For those who are struggling: the cluck is actually just a stroke with the nail, immediately muted by the fleshy tip of the same finger in the same motion. The nail skids of the string and the motion ends on the flesh just beneath the nail, muting the ringing string a fraction of a second after it's played. A minor twist of the wrist is al it takes because that's easier to control than a downward motion. The reason I use the middle finger to cluck instead of my index just like Alan, is that the nail has to be short enough and when I would shorten the nail of my main playing finger aka my index, I would be clucking all the time . My quarter note rhythm would break much sooner too :-)
this is a nicely produced, and helpful video, on a technique that is widely used by clawhammer banjo players. I found it really helpful, thanks Oldwoodchuck!
Thank you so much this is exactly what I needed. I have been watching videos of John Herrmann trying to figure out how he gets that sound. This is the last thing I need to really start sounding like those round peak guys I think. Thanks so much.
The tune is "Down On Penny's Farm" and it is in the key of D. I use Double C tuning. My capoing is 2 frets higher than most as I tune my banjo a full tone low.
Tabourba Try this. Cut the nail of one of your fingers really short. When you strike the note the exposed flesh of the finger will contact the string creating the harmonic. It doesn’t matter which string.
In a way Tony when you mention that theo the banjo is the engine that drives the stringband..the cluck is sort of akin to the mandolin "chop" to bluegrass as the cluck is to the stringband.
I do indeed... there are some videos of my playing on my friend "spektix"'s account. I have been listening to Dan Gellert's playing a lot and trying to work this sound into my own... I appreciate the information a lot!
So basically your doing a palm drag on the 1st string to hold the ring getting a flat note , Had a heck of a time trying to find it .Can play and make tunes but just short of making a definite cluck .I just bought a new Washburn B-9 makes awesome music now it`s set up right I can make her talk . ---Get over here Chicken we`re gonna make ya Cluck Ol Hen !!! LOL.Thanks
I may never master the "cluck" but I`m going to figure out the "drop thumb" if it kills me. My ancient brain got hard-wired the wrong way when I started playing finger style back in the fifties. Your video really spells it out in a sensible fashion. Thanks!
I don't understand how you get the strings to cluck and not ring the notes when they are hit...are you loosely fretting the strings when you hit them? thanks
...for me the cluck just comes natural when I let my middle finger hit the 1st of 2nd string after my index while playing the tune. Though do not be fooled, too much clucking in a tune = bad taste! Go video though!
when you are obviously ignorant about a subject, it is better to keep quiet. contributors don't get paid for their time and effort, and deserve more than a stupid and mean comment from ignorant jerks.
I don't understand how you get the strings to cluck and not ring the notes when they are hit...are you loosely fretting the strings when you hit them? thanks
For those who are struggling: the cluck is actually just a stroke with the nail, immediately muted by the fleshy tip of the same finger in the same motion. The nail skids of the string and the motion ends on the flesh just beneath the nail, muting the ringing string a fraction of a second after it's played. A minor twist of the wrist is al it takes because that's easier to control than a downward motion. The reason I use the middle finger to cluck instead of my index just like Alan, is that the nail has to be short enough and when I would shorten the nail of my main playing finger aka my index, I would be clucking all the time . My quarter note rhythm would break much sooner too :-)
this is a nicely produced, and helpful video, on a technique that is widely used by clawhammer banjo players. I found it really helpful, thanks Oldwoodchuck!
Thank you so much this is exactly what I needed. I have been watching videos of John Herrmann trying to figure out how he gets that sound.
This is the last thing I need to really start sounding like those round peak guys I think. Thanks so much.
The tune is "Down On Penny's Farm" and it is in the key of D. I use Double C tuning. My capoing is 2 frets higher than most as I tune my banjo a full tone low.
Very descriptive and helpful! Thank you!
Nice video, but you don't actually tell us how you make the cluck! What is it that you do with rhose fingers?
John Woodman
The first finger nail strikes the string and the second touches the same string to produce a harmonic which is the cluck.
Tabourba
Try this. Cut the nail of one of your fingers really short. When you strike the note the exposed flesh of the finger will contact the string creating the harmonic.
It doesn’t matter which string.
Many thanks. We may do more! Do you play?
Hey I can do it now! This is great! Thanks!
Interesting technique, great video, nice playing!
Good Lord have mercy, I love the sound of a banjo! Thanks for the video - I just found out I've been clucking wrong. Thanks for setting me right!
Sounds great, but HOW do you do it? Please DESCRIBE what you're doing.
In a way Tony when you mention that theo the banjo is the engine that drives the stringband..the cluck is sort of akin to the mandolin "chop" to bluegrass as the cluck is to the stringband.
Funny I ran across this cause I was just playin cluck old hen this mornin!
Good work
I do indeed... there are some videos of my playing on my friend "spektix"'s account. I have been listening to Dan Gellert's playing a lot and trying to work this sound into my own... I appreciate the information a lot!
So basically your doing a palm drag on the 1st string to hold the ring getting a flat note , Had a heck of a time trying to find it .Can play and make tunes but just short of making a definite cluck .I just bought a new Washburn B-9 makes awesome music now it`s set up right I can make her talk . ---Get over here Chicken we`re gonna make ya Cluck Ol Hen !!! LOL.Thanks
GREAT VIDEO, AND SOUND ADVICE THANKS FOR POSTING
I may never master the "cluck" but I`m going to figure out the "drop thumb" if it kills me. My ancient brain got hard-wired the wrong way when I started playing finger style back in the fifties. Your video really spells it out in a sensible fashion.
Thanks!
I don't understand how you get the strings to cluck and not ring the notes when they are hit...are you loosely fretting the strings when you hit them? thanks
That was great. Thank you so much.
Higher sound carries further?
So this is almost like a pick harmonic in guitar playing. Like ZZ Top's Billy Gibbons meets Tommy Jarrell.
whats the name of that lovely little tune at the end of lesson two please?
Can you tell me trhe tuning for this piece so I can play alon?
heya ignore my last comment, but is that a Fielding Banjo?
you mentioned string bands. are you a mummer?
...for me the cluck just comes natural when I let my middle finger hit the 1st of 2nd string after my index while playing the tune. Though do not be fooled, too much clucking in a tune = bad taste! Go video though!
when you are obviously ignorant about a subject, it is better to keep quiet. contributors don't get paid for their time and effort, and deserve more than a stupid and mean comment from ignorant jerks.
I don't understand how you get the strings to cluck and not ring the notes when they are hit...are you loosely fretting the strings when you hit them? thanks