How to Drop-Thumb the Banjo

[@sunbear9374]

Most straight to the point man on YT

[@timbeaty854]

THANK YOU! Finally somebody gets down to the bone of drop thumb. Others put TMI in 15 minutes. You put in 4 minutes exactly what I needed to see and learn. The rest will take care of itself. Well done!

[@bezackbe]

and he even had time to get sidetracked halfway through 😂

[@joannehack7588]

Hope this awesome video doesn’t literally get down to your thumb bone- that would not be a pretty picture

[@Popcorn_Kernel]

I just decided to watch this. And I've never Playing overhand for a while. I never needed a lesson for drop thumb I just did it and thought I was the only one. But I then saw Clif

[@TheGrowlery]

Thanks for putting this out.

[@dorindacontreras1094]

I love it! Try it a thousand times!!! You got a belly laugh out of me! I’m so scared to try this, but you explained it well. Playing Ole Molly Hare and I know it would just sound better with that drop thumb. Just scared to try it! 😂 I’ll git to it now! Thanks 🙏

[@veroldaley1]

That’s a terrific ‘show me how ‘tutorial.maybe I would have got to this idea of starting on the second string first eventually , anyway this work for me,thanks Clifton

[@g.bontempi691]

damn nylon strings actually sound pretty good on banjo

[@STP19]

Excellent. Greatly Appreciated. Respect. STP

[@slowerpicker]

It’s clear in the video that you’re really digging for the inner string, getting it on the meat of your thumb, before popping it like you’re flicking a lighter. When I was just learning drop thumb, I was too tentative, basically just grazing the string. I had the same problem with the 5th string, too, come to think of it.

[@TheGrowlery]

I struggle with that as well. It has helped my form to strike down on the strings though.

[@buckhendrix]

Great sounding banjo!

[@alesiaarnold4259]

That was super helpful! Thank you!!

[@zaccrogers]

Thanks this is very clear and very helpful great stuff.

[@Gballpikker]

Great video and thank you for posting it. Are those nylon strings? They sound like it. If so, what kind are they and where can I buy them.

[@CliftonHicksbanjo]

_New_ Nylgut Strings 👉🏿 AquilaUSA.com No. 17 Nylon Strings 👉🏿 LaBella.com

[@Gballpikker]

@@CliftonHicksbanjo Thank you very much!

[@stephenbouchelle7706]

I like the sound of nylon strings. I seldom change my metal strings. Do nylon string have to be replaced much more often? And do you use a different height bridge? I’m working on your thumb and index lead videos currently.

[@CliftonHicksbanjo]

The nylons tend to last even longer since they don't gather rust. I hardly ever change mine.

[@timbeaty854]

How about a video of when to frail and when to drop. You mix it up nicely.

[@joannehack7588]

🐸

[@johnschneider4160]

Where ya been hiding this one, Clif?😁

[@christopherrowley7506]

I've often heard you do a ghost note (or muted click sound) on that note before the thumb plucks its string. Are you doing that muting with your left hand or your right hand? It adds a real nice percussive feel and accentuates the coming thumbed note.

[@CliftonHicksbanjo]

Christopher, I _think_ that's the extra fingers (middle, ring, pinkie) on my right hand doing a lazy, muted brush that winds up only hitting a couple of strings with an abrupt *click.

[@PermacultureAppalachia]

👍👍

[@yukiwhitley]

what the name of that tune you were playing right at the beginning?

[@CliftonHicksbanjo]

"The Devil Song" learned from Bobby McMillan. gCGCD

[@gaffster787]

I have not tried to start off with a drop yet. I'll see if I can do that, LOL. Time for me to restring, especially since I have been using an old pack of guitar strings I had laying around. Would you mind sharing the type you use?

[@CliftonHicksbanjo]

I think Aquila "nylgut" on that banjo.

[@ToolsAreToys]

What tuning do you generally use on a nylon strung 5?