Beginner Claw hammer Banjo Lesson

Many folks have told me they wanted to learn clawhammer banjo. For some ridiculous reason a lot of music stores refuse to teach clawhammer.

I’ve gotten dozens of people started playing clawhammer, and it all begins with the right hand. (Or strumming hand)

My father taught me to play banjo the very same way as shown to him by Pete Seeger himself.

I believe that if you study this short video and focus on your strumming hand it will get you well on your way to playing many new songs on Clawhammer banjo.

I play through the basics of Clawhammer and add a little bit of Drop Thumb. From there the sky is the limit.

The right hand techniques I’m showing can be used on just about any song, but for those interested the tune I’m playing is called “Walking Boss” and the tuning is g-D-G-C-D or Mountain Minor tuning.

I hope this helps get you started in playing banjo and dispels any angst or feelings of overwhelm in beginning your Clawhammer adventure.

Good luck all!