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| Moderated by: Tony Provencher, Richard Hefner |
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| Clawhammer Banjo | Rate Topic |
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| Posted: Mon Mar 9th, 2009 01:34 am |
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1st Post |
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Duke Approved
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Hi. My first post in the forums, and have really enjoyed reading through the existing posts. Learned so much. Have been playing Shady Grove in A minor, with a G tuned banjo, where the 5th string is tuned to G. Should the 5th string be tuned to A if the song is in A minor. Another question relates to hammer-on use. Have read that hammer-ons are normlly used as a follow-up to the playing of a note, either on an open string or a fretted note. I have been using hammer-ons to play a note (usually hitting an A on the G string, or an E on the D string, with my middle finger). This frees up the right hand to pluck another string. Is this use of the hammer-on frowned upon? Last question. Should the right hand thumb remain stiff as it hits and leaves the 5th string, or should it be bend upwards as it hits the string. Flexing the thumb seems to add a little more zing to the note. Thanks for any help. Above questions have been bouncing around for a long time.
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| Posted: Mon Mar 9th, 2009 01:51 am |
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2nd Post |
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RJFreeman Approved
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1. When I play songs in Am in G tuning, I usually keep the 5th string tuned to G. Try it both ways and see what sounds best to you. 2. Hammer ons are used frequently in clawhammer, I use them alot in the way you're describing (mostly cause I like the sound). 3. There is a lot of argument about flexing the thumb or not. Some players do and some don't. It comes down to the sound you want to achieve. I don't flex my thumb, I just get behind the string and let it roll off as my hand goes back up. If I cock my thumb the drone is too overpowering for my tastes, I like the drone to be a little quieter. Once again it comes down to doing what sounds good to you. If you ask 10 clawhammerists how to do something, you're probably going to get at least 11 opinions. Try everything and do what works for you. Last edited on Mon Mar 9th, 2009 02:27 am by RJFreeman |
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| Posted: Mon Mar 9th, 2009 03:05 am |
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3rd Post |
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banjo brad Super Moderator 
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The usual tuning for Shady Grove in OT music is G modal (A modal, if you need that key for singing) - Also known as "Mountain Minor" tuning. G modal - gDGcd A modal - aEAde (The second string is tuned 1/2 step higher than standard tuning) Try it - it lays the tune out pretty much on the 3rd fret 4th string, 2nd fret 3rd and 2nd string (with some open strings). Hammer ons and pull offs are widely used in clawhammer. The thumb should be fairly solid, don't pluck like a guitar. Let the return motion of the hand sound the thumb note.
____________________ ezFolk Help Brad Prickly Pear Music Banjo Brad's ezFolk page TOTMC |
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| Posted: Fri May 29th, 2009 04:53 pm |
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4th Post |
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Jim Yates Approved 
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As I understand it you're asking if you should use a hammer on without playing the string first with your right hand. If you can get enough volume with only a hammer on, then go for it. A pull off is often done this way, but I have difficulty getting enough volume with a hammer on.
____________________ Jim http://www.myspace.com/jimyates http://www.myspace.com/mapleleafchampionjugband |
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