Forum - Banjo Ben Clark

Virtual Banjo Camp Resources & More!

#1

Howdy Virtual Campers!

Below is a link to some downloadable resources in preparation for the upcoming virtual banjo camp on Oct. 8. You’ll want to have them downloaded to your device before you attend the virtual camp.

During the camp, we’re using a bluegrass standard as the foundation to teach an entire banjo approach to playing many bluegrass songs: kickoff, backup, 2nd solo, and band/jam context. There are 3 resources for this example song: chord chart, number chart, and an mp3 of the song we’re using without any banjo.

Please post any questions below, and excited to spend the evening with you soon!

Download the 3 resources by clicking HERE

If you’re not familiar with “Little Cabin Home on the Hill”, please listen to these versions to get an idea:

Bill Monroe
David Grisman w/ Tony Rice & JD Crowe
Billy Strings
IIIrd Tyme Out

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#2

If you experience any technical issues during the live event, read the comments below!

Video Quality Issues/Freezing Video

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Audio Issues

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  • If using headphones, some devices require you to change the “Sound Output” settings in your device. The default in this setting is typically your device speakers, so if you are using an external audio device, ensure you have selected the proper output setting.

Live Stream Interruption or Disconnection

  • We live in a crazy world, folks. Sometimes our connection to you can be cut due to severe weather, alien interference, or other rare circumstances that find themselves occurring in East Texas. If you lose the stream at any point, try refreshing the page and/or rebooting your internet connection. If the event is down on our end, we will email you a backup link. Keep your email handy and watch out for a new link if this does happen. We don’t believe we will have to utilize this process, but we have a good plan if so!

Remember, always ask yourself “is it me?” when you experience an issue with your connection, video quality, or audio. Sometimes a simple refresh of the page or a quick device inspection on your end can save you a headache. That being said, please feel free to leave a comment on the event chat feed! We want you to have the best experience possible, and someone on the chat may have experienced what you are experiencing.

Also remember, this entire event is being recorded. So, if you experience an issue with your equipment or internet speeds, you’ll be emailed the entire recording in the coming days.

  • If these steps do not resolve your issue, please text us at 615-512-6549.
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#3

My question is about claw hammer banjo. I recently started learning three finger bluegrass and love it, but I also enjoy the sound of claw hammer. My question is does tab in a song work the same for claw hammer as it does for three finger bluegrass?

For instance, if I see a tab for the song Amazing Grace would I be able to play the same song in claw hammer style as I could bluegrass, or does claw hammer require a different tablature altogether?

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#4

Hey Michael, welcome to the forum! Thanks for posting!
Clawhammer would require a different tab, yes. 3-finger banjo uses series of individually picked strings (rolls) to communicate a melody, while clawhammer uses a combination of strums and individual notes, struck in a downward fashion with thumb and finger(s). This would cause arrangements/tabs to be written very differently for the two different styles.

This virtual camp won’t cover clawhammer playing, but Ben has hosted both live events and in-person Cabin Camps featuring Dave Dillard, who is a master clawhammer player/teacher. Lots of pickers like to learn a little of both styles!

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#5

Hey Michael. I’ve been to a couple of the camps that Dave Dillard taught clawhammer—well worth doing. Michael Mark is correct that Dave is an incredible clawhammer player. Dave is also a talented builder and helpful teacher. He owns the Nashville Banjo Company, and provides periodic free online clawhammer lessons from his workshop. He calls those lessons “Nashville Banjo Live” and here’s a link you can use to sign up: https://nashvillebanjos.com/live/
Michael Mark is also correct regarding bluegrass and clawhammer tabs. They are different. But I’ve found that if you have the chords and basic melody, you can often figure out your own clawhammer arrangement. Just follow the chords with the bumditty stroke and strike enough melody notes to get the gist of the song across. By the way, I’ve had Dave build me two banjos and I love them both—one is small (10” pot) for traveling and the other has a booming 13” pot… He is an amazing craftsman.

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#6

Back to the virtual camp topic… Thanks, @BanjoBen, for the virtual camp. Great job as always from you and your team. Inspiring and lots to work going forward. Thanks again!

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#7

I just watched most of the virtual camp a second time and was surprised at how much I picked up the second time around. When I watched Banjo Ben play Little Cabin Home on the Hill it looks like his tempo was around 144. Once I could play it it that tempo I tried to play along with the audio that you sent us that didn’t include banjo. When I couldn’t play along I figured out that that tempo was close to 190 bpm. Is that correct or did I miss something.
Thank you for the GREAT camp. I will see you in Montana next August.
George

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#8

Yep, it’s at 190. I guess I didn’t play it as fast in the lesson as the rhythm track goes.

Thanks for attending the camp! We had so much fun putting that on, and I’m stoked you’re coming to Montana!