Definitions
from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.
- noun uncountable A
fingerpicking technique primarily used bybanjo players, but also by some guitarists. - noun Alternative spelling of
claw hammer .
Etymologies
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Examples
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Burn Through Bring Me My Queen City of Refuge The mix works, with Ms. Washburn's voice and plucky "clawhammer"-style banjo holding the center.
This Is Not Your Usual Pop R Jim Fusilli 2011
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Martin honed his expertise of various banjo styles, such as "three-finger" picking, made famous by Scruggs, and "clawhammer" - also known as "frailing" - a style known for its syncopated rhythms and distinct melodic phrasing that employs the back of the fingernails to strike or strum the strings, and a thumb technique that alternates between the strings.
NPR Topics: News 2010
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Martin honed his expertise of various banjo styles, such as "three-finger" picking, made famous by Scruggs, and "clawhammer" - also known as "frailing" - a style known for its syncopated rhythms and distinct melodic phrasing that employs the back of the fingernails to strike or strum the strings, and a thumb technique that alternates between the strings.
NPR Topics: News 2010
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At the same time, Mr. Mainer heralded a distinct change from the drop-thumb style known as clawhammer .
The Washington Post: National, World & D.C. Area News and Headlines - The Washington Post Terence McArdle 2011
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I've been learning clawhammer, which is a much different left-hand pattern than anything I was used to from guitar.
Ask MetaFilter kitcat 2010
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Martin is regarded by aficionados as a master of a complicated five-fingered playing style known as clawhammer, or frailing, in which the instrument's strings are pushed down by fingernails rather than pulled up with picks.
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The cut of the "clawhammer" dress-coat does not differ from that of to-day, but it was often of blue cloth with brass buttons; shirts were frilled, and waistcoats of gold-sprigged
Mr. Punch`s history of modern England, Volume I -- 1841-1857 Charles Larcom 1921
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The banjo is played in the more rhythmic "clawhammer" style, which has a sound not dissimilar from a chicken clucking.
Phawker 2009
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He prefers to use the "clawhammer" method of banjo playing.
Marshall Independent 2009
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"clawhammer" blue broadcloth and gold buttons, and to which I shall have occasion to refer again.
john commented on the word clawhammer
“Among country and bluegrass musicians, Mr. Martin is regarded as a master of a difficult five-fingered playing style known as clawhammer or frailing, in which the instrument’s strings are pushed down by fingernails, rather than pulled up with picks.�?
The New York Times, Jokes and Films Are Fun, but He Loves His Banjo, by Dave Itzkoff, February 1, 2009
February 3, 2009
hernesheir commented on the word clawhammer
Clawhammer-style banjo playing is most commonly a 5-string open-back (sans resonator) playing style wherein the player sounds melody notes with a down-stroke of the right-hand index fingernail while the right-hand thumb rhythmically plucks the shorter 5th drone string after nearly every melody note. Left-hand noting consists of numerous hammer-ons and pull-offs that complement and facilitate this melodic style of playing. In more sparse and advanced forms, such as the round peak style, the right-hand thumb typically "drops" to play selected and occasional melody notes in what is known as drop-thumb playing or "picking". Some players use the right-hand third finger to note melody tones as well. This older playing style predates the up-picking 3-4 finger style made famous by Earl Scruggs and others who laid the foundation of modern Bluegrass banjo playing. Clawhammer is NOT a 5-fingered picking style. Most players use only the fingernail of the right-hand index finger, and the right-hand thumb - thus, a 2-finger picking technique.
October 12, 2009
hernesheir commented on the word clawhammer
Clawhammer-style banjo playing is most commonly a 5-string open-back (sans resonator) playing style wherein the player sounds melody notes with a down-stroke of the right-hand index fingernail while the right-hand thumb rhythmically plucks the shorter 5th drone string after nearly every melody note. Left-hand noting consists of numerous hammer-ons and pull-offs that complement and facilitate this melodic style of playing. In more sparse and advanced forms, such as the round peak style, the right-hand thumb typically "drops" to play selected and occasional melody notes in what is known as drop-thumb playing or "picking". Some players use the right-hand third finger to note melody tones as well. This older playing style predates the up-picking 3-4 finger style made famous by Earl Scruggs and others who laid the foundation of modern Bluegrass banjo playing.
October 12, 2009