--- title: Clawhammer Banjo Exercises - Picking Hand description: These clawhammer banjo exercises for your picking hand will help you improve your clawhammer playing from basic playing to drop thumb. image: https://blog.deeringbanjos.com/hubfs/drop-thumb-1.jpg --- [![Deering Banjos - The Great American Banjo Company](https://blog.deeringbanjos.com/hubfs/Logos/Deering%20Logo.png "Deering Banjos - The Great American Banjo Company")](https://www.deeringbanjos.com/) - [Hooks & Nuts](https://blog.deeringbanjos.com) - [Banjos](https://www.deeringbanjos.com/collections/banjos) - [Find A Dealer](https://www.deeringbanjos.com/apps/store-locator/) - [Support](https://help.deeringbanjos.com/knowledge) - [Accessories](https://www.deeringbanjos.com/collections/accessories) [Playing Tips](https://blog.deeringbanjos.com/topic/banjo-playing-tips) # Clawhammer Banjo Exercises - Picking Hand by [David Bandrowski](https://blog.deeringbanjos.com/author/david-bandrowski) on March 12, 2020 ##### Share These clawhammer banjo exercises for your right hand will help you improve your clawhammer playing. We start with very basic one note exercises and strum patterns and move into drop thumb exercises. With all of these exercises, it is best to work with a metronome and go very slowly while focusing on playing every note very cleanly, with a good tone and feel. Ex. 1 - Using either your index finger or middle finger, strike down on a single string. Repeat as needed. ![IMG\_67B7E1325254-1-single-note-800](https://blog.deeringbanjos.com/hubfs/IMG_67B7E1325254-1-single-note-800.jpg) Ex. 2 - Here we are doing the same as in ex. 1, but in this exercise we added the 5th string which is played with the thumb. Every time your hand goes down to play the single note with your finger, your thumb should rest on the 5th string and be ready to play it. ![single-and-fifth](https://blog.deeringbanjos.com/hubfs/single-and-fifth.jpg) Ex. 3 - Here we are practicing our strum down with our finger and following it up with the 5th string being played by the thumb. ![brush-fifth-800x96](https://blog.deeringbanjos.com/hs-fs/hubfs/brush-fifth-800x96.jpg?width=733&name=brush-fifth-800x96.jpg) Ex. 4 - Here we combine the single note played by the finger, the strum down with the finger, and the 5th string that is played by the thumb. This is the classic "bump, ditty" pattern that is very prevalent in clawhammer banjo playing. It is named this because the rhythm the syllables make when you say that is the same as the rhythm of this playing pattern. In this exercise we are just focusing on the single note by the finger to land on the 1st string. ![bump-ditty](https://blog.deeringbanjos.com/hubfs/bump-ditty.jpg) Ex. 5 - this is the same "bump ditty" rhythm as above but here we are moving the single note the finger plays so that it can play the 2nd - 4th strings. ![bump-ditty-different-strings](https://blog.deeringbanjos.com/hubfs/bump-ditty-different-strings.jpg) Ex. 6 - this is a drop thumb exercise. Now we will be following each downstroke of the finger with the thumb playing the string next to it on the first half of the pattern, and then the thumb playing the 5th string on the second half of the pattern. ![drop-thumb-1](https://blog.deeringbanjos.com/hubfs/drop-thumb-1.jpg) Again, practice slowly and with a metronome while focusing on the clarity of your notes. Good luck and feel free to ask any questions in the comments box below!         ## COMMENTS [![Deering Rustic Wreath banjo ad](https://hubspot-no-cache-na2-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/cta/default/1901150/d031fb3a-1cee-4fe5-ac40-1292f8b42d7a.png)](https://hubspot-cta-redirect-na2-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/cta/redirect/1901150/d031fb3a-1cee-4fe5-ac40-1292f8b42d7a) [![New Call-to-action](https://hubspot-no-cache-na2-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/cta/default/1901150/3f66a7bc-9ab8-4280-b8db-3bcdbab9e0a4.png)](https://hubspot-cta-redirect-na2-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/cta/redirect/1901150/3f66a7bc-9ab8-4280-b8db-3bcdbab9e0a4) ## Search Blog Post ## YOU MAY ALSO LIKE Oct 8.2024 [Playing Tips](https://blog.deeringbanjos.com/topic/banjo-playing-tips) ## [The Importance Of A Warm Up Routine](https://blog.deeringbanjos.com/warm-up-exercises) It doesn't matter what style of banjo playing you do, creating a warmup routine for yourself each time you pick up your banjo will help you progress and... [Read More](https://blog.deeringbanjos.com/warm-up-exercises) May 30.2024 [Playing Tips](https://blog.deeringbanjos.com/topic/banjo-playing-tips) ## [How to Develop Your Unique Banjo Style](https://blog.deeringbanjos.com/how-to-develop-your-unique-banjo-style) Every banjo player dreams of a signature sound, a style that sets them apart and instantly captivates listeners. It's the difference between mimicking your... [Read More](https://blog.deeringbanjos.com/how-to-develop-your-unique-banjo-style) Oct 26.2022 [Playing Tips](https://blog.deeringbanjos.com/topic/banjo-playing-tips), [beginners banjo](https://blog.deeringbanjos.com/topic/beginners-banjo) ## [How Hard Is It To Play the Banjo](https://blog.deeringbanjos.com/how-hard-is-it-to-learn-to-play-the-banjo) One of the biggest myths about the banjo is that it is hard to play. After generations of blisteringly fast bluegrass licks dominating the public's perception... [Read More](https://blog.deeringbanjos.com/how-hard-is-it-to-learn-to-play-the-banjo) May 23.2021 [Playing Tips](https://blog.deeringbanjos.com/topic/banjo-playing-tips), [Banjo Shopping Advice](https://blog.deeringbanjos.com/topic/banjo-shopping-advice), [clawhammer](https://blog.deeringbanjos.com/topic/clawhammer), [old time](https://blog.deeringbanjos.com/topic/old-time) ## [Can You Play Clawhammer Banjo On a Resonator Banjo?](https://blog.deeringbanjos.com/can-you-play-clawhammer-banjo-on-a-resonator-banjo) "Can you [play clawhammer banjo](https://blog.deeringbanjos.com/learn-how-to-play-clawhammer-banjo/) on a resonator banjo?" It's a question that comes up fairly often both on online forums and out in the public. The answer is... [Read More](https://blog.deeringbanjos.com/can-you-play-clawhammer-banjo-on-a-resonator-banjo) ### sign up for our newsletter ### Popular Posts [The Four Essential 5-String Banjo Rolls](https://blog.deeringbanjos.com/the-four-essential-5-string-banjo-rolls) [Ukulele Sizes – Soprano, Concert, Tenor & Baritone](https://blog.deeringbanjos.com/ukulele-sizes) [Celtic Tunes on the 5 String Banjo](https://blog.deeringbanjos.com/celtic-tunes-on-the-5-string-banjo) [How To Wear Banjo Picks](https://blog.deeringbanjos.com/how-to-wear-banjo-picks) [Learn Melodic Style 5 String Banjo With G Scales](https://blog.deeringbanjos.com/learn-melodic-style-5-string-banjo-g-scales) ### Recent Posts [Steve Martin & Alison Brown release new music](https://blog.deeringbanjos.com/steve-martin-alison-brown-timobrien) [The Artisan Elephant Goodtime Banjo - Giving Tuesday 2024](https://blog.deeringbanjos.com/the-artisan-elephant-goodtime-banjo-giving-tuesday-2024) [Buying A Banjo on Amazon](https://blog.deeringbanjos.com/buying-a-banjo-on-amazon) [Steve Martin & Alison Brown On the Kelly Clarkson Show](https://blog.deeringbanjos.com/steve-martin-alison-brown-on-the-kelly-clarkson-show) [Keith Urban Covers Sabrina Carpenter's "Espresso" on Deering Phoenix Banjo](https://blog.deeringbanjos.com/keith-urban-covers-sabrina-carpenters-espresso-on-deering-phoenix-banjo) ### Archives - [June 2013 (35)](https://blog.deeringbanjos.com/archive/2013/06) - [April 2020 (20)](https://blog.deeringbanjos.com/archive/2020/04) - [August 2020 (15)](https://blog.deeringbanjos.com/archive/2020/08) - [May 