Intro To Two Finger Old Time Banjo Style

Part of our book "Ten Tabs For Two Finger Old Time Banjo."
Go to quietamericanmusic.com to get a copy.

[@RutabagaPaddlesports]

Due to a table saw accident, the only two fingers that have full feeling are my thumb and index finger. This is a game changer for me. Thank you!

[@RutabagaPaddlesports]

Me too. Table saws suck.

[@Womble1252]

Check Nick Hornbuckle if you haven't already..his personal story and playing is amazing..

[@woodrateater8006]

This is great for us old farts with jerky hands. Please, keep on helping us.

[@MsTubbytube]

Thanks for the very clear explanation and demo of basics, a good option for beginning banjoist who is intimidated by clawhammer.

[@HELLO-iq5rb]

Very helpful for someone just starting out. I'm trying out claw hammer but as a guitarist is a pretty alien concept. 😬. Two finger is beginning to look like the way forward for me. Thank you. 👍🏻

[@kitwells]

Thanks Aaron for, as ever, an extremely erudite, straightforward and informative explanation. It has relieved me of the 'banjo guilt' of having to clawhammer my way to banjo heaven! There is another way of playing!!!

[@sagelogantoo]

I gave your video a thumbs up right away cause you did things the correct way to demonstrate the style first….then explain & show how to do it second. So many other videos here on KZbin where folks drone on for 10 minutes and never demonstrate what they are trying to explain. KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK! 👍👏⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[@librandy77]

Over the years I have learnt a lot from you and this video I have watched many times🪕🪕🪕🪕

[@galaxycaptain672]

Hello Aaron - no comments for this great two finger style lesson for awhile so I wanted to thank you again for getting me started on a style that is MUCH easier then even claw hammer! Please keep up the good work..

[@treegroup1]

Dude........ You're a great teacher and i loved this basic 2 finger style introduction..

[@arielleschoen1606]

Thanks so much for this! I've been playing clawhammer for about a year and was feeling pretty stuck in my style until I stumbled on this and your website. Super helpful stuff.

[@erlethepearl]

Excellent tutorial on a very useful 5-string method. Thanks!

[@joekoenecke]

This is exactly what I was looking for! Thank you, and I just bought the download.

[@johncfullerartist9863]

thanks Aaron Good work I have been trying to play clawhammer for nearly a year I jus cant get the bunditty rhythm right i am now going to follow your two finger old style lets hope it now falls into place easier cheers John

[@DanDDirges]

Good lesson. This is the style I like best on banjo

[@stevehuff723]

That was fascinating. I would love to see more

[@garyhighley9022]

I'm a Scruggs style mostly picker, but I do use my own two finger style very close to yours on certain things....its a great technique.

[@stevecajun]

Hey Aaron this is a great simplified explanation. Thanks so much!

[@georgemelton1606]

Good instruction Aaron. Love your banjo.

[@skyillegaldiver8962]

What a gift! Thank you!

[@robkunkel8833]

Downloaded and subscribed. A very useful tool to have,. You rock! 🇻🇮🌴〰

[@woodrateater8006]

Excellent. I'm saving this tutorial. Plus practice it. Thanks.

[@patogden856]

Thanks Aaron I am interested in learning banjo and just starting to research the different styles . This is particularly helpful as when I go in to buy my banjo I do want to have some idea of what I want and what style I want to learn . This has been already an amazing journey . I had no idea that there were so many different styles and also types of banjo's to choose from . Currently brushing up my very old guitar and ukulele skills. Probably go for banjo next year which isn't far away . Time to stretch the 70 year old grey matter . Godbless Pat nz

[@ackeim]

Grea!

[@andrewlove7673]

I am just learning banjo 2 finger style please do more videos i am learning so much from u

[@ackeim]

working on new tabs right now!

[@daytoneman]

Hi Aaron, I’m trying to learn clawhammer but I seem to be stuck where I can’t think of my left hand without going awry with the bum diddy rhythm. Your two finger lesson has inspired me to try it your way. Thanks!

