Clawhammer Banjo Resources for the Intermediate Player

If you’ve been playing clawhammer banjo for a bit and are looking for some materials tailored to your current ability, as well as ones to advance things to the next level, choose from the options below:

Clawhammer Tune and Tab of the Week Series

Every Friday, I release a new video of one of my favorite clawhammer banjo tunes, along with tablature of the arrangement. Sign up for the tune of the week newsletter to get the tabs for all prior tunes, and to get an email each Friday with the latest one.

Most of the arrangements in the series are Brainjo Level 3 and 4.

The Clawhammer Core Repertoire Series

This is a very popular recurring monthly series I write in partnership with the Banjo Hangout. Each month I cover a new tune, and show the process for building up a clawhammer arrangement from start to finish.

How To Play Clawhammer Banjo By Ear

Think you can’t learn to play the banjo by ear? Think you’ll always be dependent on tablature to learn new tunes?

Think again! In this multimedia course, you’ll go step by step through every component of learning to play by ear. In the end, you’ll possess all the tools you need to pick out melodies, improvise, and create your own arrangements of any tune you hear.

Previously Sold For $97, the “Learn To Play By Ear” Course Now Comes As A Free Bonus When You Become A Breakthrough Banjo Member.

Learn more about the course here.

Masters of Clawhammer Banjo, Adam Hurt Edition

One of the missions of Brainjo is to provide an in depth analysis of both the journey to mastery and the playing style of master musicians. Adam Hurt is one such master, and in this inaugural edition in the Masters of Clawhammer Banjo series, we journey through the mind of Adam Hurt. There’s a wealth of incredible content here: a 2 hour interview, concert, album, book of tabs, style and tune analysis videos, and more… Click here to learn more.

Level: Late Beginner to Advanced

The Breakthrough Banjo Course

"Initially I WORRIED that an online course for learning banjo would not really work for me, but the Breakthrough Banjo course has been EXACTLY WHAT I NEEDED! I can pick it up any time I want and am able to progress at the speed that works for me. The TUTORIALS ARE EXCELLENT AND VERY CLEAR, and multiple playing speeds mean you can go as fast or slow as you like. The guitar-backed tracks are a nice practice for becoming comfortable playing with other musicians. All of this, for A MUCH BETTER DEAL THAN I COULD EVER GET WITH PRIVATE LESSONS ! I highly recommend this course for anyone interested in learning clawhammer banjo."

-- Emily M., Breakthrough Banjo Member

October 1, 2020

"This course has been a HUGE stepping stone for me to get back on track and to become confident in my playing. I CAN NOW JOIN IN AND PLAY ALONG with other musicians...I could NEVER HAVE DONE THIS WITHOUT YOUR PROGRAM...I have made so much progress that I can't begin to thank you enough for all of your help!"

-- Jay W., Breakthrough Banjo Member

October 1, 2020

"Thank you, thank you. I love this course. I am making lots of progress. I AM ADDICTED!!!"

-- Terry T., Breakthrough Banjo Member

October 1, 2020

"I've learned more in the past 2 months in this course than I have in the past 3 years working with dozens of books and videos. THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!!!"

-- Phil S., Breakthrough Banjo Member

October 1, 2020

"Breakthrough Banjo has helped me IMPROVE MY PLAYING AND JUST AS IMPORTANTLY, KEEPS ME INSPIRED. The course format is brilliant and technically savvy, sequentially building one's skill level, musical understanding, and clawhammer repertoire in a surprisingly short amount of time. It's obvious Josh puts his heart and soul into the well thought out 'Brainjo Method' course he's developed. And it works. The BRAIN ON BANJO IS A BEAUTIFUL THING!"

-- Ellen L., Breakthrough Banjo Member

October 1, 2020

"I have been playing banjo for years but found myself strictly relying on tablature. I could memorize songs but they sounded clunky and jarring compared to when I had music in front of me. BREAKTHROUGH BANJO HAS MADE THE DIFFERENCE. Now I CAN THINK A SONG IN MY HEAD AND MY HANDS MAKE THE MUSIC. I am amazed at how easy it is. I finally am pushing past that plateau."

-- Joshua B., Breakthrough Banjo Member

October 1, 2020

"I am amazed how quickly I have learnt using your techniques!"

-- Erhan L., Breakthrough Banjo Member

January 7, 2016

"I feel like I've made an INCREDIBLE AMOUNT OF PROGRESS in the year that I've been a subscriber, especially compared to the previous year of working with a local instructor."

