Are you interested in learning clawhammer banjo but have questions?
Let’s talk about everything you need before you get started picking and grinning!
Let’s start with the most important question of all…what type of banjo should you get?
First, it should be a 5-string banjo. A 5-string banjo has 4 long strings and one shorter “drone” string. This is unlike tenor and plectrum banjos which typically have 4 strings and no drone string. For clawhammer banjo, you need the drone string.
5-string banjos come in two main types: open back and resonator.
Resonator banjos have a resonator shell behind the banjo head, which helps project the sound forward. Many people tend to associated open back banjos with clawhammer style, and resonator banjos with 3 finger bluegrass.
That being said, you can absolutely play clawhammer banjo on a resonator banjo, and some of the most influential clawhammer banjoists of all time used them. They are a good bit heavier, however. So, if weight is a consideration, then an openback may be the way to go.
These days, there are many great brands to choose from. Two of the most common first banjos are the:
- The Deering Goodtime.
- The Gold Tone CC-100.
The most important factor for a beginning player is not the brand of banjo, however, but rather whether or not the banjo has been “set up” properly.
Banjos have multiple different parts, and whether they have been assembled properly makes a tremendous difference in how playable the banjo will be. And in the beginning, playability is the most important factor.
In my experience, most any banjo that has been set up well will sound great. That’s because it’ll sound like a banjo!
In the beginning, you likely won’t be able to tell a big difference between a less expensive and a more expensive banjo, nor will you have developed your sonic preferences yet.
So don’t feel like you need to break the bank on your first banjo purchase!
When buying online, ideally you want to do so from a place that knows banjos, so that you can ensure that it’s been “set up” by someone who understands banjos.
Some options here are:
- Elderly Instruments – new and used banjos.
- Banjo.com – new and used banjos.
- Gold Tone – for new Gold Tone banjos.
- The Banjo Hangout Classifieds – for used banjos from private sellers.
The following accessory is essential:
- A tuner. While there are many tuner apps for your smartphone, I recommend a clip-on tuner. These work by sensing the vibrations on the instrument, and as such allow you to tune your instrument in a noisy environment.
The following accessories are optional but highly recommended:
- A capo. Capos allow you to easily change keys, and are commonly used by most players.
- Extra strings. I personally prefer the light gauge strings from D’Addario.
- A hex wrench. These are used to adjust the hooks around the head of the banjo, so that you can change the tension of the banjo head. One of these may have come with your banjo – if not, you can purchase one that’s the right size for your banjo.
- A strap. Straps are a must in order to play the banjo standing up. You can definitely play a banjo sitting down without a strap, but using one can help ensure your banjo is in the optimal playing position.
- A stand. I strongly recommend keeping your banjo out, as doing so will almost always lead to you playing it more often.
As mentioned, I recommend using a tuner that clips onto the banjo. Tuners are not specific to a particular instrument – in other words, the same tuner can be used to tune a banjo, guitar, mandolin, etc.
The tuner that I currently prefer is the Fender FCT-2 clip on tuner.
The two decisions to make when buying strings are the material and the size.
For materials, strings are typically made from either steel or nylon (which are made to provide a sound similar to gut strings). Steel strings provide a brighter, sharper, sound which much more sustain, and are the more commonly used option. Gut strings offer a “plunkier,” warmer sound with much less sustain.
For size, the options vary from light to heavy gauge strings (for steel strings). Most banjo players use light or medium gauge strings.
I recommend players start out using light gauge steel strings. They’ll provide a great sound, and will be the most playable.
My personal preference are the D’Addario EJ69 Phosphor Bronze Lights.
For synthetic strings, my personal favorite are the Aquila “Nylguts”.
Having used just about every banjo capo on the market, my current favorite is the Paige capo.
It’s designed so that you can keep it on the banjo when not in use (just behind the nut). Capos have a terrible habit of vanishing, and so this design greatly reduces the chances of that happening.
I’ve tried just about every possible instrument stand design there is. This one is hands down my favorite.
Nope!
It is true that clawhammer banjo technique involves striking the string with the back of the nail of either the index or middle finger.
However, this does not require a long nail. It will make a clearer sound if your nail extends slightly past the flesh of your finger, but it needn’t be any longer.
While most players prefer to use the natural nail for the sound it gives, you can also use a pick for clawhammer banjo (I personally keep one around in case a nail breaks during a gig, or a I need extra volume).
As mentioned, most players prefer to use their natural nail, as do I.
However, if you have issues keeping any nail at all, or if they’re too soft to generated a good sound, then using a pick is a great option. I personally keep a pick as a backup in case a nail breaks during a gig (or I need extra volume).
My two favorite picks are:
Absolutely not! Like other folk traditions, clawhammer banjo players rely mainly on their ears and not their ears when making music.
This is unlike classical music, where printed sheet music tells the musician exactly what to play.
There is a form of written notation, known as tablature, that is used as a learning aid (click here for an article and video on how to read banjo tab).
The vast majority of musicians in the course of human history have and still do use their imagination and their ears to guide their music making, rather than the printed page. Anyone can learn to do this, and it is a much more natural way to make music.
When it comes to practice, it’s far more important that you’re able to practice consistently rather than for long periods of time.
If you’re able to practice for at least 30 minutes 3 to 4 times per week, then you’ll make steady, consistent progress
Ultimately, the quality of your practice matters more than the quantity!
Click here to check out the Breakthrough Banjo course for clawhammer banjo.
It’s the course that thousands of adult beginners have used to learn to play, many of whom had no prior musical experience.
