Snowdrop (Clawhammer)

TAB of this arrangement is available for purchase in my Etsy shop: banjogranny.etsy.com
Tuning: f A# F A# D.
This is essentially Double C tuning, but with the first string tuned up to E. However, I like the sound of it when played a whole step lower, so in this video it's f A# F A# D
Recorded 07.25.22 on Pisgah Dobson Rambler

[@chrisforbes]

I’m going to say that this is my favorite version of this song I’ve ever heard.

[@banjogranny9156]

Thank you! 😊

[@fp2386]

I have heard this song hundreds of times played by other clawhammer players, I even learned it myself, but despite all that you still found a way to make it brand new to me. Same goes for your ---arrangement of Bonnie Prince Charlie. Thanks for sharing.

[@banjogranny9156]

Thank you so much! I appreciate the compliment!

[@gmanwrangler]

Beautiful as is the player.

[@jamesa.rodriguez8598]

@gmanwrangler Gmann, I'm a disciple of Jesus Christ, so don't take this the wrong way. I checked the thumbnail pic for your site. Brother, you took a great selfie. The backdrop is awesome. If you play music and cut an album, use the pic for a cover. God bless you.

[@pegcrnp]

What brand banjo? The sound is awesome.

[@ronwilliams1710]

Beautiful ! I'm trying to learn your version of Snowdrop. It is so crisp and clear and so easy listening. I'm so glad I found this. Thank you for posting.

[@banjogranny9156]

Thank you so much!

[@indiopeltier9758]

As a Punk and Metal Bass player,I tried to learn claw hammer on Banjo and it melted my brain . Respect

[@banjogranny9156]

Thanks! I tried and gave up several times before I finally got the hang of it.

[@indiopeltier9758]

@@banjogranny9156 🤎

[@Ppuffdiddleydangdoof]

As a metal guitarist who really wants to play banjo one day, I believe you can do it. Wax on wax off! Respect.

[@edwardhanson3664]

Reminds me of "Cold Frosty Morning". Light and bright.

[@jamesa.rodriguez8598]

Nice tune. Beautiful spirit, Granny, and color hair. Your crown of glory. Thanks to God. Love, from Central Valley California.

[@banjogranny9156]

Thank you! 😊

[@jamesa.rodriguez8598]

@banjogranny9156 Not that it is so important, but we, the viewer, only get a glimpse of your profile and a beautiful, modest picture that is. I suppose it's curiosity that draws me to wonder of your facial features. I'm guessing you're in the Appalachian, and we would never happen by chance to meet in public. I suppose it doesn't matter. I'm just a curious grandpa and fellow musician. Blues harmonica/vocals. Well, I used to be, anyway. These days, if I play in public, it's on the street, sequencing my way into the gospel. Amen. Thanks for sharing your gift, and the reply. God bless! 🌹

[@Rogue_Strummer]

best snowdrop by a long ways I've heard.. Really impressive.. it's a soothing song as they say.. Marvelous!

[@banjogranny9156]

Wow, thank you so much! It’s definitely one of my favorite tunes.

[@christianpatte5045]

We are returned 50 years back with your tv banjo,show .Super Tyler OTB from France

[@Cyrilmc222004]

Thank you so much I really really enjoyed watching and listening to you playing so well

[@banjogranny9156]

@@Cyrilmc222004 Thank you so much!😊

[@frettedfun]

Very nicely done! Thank you for brightening my morning!

[@banjogranny9156]

It is YOU who has brightened MY morning with your lovely comment! 😊

[@perrykeener7805]

I play this on mountain dulcimer. Cool tune and your banjo is played absolutely beautifully. Enjoy your music very much .

[@banjogranny9156]

Thank you very much!

[@AndyWilkinson-z9q]

I love it. They are such nice people at Pisgah and have great values. They shipped my banjo to England a couple of years ago without a hitch. Melissa and Patrick are fab.

[@jeffanderson8384]

That was incredible. Thanks for sharing! 👏👏👏

[@doctorjekyll32]

wow! your notes are so clean, really lovely rhythm

[@banjogranny9156]

Thank you so much!

[@darylcrisp1863]

just found your channel tonight, love your arrangements and tone, thanks for posting

[@banjogranny9156]

Thanks for listening!

[@mo55m00n]

Goodness, this is gorgeous! Outstanding work!

[@banjogranny9156]

@@mo55m00n Thank you so much! 😊

[@stephenbaker645]

Great ! Struggling with claw hammer but love it , preferred this when like you I tuned it down , nearly there .Thankyou so much x

[@banjogranny9156]

Hang in there!

[@johnschneider4160]

Listen to that wonderful Pisgah sing! I'm a proud owner of two myself!! Great job!

[@banjogranny9156]

Thanks, and yes, the Pisgah is such a great instrument!

