Bluegrass Clawhammer banjo Learning Paths & Lessons
Getting Started with Clawhammer BanjoShow more >
This roadmap to learning Clawhammer Banjo is packed with essential lessons and tablatures to help you master the basics of technique, rhythm, and melody and apply them to classic tunes.
-
Free
Learning Path
Getting Started with Clawhammer Banjo
These online beginner Clawhammer lessons will help you get started with the basics. You'll learn about tuning your banjo, the correc...
Learn
-
Learning Path
Your First Banjo Chords
Learn to play the G, C, and D7 chords on banjo and switch between each of them. You'll also learn to apply these chord changes and t...
Learn
-
Learning Path
Clawhammer Banjo 101
This lesson series will guide you through many things. We'll review the Bum-Ditty rhythm pattern, and learn to play one string at a ...
Learn
-
Free
Song
Bum-Ditty Practice
Easy Clawhammer Practice is a perfect resource for beginners looking to get started with Clawhammer banjo. It covers the essential b...
Learn
-
Song
I'll Fly Away
"I'll Fly Away" is a beloved country hymn that is commonly performed on the clawhammer banjo. This song is an easy way for beginners...
Learn
-
Tablature
Boil them Cabbage Down
Clawhammer-
Difficulty
-
Key
G -
Tuning
GDGBD
A nice arrangement based on this classic melody. There's a lot of great licks available, make sure to check those out.
Learn
-
Difficulty
-
Tablature
Yankee Doodle
Clawhammer-
Difficulty
-
Key
G -
Tuning
GDGBD
This simple version of Yankee Doodle is great for beginners. Using the Tunefox slider it will strip down to the core melody. There a...
Learn
-
Difficulty
-
Tablature
Twinkle Twinkle Little Star
Clawhammer-
Difficulty
-
Key
G -
Tuning
GDGBD
Nursery rhymes are a great place to start when first learning an instrument. Most of us have had the tunes floating in our heads sin...
Learn
-
Difficulty
Beginner Clawhammer Banjo TabsShow more >
Practice foundational techniques with this tablature pack of simple Clawhammer tunes.
-
Song
Frère Jacques
This traditional French nursery rhyme is easy to learn and fun to play. It is cheerful and upbeat with simple chords and can be play...
Learn
-
Song
Mary Had a Little Lamb
This classic children's nursery rhyme, arranged as a clawhammer banjo song, is perfect for beginners to hone their picking skills! F...
Learn
-
Song
Shortnin' Bread
Clawhammer banjo song Shortnin' Bread is a traditional, fun tune perfect for beginning players. It's in Double C tuning and can be p...
Learn
-
Song
Oh, Susanna
"Oh, Susanna" is a traditional American folk song from the early 19th century. This song is often performed on the clawhammer banjo ...
Learn
-
Tablature
Old Joe Clark
Beginner-
Difficulty
-
Key
G -
Tuning
GDGBD
A lot of melody, and a little bit of bum-ditty make Old Joe Clark sound so dang pretty! Have fun with this classic tune :)
Learn
-
Difficulty
-
Song
Golden Slippers
A clawhammer banjo version of the popular folk song "Golden Slippers" is a great beginner tune for those just starting out learning ...
Learn
-
Song
Old MacDonald
This classic children's song will teach beginners the essential skills needed to become proficient on the five-string banjo. With ba...
Learn
-
Song
Yankee Doodle
This traditional song offers two simple yet lively Clawhammer banjo arrangements for novice players.
Learn
Picking Progressions: Intermediate ClawhammerShow more >
This pack of intermediate-level melodies and rhythms will keep your playing grounded in crucial techniques while building new skills.
-
Song
Cripple Creek
Cripple Creek is a fun and catchy bluegrass song, great for intermediate banjo players. Played in clawhammer banjo style, the song g...
Learn
-
Song
Crawdad Song
The Crawdad Song for Clawhammer banjo is an upbeat classic folk tune that is perfect for intermediate players looking to challenge t...
Learn
-
Song
Soldier's Joy
Soldier's Joy is an American traditional folk tune dating back to the 19th century. Its simple structure and catchy melody combine t...
Learn
-
Song
Shady Grove
Shady Grove is a traditional American banjo song with a long history. This version of Shady Grove is perfect for banjo beginners, as...
Learn
-
Tablature
Say Darlin' Say
Clawhammer-
Difficulty
-
Key
C -
Tuning
gCGCD
This one can be confusing because of where the chords switch. Listening to the tab repeatedly and learning to sing the lyrics will h...
Learn
-
Difficulty
Beyond the Bum-DittyShow more >
This roadmap of tunes and exercises goes beyond the basic bum-ditty, guiding you through more complex timing, scale drills, and new techniques to help you become a well-rounded Clawhammer player.
-
Free
Song
Clawhammer Banjo 102
Clawhammer banjo exercises are perfect for beginner to intermediate level players. With exercises designed to strengthen both the ba...
Learn
-
Song
Little Liza Jane
Little Liza Jane is a classic frailing banjo tune great for intermediate players. This traditional American folk tune is easy to lea...
Learn
-
Tablature
Boil them Cabbage Down
Up the Neck-
Difficulty
-
Key
G -
Tuning
GDGBD
Up the neck! The arrangement stays on the first string. Nice and easy! Check out those licks, too.
