Introduction

Introduction

Welcome to the Clawhammer 101 Course!

Please use the video player above to view the course introduction and then read down the page to get all the info you need to get started.



 To Get the Most Out of this Course

  1. Go through the entire course in the proper order.

  2. Take some time to practice the ideas and/or techniques discussed in each video before moving on to the next one.

  3. Ask questions: If you’re confused or stuck, send me your questions in an email and I’ll do my very best to answer them promptly and to your satisfaction.



The Course Format

The course is comprised of twenty one sections. Each section covers a specific technique or concept and has its own dedicated page. Each page has a video player at the top and the lesson notes written out underneath.

Among the lesson notes, you’ll find all the links to that particular lesson’s accompanying materials like:

  • Tablature

  • Charts

  • Play Along Tracks



 Accessing the Course

You can get to your lesson pages at any time by coming to the website (PlayBetterBanjo.com) and clicking on the Lessons & Courses tab up at the top of the page.

The Lessons & Courses page shows you all of the courses or lesson packs that you have access to and gives you a direct link to each one so that you can easily find what you’re looking for whenever you need it.

To contact me at any time with any questions, you can email me directly: Ryan@PlayBetterBanjo.com



Course Flow

You have instant access to the entire course and you’re free to move through the materials at the pace that suits you.

However, be aware that the course is designed in a very intentional order so that each new skill or tune that you learn prepares you to move on to the next. Sticking to the established order of the lessons will really help you get the most out of the course.



Clawhammer 101

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Welcome

  • Introduction

Musical Fundamentals - Step One

  • Fundamentals - The Musical Alphabet
  • Fundamentals - I IV V
  • Fundamentals - Kentucky Waltz
  • Fundamentals - Goin Down the Road

Musical Fundamentals - Step Two

  • Fundamentals - Step Two - Key of C - Number System Studies
  • Fundamentals - Step Two - F Chord
  • Fundamentals - Step Two - Crawdad Song - Repertoire Building
  • Fundamentals - Step Two - New River Train - More Repertoire Building

Musical Fundamentals - Step Three

  • Fundamentals - Step Three - Using a Capo
  • Fundamentals - Step Three - Crawdad Song - Key of D
  • Fundamentals - Step Three - Crawdad Song - Key of A
  • Fundamentals - Step Three - Roll On Buddy - Key of A
  • Fundamentals - Step Three - White Dove - Key of D

Critical Skills - Tablature

  • Critical Skills - Tablature Explained

Critical Skills - Walk Ups & Connectors

  • Critical Skills - Walk Ups & Connectors - Introduction
  • Critical Skills - Walk Ups & Connectors - Measure by Measure
  • Critical Skills - Walk Ups & Connectors - Played Slowly

Clawhammer 101 - Basic Melody Playing

  • Basic Melody Studies - Old Joe Clark - Performance
  • Basic Melody Studies - Old Joe Clark
  • Basic Melody Studies - Played Slowly
  • Basic Melody Studies - Meausure by Measure - Old Joe Clark

Clawhammer 101 - Integrating the Boom Chick A

  • Old Joe Clark - Integrating the Boom Chicka
  • Old Joe Clark - Boom Chick A - Played Slowly

Knockdown Technique

  • Knockdown Technique - Explained and Demonstrated
  • Knockdown Exercises - Walkthrough

Integrating the Knockdown

  • Integration - Knockdown with Walk Ups & Connectors - Introduction
  • Integration - Knockdown with Walk Ups & Connectors
  • Integration - Knockdown with Walk Ups & Connectors - Slowly
  • Knockdown Integration Studies Continued - Old Joe Clark
  • Knockdown Integration Studies Continued - Old Joe Clark - Played Slowly

Left Hand Slurs - Hammer Ons & Pull Offs

  • Introduction to Left Hand Slurs
  • A Closer Look at Left Hand Slurs
  • Left Hand Slur Exercises - Tablature Walk Through

Refining the Strum

  • Refining the Strum Concept - Explained

Cripple Creek

  • Cripple Creek - Performance
  • Cripple Creek Lesson Introduction
  • Cripple Creek - Basic Melody
  • Cripple Creek - Boom Chick A Version
  • Cripple Creek - Boom Chick A Version - Played Slowly

Slides - Left Hand Slurs Continued

  • Slides - Explanation & Demonstration
  • Slides - A Closer Look

Putting It All Together - Cripple Creek

  • Putting It All Together - Concept Explained
  • Putting It All Together - Cripple Creek - Measure by Measure
  • Putting It All Together - Cripple Creek - Played Slowly

Drop Thumbing

  • Drop Thumbing - Explanation & Demonstration
  • Drop Thumbing - A Closer Look
  • Drop Thumbing Exercises with Walk Through

Alternate Tunings - G Modal

  • Alternate Tunings - G Modal - Explanation & Demonstration

Putting It All Together - Cluck Old Hen

  • Cluck Old Hen - Performance
  • Cluck Old Hen - Basic Melody
  • Cluck Old Hen - Putting It All Together - Measure by Measure
  • Cluck Old Hen - Putting It All Together - Played Slowly

Alternate Tunings - Double C

  • Alternate Tunings - Double C - Explanation & Demonstration

Putting It All Together - Spotted Pony

  • Spotted Pony - Performance
  • Spotted Pony - Capo Concept Explained
  • Spotted Pony - Basic Melody
  • Putting It All Together - Spotted Pony - Measure by Measure