[@foxy663]

Beautiful tune and beautifully played!! 👍

[@banjogranny9156]

@@foxy663 Thank you! 😊

[@jdseery]

fine picking, great banjo that rambler we want more!!

[@johnbarleycorn699]

YOU DID THAT GOOD . . . LUV IT !

[@KingsMom831]

Beautiful!! Hair is absolutely gorgeous too!😊

[@banjogranny9156]

Thank you!! 😊

[@grettagip]

A favorite! I really like your use of drop thumb, tuning and tempo too❣

[@banjogranny9156]

Thank you!!

[@stepay1216]

I cried ....I lost my banjo playing Grandma awhile ago and I miss her alotn

[@banjogranny9156]

Oh, I’m so sorry for your loss. 😢

[@AstralThrift]

So beautiful ❤

[@TheMylesWright]

So pleased to have stumbled upon your great videos. Quality in all respects! Really enjoying Snowdrop and this tuning. I have found it surprisingly e-Z ;) and satisfying to learn it by watching the video at reduced speed. As a newbie banjo grandad, here in the UK, who can’t sing for toffee, I hope there will be more of similar to follow. Thank You!

[@banjogranny9156]

Thank you so much!

[@peter4Flags]

Second time watching this. Beautiful really really beautiful.

[@banjogranny9156]

@@peter4Flags Thank you so much!😊

[@toddtonis]

Very nice rendition of the song. I learned clawhammer when I was a kid living in WV from a young man who taught banjo and guitar lessons each week. Hearing this video makes we want to get the banjo back out. I'm 60 years old now and still love the sound of clawhammer banjo like yours. Well done.

[@banjogranny9156]

Thank you. Clawhammer is really a fascinating and versatile style, and allows for so much expression. I can’t believe I had never even heard of it until about 7 years ago!

[@dennisclapp7527]

Thanks BG

[@bailliekins]

Really nice playing, I love your version. Everyone seems to play this tune different? I'm gonna go with your version, love it. I've just recorded my version on youtube but back to the drawing board as it were for me after seeing this! Your video has enlightened me to a few things I'm doing wrong. Thanks for sharing.

[@librandy77]

Such grace brilliant🪕🪕🪕

[@banjogranny9156]

Thank you so much! 😊

[@salebo55]

Thanks from France. Something new to try in 2024: definitely! Lovely 😎

[@banjogranny9156]

Thank you!

[@ejarnold747]

This video just made my whole day today! Awesome 🪕🎶🎶🎶🎶!

[@banjogranny9156]

Thank you!

[@stevefeatherston4977]

Absolutely loved it! Thanks so much. Your tone is incredible. Glad you shared this!

[@banjogranny9156]

@@stevefeatherston4977 Thank you so much! 😊

[@MoJoeShoMo]

I watched a clawhammer introductory tutorial and it helped me tremendously o appreciate what you're doing here. Clawhammer is much more interesting. I've enjoyed a few of your videos.

[@banjogranny9156]

Thanks. It's weird how bluegrass music sounds much more complicated than it is, and clawhammer is much more complicated than it sounds. Thanks for taking the time to learn about it and appreciate it more! 🙂

[@DanDDirges]

Love this timeless classic! You play SO incredibly well and make it look effortless!

[@banjogranny9156]

Thank you so much! What a lovely compliment! 😊 I struggled with this song for quite a while, gave up at one point, then went back to it a few months later. Taking a break from it seemed to do the trick!

[@martinmonfee7974]

Nice, I've always wanted a frailing banjo, that may be my next purchase! Thanks for sharing!

[@Cooperstroopers]

Such pleasant music. Thank you.

[@banjogranny9156]

You’re welcome - and thank you!

[@clivekibbler4578]

very very nicely played ,thank you for filming and showing ,

[@banjogranny9156]

Thank you!

[@martinmonfee7974]

So good I just had to come revisit!

[@banjogranny9156]

Thank you so much!

[@debalexander5469]

Love your sound! Thanks for the tip on tuning. Merry Chrstmas!

[@banjogranny9156]

Thanks!

[@christopheolsen9552]

Absolutely beautifully dreamy ❤

[@banjogranny9156]

Thank you so much!

[@tessiemae8569]

Your banjo playing is so lovely, but I have to say, your hair is the best - color and style.

[@banjogranny9156]

Why thank you! 😊

[@MariaCalfaDePaul]

That is so nice. I’m just Learning clawhammer but I love it so much !!

[@banjogranny9156]

Thank you! I love clawhammer too!

[@MariaCalfaDePaul]

@@banjogranny9156 if you have any advice to give me that would be great. The only thing right now I struggle with is understanding how all of you awesome players use that thumb in drop thumb because when I try to use it in the songs I’m learning from a teach myself clawhammer book by Wayne Erbesen it just sounds like more notes and not part of the melody :)

[@banjogranny9156]

All I can tell you is to just keep practicing. I used to think I would never master the drop thumb, and eventually it all fell into place. I had a teacher (via Skype), because I needed the feedback that I wasn’t getting from watching lesson videos.

