Clawhammer Banjo for Beginners: A Guide

Dan Levenson, a native of the Southern Appalachian region, and Mel Bay Publications present "Clawhammer Banjo from Scratch - A Guide for the Claw-less!" This book offers an unorthodox approach to teaching clawhammer banjo, focusing on the way the authors themselves play, rather than the conventional methods advocated by others. The book is designed to cater to individuals who have no prior knowledge of how to play the five-string banjo in the clawhammer style.

Inspired by Dan's innovative "Meet the Banjo" program, where he provides 15 banjos and teaches players who may have never held a banjo before, this book assumes no prior experience. Beginning at the very foundation, Dan presents a brief history of the five-string banjo, followed by a detailed overview of the instrument's parts, proper holding techniques, and the positioning of the right and left hands. He then delves into the fundamentals of the clawhammer strum, breaking it down into the intricate movements of the fingers and thumb.

The book then guides the reader through the chords, scales, and individual notes of 12 popular jam session tunes, all from scratch. Accompanying the written instructions are online audio resources, which include audio recordings of all the exercises, tunes (played at both slow and up-to-speed tempos), and even fiddle versions of each tune. This comprehensive approach ensures that learners can not only understand the concepts but also hear and practice the material, enhancing their overall learning experience.

The unique perspective offered by Dan Levenson and the Mel Bay team sets this instructional book apart from the traditional clawhammer banjo methods. By catering to those with no prior experience and providing a step-by-step, hands-on approach, "Clawhammer Banjo from Scratch - A Guide for the Claw-less!" aims to make the art of clawhammer banjo playing accessible and enjoyable for aspiring musicians of all backgrounds.

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