Playing in 6/8 on clawhammer banjo

Hey guys! Here’s a little lesson video on playing in 6/8! When I first discovered how to do it, I was hooked! I hope you enjoy this and find it useful!
The example tune is Tom Billy’s which I learned from one of my favorite players, Allison de Groot.
For any questions hit me up in the comments, or send me an email at [e-mail]
Thanks y’all! And have a good day :)

[@strumstering]

Valuable information! Excellent presentation!

[@dirtbanjo]

Thank you! Feedback is appreciated! Constructive criticism encouraged :)

[@strumstering]

@@dirtbanjo Thank you for your ongoing contributions to the etheric reservoirs of musical imagination and inspiration.

[@craigmitchell8892]

very helpful video mate, ive been struggling with the jig feel and this has helped me to lock into the groove allot better. that Alison de groot performance you mentioned is incredible, best example of the style in clawhammer ive ever seen. Cheers from Scotland

[@FoolishFrankie]

I took a lesson with Eddie Barbash a few weeks ago and he showed me your recording of John Brown's Dream. Somehow I ended up getting this video recommended to me even though I'm not a banjo player lol. Love your playing and hope we get to connect sometime!

[@dirtbanjo]

Omg! I'm honored! Eddie is the absolute man! that's wild, man! well I'm glad you dig it! I hope we cross paths too!

[@librandy77]

This is brilliant thanks.

[@dirtbanjo]

Thanks. I see you play a lot too I’m gonna watch your vids too

[@davidcedarholm4309]

Love your style! You’re a true original, Victor!

[@carolinaschott]

Awesome blanket ❤️ love the playing

[@dirtbanjo]

Thank you baby!

[@johnschneider4160]

Thank you, Victor.

[@britlitemail]

I've been looking for a video that breaks down exactly this material since I saw Allison's video (so damn good, can't wait to hear her live at some point!), this is perfect. Love your work with Jake Eddy by the way! Would love to see you folks live too, head up Chicago way sometime!

[@dirtbanjo]

Thank you so much!

[@dirtbanjo]

I would love to come play in Chicagoan

[@runrig97]

In music class, we learned 6/8 as one-and-a two-and-a, because it's actually like 2/4, but with triplets on each beat.

[@dirtbanjo]

True! We learned both ways of counting it.

[@PKMidtown]

Really great video and awesome tune, thanks for posting. On method #2, does it matter which finger you downpick with? I like to use index, but I’m wondering if it’s helpful to use middle to have have the index ready for the uppicks.

[@dirtbanjo]

Thank you! Personally I use the index. I have heard great players use middle and even ring finger. Though I have never heard anyone play in 6/8 using my method. In short, do what feels best for you! Everyone’s hands are different! :) when I think about it, I think using the same finger for the up and down stroke is easiest

[@Notes-de-l-autre-monde]

Hi Victor. I have great admiration for your play. I think Berkeley College helped you to develop and consolidate your natural gifts for music . Playing with a disconcerting naturalness and making complex things seem simple is really the sign of talent. The 6/8 is not very well suited to the 5-string banjo (it's better to switch to a tenor), but you make it sound very existing and very musical. I find your technique very close to the California Roll. I'll have to explore your playing further, but do you see any fundamental differences? Thank you very much! Greetings from France

[@dirtbanjo]

Thank you so much! I do appreciate your kind words. I would have to look more into the California Roll as i am not familiar with that.

[@izzy4el]

Netipot! They're not fun to use (if you're using them correctly), but they'll bring ya relief. Feel better Victor!

[@dirtbanjo]

Thank you! I love those things. Need to get one here in boston

[@robertgabb1416]

Rashers and sausages Rashers and Sausages, Rashers and Sausages.

[@JordanRiehm]

so cool! I've always been afraid to break certain rules I've learned on an instrument or in a certain style. Had never thought of using an upstroke in Claw because of that. Sounds great man. Thanks for the lesson. Definitely seems like I'd need to switch downward attack finger to middle. What other benefits do you see form using middle as downstroke finger vs index?

[@dirtbanjo]

I prefer Index! But it very from person to person, I believe the tone can be equally as good with either index or middle. For me index is more comfy

[@dirtbanjo]

Also, trad clawhammer is amazing, there are so many things to expand off of it though!

[@hikrose]

Awesome. Mahalo. BTW, what banjo are you playing?

[@dirtbanjo]

Thank you! It is my custom DeanoCraft banjo! great banjos

[@clawhammerrob]

Thanks !

[@dirtbanjo]

For more lesson videos (now higher quality) join my patreon! www.patreon.com/victorfurtadobanjo?

[@sweetgoose]

I love this. Is there any chance you teach this whole tune on your patreon 🤞

[@dirtbanjo]

Absolutely

[@sweetgoose]

@@dirtbanjo that's amazing. I have been listening to Alison's version non-stop. You both play it so well!

[@richardcicciarelli9440]

Any chance of some tablature for the down-down-down style of this tune?

[@dirtbanjo]

I am working on a patreon page! It will include the tab for this. I'll keep y'all updated

[@mau5mat]

@@dirtbanjo Please do, and thank you for introducing me to Allison de Groot!

[@sweetgoose]

Did this get put up on patreon? I'd love to learn it

[@in1213]

❤️🙏