Howdy! I’m really sorry if it wasn’t clear to use your same ticket to access the new class each week! We mentioned it in the class last week and it’s on the FAQ’s but I know it’s easy to miss. The ticket link updates each week to take you to the new class. No worries, though! Each session is posted on the page you’ll be emailed soon!
Intro to Clawhammer: Banjo Ben Live Course!
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That’s looking great. I think your hand/wrist motion is right-on. Only suggestion I have is that maybe try to speed your strums up a little bit. I can almost hear each individual note of the strum in succession, and if you strum/brush the strings a little faster, it might sound a little more rhythmic and tighter.
Donna, much improved! Good job. I can tell you’ve been working hard at it. The timing is all fixed now, and your hand is starting to get the motion all ironed out. Keep on practicing, everyday!
Is the tension hoop on a clawhammer type banjo even with the head? My banjo’s tension hoop sets about an 1/8 to 1/4 inch above the head.
Good question. On all the open-back (clawhammer) banjos I build, I aim to have the tension hoop set about 1/8 inch above a fully stretched head, but 1/4 inch seems a little high. The reason I do this, is that I typically install natural skin head like goatskin (or expect the player will eventually change to a natural skin head to get an authentic old-time tone), and you want to have wiggle room to tighten it up a little bit from time to time without the tension hoop getting too low. What type of head is on your banjo?
Thanks for the response Dave. I’m using my Gold Tone OB 250 for the course. It has a medium crown frosted remo head and sets 3/16 inch below the hoop. A high crown would eliminate a 1/16th inch but it hasn’t been an issue for Scruggs style. I have to play a little lower from the neck for claw. I assume the “scoop” is where a person would be clawing? I have a lot of clicking from my fingernail when I claw but I have light gauge strings so I am hoping it isn’t an issue.
Here’s another week’s worth of practice on the ole clawhammer…
Old Molly Hare, still not getting enough of a brush stroke- https://youtube.com/shorts/LbBbvbxfFQk?feature=share
Beginner attempt at Shady Grove- https://youtube.com/shorts/qcRQ8o6KofE?feature=share
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@zowilveram
Thank you, clawhammer has been fun learning! My brother suggested I paint the dragon and my niece named her Dora years ago, haha.
@ClawhammerDave @BanjoBen Here is Old Molly Hare for this week playing along with the track. Trying to improve the strum part to be less note by note and more chord. I put new strings on and my fingernail has turned black from the strings, so I can clearly see I’m not using the meat of the finger. Should I focus on opening my finger up a bit more to hit less of the nail and more of the fleshy part?
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Yes, the “scoop” area Is where you probably want to be playing. Some clicking is okay and can even add a little spice to the rhythm. If its comfortable to play, then I think it’s all okay set-up wise.
Nice work Jeremiah! I like the little triplets and things you’re adding into the song. That’s a real fun part of clawhammer, - making the song your own. I can tell you’re enjoying it! Keep practicing getting good clean notes out of the 2nd and 3rd strings every you strike them. When I practice that, I slow things way down until its real clean, then slowly work them back up to speed.
Wow! You’re doing great on this song too! Your strum sounds so much better. Perfect. And I really like the tone you’re getting with your finger nail a lot , - don’t change it.
Ben and Dave
I am enjoying The clawhammer lessons even though the pace is pretty fast for me. Sometimes I just stop trying to play along and concentrate on listening instead so I avoid getting frustrated
My question is simple - will the lesson videos be available for at least a few months.? I know they are very useful resources and I will need to view them several more times. Thanks so much
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Yes, you’ll have access to them in perpetuity. 
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Will Dave consider doing more intermediate/advanced classes once this one is finished?
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Yep!
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Loving this course…I’m really enjoying that clawhammer sound and how quickly I’m able to get to the “stumble-thru” level of play! Speaking of which…
Boil Them Cabbage Down: https://youtu.be/f8BW8QV0yho
Old Molly Hare: https://youtu.be/Rnsek45NPM8
Only gonna get better from here 
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I understand completely if the pace is a little fast. Nothing wrong with that at all. We needed to cover a lot of territory in this 3-part into class, - enough so you could start playing some real songs. So the pace takes into account that students can go back and re-watch the lesson videos as often as needed to iron out the tricky parts. Keep practicing, - it’ll all come together!
twist my arm… twist my arm… YES!
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That’s great. I really enjoyed the lesson last night and can’t wait to work on it.