The Sweep | Beautiful Patterns for Clawhammer Banjo

Here's a lovely family of patterns for those of you looking to expand your striking hand vocabulary for clawhammer banjo. I call it "the sweep".
If you would like to see the sweep in the context of a tune, please join us over on Banjo Quest where we're working on "Undone in Sorrow":
/ tomcollins

[@gregcotier]

Good class. I like the focus on detail in a way that is understandable.

[@mario7frankielee]

the drop thumb happens on the two „trouble“strings!🙈 that applies perfectly to me! you might not believe it but the first string is and was my „piece de resistance“ to hit it nice and produce a clear ringing tone! practicing this lesson shows it clearly,my first string sound is very onedimensional just like a click which can be nice but not always ! thanks for this fine lesson from switzerland 🇨🇭

[@donteschner8604]

I've been working on clawhammer banjo for a little while now and this is the most musical setof lessons I've seen. Thank you Tom.

[@FretlessFury]

Oh my...such a nice comment! Thank you!

[@user-wk6me6ny7h]

I like to sing with the banjo . This will work out nicely in G tuning . I will start practicing tonight . Many Thanks

[@dougmiller9567]

Love this technique Tom...it was like a missing link in my playing BTW..love the picks you suggested in an earlier video..they work so well for me.

[@FretlessFury]

Awesome, Doug! Thanks so much for posting! Best, Tom

[@hikrose]

This is an awesome lesson. Mahalo nui loa!

[@FretlessFury]

Thanks, Keith!

[@CiaranMcEMusic]

Great tutorial :)

[@rgregoryj]

Thank you!!

[@FretlessFury]

My pleasure!

[@lesliebrennan3351]

I wish I could get a close up of your right hand and very slow. I have played 5 string bluegrass for 40 years but can't seem to get this. Do enjoy your video

[@teamdebt]

Hi, the first and third notes in the sweep, are you using the index finger? Also are you hitting the string downwards? Good video, thank you.

[@hikrose]

Great technique. so the 3rd string never gets played?

[@FretlessFury]

Hey Keith, You can totally use the 3rd string in place of the 4th if you want. The technique is wide open. I'd start by keeping it simple and using the 4th string as your first note, then try moving the first note to other strings.

[@d.l.loonabide9981]

Play it how you want to play it.

[@Chaotic_Enigma]

What type of pickin style are you doing there? I just got me a banjo and most videos I see show the hand rested with using the finger picks which seems a typical way. I've noticed Steve Martin playing the same way you are and just curious what you'd call it... Nevermind, got curious on what clawhammer meant lol. It was also referenced in the description of the open back I purchased a few days ago

[@FretlessFury]

You got it. Clawhammer! It's a gorgeous style that predates three finger style. I'm obviously biased, but I think it's the most versatile and beautiful way to play the banjo. Give it a try, and do a little digging on my channel. It's dedicated to clawhammer banjo. Congrats on your new banjo btw!

[@Chaotic_Enigma]

@FretlessFury yea I've already watched alot of your videos, enjoyed the one with you playing slide. I plan to learn from your tutorials, will still try 3 finger since I got some (2) finger experiemce on a 6 string guitar.

[@rogerlandes6309]

Nice! What banjo are you playing?

[@FretlessFury]

Thanks! I'm playing my Ome Omega in this video. Best, Tom

[@sweetwilliam49]

Who made your banjo? Thanks

[@FretlessFury]

That's my trusty and beautiful Ome Omega! I'm a huge fan of Ome banjos.

[@d.l.loonabide9981]

Wait a minute! Isn't this double thumb? It's aimed at specific strings, yes, still the thumb and finger are alternating in steady rhythm.

[@FretlessFury]

It's absolutely the same rhythm as double thumb: all eighth notes. To keep things simple, I think of "double thumbing" as a pattern that sounds the 5th string during every upstroke. "Drop thumb" asks us to move an upstroke to a non-5th string. But in a way, you're right. All possible eighth notes are being sounded in the pattern.

[@d.l.loonabide9981]

@@FretlessFury I really like playing this pattern.

[@d.l.loonabide9981]

@@FretlessFury thanks for posting this. I like playing this pattern.