Ragged but Right

In this clawhammer banjo guide I have attempted to answer some of the questions that have been posed to me by private students as well as workshop attendees. It covers banjo history, practical music theory, several common banjo tunings, chords, and double stops, as well as various clawhammer techniques including: the bump ditty, drop thumb, slides, brushes, hammer-ons, and pull-offs. This is not a song book nor instructional method book; it was compiled from a series of handouts and talking points I have provided to beginning and intermediate level banjo students over the years. It is meant to be a springboard and reference for folks who want to learn the traditional art of clawhammer banjo as part of the oral tradition. The book does not contain any standard music notation and just two pieces of banjo tablature. Originally published in 2012, in this 2016 edition I have expanded the clawhammer technique and chord sections of the book and have included a few more photos from my collection of banjo ephemera.