How To Clawhammer Banjo: Hitting Those Inner Strings

After teaching clawhammer banjo workshops at Fiddle Hell: fiddlehell.org this fall, I noticed lots of players struggling with similar things. In this video, we take a look at basic clawhammer mechanics, and how to improve your consistency as you move to the inner strings.
If you enjoy this content, and would like access to a ton of clawhammer banjo exclusives, head on over to www.patreon.com/tomcollins

[@jeetray11]

I have now subscribed to several clawhammer banjo channels. Tom speaks most eloquently, in order, explains in depth for the WHY's (reasons that is). I think finding the right teacher is the most crucial piece in anybody's music learning journey.

[@FretlessFury]

Thank you so much for this lovely comment!

[@librandy77]

I agree but the more people you learn from the better, my policy is to learn from everyone

[@mario7frankielee]

hi i’m a 60 year old drummer learning clawhammer banjo after searching for days in the internet for a teacher i think i found what i’m looking for! just watching your hand movements did it for me! it’s the same with drummers you see it by the way they hold the sticks. thank you for doing these videos🍀🍀🍀

[@dermotgillespie9030]

Thanks a million, really needed this advice at this time. I was getting frustrated that my notes were dull especially on the 3 and 4 strings. Now I know how to fix it. 👍

[@jkingwhistler]

Fantastic lesson. Easy to let the fundamentals slide over time. Thanks for the video.

[@rogob1333]

You say to use the arm-fulcrum, however, watching you it is your wrist that is doing most of the work.

[@sman7099]

This is exactly what I was doing! Playing quieter and quieter as I went in toward the strings.

[@sivad2]

@Tom Collins, you always have the best teaching videos. Thank You! Shiddy Pickin's forever.

[@f1948s]

Thanks Tom for the excellent explanation. When I watch your strumming hand it looks just like what I would see on Ken Perlman's vidoes. Your explanation is exactly what we need to know.

[@FretlessFury]

You're welcome, Franko!

[@marinadreyer4581]

So good thank you. It's all coming together now!

[@michaelaronoff]

You are an excellent instructor. I have forward your videos to friends.

[@johnnybx3254]

Thanks so very much for sharing your knowledge of the banjo 👍👏👏

[@FretlessFury]

My pleasure, John!

[@eiyhka8779]

Thanks alot Tom I'm one of those who struggle with this..working hard on it

[@FretlessFury]

You're not alone! Keep after it, and you'll get it!

[@thebanjoman4215]

Great lesson. thanks.

[@veroldaley1]

Wow you absolutely hit the nail on its head with this lesson Tom, my problem exactly, also can you tell me what strings do your have on your banjo ,regards mike

[@MatthewBishopCounsellor]

Really helpful! Thanks.

[@3348harley]

Thank you Tom. My 1st time watching one of your videos. I need help with understanding how do I strum the bum ditty if you want me to strike the strings coming at the angle so show.

[@rottenbanjo]

Really needed this help! THX

[@FretlessFury]

Woohooo! Glad it helped!

[@derrickdubeau]

Love your site. Just wanted to let you know that I never recieve video suggestions from your site by youtube, even though I am subscribed and have hit the bell button.

[@FretlessFury]

Hey Derrick, Thanks for the head's up. Not sure why you're not getting notified when my videos go live. I'll contact KZbin about it. Best! Tom

[@CDONETWOTHREE]

I’m just now learning and I know I want to play claw hammer. You’ve articulated my issues not even 2 minutes in, hence why I’ve found this video😂

[@FretlessFury]

Awesome! Welcome to the clawhammer universe. It's a beautiful place to be!

[@GabrielLewis]

Another great lesson! I'm just wondering is the movement mainly from your wrist or the whole forearm?

[@librandy77]

I love your teaching style and your banjo..mad cool..🪕🪕🪕

[@FretlessFury]

Thank you for that, Paul!!! Cheers!

[@markjeffords4041]

Looking for a link for patreon. Great lessons, just what I need. Thank you.

