Shady Grove (Clawhammer)

Double C tuning (tuned down 1/2 step, so technically Double B tuning) to key of Bm

[@elizabethrogge7908]

I want to learn to play this song exactly like this video

[@susandrydenhenderson6234]

It sounds very Olde English and also reminds me of “The Raggle Taggle Gypsy.” It’s a lovely sound.

[@librandy77]

Yes granny I love this song and the way you play it..mad cool..🪕🪕🪕

[@martinmonfee7974]

Nice Sunday afternoon tune to sit back and enjoy! Smooth as always! Thanks for sharing your time and talent! Happy Holidays and a very merry Christmas!

[@shawnmullinsoutdoors]

Always loved Shady Grove

[@banjogranny9156]

One of my favorites also. Thanks for subscribing.

[@spambaconsausageandspam6245]

You're playing so beautiful, it makes my eyes misty. Thank you truly for your rendition, it's the most virtuos of them all.

[@dermotgillespie9030]

Beautiful ❤

[@nftgames7372]

thanks for this goosebump

[@rickmartin7125]

Great tune... 😁💖

[@brentnearhood8874]

Thanks! Granny🪕🎶

[@iliya_ivanov]

Wow that's great! It sounds beautiful

[@banjogranny9156]

Thank you so much!

[@stevegoodkind1717]

One of the best versions of this classic song that I have heard, good work.

[@banjogranny9156]

Thank you! I borrowed a lot of it from Lukas Pool’s version. And my teacher Dan Stewart taught me the B part, to break the monotony, since Shady Grove doesn’t actually have a B part.

[@soldiercreekbison]

Best banjo player east of the Mississippi! 😘

[@banjogranny9156]

🥰

[@jgsawka]

Loved this!

[@banjogranny9156]

Thank you!

[@davidoverturf3465]

Beautiful as usual. Thanks, Granny! I've started my clawhammer journey. The bum ditty feels very strange to me.

[@banjogranny9156]

Thanks. And yes, the bum ditty feels strange at first, but eventually it will feel very natural.

[@muttandjeff5213]

Wonderful.

[@banjogranny9156]

Thanks!

[@ericwood9046]

Love your version.

[@banjogranny9156]

Thank you! Parts are borrowed from other players - esp. Lukas Pool and Dan Stewart.

[@johnsroadstories1467]

Sublime!

[@banjogranny9156]

Thanks!

[@cindygreen1089]

Very nice version!

[@banjogranny9156]

Thanks! Some parts are borrowed from Lukas Pool’s version.

[@chuckpatch1230]

nice very nice.

[@banjogranny9156]

Thank you.

[@danatucker5193]

Nicely done

[@banjogranny9156]

Thank you

[@ebandzekan]

lovely thanks

[@banjogranny9156]

Thank you too!

[@hippiehillape]

Made this old Deadhead smile

[@banjogranny9156]

Glad to hear it! Thanks! 😊

[@ente-6355]

☺❤👏👍

[@jeancaunce21]

Thank you, that’s great. I’m almost at the point of giving up learning clawhammer because I’m dreadful at following tab. Maybe I’ll always be a strummer or a pattern picker. Please could you tell me what tuning you’re in and if you can point me to the tab you’re using, I’d be really grateful. Maybe I’ll give it a good shot because I love this tune. I’m a banjo nana too!

[@banjogranny9156]

I learned this one partly from watching Lukas Pool’s video and partly from my banjo teacher Dan Stewart. I learn a lot of songs from You Tube videos by reducing the speed so I can hear and see what is being played. I use tab only as a starting point, and then add my own variations and/or copy parts from other players.

[@jeancaunce21]

Thank you so much. 😊

[@Tasmanaut]

honestly, you need to move away from tab. I used tabs for years as a guitar player, but when you are learning this kind of music, most of it will not have tab, nor require tab. You have to learn to replicate what you hear. If you don't play it exactly right because you can't get the exact part perfectly, it doesn't matter so much. That is how it is passed on and changes over time.

[@jordanlandry1680]

What is this tuning?

[@ayurveda_doc]

It’s double C

[@F_later]

Think to hear the typical sound of a Renaissance banjo head. Is that correct ? Well played !

[@banjogranny9156]

Thanks! And yes, it’s a Renaissance head. 😊

[@arbaugrl]

Great job Granny! How long have you been playing?

[@banjogranny9156]

7 years for 3-finger style, 3 years for clawhammer.

