In measure 11 sometimes you use the middle finger tgen switchbto index followed by ring finger on left hand. Other instances you use index finger, then inex followed by ring finger. Which should i use?
Discuss the Banjo lesson: Old Joe Clark- Basic
Hi @jives37 John 
to @BanjoBen 's Forum. I’d say, whatever feels natural. Measure 11 is a D chord roll so sometimes it’s easier to fret with the Index finger when other times it’s easier to use the Ring finger. A lot depends on where your coming from and going to. Best to learn both I’d say.
1 Like
Good question. It really is either/or. Most of the time, however, you’ll use index on the 2nd fret 3rd string, the ring on the 4th fret 4th string. At times you’ll use middle/pinky as well, depending on what your index finger is doing (like in a D7 scenario).
1 Like
Theory question here. Part B has an F chord. But the 7 chord in the key of G is F# dim, not F. It sounds great. Is that just an exception to the idea of how to associate chords to a key or am I missing some understanding of the theory? Is it just one of those things that “if it sounds good, do it”?
1 Like
Good question. Yes, technically the 7 chord is the F# dim, and the F chord is called the dominant 7th (or sometimes minor 7th). It’s what is most often used in commercial bluegrass/country music, so folks just refer to it as the “7 chord”.
1 Like
Thank you for making get that F chord down, especially before going into the beginner backup lesson
1 Like
You bet! I’m glad you see the purposing in the order.
Good day everyone,
Maybe I missed something somewhere but while playing along with the 140 bpm I will finish the tabs and the song just keeps playing. So I went and started looking to see if I didn’t something wrong. At the end of the 36th measure there is a slide on the first string that runs us to the closing. If I didn’t do that, where would I go to continue the song with the music? I guess I’m just not seeing where it would go. Any help is greatly appreciated.
Instead of starting that last slide on the 1st string in measure 36, just pinch 1 and 5 open again and then start over at measure 5.
It just so happens, if you want to hear EXACTLY what it’s supposed to sound like (except for the last slide) pull up the free Old Joe Clark on https://jamtrainer.com/app Go to the Songs library and find Old Joe Clark. Click on Tabs View and tap the “Tab Available” button at the top right.
Hit play and you’ll be listening to Ben’s tabs with a backing track, and it loops exactly at the part you’re asking about.
3 Likes
Thank you Mark!
1 Like