playing is always fabulous....hugs, Jack

[@RalphShular]

Good video

[@Tbowie13]

I like this lineup. I have just hit a year of playing the first week of October. I'm 50 and knew I was behind the curve, so I practice a couple hours a day on average. It had taken me a solid day of going over a song note by note and spending more than my normal 2 hrs to learn a song, at least for quite some time. Going over your list I found I was able to learn all the songs in my regular playing time (I did know Cripple Creek already) It was nice to realize I know enough now that I'm finding many similarities in songs. Like "Cluck Ol Hen" is very similar to how I play "Sandy Boys", except much easier. Anyhow, you made my day with this list.

[@joemcauliffe2360]

Oh my gosh. 1st tune. Clawed.

[@joemcauliffe2360]

1973. Fingers worked. Teach the children well.

[@dustymojoden]

Thanks.....

[@thereindeertherabbitthebat592]

Ever since the probs in the news with P Diddy, I nominate that we start calling it something else other than "Bum Diddy"? (Bc that's gross... 🤢)

[@DandelionLakewood]

Great selection, timeless tunes

[@Prajnana]

Great tunes! Changing the tuning (tension) of one string changes the downward pressure on the (flexible) head which then affects all of the other strings (temp and humidity also affect head tension on skin heads; we'll assume your neck is stable). Old joke: Banjo players spend half their time tuning, and the other half playing out of tune. 😁

[@DavidKirk-vf5vy]

Thanks so much for this! I am just starting CH banjo, and have sooo much to learn, but a lot of guitar and Mando. If you have any of these tunes in standard or tab notation I would like a copy. Others have asked the same. You are my first you tube subscription! Love your style. Like to see more stuff from you.

[@takethestagelv202]

Well done young lady. I love your style. I tend to play more like Grandpa Jones. I believe I should pull back and learn you soft beautiful style.

[@gittaradau8790]

Thank you Hilary. I love your teaching style. There is lots to learn from this package. Did you paint the beautiful painting behind you?

[@pennywhitmore3918]

Hope you see this, Hilary - there’s a Trump ad that precedes your video. I can’t imagine you’re okay with that.

[@hilarybanjo]

Thank you for letting me know! I just blocked any political ads from appearing on here. I appreciate you mentioning that!

[@tinnwhistler7629]

👋🏻 Hello, you’re an excellent instructor. Thank you for the tips! May I ask what Brand banjo you have? I would like to find one similar to yours. In the past, I’ve taken the backs off of my bluegrass banjos to try to get a little of that tone, but of course, it’s just not the same 😢 At this point in my musical life, I don’t want to experiment around lol, I already have a big “family” 🎉of instruments. And a smaller house! *But am missing this one lovely addition! 😊 Thank you in advance for your help. 🪕

[@hilarybanjo]

I play a Bart Reiter Galax model. I try to get it set-up often and make sure the head is plenty tight.

[@tinnwhistler7629]

@@hilarybanjo aww I appreciate that Hilary, I’ll check in out! 👍🏻

[@theronb1177]

Thanks! Good selection of tunes that are easy but sound great, especially the way you do them. You've inspired me to pick up my old open back banjo that I haven't played in entirely too long.

[@michaeldemore35]

Are these songs in your first or second book offered on Etsy?

[@roymccarty6931]

What string, what fret, really? one time through and alright next? Ha, not for beginners.

[@hilarybanjo]

Hopefully it will inspire you to look these tunes up in so you can spend more time with them! I wanted to share some tunes that I thought were great for beginners. Good luck!

[@Tatyana-b7s]

Thank you very much, it's a great music for good mood!

[@kevinvanmeter1987]

Super good. Thanks for showing us these songs.

[@patrickcwillis]

Nobody has a bad day when playing the banjo. I just love the smooth sound of good old claw hammer banjo. Thanks!!!!

[@tripslaughter5101]

Thanks, great idea's to get me onward in my banjo journey.

[@JimPriest]

Thanks for playing these slow enough I can keep up!! :)

[@proulxmarc]

Great video Hillary! And killing it on the looks too!!!❤❤❤

[@JeffLarkin]

Great choice of songs. Cripple Creek was the first banjo tune I memorized. I've heard that a local parade once had a marching band consisting only if banjo players (of all styles) playing Cripple Creek. 😁

[@richardstrahin7634]

Thank you so much! Your very easy to follow teaching technique has given me the inactive to try again to do clawhammer!♥ By the way, you are adorable!

[@Mil-sl3hy]

Thank you -- this is so helpful! the perfect selection to get some good practice in :)

[@jethrobodine4638]

great video Hilary. i have been playing CH for about 18 mos. i know about 20 songs, 2 on your list. do you teach these versions using standard music notation or tab? if tab do you have them in your books at your store? i am also trying to train my ear to learn that way. i am enjoying the journey. keep the awesome videos coming.

[@banjodaze]

❤

[@ronhmason]

Love your playing style and presentation. But I have a question about your thumb. As I watch you play these songs I see your thumb striking the fifth string but I rarely see you pulling off the fifth string to make the bum ditty sound. Am I just not seeing the pull off for that sound or are you just not doing that thumb pull off? Your response will surely be appreciated.

[@udhehfhehcuw9169]

All of my first several tunes I learned were from your channel (supplemented by watching other versions). Very much love your style

[@Bon3fish]

Bravo!

[@aBluegrassPicker]

Excellent choices.

[@ottoovelha6438]

Awesome, thank you!

[@charliehos3936]

Always wanted to learn the CH banjo but I fell and broke two fingers on the left hand which makes it impossible to cord any more. With that said, I love watching you play and teaching different tunes. You are very talented!❤

[@TheOdditee]

Have you ever heard what Django Rheinhardt managed to play with just 2 fingers on his fretting hand? Don’t count yourself out!

[@CnBlu]

Clawhammer banjo with the different open tunings could be just the thing for you. Some old time tunes even stay on just the one chord that can be played with no fretting or by fretting one string (open g or double c tunings that can be capoed to open a and double c). I mostly use just one or two fingers of the fretting hand at a time anyway on ch banjo. The thumb can also fret the fourth string. A teacher like Hilary could help you get started.

[@cmcapps1963]

I wonder if it would work better for you if you got a left handed banjo and fretted with your right hand?

[@Tbowie13]

​@cmcapps1963 Agreed... it would take determination but it can be done. My daughter was born with a double thumb on her left hand (the second is tiny and lays along side the larger one making a large thumb together, and a disjointed right thumb, so it's got a tendon and a disconnected bone but no thumb muscle by her palm or joint holding the bone to the rest of her hand). She was born right handed, you could tell that's the one that came natural to her, but has learned to do many things left handed. She can even climb ropes by pinching her index and middle finger on the right together hard enough to climb. Obviously it's easier for a child to rewire their brain, but it is possible for an adult also, just more work. One good option might be a banjo/dulcimer, as it's played in the lap and the frets pushed downward rather than wrapping your hand around the neck. I know McSpadden had them at the shop when I bought a dulcimer from them a couple yrs ago. They sound pretty "banjoey" as well... if that's a word. 😅

[@MarkWYoung-ky4uc]

Excellent choice of songs Hilary!

[@BanjosBikesBrewing]

Awesome video, Hilary! Thank you!

[@williampalmer6296]

Great video Hilary, who was your banjo builder? It sounds great! Thanks for the post.

[@hilarybanjo]

Bart Reiter is my banjo-but another secret is getting a good person to set it up and keep it in good shape!

[@donwilson1360]

awesome thank you. love your playing.

[@leammemdis6795]

Gracias por tus videos!!! 🤘❤️

[@parneypots]

❤👍👍