Wait Clawhammer Guitar is a Thing!?!

[@rabendranath]

Everybody gangsta 'til Phoebe finds out about Clawhammer guitar

[@geoffreycat1763]

😄

[@chrishushak3562]

'Guitars scare me because they have more strings than I have fingers' Still laughing after hearing that - Phoebe, you just made my day! 🙂

[@jacobandgeckos]

I didn't quite understand the appeal at first, but then you played the riff starting at 3:04, and that made me go 'wow, that sound so cool'

[@Aesops_Adventurers]

OMG I love Molly Tuttle!!! I watch her clawhammer the guitar and think of you everytime!!!! I WAS BEYOND EXCITED the second a saw the title!!!! YES!!!

[@futuredirected]

You deserve a better guitar. ❤ I know how this goes. Soon, You’ll be playing fiddle, mandolin, bass, every traditional stringed instrument, and when You run out of strings, You’ll pick up whistles, flutes and a concertina. That’s what happens. Been there. Enjoy! ❤️🪕❤️

[@PremiumKibble]

Very cool! Molly is amazing, The River Knows is very sad but a great example of clawhammer guitar.

[@BigCheeseRumble]

Go Phoebe! I hope some day you meet Molly and she gives you a lesson.

[@Nitenichi100]

Thanks!

[@phoebesanders2487]

Thank YOU!!

[@gonz0fist]

Please keep us updated, I would go as far as saying you dont need that top String for now, get comfortable with just chords and melodies with the botttom four! Cheers!

[@smadaf]

I have never learned to play the guitar properly-but I have long done something like what you were doing with your thumb. Thanks to you, I now know it's not just a me thing, but an actual Thing.

[@lunarclipper]

Cool. Thank you for coming to share something new you were excited to find out about. Can't wait to hear what you come up with as you play around with this 😊

[@BillMcbride-mv3gl]

Phoebie you are so awesome to watch. A breath of fresh air in a weary world. We love you here in Indiana!!!

[@garyfrombelfast3521]

I can hear the potential and your enthusiasm! I’m anticipating more tunes already!

[@kenwoodbury1888]

When I saw the title of this video, I was going to comment, watch Molly Tuttle videos. I guess that you already know that. Keep up the good work.

[@cpc4885]

Molly Tuttle is the best, I’m glad you chose her as your mentor.

[@stevenboyd593]

Mollie is a gem as is Sarah Jarosz who plays the octave mandolin which is an amazing instrument... Blessing and Shalom in Him

[@acbenepe]

Goodness, (I should leave it there) but "more strings than I have fingers", hillarious.

[@susansanders9159]

You are getting some percussion from that bass string! Love the innovation!

[@smadaf]

This is pretty great! I like it. It's a bit like the droning in bagpipes or a hurdy-gurdy.

[@theseriousprepper4372]

Cool find. I’d like to hear you play more of this. The darker melody is a nice switch up once in a while.

[@michaelallen434]

Awesome! I’ve played guitar since I was 15 and there is always more to learn. You’re doing great. Thanks for sharing.👍

[@thomasnichols7850]

You really deserve a better guitar that plays and stays in tune for the song.. Great to hear and see you branch out !! Your musical gifts translate so well to other instruments.. Go Phoebe!!

[@internalscreech]

So cool! Also thank you for the Smudge close-up, I really needed that

[@scraft1222]

I love you're enthusiasm and spontaneity

[@landonhall1852]

This is great! That must be double drop D. "D, B, G, D, no A, low D." Something minor key like Pretty Polly, or Hollis Brown might be a fun start.

[@christinaeaster9991]

That is so cool, Phoebe! I'm gonna have to try that! Wow, its different seeing you play guitar!😂👍🎸

[@twangmeister]

Molly uses G model tuning for Clawhammer (DGDGCD) which is the same as the Sawmill/Mountain minor banjo tuning. You definitely need a 5th string and as others have suggested, need to check out Steve Baughman who has probably taken Clawhammer guitar further than anyone else,

[@alancandy6080]

Maybe use open D, so you get a more matching bass note. Or remove the sixth string altogether for open G (like Keith Richards) so you use the fifth string as your drone. You have the talent to play guitar, for sure. Then on to a 12-string!

