As a self-taught beginner-ish banjo player, I've been strumming away with my basic frailing and wishing I could make the beautiful sound I hear other clawhammer players making by mixing in drop-thumb. This is so helpful! It's such a beautiful instrument and playing style and I'm so excited to be progressing on it with the help of people like you who so generously make these free tutorials.
@AikiSys Жыл бұрын
Greeting from Dublin Ireland Steve - great lesson. Thanks for sharing. Really useful and brilliantly explained. 👏👏👏👏👏👏👏🙏🏿
@dariolombardo52356 жыл бұрын
Steve, you are the BEST Clawhammer Banjo teacher ever, period. Awesome.
@helenkinsey2868 Жыл бұрын
That lesson has solved all my problems about how you get the banjo sound I like! No one else I have found has been so simply clear! Thank you so much. You have made my day!
@davidappleton46287 жыл бұрын
You are a natural teacher Steve, especially with your relaxed style. Thanks.
@danielwinter36383 жыл бұрын
Thank u for your videos Steve...you hav helped me immensely with my clawhammer playing...ive watched many tutorials...but your style of teaching seems to really to make sense...thank u...from South Australia
@renenelson10594 жыл бұрын
You Opened My Eyes To Clawhammer - Steve I’ve taken a few clawhammer lessons in my younger years and learned the basic rhythm. Then I switched to guitar and formed a band and sang lead vocal. Our band was together for 12 years. It was 43 years before I went back to the banjo. It took me 2 years to get my clawhammer rhythm back up to speed. Then I found your videos on drop thumb. It was just what I needed. Your effort on that video has given me a whole new musical life. I’ve always loved the banjo....now it is a wide open road for me thanks to you and your videos.
@hammockhobie8958 Жыл бұрын
It's been a few years now that I keep coming back to you, thanks.
@rpeek5 жыл бұрын
I'm lovin' that drop thumb..
@StevePlaysBanjo5 жыл бұрын
Aw man, you made my day with that comment. 😊
@rpeek5 жыл бұрын
@@StevePlaysBanjo It's a huge deal when someone gets their head wrapped around the drop thumb. Changes everything. You did a good job 'splain'n it.. Good..
@timbeaty8544 жыл бұрын
Thank you! Best drop thumb tutorial I've BEEN ABLE TO USE. Nicely done and methodical. Takes time and I have what it takes to practice from this lesson.
@donaldgoeltz40622 жыл бұрын
I finally got the basic rhythm down by listening and then making my banjo sound like that. AHA! Now I am working on the drop thumb and the mix - listen to the music. Thank you - it may take all summer, but you made my summer.
@slowbox7 жыл бұрын
You are fantastic at breaking this down... this is exactly what I've been needing to see demonstrated and explained. Thanks!
@norlybone6 жыл бұрын
I find your instruction very helpful. I've been playing banjo for 59 years ( Dixie band accompaniment) , but I am just getting back to basics. Initially I was taught in the "classic style" plucking individual strings but now approaching "clawhammer" my fingers have their own memory which is slowing me down ( a lot ) I hope to persevere !!!
@michaellorah90516 жыл бұрын
Alan Birkinhead I'm having the same problem but for a different reason. I'm going from N. Mississippi Hill Country rhythm blues to Clawhammer banjo. It's like trying to go from slide whistle to trombone, both my instruments have strings, but are played in two vastly different ways.
@adamahs40085 жыл бұрын
Hey buddy! Im a upright bassplayer who decided half a year ago that i should try the banjo. Fell in love instantly with the clawhammer style of it. Your chanel has helped so much you wouldnt belive. Keep it going
@patg81074 жыл бұрын
These techniques seem so much less scary when you explain them
@CormacDG2 ай бұрын
10:22 you are playing a song called blackberry blossom ❤Irish fiddle tune originally but often covered by bluegrass artists, famously Tony Rice & Norman Blake
@vanniegrace5 жыл бұрын
You are the BEST Teacher !!! Please keep at it. Thank You !