[@MariaCalfaDePaul]

@@banjogranny9156 thanks so much. At some point I may need to get one maybe on zoom. Thank you for your encouragement By the way I like the sound of your banjo. Who makes it ?

[@davidoverturf3465]

Beautiful, Granny. I like the tuning and your tone out of the Pisgah Dobson Rambler. ❤

[@banjogranny9156]

Thank you! I love my Pisgah banjo!

[@robertpinder2307]

And beautiful granny!

[@chuckjeffery944]

Wonderful. Thanks for putting your music on KZbin! I love it all!

[@kdevine321]

Such a great rendition!

[@banjogranny9156]

Thanks! 😊

[@jimsharrow1950]

You play so beautifully. Would you consider recording a version of "Sally in the Garden", please ? 😁

[@banjogranny9156]

Thank you. I have a version of Sally in the Garden already posted on my channel. 😊

[@drewby613]

Sweet tune, and well played! Thank you so much!!♥

[@banjogranny9156]

Thank you too!

[@BMcCue7]

I was sitting here at my desktop, multiple windows open, looking at at the news and a political argument on Reddit and thought I'd start some music. One of the windows open was KZbin with it's recommendations. I clicked yours, this video. Your music made me stop everything else I was thinking about. I just stopped and listened. Incredible stuff. Thank you for the peace of mind that I felt while listening.. I wish I could play the banjo like you.

[@banjogranny9156]

Wow, thank you for taking the time to post such a lovely compliment! Made my day! 😊

[@JohnSims3]

Awesome! Just found yo and subscribed :D

[@banjogranny9156]

Thank you!

[@ericb2726]

This is sooo good. I’m trying to teach myself your version it sounds so relaxing and catchy

[@banjogranny9156]

Thank you! 😊

[@paulgrady4183]

Absolutely beautiful 👏

[@banjogranny9156]

Thank you! 😊

[@doncompositore8023]

Love it!!

[@banjogranny9156]

Thank you!!

[@knittingthestash]

sounds beautiful!

[@banjogranny9156]

Thanks!

[@markwilkerson9990]

Very nice. Clean and direct. I loved it!,

[@banjogranny9156]

Thank you!

[@MichaelEdelman1954]

Great rhythm and phrasing.

[@banjogranny9156]

Thank you!

[@CinkSVideo]

Lovely.

[@harvdog5669]

How long have you been playing banjo?? Doing a great job

[@banjogranny9156]

8 years. Thanks. 😊

[@bryanprindle]

Very nice, I'm going to try and learn clawhammer.

[@banjogranny9156]

It takes a while to get the hang of it, but don’t give up! Video yourself so you can track YOUR progress, rather than comparing yourself to others (which is so discouraging!)

[@beesechurger929]

Ive been playing 3 finger style for a few years and am giving clawhammer an honest try. I'm a few months in and hope to one day play as well as you do!

[@banjogranny9156]

Thank you! It means a lot to hear that, because my journey was much the same, and for the first couple of years, I thought I was never going to get the hang of it! So don’t give up!

[@beesechurger929]

@banjogranny9156 That's reassuring to hear! I'll try my best haha.

[@clivekibbler4578]

no better way to start my day ,class player

[@banjogranny9156]

Thank you so much

[@peterrandall9523]

Lovely stuff 🪕🇬🇧

[@banjogranny9156]

Thank you!

[@donaldkershaw6371]

Thank you

[@no333zy8]

Just lovely! ❤

[@louGriggs1944]

Very nice. Thanks.

[@banjogranny9156]

Thank you very much!

[@gittaradau8790]

So beautiful.

[@banjogranny9156]

Thank you!

[@markhanson6880]

That was awesome!

[@banjogranny9156]

Thank you so much!

[@olivernash2240]

Makes me wish I still played the piano..🤗

[@alyssacubed333]

This brought joy to my morning :')

[@banjogranny9156]

I’m glad to hear it! Thank you! 😊

[@PeterLindelauf]

First song of the day and it was great.

[@JonseyWales]

Lovely!!🥲🥰🤗

[@5150show]

Brilliant, I just subbed

[@banjogranny9156]

Thank you!

[@joannehack7588]

🤩

[@banjogranny9156]

😊

[@Targetteer1]

Just beautiful. I really like claw hammer much better then 3 finger Scruggs style, so much more refined and laid back, relaxing to listen to, and a reminder of the rich heritage of old time music.

[@banjogranny9156]

Thank you! I agree that clawhammer style is beautiful and evocative!