[@yricyric]

Try shimming the bridge saddle on the base side to raise your lowest string or strings. That should stop the buzzing. Have fun!

[@pete1791]

Hi Phoebe, your talent grows all the time, and now on guitar, please keep on with the banjo. Molly tuttle is among the very best, try Billy Strings too.

[@daverow49]

Wow Phoebe there is another avenue of music for you to discover. What you played sounded great. There are smaller bodied guitars available too.

[@WeylinRg]

That's amazing, Phoebe! I play guitar, but I didn't think that it's possible to play a guitar like that, in banjo-style :)

[@TheWooTubes]

You should seek out Clinton Hicks' KZbin video about the guitar George Gibson gave him to play in banjo tunings. He and Molly Tuttle also use modal tunings, which I think are different from each other. I've only just acquired my first banjo, so I've been using Open G on guitar to prepare for the 'culture change'. On the way I discovered 'Taro Patch tuning' on ukelele, tenor banjos and tenor guitars. 4 fingers = 4 strings!

[@carolbarnes3212]

I’ve played a little claw hammer guitar before, when needed. It’s fun👍

[@JKwakulla]

Glad you found Molly. See her live if you get a chance.

[@piguy3point14]

Oh, wow. I just turned my "slide" guitar (usually open D) to Open G bc I saw Molly Tuttle "I've Always Been a Rambler" from her Kitchen Counter series. I'm still a banjo picker but it's time. I need to claw hammer.

[@stephengibbs8342]

my dad was a banjo/guitar player he loved doing "Dueling Banjoes" on guitar

[@sundaynightdrunk]

If you hook your thumb over the top of the fretboard, you can finger notes with it on that low string.

[@Harbinger999-sz4ni]

Smudge looks to say," you need a better guitar to hammer on", instead of doing your homework ..

[@MichaelPahutski-i1v]

Phoebe, I play three-finger banjo, and have been learning some John Denver tunes. Of course, John played guitar, so to more closely align with his music, I took an acoustic guitar I have, removed the 5th and 6th strings, added a new fifth string sized to a first string, then tuned the whole thing to open G banjo tuning. Now I can play using banjo fingerings but get a beautiful guitar sound. I hope you have fun with your new banjo/guitar!

[@smadaf]

And all this time I sillily thought that the banjo-string that you hit with your thumb in your clawhammer playing was making a low-pitched sound. If only I'd thought about what the _short length_ of that string implied!

[@ratguy-y1j]

I've been playing clawhammer guitar tuned to open g for half a week now because I cant afford the banjo I want at the moment. Helps me get comfortable with the tuning so I have a headstart once I buy one. Been playing clawhammer ukulele in standard tuning for 2 months probably, very fun.

[@SeattleScotty]

Mark Knopfler from Dire Straits is a master of the clawhammer guitar style - would definitely recommend checking his work out. Lindsay Buckingham of Fleetwood Mac is very similar as well.

[@twangmeister]

@SeattleScotty Sorry, but I don't think Mark Knopfler clawhammers - he Travis Picks rather than uses the back of a nail to strike the strings. He is an awesome player though. I think Lindsay does clawhammer sometimes. I also think this whole subject of clawhammer guitar can become confusing, mainly because the tendency of some here in the UK to refer to Travis Picking as clawhammer.

[@thomasfranks7044]

keep making magic edit *this is magic* thank you

[@luc5798]

Phoebe on guitar! 😃👍👍👍 Yes Molly Tuttle is simply AMAZING... I think you should get a smaller guitar! I prefer nylon-string guitars, because you can play everything on them and I really like flamenco, but if you want a great steel-string guitar that's not too big and really comfortable to play, check out the Martin 000 Junior! 😎 I don't regret my purchase.

[@wzardglick]

You sound better than I with an out of tune unfamiliar instrument that's missing an important string. And All Is Right With the World :-)

[@BanjoRose_down-picker]

That's awesome! I'm actually learning guitar on my own.

[@craniifer]

Love some clawhammer guitar. Glad I can live vicariously through you, cause my guitar is collecting dust.

[@alanbudgen2672]

I saw Molly Tuttle in London earlier in the year, and she played "Take The Journey" clawhammer and she was awesome. I'd love to hear you play some more clawhammer guitar.