@BobGemmell4 жыл бұрын
Wow - thank you for this! It’s exactly what I needed.
@michaelwoolums-music66503 жыл бұрын
Thanks Steve. This a really good video. I play and sing a lot of standard clawhammer, but never got into drop thumb. You break this stuff down to make it most simplistic. I feel like I’m learning banjo for the first time all over again with practicing drop thumb. 😂👍
@davidmuir68495 жыл бұрын
Hi Steve Great instruction on all aspects of playing the banjo . I recently acquired the 5 string banjo that Billy Connolly played and I am learning from all your videos Many thanks Dave from st Andrews in Scotland
@Yrksman4 жыл бұрын
Really good tutorial Steve, makes learning very enjoyable and rewarding. Thank you.
@markykid8760 Жыл бұрын
You should link your previous video in the description 🙂
@markykid8760 Жыл бұрын
Must be this m.kzbin.info/www/bejne/gqWqpZ6Dd6t-j5Y
@timmillikan11553 ай бұрын
Really helpful tips, thank you. 🙏🏻
@brandyrobertson435 жыл бұрын
YOU ROCK DUDE been trying to comprehend drop thumb and you showed me the best way to learn. Appreciate this video so much!
@goliath257 Жыл бұрын
Some great tips there dude really appreciate it
@davepope35332 жыл бұрын
Brilliant lesson. Thanks
@spiritwoodlive55976 жыл бұрын
This is such sweet sounds!!! Excellent instruction!!! I know what I am doing for the next several months!!
@SirJasper997 жыл бұрын
Nice one Steve, it really does help.
@moodby5 жыл бұрын
Awesome breakdown, you're an excellent teacher. Thanks!
@TheRev1423 жыл бұрын
Great video! Thanks!
@Neilgal123 жыл бұрын
Very useful insights and nicely encouraging at the same time. Thanks!
@jilthorp12494 жыл бұрын
You are an amazing teacher.
@JDanielGraham4 жыл бұрын
Fantastic video. Very helpful! I’m just learning drop thumb and your breakdown makes total sense. Thanks
@AngusLiedtke5 жыл бұрын
This helped me so much thank you
@40freck5 жыл бұрын
Fantastic it works. Also made my basic stroke better.
@TheBanjaxed16 жыл бұрын
Great help Steve been struggling with changing between basic strum and drop thumb. You've made it very clear. Thank you. Dublin Ireland
@StevePlaysBanjo6 жыл бұрын
Thanks! Making these videos helps me practice too!
@decorman5 жыл бұрын
Great lessons Steve, thanks
@admiralsnaccbarr55144 жыл бұрын
i've been looking a whiiiillle for this exact video! awesome!
@homopoluza4 жыл бұрын
Interesting. Drop-Thumb without brush reminds me two-finger technique.
@StevePlaysBanjo4 жыл бұрын
dodo dodo I think there’s something to that. The two finger technique is similar to the Carter Strum where you might occasionally brush the strings with the fat of your thumb. But, with Clawhammer you strum with the hardened middle finger nail. Different texture for sure.
@Razsteroid Жыл бұрын
Everything is upside down coming from the guitar. Thumb on the upbeat and picking with the back of the nail, it's like I'm taking crazy pills. Lots of fun though.
@alancharman10017 жыл бұрын
Great lesson Steve really helping me.
@56LordshipRoad7 жыл бұрын
Steve - that's really excellent instruction. I've been working on drop thumb for a while and you've given me a real incentive to struggle on. Rob London, England
@StevePlaysBanjo7 жыл бұрын
Robert Coyle glad to hear that! Keep on frailing!
@bendavis92534 жыл бұрын
This guy is rad
@alfike3 жыл бұрын
Greatness!
@astarael097 жыл бұрын
Dude, thanks for the great video
@robwilkinson78135 жыл бұрын
Thanks for the lesson really helped me
@jaredwiebe84037 жыл бұрын
Very helpful! Thanks a bunch
@CharlotteRyerson7 жыл бұрын
Great help! Thanks Steve!
