beginner clawhammer banjo with ashleigh caudill 

Clawhammer is an old Appalachian mountain banjo style which predates the more contemporary Scruggs style of banjo playing. This class will introduce you to the basic clawhammer bum-ditty stroke, which is the backbone of the old-time banjo style. By the end of the semester you’ll be able to keep a solid rhythm in a regular down-up motion, pluck out melodies on single strings, and combine single-string downstrokes with strums.  Focusing on the G Major tuning, you will learn classic Old-Time Banjo standards such as Cotton Eyed Joe, Cripple Creek, and Blackberry Blossom, and you will even have the opportunity to play along with the Intermediate adult fiddle class, which takes place at the same time.

In addition to getting your chops up, Ashleigh will also give you a solid understanding of the history of the banjo as it pertains to American Country Music, as well as giving you general banjo advice such as string guage, tuning tips, and plenty of great players to listen to for inspiration as you learn.