[@d.randal.h]

I thought I couldn't relate to you more, but then you picked up an instrument I can actually play!

[@MichaelBCoats]

Dr. Phoebe, thanks for sharing this! I need to get brave enough to try alternate tunings with my guitar. I tend to be a standard tuning flat pick guy. The only alternate tunings I have used are drop D and double drop D. BTW, there is also claw hammer ukulele, which I have been wanting to check out. God's blessings and much love to you, Doc! ❤❤❤❤❤

[@timmullen8951]

Practice makes better & better, Phoebe. And a good quality gee-tar helps....'n Christmas is coming. Be Well.

[@beachbum77979]

Clawhammer guitar? I know a few guitar players that might be interested. Unfortunately I only play piano. But the idea makes me think. What about fretless guitar? What about clawhanner fiddle? Phoebe reshaping music one video at a time. Thanks for making me smile and making me think.

[@CRN-68]

Interesting experiment, but I finally would say: "nope, it doesn't do it...". The bass E string (the thickest one) ruins most, while the missing A string is... just missing indeed. As for the rest of strings, they are made for a guitar, not for a banjo, so they too are reluctant to sound like banjo... Your banjo is terrific, usually speaking, so in my humble opinion I would suggest you keep on the banjo ! Sorry if I sound a bit stabbing on you, but remember WE ALL LOVE YOU !! (...and your banjo !)

[@mattleach958]

Hi Phoebs. Your nifty new small Yamaha guitar should arrive maybe on Friday. And just in time, because I just tuned the guitar that I inhered from my dad to open G, and now I am all lost in the chord fingering and melody picking. Of course I could just study on the internet, but you are a fun good teacher, if you want.

[@KenneyCmusic]

Heck yes! I love playing Clawhammer guitar! I use open D too, and it’s similar to minstrel tuning! You can do it with ukuleles too. Just take the A string down to G to make gceg!

[@KE4YAL]

I like the sound are you going be doin guitar videos now I’d love to hear more I really like Molly Tuttle Great video

[@annwithaplan9766]

I look forward to you playing more guitar like that.

[@mettsmusic3460]

Go for it Phoebe!

[@robertjoyce5629]

Awesome! Instant guitarist!

[@markthompson339]

😀This will blow your mind. There's also Clawhammer Ukelele!!! A few videos online demonstrating clawhammer ukelele, but I forgot who was (ir)resopnsible for those.

[@johnhudson9167]

Molly Tuttle is great, check out Steve Baughman.

[@geoffreycat1763]

You makes me smile so much, again. 🐣

[@amandasanders1141]

I love that sound!

[@sarabellaiac]

reading your description, i’m quite interested in hearing what clawhammer would sound like on an electric guitar! super duper cool! 🪷🤍

[@phoenixdk]

What a superb idea! And you've obviously taken to it quite well already, even if the guitar is a little deep for your reach :) You should get that G string replaced soon, it will make your life in G tuning easier. Once you've started fretting the top string(s) for bass, we might let you into the guitarists' secret guitar gatherings, where you'll learn to appreciate effects pedals and whammy bars.

[@garycarlton3877]

I gotta check this out

[@williamsurname4669]

I’ve been curious about this but there haven’t been many KZbin videos on it, until now!

[@michaeldeloatch7461]

LOL. As someone who is trying to go the other direction (messed around with guitar more or less 40 years, with decades in between never touching one) and trying banjo for the first time this year, I feel for you. Face palming when I see vandalized A string to turn it into a 5 string banjo haha.

[@smadaf]

The blue of that shirt really goes with the colors of your hair, face, and hat.

[@Retro6502]

That's awesome! I was playing my Ukulele this weekend and thinking about your videos. I was wondering if Clawhammer Ukuele was a thing since it has the high G string on top to bounce off as a drone lol. Clawhammer guitar sounds great, I hope you do more videos with it!

[@59redwing]

That's pretty cool.Hope you do another video after you get a set of strings for that or maybe a different guitar and have a chance to be perfect it

[@wm3752]

Phoebe- take that guitar in to Guitar Center(or some local Guitar shop) and have their guitar tech put some new strings(Elixir nanoweb- medium- 12's)- have them do a set-up(neck adjustment, fret polish, fretboard conditioned, etc)- maybe swap the plastic bridge pins for some ebony pins- it'll be like having a new guitar- don't stop playing that guitar- you're a natural...