[@arbaugrl]

Wow! I thought you would have been playing longer as well as you play. By the way I love your version of Shady Grove what tuning do you use?

[@banjogranny9156]

Thanks! It’s double C tuning.

[@jeancaunce21]

Oh, just seen you’re in double C….that’s best for me. Are all your vids in double C?

[@stevencousens8610]

Really nice arrangement of this song. Didn’t ever tab it out? Would love to learn your version ❤

[@banjogranny9156]

Thank you. I might tab it out after I retire in a few months.

[@gazgf]

@@banjogranny9156 please do…it’s a lovely sound you’ve created 👏👏

[@banjogranny9156]

@@gazgf Thank you so much! I will put it on my post-retirement “To Do” list!

[@Rogue_Strummer]

Hi - Great playing by the way. I am curious who makes the 12 inch pot banjo that you are playing in these videos. Stay strong!

[@banjogranny9156]

Thanks. It’s from Pisgah Banjo Company in North Carolina.

[@Rogue_Strummer]

@@banjogranny9156 I made that assumption. It looked like one of their models. Do you prefer a 12 inch over an 11 inch? How do you rate the sound quality difference upgrading to a professional instrument vs a basic $150-200 open back starter. Do you think it's a big difference.. I've played the Deering Americana, and I don't care for the esthetics much or the tone although I'm sure it's alot better than what I'm using. Do you have any preference on tone rings or things of that nature. I like the tempo that you play at. I've heard others playing a bit too fast in some instances, and I get there is a time and a place for that, but it doesn't sound melodic on certain songs. Thanks if you have time to read this!

[@banjogranny9156]

@@Rogue_Strummer When I ordered the Pisgah I didn’t know whether to get 11” or 12” and the owner recommended 12.” It’s a little louder, it has a fuller, warmer sound. And there is a world of difference between it and the starter banjo I was playing previously. A good quality banjo is more responsive, and is actually easier to play. When I played cheap instruments, I felt like I was fighting the banjo, but the Pisgah seems to cooperate with me. I don’t know if that makes sense, but if you can play a quality instrument for comparison you’ll see what I mean. I don’t know enough about tone rings to have an opinion. My Pisgah has a Dobson, and I’m happy with the sound. Once when I was at a jam I heard a Vega with a White Laydie tone ring, and it sounded great and was amazingly loud for an open back. And regards tempo, like you, I usually don’t care for lightning fast speed - it too often ruins the beauty of the melody. It seems more about showing off the player’s skill than about providing something pleasing for the listener’s ears.

[@Rogue_Strummer]

@@banjogranny9156 yep. totally agree with your last statement. Thanks for the response!

[@Acernis6]

Do you happen to have the tabs for this? :) This is the best version I've heard.

[@banjogranny9156]

Thank you so much! I don’t have tab for it, but if you can wait a while I’ll try to tab it out. It might be several days before I can get to it.

[@Acernis6]

@@banjogranny9156 Would be brilliant if you did this. Its gorgeous. Thank you!

[@banjogranny9156]

Sorry, it’s harder to tab out than I realized. I don’t know if I’ll ever be able to get it done.

[@jordanlandry1680]

I'll try to tab it out by reference of this video

[@jontes81]

Hello! What is that great sound in the background? Almost sounds like a cello. Great playing!❤

[@banjogranny9156]

Thanks. Not a cello, just Strum Machine backing track with guitar and bass.

[@jontes81]

@@banjogranny9156 aha. Sounds very cool.

[@hillaryoneill7812]

Lovely! Say, I'm in the market for a new banjo head. What kind do you have on yours?

[@banjogranny9156]

Thanks. It’s a Renaissance head.

[@hillaryoneill7812]

@@banjogranny9156 Thanks so much!

[@jordanlandry1680]

What key is this in?

[@banjogranny9156]

Key of Bm. It's in Double C tuning, but tuned down 1/2 step, so technically it's Double B tuning.

[@librandy77]

Hay Granny you ok I miss you music, which is why I am listening to this now. Yeah it’s wicked good playing Granny.🪕🪕🪕

[@banjogranny9156]

Thanks! I just haven’t been satisfied with any of the recent videos I’ve made. I’m my own worst critic!

[@librandy77]

I know what that is like, but there is one thing I do not believe in and that is perfection, some times you just got play and that is all that is necessary and on top of all that you play really well. Please I have been waiting for ages 🤣🤣🤣… 🪕🪕🪕

[@banjogranny9156]

Thanks for the encouragement! I’ll see what I can do. 😊