@stevenkandel57282 жыл бұрын
hey my names steve too! haha! XD
@tomnelson33627 ай бұрын
Steve, what type of picks are you using? Good lesson, I've just started the clawhammer style. thank you
@woodmum7 жыл бұрын
thanx steve!! very well explained!!
@johannwieghardt52826 жыл бұрын
thanks sooooo much, it is a great help for me an I learn a lot
@StevePlaysBanjo6 жыл бұрын
johann Wieghardt glad to hear that! Thanks!
@BerserkerSlayer0426 жыл бұрын
very helpful thanks amigo
@robertshears23456 жыл бұрын
This is a great video, but do you have one or can you make one where you go into more detail on the 'fusion' of the drop thumb and standard frailing strum? I'd like an exercise or a slower breakdown of that portion of the progression. Thank you so much!
@martin7016 жыл бұрын
Awesome!
@spiritwoodlive55976 жыл бұрын
Thank you!!!!!
@noamhemsky2 жыл бұрын
Apparently I have a lot of practicing ahead of me :)
@DolittleMccoy3 жыл бұрын
My biggest problem is that my thumb plucks the 5th string to hard. Whether I do it fast or slow it's almost as if my thumb is hooking onto the string and plucking it hard. Everyone elses thumb seems to glide off of the 5th string without tension. Mine is more like "Brush - BOING"
@jasonw4053 Жыл бұрын
You're probably making a "plucking" motion with your thumb unconsciously. You don't actually pluck the string, but just lift your thumb off the strut as your hand picks up to start the next hit.
@Michael-yt1jp4 жыл бұрын
Hey Steve, great video. I tend to noticed the fingers in my "claw hand" tend to splay out when attempting speed. I never see any gapes between your frail fingers during your videos. Is there a trick to develop this ?
@teevee926 жыл бұрын
My man!
@raywilliamson93966 жыл бұрын
Steve I am buying a Deering Artisan 5 string special open back with the sound ring. I have a question on your opinion of a scooped neck? First I'm not sure I can get use to the look, but that I am trying to be more interested in the sound. I noticed that the banjo you play is scooped, Why?? I really like and enjoy your teaching style.
@arctichare81856 жыл бұрын
scooped is perfect for clawhammer. OF COURSE!!
@dariodiniz6214 жыл бұрын
Hi Steve! How much tension do you use on your thumb.. I mean... when we hit the fifth strings in frailing is almost automatic, no tension, just the weight of our hands.. its the same for drop thumb? Do you relax the thumb in other strings or do you put tension in your thumb to hit the other strings?
@jasonw4053 Жыл бұрын
Don't add any tension, the only thing that changes is your thumbs position.
@raywilliamson93966 жыл бұрын
I almost forgot, do you have any way to to improve bad finger nails.
@waynekeiderling63525 жыл бұрын
STEVE , JUST CURIOUS WHAT STATE DO U RESIDE IN?p.s. WE JUST DONATED $500. to local boy scout troop from jam donations.thank you for the great coaching.
@kenr88984 жыл бұрын
volume up to 95 percent still cant hear you. please speak up
@ktimco2 жыл бұрын
get speakers or hearing aids
@LuckeGabriel5 жыл бұрын
WHO ELSE GOT BLISTERS ON THEIR THUMBS NOW?
@dirkbullet3 жыл бұрын
Wht idiot whatches somthing like this and then thumbs it down ? If u dont like it stop whatching. Good Video .
@StevePlaysBanjo3 жыл бұрын
Maybe they’re practicing that drop-thumb! *dad joke* 😂
@christineweatherford58526 жыл бұрын
What kind of banjo is that?
@StevePlaysBanjo6 жыл бұрын
Pisgah Rambler Dobson. Love that deep tone!
@bakbolom6 жыл бұрын
How do you like the slightly wider nut and string spacing? I'm considering a Rambler shorter scale (25.5) and like the idea of the wider nut...