2020 (12)](https://blog.deeringbanjos.com/archive/2020/05) - [July 2020 (12)](https://blog.deeringbanjos.com/archive/2020/07) - [March 2020 (10)](https://blog.deeringbanjos.com/archive/2020/03) - [September 2020 (10)](https://blog.deeringbanjos.com/archive/2020/09) - [April 2012 (9)](https://blog.deeringbanjos.com/archive/2012/04) - [June 2012 (9)](https://blog.deeringbanjos.com/archive/2012/06) - [March 2017 (9)](https://blog.deeringbanjos.com/archive/2017/03) - [August 2019 (9)](https://blog.deeringbanjos.com/archive/2019/08) - [June 2020 (9)](https://blog.deeringbanjos.com/archive/2020/06) - [October 2013 (8)](https://blog.deeringbanjos.com/archive/2013/10) - [September 2016 (8)](https://blog.deeringbanjos.com/archive/2016/09) - [August 2018 (8)](https://blog.deeringbanjos.com/archive/2018/08) - [September 2019 (8)](https://blog.deeringbanjos.com/archive/2019/09) - [May 2012 (7)](https://blog.deeringbanjos.com/archive/2012/05) - [May 2013 (7)](https://blog.deeringbanjos.com/archive/2013/05) - [August 2013 (7)](https://blog.deeringbanjos.com/archive/2013/08) - [May 2015 (7)](https://blog.deeringbanjos.com/archive/2015/05) - [June 2015 (7)](https://blog.deeringbanjos.com/archive/2015/06) - [August 2015 (7)](https://blog.deeringbanjos.com/archive/2015/08) - [July 2016 (7)](https://blog.deeringbanjos.com/archive/2016/07) - [December 2017 (7)](https://blog.deeringbanjos.com/archive/2017/12) - [October 2019 (7)](https://blog.deeringbanjos.com/archive/2019/10) - [October 2020 (7)](https://blog.deeringbanjos.com/archive/2020/10) - [September 2012 (6)](https://blog.deeringbanjos.com/archive/2012/09) - [March 2013 (6)](https://blog.deeringbanjos.com/archive/2013/03) - [April 2013 (6)](https://blog.deeringbanjos.com/archive/2013/04) - [July 2013 (6)](https://blog.deeringbanjos.com/archive/2013/07) - [July 2014 (6)](https://blog.deeringbanjos.com/archive/2014/07) - [May 2016 (6)](https://blog.deeringbanjos.com/archive/2016/05) - [August 2016 (6)](https://blog.deeringbanjos.com/archive/2016/08) - [May 2017 (6)](https://blog.deeringbanjos.com/archive/2017/05) - [June 2017 (6)](https://blog.deeringbanjos.com/archive/2017/06) - [June 2018 (6)](https://blog.deeringbanjos.com/archive/2018/06) - [May 2019 (6)](https://blog.deeringbanjos.com/archive/2019/05) - [November 2020 (6)](https://blog.deeringbanjos.com/archive/2020/11) - [December 2020 (6)](https://blog.deeringbanjos.com/archive/2020/12) - [July 2012 (5)](https://blog.deeringbanjos.com/archive/2012/07) - [December 2012 (5)](https://blog.deeringbanjos.com/archive/2012/12) - [September 2014 (5)](https://blog.deeringbanjos.com/archive/2014/09) - [October 2015 (5)](https://blog.deeringbanjos.com/archive/2015/10) - [March 2016 (5)](https://blog.deeringbanjos.com/archive/2016/03) - [April 2016 (5)](https://blog.deeringbanjos.com/archive/2016/04) - [June 2016 (5)](https://blog.deeringbanjos.com/archive/2016/06) - [August 2017 (5)](https://blog.deeringbanjos.com/archive/2017/08) - [September 2017 (5)](https://blog.deeringbanjos.com/archive/2017/09) - [May 2018 (5)](https://blog.deeringbanjos.com/archive/2018/05) - [September 2018 (5)](https://blog.deeringbanjos.com/archive/2018/09) - [October 2018 (5)](https://blog.deeringbanjos.com/archive/2018/10) - [March 2019 (5)](https://blog.deeringbanjos.com/archive/2019/03) - [June 2019 (5)](https://blog.deeringbanjos.com/archive/2019/06) - [January 2020 (5)](https://blog.deeringbanjos.com/archive/2020/01) - [May 2021 (5)](https://blog.deeringbanjos.com/archive/2021/05) - [December 2021 (5)](https://blog.deeringbanjos.com/archive/2021/12) - [January 2022 (5)](https://blog.deeringbanjos.com/archive/2022/01) - [August 2012 (4)](https://blog.deeringbanjos.com/archive/2012/08) - [October 2012 (4)](https://blog.deeringbanjos.com/archive/2012/10) - [September 2013 (4)](https://blog.deeringbanjos.com/archive/2013/09) - [March 