There are two main ways to play the five-string banjo. In picking the thumb, index and middle finger pluck single strings with fingerpicks – the thumb downwards, the fingers upwards. That’s how the banjo rolls are made. Clawhammer works the other way round: the hand forms a claw and strikes down with the fingernail, while the thumb plucks the short 5th string. The sound is softer and more rolling, typical of old American dance music.
The hand as a claw
- Make a loose half fist. Your middle finger (or index finger) sticks out a little – it’s your “hammer”.
- Your thumb points sideways and waits by the 5th string.
- The movement comes from the wrist and forearm, like knocking on a door. The finger itself stays firm and doesn’t pluck.
- It’s played without fingerpicks, just with your own nail. A nail that isn’t too short on the striking finger helps.
The basic stroke: “bum-ditty”
Almost everything in clawhammer is built on a three-part pattern. Say it out loud: “bum – dit-ty”. The “bum” is a long note (a whole beat), “dit” and “ty” are two short ones (one beat together). Counted: “1 – 2 and”.
- Bum: the nail strikes down on one string, for example the 3rd string (G). Afterwards the finger comes to rest on the next string.
- Dit: the hand brushes down across several strings with the nail, usually the top two or three.
- Ty: during the down movement your thumb has landed on the 5th string. As the hand comes back up, the thumb slips off and the 5th string rings.
How to practise
- Set the metronome to 60. First practise only the “bum” on the 3rd string, on every click.
- Then “bum – dit”: strike, then brush across the high strings.
- Finally add the thumb. If it stumbles, slow the metronome down – don’t cut the movement short.
- Once it works, switch strings for the “bum” and fret simple chords such as G and C with your other hand.
Tunings and songs
Clawhammer works in the normal open G tuning. Many clawhammer players also like the double C and G modal tunings – more in Banjo tunings double C and G modal. Simple songs with few chords are great for practice, such as Skip to My Lou or Oh My Darling, Clementine.