[@jamiemcmullen4767]

Aw i love this so much ❤

[@banjogranny9156]

Thank you! 😊

[@HenryHenry-g8r]

Man, I keep coming back to this video. Simultaneously sweet and haunting. Definitely my favorite version of this song. Love the bassy plunk of that dampened 12" Rambler combined with the Dobson ringing out underneath. Well done.

[@1955cherokee]

Thank you so much! I had so much trouble getting this song to sound like other versions, so finally I just played it the way I felt it, which I guess is what I should have done in the first place! I'm still learning to trust my instincts. Your kind words give my a boost of confidence!

[@pappyoh1]

Love it ❤❤❤

[@banjogranny9156]

Thanks!

[@mollettsmusic4084]

Most excellent!

[@banjogranny9156]

Thank you!

[@AndyWilkinson-z9q]

That was great. Discovered this by chance and found you playing an identical banjo to mine (but so much better 😊). Lovely tune - Thanks for sharing it. Can you say where you found the tab?

[@banjogranny9156]

Thank you! Don’t you just love your Pisgah?! I learned the basics of this song from my teacher, Dan Stewart, and then added my own touches to it, so I don’t have a tab for what I’m playing in the video.

[@peter4Flags]

Lovely 👏👏👏

[@banjogranny9156]

Thanks!

[@kevdorr8845]

Beautiful.

[@banjogranny9156]

Thank you!

[@breech123]

Love it

[@RascalKyng]

These Heritage songs need to passed on... (looking for a banjo now on Marketplace)

[@clivekibbler4578]

happy days

[@gregjohnson2776]

Love your playing and love the sound of the Pisgah! What mute are you using? it sounds really nice.

[@banjogranny9156]

Thank you so much! The mute is a round sponge cut to about a 3” diameter and placed between the head and the center dowel at the bridge.

[@Michael-ew5kj]

that was amazing, love it

[@banjogranny9156]

Thank you!

[@banjercat]

I wish I could play that well....

[@banjogranny9156]

Just keep practicing. I watched your Mississippi Sawyer video, and your notes are very clear and your timing is perfect, so I have no doubt you will get there! I almost gave up clawhammer a time or two, because it is so hard! I remember my playing used to sound so mechanical, but eventually the technique "kicks in" and you can concentrate on the music instead of the technique, and it sounds so much better. Hang in there. If it was easy, everyone would be doing it!

[@banjercat]

@@banjogranny9156 You are very kind, thank you! I do intend to continue

[@delhatton]

cool

[@yogilounge]

you are so cool

[@edsweeneymusic]

Very nice! What is the tune you play in the middle of your arrangement?

[@banjogranny9156]

There is no other tune, it's just the B & C parts of the melody. It's loosely based on Brad Kolodner's version, just simplified.

[@AnnLippert1]

Awesome!

[@banjogranny9156]

Thank you!

[@hikrose]

Bravo. Got your TAB for this?

[@banjogranny9156]

Thanks! I don’t have a tab for it, but if you slow the video down to 1/2 or 3/4 speed, it’s fairly easy to figure out.

[@firecrest8154]

How long have you been playing banjo? It sounds so good, and your technique is very clean

[@banjogranny9156]

@@firecrest8154 Thanks! At the time this was recorded, I had been playing banjo for 6 years, but clawhammer style for a little over 2 years.

[@firecrest8154]

@@banjogranny9156 Wow that's really impressive!

[@WarrenFloyd-xr2js]

Big 👍😎

[@banjogranny9156]

Thanks! 👍

[@nathan_gogetem_9018]

I love this! Do you have the tablature for your version?

[@banjogranny9156]

Thank you! I started with a basic tab from my teacher (Dan Stewart) and then later, borrowing from Brad Kolodner’s version, I just played what I felt. I have never made a tab for this particular version, but if you slow the video down, you can probably get a pretty good idea of what I’m playing.

[@nathan_gogetem_9018]

@@banjogranny9156 I have bought tabs from Brad Kolodner before. Awesome stuff

[@Michael-ew5kj]

is there a tab for this?

[@banjogranny9156]

Sorry, no, but if you play the video at half or 3/4 speed, it’s fairly easy to figure out.

[@Michael-ew5kj]

@@banjogranny9156 thanks will do

[@ente-6355]

🤗❤

[@TREEHUGGAH1]

bravo bravo

[@banjogranny9156]

Thank you

[@jrdahlst56]

lovely, well done. I've been working on variations of Snowdrop in double C. What tuning are you using?

[@runrig97]

From double C, tune the first string up to E, then it's a type of open C. Looks like she is down a whole step from that so it's an open B-flat. fBbFBbD

[@jrdahlst56]

@@runrig97 thanks. I was trying to figure out what it might be derived from but the first string tuned up a step had me flummoxed.

[@runrig97]

@@jrdahlst56 I don't like tuning my first string above D (too afraid of breaking), so tuning the others down is a good though more involved solution 😃