[@stephenworthington8508]

Keep on Rocking 🎉

[@im_agine852]

I had to read the title 3 times and then I realized you needed a comma after the word wait. 😀

[@here-right-here]

Clawhammer ukulele is absolutely a thing. It works well.

[@runrig97]

I've always had a clawhammer strum on guitar, but clawhammer strumming for me is dragging fingernails down but dragging the thumbnail up, and this is how it was shown on a guitar PBS show years after I'd already been playing this way. I haven't seen any Molly Tuttle videos yet, so I don't know exactly what her style is. Anyway, after I acquired a banjo, and went to the music shop to look for books (this was way before KZbin even existed), I had never heard of this "clawhammer", but when I examined the clawhammer books, I knew it was the technique for me. I just had to adjust to plucking with the thumb instead of strumming with it.

[@Mayo-Lord]

I think it's cool you didn't fret too much about the missing string or the perfect tuning for a 1st impressions.

[@MandibleBones]

Please call Smudge a good puppy for me. They deserve it.

[@MJWPub]

I didn't recognize you there! Is that a guitar? I've got a few of those!

[@yeoldfart8762]

Of course. The string you are missing would be tuned to G and your bass string the would be tuned to low D. You can also tune to same open D as a banjo uses. You may have to learn to control which bass string your thumb lands on. I have a Baritone Guitar that ends up being tuned two frets low so tunes to open F and open C

[@BAsed_AFro]

Dog's like "Well, yeah! Duh"

[@Cary_Glenn]

I think Roscoe Holcomb played his guitar in a kind of clawhammer style. If I recall correctly he tuned his 6 string way up. My cat sometimes tries to play clawhammer.

[@kote315]

Well... The only thing I can think about right now is clawhammer bass...

[@JonseyWales]

"The Power of the Claw" - clawhammer guitar instructional DVD by Steve Baughman should be you 1st port of call. Look him up, he's THE resource for clawhammer guitar I'm the other way around to you, - learning clawhammer guitar got me into playing the banjo😄👍

[@xkidmidnightx]

I do it sometimes, but it seems so weird to to me have the bass string being the drone.

[@brucefrye2292]

I played banjo for years, then started playing guitar in open G . Now just use your banjo chord shapes up one string from the bottom, You can play in open C ,D , or E ,C .

[@blainemichaelburns5713]

I love to see such a cool girl so excited about guitar!!!(:

[@GenWivern2]

There's a guy called Clawhammer Chris - you might find him entertaining / instructive. His Halloween video was a doozy. 🎸

[@joebrady1694]

The multiverses must have collided, Phoebe playing a guitar?

[@tabriff3832]

Might be because it’s late, tired after drumming practice, and hallucinating as a result… but Johnny Cash came to mind.

[@robertmorrison886]

Awesome ❤

[@TheDuckLive]

I imagine it mostly just takes practice and time to “perfect”- I always wondered why more people didn’t plat that way.

[@c.g.covert8804]

Cheap out-of-tune guitar with a missing string...and Phoebe STILL makes it sound amazing.

[@tciii69]

Awesome Phoebe; Check out Justin Johnson. put that 5'th string back on .tune it to a G for the drone.and the lowest string E to a D Thanx Again !!!

[@scalefingerz]

PUT THAT A STRING IN THERE GIRL! KEITH RICHARDS WOULD BE SO MAD AT YOU! HE USED OPEN G TUNING ALL THE TIME! By the way dear I'm not yelling at you lol.

[@skipk44]

Rough but there is promise. Keep picking!

[@bradramsay8299]

Hmm, instead of apologizing for being out of tune, perhaps just tune the thing. 🤣 Honestly, it was hard to listen to being so far out of tune. I love the concept though. Looking forward to seeing what else you can do with it!

[@katycat5e]

PUPPER (But also you're such a good musician 🧡)

[@tedpreston4155]

Thanks for sharing that moment of joy with us, Phoebe! you brought joy to a man who desperately needed a break from watching election results. 🤨