[@juliotirado2793]

i apreciate you explination ,i resentlly gat me an old time banjo and its really hard for me to Claw hammer ,i will love to se more intructions on it

[@matthewkeeley4479]

Wade Mainer can drop the jaw of any Scruggs, including me...

[@WayneRigley]

i was watching a few videos on StringBean and ended up on yours.. i will say after watching your video you have just pushed me over the edge to get a banjo now.. looks pretty easy to at least get a tune going.. thanks ! subscribed and cant wait to find a banjo.. any hints on what i should look at getting for my first one !

[@glenncoffey6385]

Awesome ..thanks

[@TTSAXX]

More two finger please

[@dapdapbamban]

Hi Aaron, Many thanks for the advice.

[@dynocoach]

Aaron, thanks for this video. Would you/could you please tab out and make a video of scales and finger exercises for left hand in two finger thumb lead please? I wonder if having a better left hand(fretting hand) would be something to incorporate after watching THIS video and being able to go to a hand exercise video/tab in between learning different songs or as part of warm up before actual practice time? THANK YOU FROM BROWN DEER, WI.

[@robertclark3258]

Very helpful. Thanks!

[@ryancassidy5443]

Thank you!!!

[@nikterlingua9408]

I lost my 5th string during the corona, couldn't get one, still don't have one so I started using thumb lead and using my index or middle finger in the 1st and 2nd. But I don't use a thumb pick and I still go down with my index and middle ( I alternate) I don't know if it's a certain style or not it's just what I do and its more comfortable I found out than boom dittty or your blue grass old time hybrid

[@cariboubill1]

Great video. That's the style I'd like to play because I'm used to picking the melody with my thumb on guitar and ukulele. ...Bill

[@marinevet7273]

Hi, what kind of banjo head are you using, trying to decide on Renaissance or Fiberskin for open back banjo

[@dapdapbamban]

Hi Aaron, I have never played with picks before only clawhammer but you have really peaked my interest. Any advice on the most suitable picks? Thanks.

[@ackeim]

+dapdapbamban Try a national thumbpick and metal or plastic finger picks. I like Alaska brand picks because they allow me to pick up and strum down with my fingers.

[@PLINKER]

Trying to figure your bridge set up?

[@gretschguy58]

What kind of banjo are you playing? I can't believe how good it sounds!

[@ackeim]

It’s a banjo I made. Maple and ebony with a Dobson tone ring. www.thebeansprout.com.

[@grahamblair3363]

This is great,, been playing for a couple of months now,,, I’m more comfortable and quicker with thumb and index picks,,, 🤟🤟🪕🪕🪕🪕🪕

[@celticmandoplayer]

What finger picks are you using? They look different.... Thank you !

[@ackeim]

They are called Alaska Pics. Thanks!

[@Popcorn_Kernel]

I have been playing two finger since I got the banjo because I can't make my fingers do Scruggs style

[@dexterj5615]

So basically it's intro slap bass too

[@JohnSmith-td6dn]

I am fascinated with this but; I can't find and cd's, full class video's or book. RATS! Do you know of any. I'm currently learning clawhammer but; I'm also drawn to this 2 finger method.

[@ackeim]

I am currently working on a book with ten lessons, stay tuned. you can join my email list at quietamericanmusic.com

[@singsingsing22]

This is Etta Baker's style! Fantastic

[@grahamblair3363]

Just been watching Etta,,, fantastic 👌👌🪕🪕🪕🪕🪕🪕🪕

[@DeltaYogi]

HI Aaron, I play delta blues on guitar, but have always wanted to learn clawhammer banjo. Was wondering what make the banjo is you're playing here. I've been looking for a vintage 5 string, but I was wondering if you have an opinion about swapping to nylon strings vs steel. I like the warmer sound vs the tinny sound of steel. Thanks!

[@ackeim]

I made the banjo in this clip. Learn more here thebeansprout.com. I like nylon strings on banjos for sure. You might need to widen the string slots to fit them.

