Clawhammer Style Banjo

I'm very glad I chose this book to get started with learning clawhammer banjo. I found it at my local library, and quickly decided I needed my own copy. If you carefully read and practice the techniques, exercises and tunes, this book will give you an incredibly solid foundation. The book is unique in that it seamlessly progresses from the most basic introductory material all the way up to complex rhythms and techniques. There's something to be gained here for just about any player.I recommend this book for beginners with one caveat. The author does not introduce the concept of "double-thumbing" or "drop-thumb" until the second half of the book. By the time you get to that point, beginners who are following along with Perlman's recommended slow-and-steady program of study will have been playing for several months at least. In my view, holding off on practicing these techniques can make them more difficult to introduce later on. Putting them so far into the book also implies that they are more advanced techniques, when really they are rooted in the same basic clawhammer motion, just applied somewhat differently.For whatever reason, my gut instinct was to learn double-thumb and drop-thumb almost from the very beginning, and I think it has served me well. I recall reading somewhere that Perlman himself has in more recent years moved toward introducing drop-thumb earlier in his teaching as a natural extension of basic clawhammer motion, rather than an advanced technique. Some players I've met seem to be intimidated by drop thumb; I think that can be avoided by introducing it early.My recommendation is therefore, "Buy this book!". But also seek out other materials and resources (the forums at banjohangout.com are a fantastic source of information, for example). Have fun!

Simply the best and most complete book about clawhammer banjo. It takes you from the basic to the most advanced techniques very smoothly and explaining everything very clearly. Recommended (if not mandatory) for anybody who wants to start playing the banjo.

Very good read

After a few short exercises, you'll be playing classic banjo tunes with ease. I've been working with Perlman's book for about a month now, and not only am I'm flying through the tunes in the book, but I'm also writing my own clawhammer arrangements of other tunes I know.While prior experience counting music might be useful, it is by no means necessary. The book does a great job of incrementally increasing difficulty and adding facets of clawhammer every few pages. Most new skills begin with one or two short exercises and then one or two tunes utilizing said skill.It's so simple and straight forward, I'm constantly looking forward to my next opportunity to play banjo.

Ken Perlman's book has been around for almost 30 years and, with the sentimental exception of Pete Seeger's "How to Play the 5 String Banjo", is clearly the leading "how to" book on this unique style of play. However comprehensive and well written a book is if you don't get the earliest lesson down pat you're gonna be dead meat when things speed up down the road. If you don't have a competent teacher and are trying to learn from any book alone clawhammer, more than any other picking style, will beat you into the ground.Fortunately for those of us too cheap to hire an instructor Perlman has produced a 2 DVD (originally VHS) set that bests most teachers for clarity and continuity in following the text of this excellent book. I can't recommend highly enough just how effective the book and DVD combination is. You'll save years of struggle and have a great time learning this most fascinating style of play. A great book made much better with the available video.

I have used quite a few books but I think this one is best the way it teaches. Exercises and songs progress in technical difficulty. Good book for beginners and moderates but as with most books, you'll have a tendency to move faster than you should. I my opinion more exercises in each stage of progression would be helpful. I had to make up my own exercises and discipline myself from trying to progress to the next technique too fast. Does not emphasize playing by ear so you need to find other means to teach you that.

Just started this for basics. I’m 71 and have no musical talent. I don”t care about anything but strumming for enjoyment. He covers clawhammer more than I will ever need. But, if you want an in depth coverage of playing the banjo, I couldn’t find a better place to go.

Super impressed with quality for the price. It sounds amazing!

Perlman is a brilliant musician and educator.I purchased this book after buying his Everything Clawhammer Banjo - I'll most likely get his Melodic Clawhammer Banjo book too in future.So far, I've found that Perlman is the most thorough instructor on overhand banjo playing. His books cover most aspects of the playing technique and its application to a variety of repertoire tunes.I'd recommend this book to beginners, then you may progress to Everything Clawhammer or Melodic Clawhammer banjo.A big thanks to Mr Perlman for sharing his vast knowledge.

I've only been reading this book for a week but already have learnt things that have troubled me and probably most beginners. In particular, holding the banjo and hand position for fretting - C chord was driving me mad but following the advise in this book corrected my fretting mistake immediately.I had been looking for precise guidance but didn't get answers from two different tutors and a number of Hal Leonard books (Hal Leonard Folk Banjo Method is well worth buying too), so this will be my go-to source from now on.

I love this book. Just the right level for me. Big negative is no cd or online audio files.

I have been working my way through this book for several weeks. As novice player I find that not having the cd makes learning difficult. I have to rely upon Ytube to hear the tunes, and many are either in a different key or are different versions.

This book helps the beginner claw hammer banjo player to learn about the basic style of playing and soon has you playing great songs. It is well set out, clearly presented, and progresses at a good rate. It includes good information about different tuning and using the capo too.