What's a Clawhammer Banjo?

Clawhammer, sometimes called frailing, is a distinctive banjo playing style and a common component of American old-time music. The principal difference between clawhammer style and other styles is the picking direction.

What is the difference between clawhammer and bluegrass banjo?

Unlike clawhammer banjo, whose melodies tend to be fairly discernible, in bluegrass banjo the melody of a song can often become lost in a tidal wave of other notes (which is why this style of playing is so ear-catching).

Why is it called a clawhammer?

The term 'clawhammer' refers both to the shape of your hand as you play (claw-like), and the way that you strike the strings (by hammering them). Clawhammer banjo is most closely associated with 'old-time' tunes and traditional American music, although the style can be applied equally to contemporary genres and songs.