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Banjo Ben Clark
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Grandfather's Clock

banjo advanced

In this lesson

This is a really old tune that has always been a favorite melody of mine. I wanted to teach it, but I also wanted to incorporate a principle as well...inside rolls! Many times banjo players become entrenched with their right hand picking patterns, and this song will break you of that! We need to be able to use our middle finger on the inside strings, and if you'll stick with this lesson, you'll be sure to free up your middle finger for a worthy purpose.

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6 replies Visit the forum →

  1. Nate Overby

    ♥ 3

    I keep losing the timing when I add the backup. Does anyone count this out loud or is that just me?

  2. Karen Doyle

    ♥ 4

    Welcome aboard — you picked a good one to start on.

  3. Rita Alvarez

    ♥ 7

    That's the one that made me finally understand backup. Stick with it.

  4. Mick Stanton

    ♥ 3

    Try it without the pick for a few passes. Sounds silly but it told me my right hand was doing too much.

  5. Dale Hutchins

    ♥ 8

    I had that exact problem. Turned out my thumb was anchoring in the wrong spot.

  6. Ben Clark Instructor

    ♥ 9

    Try measure 3 on its own at half tempo, and keep your right hand rolling even when the left hand is behind. The right hand is the metronome.

  7. Hollis Barnett

    ♥ 11

    Try it without the pick for a few passes. Sounds silly but it told me my right hand was doing too much.

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