-- Steve D., Breakthrough Banjo Member

January 7, 2016

"The Breakthrough Banjo Course has finally allowed me to progress in a clear and linear fashion, which has, in my honest opinion, helped me more as a musician than any other of the resources I've come across and tried in almost 3 years of playing banjo.

I've learned more, and in a fraction of the time that it used to take me to learn far less. The backing tracks have also been extremely helpful in learning the true timing of songs and in learning to play without being completely reliant on tablature."

-- Zachary Taylor, Breakthrough Banjo Member

March 15, 2016

"I cannot stress how many times I had tried and failed at Drop Thumbing until I went through the Breakthrough Banjo Course and had it both explained to me and shown to me in depth alongside the exercises. Now it actually feels natural and I can hardly believe it.

"I only wish I had heard of this course sooner because clearly it can take anyone at any skill level and effectively teach them.. Not just to play songs, or tunes, but to create music and really grow."

-- Zachary Taylor, Breakthrough Banjo Member

March 15, 2016

"At 72, I had some anxieties. First, will I live long enough to get to be good at the banjo. Second, I'll have to study a lot harder than a younger person. The Breakthrough Course and it's philosophy has eliminated these two anxieties. I can learn at my own pace and practice is not a chore but an enjoyment.

I'd advise the Course for any other " oldsters" who might be interested in the banjo."

-- Alexander Cacciarelli, Breakthrough Banjo Member

March 15, 2016

"It is helping me learn to play clawhammer banjo faster than I expected I would. I have reach the point where I can participate in local old time jam sessions, and I am having a great time.

I'm having fun and I'm learning. Thank you!"

-- Tom Eaton, Breakthrough Banjo Member

March 15, 2016

"Prior to Breakthrough, I always dug a hole in my home practice sessions and then fell into it. Boredom prevailed and then my banjo would end up in the closet again. Breakthrough should be called Breakaway.... that's what happened....

A goal of mine was to play in front of somebody one year ago... but by mid summer, I was leading an open play group. Scary progress...."

-- Jay W., Breakthrough Banjo Member

March 15, 2016

"I previously thought learning to play was not possible for me. I love the teaching style and logical step-by-step instructions. I really appreciate the way Josh explains the lessons in a logical way that builds my skills, and makes the process fun. I look forward to daily practices."

Dan Bilitz, Breakthrough Banjo Member

March 15, 2016

"I'm already "successful" after only 8 months!

I've been able to consistently sit with my banjo an hour a day for several months. Bonaparte crossing the Rhine is up to speed. Soldiers Joy & Liberty are 2 songs, if I could play them, I could call it a career, Ha! But theres so much more the course makes accessible. I'm not retiring anytime soon!"

-- Ryne Muller, Breakthrough Banjo Member

March 15, 2016

"The course has given me the courage to tackle tunes and techniques that I would have thought were beyond me."

-- Henry Neimark

March 15, 2016

"I'm so loving your course. Haven't been this excited about something in a long time. I'm naturally a slow learner, but I have stubbornness, and now your course on my side. "

-- Kurosh S., Breakthrough Banjo Member

June 8, 2016

Firstly, thank you so much for helping me on my journey towards becoming an accomplished banjo player...The Brainjo Method fits perfectly with the way I learn as I’m sure it would for anyone willing to pay attention to what you teach and do the practice time required. The results so far have been stunning.

I was pretty well blown away by what I have learned in such a short time. As I now begin to read your articles I am learning why your method of learning works.

-- Carol, Breakthrough Banjo Member

October 2, 2016

Your course has helped me to no end!

-- Steve A., Breakthrough Banjo Member

February 1, 2017

Thanks for a simply beautiful learning resource and an elegant method. You've made an embarrassment of riches available...

-- John H., Breakthrough Banjo member

February 1, 2020

Drawing upon on over 20 years of research, the Breakthrough Banjo course is the first complete, brain based system of instruction specifically targeted at the adult learner. It is a progressive, step-by-step course designed to take anyone from total beginner to banjo master.

The course is designed as an extension of the “8 Essential Steps to Clawhammer Banjo” video series, and so is well suited for the late beginner to early intermediate player, and the course materials advance quickly (drop thumb is part of month two, and ear learning begins month three, for example).

Just $7 for the first month, the course includes all the materials you see on this page, plus much more. Read more about Breakthrough Banjo here.

Cost: $7 for the first month, $21 per month thereafter

Articles

I also post new articles here often on any topic related to clawhammer banjo, learning, neuroplasticity, and the art and science of effective practice.