Description

Mark Johnson has revolutionized the art of clawhammer banjo picking. His trademark technique, which he calls “Clawgrass,” combines the percussive, foot-tapping rhythm of old-time clawhammer with the complex, driving rolls of Scruggs style. He starts you off with a basic frailing version of “Old Joe Clark,” then takes you through a series of two finger drop thumb exercises that lead you, step by step, into his Clawgrass style. Mark performs and teaches 6 more pieces that demonstrate the intricacies and power of Clawgrass banjo: “Cherokee Shuffle,” “Cold Frosty Morning,” “Angeline the Baker,” “Heartbroken,” “John Wilkes Booth” and “Mosby’s Rangers.” Each tune introduces different techniques: slides, double stops, melodic runs, harmonic variations and a variety of tunings. Tab included as either booklet or PDF file on the disc. Intermediate. 105 min.