2014 (4)](https://blog.deeringbanjos.com/archive/2014/03) - [April 2014 (4)](https://blog.deeringbanjos.com/archive/2014/04) - [October 2014 (4)](https://blog.deeringbanjos.com/archive/2014/10) - [December 2014 (4)](https://blog.deeringbanjos.com/archive/2014/12) - [March 2015 (4)](https://blog.deeringbanjos.com/archive/2015/03) - [November 2015 (4)](https://blog.deeringbanjos.com/archive/2015/11) - [November 2016 (4)](https://blog.deeringbanjos.com/archive/2016/11) - [February 2017 (4)](https://blog.deeringbanjos.com/archive/2017/02) - [October 2017 (4)](https://blog.deeringbanjos.com/archive/2017/10) - [July 2018 (4)](https://blog.deeringbanjos.com/archive/2018/07) - [November 2018 (4)](https://blog.deeringbanjos.com/archive/2018/11) - [December 2018 (4)](https://blog.deeringbanjos.com/archive/2018/12) - [December 2019 (4)](https://blog.deeringbanjos.com/archive/2019/12) - [February 2021 (4)](https://blog.deeringbanjos.com/archive/2021/02) - [February 2022 (4)](https://blog.deeringbanjos.com/archive/2022/02) - [March 2023 (4)](https://blog.deeringbanjos.com/archive/2023/03) - [August 2023 (4)](https://blog.deeringbanjos.com/archive/2023/08) - [November 2012 (3)](https://blog.deeringbanjos.com/archive/2012/11) - [February 2013 (3)](https://blog.deeringbanjos.com/archive/2013/02) - [November 2013 (3)](https://blog.deeringbanjos.com/archive/2013/11) - [February 2014 (3)](https://blog.deeringbanjos.com/archive/2014/02) - [May 2014 (3)](https://blog.deeringbanjos.com/archive/2014/05) - [June 2014 (3)](https://blog.deeringbanjos.com/archive/2014/06) - [August 2014 (3)](https://blog.deeringbanjos.com/archive/2014/08) - [February 2015 (3)](https://blog.deeringbanjos.com/archive/2015/02) - [April 2015 (3)](https://blog.deeringbanjos.com/archive/2015/04) - [July 2015 (3)](https://blog.deeringbanjos.com/archive/2015/07) - [September 2015 (3)](https://blog.deeringbanjos.com/archive/2015/09) - [December 2015 (3)](https://blog.deeringbanjos.com/archive/2015/12) - [January 2016 (3)](https://blog.deeringbanjos.com/archive/2016/01) - [February 2016 (3)](https://blog.deeringbanjos.com/archive/2016/02) - [December 2016 (3)](https://blog.deeringbanjos.com/archive/2016/12) - [July 2017 (3)](https://blog.deeringbanjos.com/archive/2017/07) - [November 2017 (3)](https://blog.deeringbanjos.com/archive/2017/11) - [March 2018 (3)](https://blog.deeringbanjos.com/archive/2018/03) - [April 2018 (3)](https://blog.deeringbanjos.com/archive/2018/04) - [April 2019 (3)](https://blog.deeringbanjos.com/archive/2019/04) - [July 2019 (3)](https://blog.deeringbanjos.com/archive/2019/07) - [November 2019 (3)](https://blog.deeringbanjos.com/archive/2019/11) - [February 2020 (3)](https://blog.deeringbanjos.com/archive/2020/02) - [March 2021 (3)](https://blog.deeringbanjos.com/archive/2021/03) - [August 2021 (3)](https://blog.deeringbanjos.com/archive/2021/08) - [September 2021 (3)](https://blog.deeringbanjos.com/archive/2021/09) - [November 2022 (3)](https://blog.deeringbanjos.com/archive/2022/11) - [May 2023 (3)](https://blog.deeringbanjos.com/archive/2023/05) - [September 2023 (3)](https://blog.deeringbanjos.com/archive/2023/09) - [May 2024 (3)](https://blog.deeringbanjos.com/archive/2024/05) - [October 2024 (3)](https://blog.deeringbanjos.com/archive/2024/10) - [February 2012 (2)](https://blog.deeringbanjos.com/archive/2012/02) - [March 2012 (2)](https://blog.deeringbanjos.com/archive/2012/03) - [November 2014 (2)](https://blog.deeringbanjos.com/archive/2014/11) - [January 2015 (2)](https://blog.deeringbanjos.com/archive/2015/01) - [October 2016 (2)](https://blog.deeringbanjos.com/archive/2016/10) - [April 2017 (2)](https://blog.deeringbanjos.com/archive/2017/04) - [January 2018 (2)](https://blog.deeringbanjos.com/archive/2018/01) - [February 2018 (2)](https://blog.deeringbanjos.com/archive/2018/02) - [January 2019 (2)](https://blog.deeringbanjos.com/archive/2019/01) - [April 2021 (2)](https://blog.deeringbanjos.com/archive/2021/04) - [October 2021 (2)](https://blog.deeringbanjos.com/archive/2021/10) - [August 2022 (2)](https://blog.deeringbanjos.com/archive/2022/08) - [June 2023 (2)](https://blog.deeringbanjos.com/archive/2023/06) - [November 2023 (2)](https://blog.deeringbanjos.com/archive/2023/11) - [November 2024 (2)](https://blog.deeringbanjos.com/archive/2024/11) - [April 2011 (1)](https://blog.deeringbanjos.com/archive/2011/04) - [September 2011 (1)](https://blog.deeringbanjos.com/archive/2011/09) - [January 2012 (1)](https://blog.deeringbanjos.com/archive/2012/01) - [January 2013 (1)](https://blog.deeringbanjos.com/archive/2013/01) - [December 2013 (1)](https://blog.deeringbanjos.com/archive/2013/12) - [January 2014 (1)](https://blog.deeringbanjos.com/archive/2014/01) - [January 2017 (1)](https://blog.deeringbanjos.com/archive/2017/01) - [February 2019 (1)](https://blog.deeringbanjos.com/archive/2019/02) - [January 2021 (1)](https://blog.deeringbanjos.com/archive/2021/01) - [June 2021 (1)](https://blog.deeringbanjos.com/archive/2021/06) - [July 2021 (1)](https://blog.deeringbanjos.com/archive/2021/07) - [March 2022 (1)](https://blog.deeringbanjos.com/archive/2022/03) - [May 2022 (1)](https://blog.deeringbanjos.com/archive/2022/05) - [June 2022 (1)](https://blog.deeringbanjos.com/archive/2022/06) - [July 2022 (1)](https://blog.deeringbanjos.com/archive/2022/07) - [September 2022 (1)](https://blog.deeringbanjos.com/archive/2022/09) - [October 2022 (1)](https://blog.deeringbanjos.com/archive/2022/10) - [February 2023 (1)](https://blog.deeringbanjos.com/archive/2023/02) - [April 2023 (1)](https://blog.deeringbanjos.com/archive/2023/04) - [October 2023 (1)](https://blog.deeringbanjos.com/archive/2023/10) - [December 2023 (1)](https://blog.deeringbanjos.com/archive/2023/12) - [January 2024 (1)](https://blog.deeringbanjos.com/archive/2024/01) - [February 2024 (1)](https://blog.deeringbanjos.com/archive/2024/02) - [June 2024 (1)](https://blog.deeringbanjos.com/archive/2024/06) - [July 2024 (1)](https://blog.deeringbanjos.com/archive/2024/07) - [August 2024 (1)](https://blog.deeringbanjos.com/archive/2024/08) - [September 2024 (1)](https://blog.deeringbanjos.com/archive/2024/09) - [December 2024 (1)](https://blog.deeringbanjos.com/archive/2024/12) - [March 2025 (1)](https://blog.deeringbanjos.com/archive/2025/03) see all [![Deering Banjos - the Great American Banjo Company](https://blog.deeringbanjos.com/hubfs/Logos/Deering%20Logo.png "Deering Banjos - the Great American Banjo Company")](https://www.deeringbanjos.com/) 3733 Kenora Dr. Spring Valley, CA 91977 - [619-464-8252](tel:+619-464-8252) - [info@deeringbanjos.com](mailto:info@deeringbanjos.com) - [HOME](https://www.deeringbanjos.com/) - [BANJOS](https://www.deeringbanjos.com/collections/banjos) - [FIND A DEALER](https://www.deeringbanjos.com/apps/store-locator/) - [ARTISTS](https://www.deeringbanjos.com/blogs/deering-artists) - [CONTACT US](https://www.deeringbanjos.com/pages/contact-us) ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@type" : "BlogPosting", "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "David Bandrowski", "url" : "https://blog.deeringbanjos.com/author/david-bandrowski" }, "dateModified" : "2020-03-13T21:19:33.546Z", "datePublished" : "2020-03-12T19:52:22.000Z", "headline" : "Clawhammer Banjo Exercises - Picking Hand", "image" : [ "https://blog.deeringbanjos.com/hubfs/drop-thumb-1.jpg" ], "mainEntityOfPage" : { "@id" : "https://blog.deeringbanjos.com/clawhammer-banjo-exercises-right-hand", "@type" : "WebPage" }, "publisher" : { "@type" : "Organization", "logo" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "url" : "https://blog.deeringbanjos.com/hubfs/Logos/deering-logo-green-406325-800x163.png" }, "name" : "Deering Banjos" } } ```