Learn
-
Difficulty
-
Tablature
Twinkle Twinkle Little Star
Up the Neck-
Difficulty
-
Key
G -
Tuning
gDGBD
Up the neck doesn't have to be scary. In this arrangement, we're playing the melody of a familiar tune on one string. After you get ...
Learn
-
Difficulty
-
Song
Martha Campbell
This Clawhammer Banjo song, "Martha Campbell", is perfect for intermediate players looking to learn more complex techniques. Through...
Learn
Double C PrimerShow more >
Get comfortable playing in this common Clawhammer banjo tuning with a pack of scales and tunes in Double C.
-
Tablature
I'll Fly Away
Melody - Key of C-
Difficulty
-
Key
C -
Tuning
GCGCD
Start with the melody! Think about the syllables of the lyrics when playing along with the arrangement. When you can play the melody...
Learn
-
Difficulty
-
Tablature
Bury Me Beneath the Willow
Clawhammer-
Difficulty
-
Key
C -
Tuning
GCGCD
Tune to Double C on your banjo for this tune. If you play it at a jam you are very likely to hear it in the key of D. So after you t...
Learn
-
Difficulty
-
Tablature
Yankee Doodle
Clawhammer - Double C Tuning-
Difficulty
-
Key
C -
Tuning
GCGCD
This simple arrangement uses the core melody and a bum-ditty pattern to build that prototypical banjo sound. Use the Tunefox slider ...
Learn
-
Difficulty
-
Tablature
Shortnin' Bread
Clawhammer - Double C Tuning-
Difficulty
-
Key
C -
Tuning
GCGCD
Shortnin' Bread is just a little bit sweeter in Double C tuning. First you pick, then you grin. You'll want to play it again, and ag...
Learn
-
Difficulty
-
Song
Keep on the Sunny Side
The Carter Family's 'Keep on the Sunny Side' is a warm and uplifting song featuring the upbeat rhythms of Clawhammer banjo playing i...
Learn
-
Song
Wayfaring Stranger
Wayfaring Stranger is a classic American folk song often played on a Clawhammer banjo. This version includes four different arrangem...
Learn
-
Song
Tennessee Stud
An incredible story and song that was written by Jimmy Driftwood, but made popular in the bluegrass world by Doc Watson.
Learn
-
Song
Camptown Races
"Camptown Races" by Stephen Foster is a classic favorite for all banjo players, particularly those starting out with a Clawhammer ba...
Learn
-
Tablature
Crawdad Song
Double C Tuning-
Difficulty
-
Key
C -
Tuning
GCGCD
A classic folk tune in Drop C.
Learn
-
Difficulty
-
Tablature
Squirrel Hunters
Clawhammer-
Difficulty
-
Key
C -
Tuning
GCGCD
Double C Tuning. Capo 2. Spike at the 7th fret. This is a classic John Hartford fiddle tune, and sounds absolutely beautiful on Claw...
Learn
-
Difficulty
Clawhammer WorkoutsShow more >
Refine your technique and boost your improvisational ability with this collection of exercises, scales, and tablatures in G and C.
-
Song
G Major Workouts - Clawhammer
G Major Workouts for Clawhammer Banjo – perfect for intermediate players who want to improve their banjo technique. Exercise your wa...
Learn
-
Song
C Major Workouts - Clawhammer
C Major Workouts for Clawhammer Banjo is a great set of exercises and drills for intermediate players. It includes helpful scale run...
Learn
-
Song
One Finger Workouts
One finger workouts help you develop rhythm rudiments and technique by focusing on one finger at a time.
Learn
-
Song
C Major Chord Scales - Double C Tuning
Check this out to learn how chord shapes connect to each other in C major with double C tuning.
Learn
Expert PickersShow more >
Tailored for advanced players, this pack of intricate song arrangements will take your Clawhammer skills to new heights.
-
Tablature
Falls of Richmond
Bob Carlin Style-
Difficulty
-
Key
G -
Tuning
GDGCD
Bob Carlin is a renowned banjo player. Here, we get a glimpse of his style. This arrangement is closely based on his playing of the ...
Learn
-
Difficulty
-
Tablature
The Cuckoo
Clarence Ashley Transcription-
Difficulty
-
Key
G -
Tuning
GDGCD
This is a transcription of Clarence Ashley's playing. His version of the tune is one a lot of players study when learning it. This a...
Learn
-
Difficulty
-
Tablature
Tennessee Stud
Clawhammer-
Difficulty
-
Key
C -
Tuning
GCGCD
This song was made popular by Doc Watson. It has a signature intro which works great on Clawhammer banjo. This arrangement use...
Learn
-
Difficulty
-
Tablature
Soldier's Joy
Up the Neck-
Difficulty
-
Key
C -
Tuning
GCGCD
The advanced version is very reminiscent of the beginner version. The A part varies the thumb on 5th string and lead finger captures...
Learn
-
Difficulty
-
Tablature
Over the Waterfall
Old-Time-
Difficulty
-
Key
C -
Tuning
GCGCD
Like a class IV rapid, this tune is not for the faint of heart!
Learn
-
Difficulty