[@DeltaYogi]

@@ackeim Thanks Aaron!

[@DeltaYogi]

@@ackeim Beautiful instrument! Thanks for the link!

[@johnherberte8131]

Could you use this style on a banjo ukulele without the 5th string and do you have lesson on that? I have your fingerstyle for uke book

[@ackeim]

Yes. Sorry, I don’t have this written out just for uke.

[@robertejoni]

i like

[@justiceman9492]

noticed your pic on your index finger is the wrong way round??

[@daytoneman]

Lovely sounding banjo, what make is it?

[@ackeim]

www.thebeansprout.com

[@banjoplayingbison2275]

hi aaron are you using nylon strings? it sounds like it cause how it sounds

[@ackeim]

No, steel.

[@1solosoyyo1]

What kind of banjo is that? Love the tone.

[@ackeim]

I built it myself, www.thebeansprout.com

[@mrbthree100]

what tuning are you playing out of? Forgive the question but I'm new to banjo.

[@ackeim]

standard banjo tuning gdgbd

[@beondinsane905]

Bro i was this doing when I was trying to play bluesgrass because use three fingers felt weird

[@claytonmoss1]

What make is that banjo? 🤔

[@ackeim]

It’s one I built, www.thebeansprout.com. It is maple and ebony with a Dobson tone ring.

[@raguspag55]

What scale are you using ?

[@manditrrr]

what happened to the 10 tabs for two finger old time banjo? its not at the website. i'm just starting out and need the help.

[@greasy465]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/boSllp2ue5ubga8

[@ackeim]

It’s here: quietamericanmusic.com/storestore

[@marciaewell2661]

I am just learning banjo and coming from blues guitar background, so I am naturally drawn to this style. I have to ask why the picks? I prefer the sound without the loud scruggs like sound of finger picks, but I am biased as I have never used fingerpicks. I am wondering if the old players of this style used picks and how you feel on this topic? Without the picks, so much more potential to "work" the strings, from soft and brushing to all out "snapping" and everything in between, with the picks it seems to lock into the same sound and lose the subtle options to work the tones?? Thanks for you help and videos!

[@ackeim]

Some original players used picks and some didn't. This style is old enough that people did whatever they felt like. Yankees like me came later and wrote books, made rules and tried to fix a system in place. I prefer picks but I know many people who don't.

[@marciaewell2661]

Thx, I like you can choose your style and personalize your sound w however you chose. Nice to know it is not all fixed in stone.

[@maxwellfan55]

I'm a banjo player, and the more I get to love and play this instrument the more I believe there are no rules to technique, it is truly universal, the reason behind it's charm and appeal. Playing live I also use flat pick and fingers which work well on open back banjos, not resonator. The only rule that MUST be applied is that the banjo is always bang on in tune and played with the due respect it demands, and the tunes it accompanies. It is not as some would have believe a 'joke' instrument. Speaking also as a guitarist, thumb picks give the balance, volume, tone and articulation the fleshy part of the thumb cannot, particularly for picking melody. Personally would recommend thumb picks, except of course for frailing.

[@mikemachlis9443]

What is website to download the tabs? Thanks!!

[@ackeim]

Www.quietamericanmusic.com

[@petrovichluzhin]

Aaron what do you do if the melody note is on the first string?

[@ackeim]

Good question. Sometimes I play the melody up there and still use first and fourth as a drone. But, most players just arrange the melody so it’s always on the 2-4 strings.

[@petrovichluzhin]

@@ackeim Thanks. Do you have any recommendations for other resources for learning old time thumb lead or index lead?

[@mikegager]

hi aaron what kind of banjo are you using here?

[@ackeim]

mike gager Hello Mike- This is a banjo that I built myself. It is all maple with a dobson tone ring.

[@philmusicien7807]

ok super je vais essayer...va voir ma chaine... Good job

[@steffenkummer2660]

laber laber laber

[@charlesbenedetti8607]

Aaron..............hey, man, slow it down.........waaaayyy down.....we beginners cant keep up with your speed