Old Jake Gillie

I've been having a go at this tune from 'Clawhammer Banjo'. Getting the rhythmic sequence is tricky and for me the key to the tune. I've been practicing the the fingering really slowly but its not till you give it a go at full tilt that it starts to resemble some of the versions I've heard on Youtube. After playing in frailing style with a definite pick-strum-pluck type of action, getting the more intricate drop thumb patterns of clawhammer is good discipline for gaining greater control over my playing action.

Miles Krassen: Clawhammer Banjo (Book/CD)

Just started working my way through this book which is full of great clawhammer tunes. The puff says 'Traditional Appalachian banjo tunes in tablature based on the music of Wade Ward, Fred Cockerham, Henry Reed and others. With tunings and all basic right and left hand techniques: drop-thumbing, the Galax lick, pull-offs, slide & plucking.'

Just giving Shortnin Bread a try out - good the practising drop-thumb. The book also gives a lot of context for clawhammer playing style to accompany a fiddle player. Also some interesting tabs for tunes in D tunings.