[@FretlessFury]

Hey Mark! So glad you enjoyed the video. Visit www.patreon.com/tomcollins for more info. Thanks so much for your interest!

[@theendofreality17]

Hey Tom! Really appreciate the video. I've been trying clawhammer after years of fiddle, mandolin, and guitar. This video really helped me get the motion right; before I was doing more of a strumming motion like I was flatpicking. However, since I've switched to the true up/down motion, I can't hit an inner string without tearing up my knuckle closest to my striking nail on the next string. It's even starting to bleed. Is this just a place where I need to develop callouses or am I doing something wrong?

[@FretlessFury]

You definitely shouldn't be bleeding! You might need to move your striking nail so that it's not so parallel with the head. Adjust the striking surface so that it's tilted more towards the floor. You could also through more towards the floor in general (some great players have a "floor oriented angle" as opposed to "head oriented angle"). No callous is necessary on the backs of the knuckles for clawhammer. The nail should hit clean through the string you're aiming for, and impact the next highest string. No skin should contact the strings (except with the thumb obviously!). Slow it down and get this right, and you'll build a robust clawhammer foundation. Best, Tom

[@theendofreality17]

@@FretlessFury Thank you so much! I'll put that into practice straight away.

[@maxkosterlitzky6597]

I am having trouble getting my fingers out of the way on inner strings so it wont hit the string I just strummed and cut it off. It seems if I go too high, I strum the next string, if I go to low, then I cut off the string I just hit.

[@rogob1333]

Which finger are *you* hitting with? Index or middle?

[@ssmabecrelis6443]

Awesome! What’s string brand and gauges are you using on your Omega?

[@FretlessFury]

I really like the Bill Kieth medium/light string sets, Demetrius. They're the bees knees! Hope your Omega is doing well!

[@ssmabecrelis6443]

@@FretlessFury I couldn’t love the omega any more! I just ordered a Calton case for it. They actually have a pattern for it already and it’s for an existing 2016 OME omega. Would that have been for yours? If so, how is the fit?

[@hunters.5627]

Can the thumb stay on the 5th string or should it be moving with the whole hand

[@FretlessFury]

Thumb should never stay behind. Move the hand as a single unit. See my vid “Golden Rule of Clawhammer banjo” for an in-depth discussion.

[@ivanbower6814]

Paul Rudd shows how to maximize pound-volume of your Banjo Claw!!! (...hammer)!!!

[@popodood]

Why does it feel like my fingers are too fat? I just have to continue again tomorrow

[@FretlessFury]

Keep at it! You might need to adjust your striking angle.

[@DoodlyDoo59210]

you look like Mark Pellegrino with a beard

[@badboybootz8]

No matter what I cannot get those strings to ring even if I literally slam the hell out of the banjo

[@FretlessFury]

You're not alone, my friend! Those inner strings are TOUGH. Make sure your outer strings are good first. Can you get a nice, even double thumbing pattern going on strings 1 and 5?

[@badboybootz8]

@@FretlessFury yes the 1 and 5 sound great, I guess I'll just keep going 😅

[@Spencer-vq7se]

You say "pick straight down" but if I do that then literally nothing happens because theres nothing for the string to bounce off of. And all the strings are level with eachother which means if I dont hit it at an angle im just hitting the resistance of the string im trying to hit and the 2 strings next to it with no sound production whatsoever, they just become depressed down. I just cant seem to be able to process the idea that Im somehow supposed to produce a sound making an up and down motion.

[@FretlessFury]

Hey Spencer..."up" and "down" are relative terms, so perhaps think of it as into the banjo head, and out of the banjo head. Before striking inner strings, make sure you can strike the outer one! Then take that motion and translate it to the inner strings using this video. Clawhammer is strange at first, but you WILL get it eventually. Just keep trying!

[@badboybootz8]

I can't do it for the life of me either but I've heard people say it took them 9 months to a year to get clawhammer down so guess I'll just keep banging away 😂