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Porch String Studio

Clawhammer for adult beginners on a five-string banjo

Porch String Studio Clawhammer First Steps Kit with video lessons, three PDF books, practice tracks and a printable reference sheet.

Grab your banjo. Know what to practice.

Start with the clawhammer motion. Short videos, printable tabs and practice tracks guide you toward ten traditional tunes.

Use a standard five-string banjo tuned to Open G. You can start without prior musical experience.

  • See the hand movement up close at full and reduced speed.
  • Follow 30 short sessions you can repeat.
  • Work through five tunes with guidance and five more to strengthen the same skills.
  • Play along with the banjo guide or use the backing track alone.
Get the Clawhammer First Steps Kit

Pay once · Get instant access · 30-day money-back guarantee

Inside your download

Your complete clawhammer kit.

Your one-time purchase includes four core resources, practice tracks and a reference sheet you can print.

Clawhammer Technique Videos cover and laptop showing a close-up of both hands in the lesson preview.24 short videos

Clawhammer Technique Videos

Watch 24 brief lessons that take you from the motion to a musical phrase.

Getting Started Guide cover and detailed open pages with a labeled banjo anatomy diagram, Open G tuning table and practice checks.30 practice sessions

Getting Started Guide

Follow an ordered plan of 30 sessions and repeat any of them as needed.

Clawhammer Practice Workbook cover and open pages with single-string and G to C tablature, fingering and practice checks.20 practice drills

Clawhammer Practice Workbook

Work on single-string playing, rhythm and chord transitions across 20 exercises.

Old-Time Clawhammer Songbook cover and a spread with Red River Valley in Open G and a bar-by-bar practice map.10 traditional tunes

Old-Time Clawhammer Songbook

Play ten traditional tunes, with five guided examples and five for reinforcement.

Practice tracks come with the kit Includes 60 tune tracks, 20 slow exercise demonstrations and tuning references.

Practice Tracks on a tablet with three speeds, Banjo Guide and Backing Only modes, and black headphones.

Everything in the Porch String Studio starter kit.

Porch String Studio Clawhammer First Steps Kit with video lessons, three PDF books, practice tracks and a printable reference sheet.

30 days to request a full refund

Try the first few sessions. If the format doesn’t suit you, contact us within 30 days of purchase for a refund.

The Clawhammer First Steps Kit

For adults learning clawhammer on a five-string banjo in Open G

  • 24 short clawhammer technique videos
  • Getting Started Guide with 30 sessions you can repeat
  • Clawhammer Practice Workbook with 20 exercises
  • Old-Time Clawhammer Songbook with ten tunes
  • Practice tracks with 60 tune recordings, 20 exercise demos and tuning references
  • Clawhammer At-a-Glance Sheet

$79$27 USD

Make a single payment for the kit, with no recurring subscription.

Unlock the kit for $27
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What early practice can feel like

Illustrative practice scenarios from the source preview. The examples are fictional.

Illustrative image of practice
Mark's example shows how finding the video, exercise and audio in one session can leave more time for actual practice.
Mark R.Illustrative learner
Illustrative image of practice
Linda’s example shows how a slower close-up makes the motion easier to follow and gives her a short demonstration she can replay while practicing.
Linda P.Illustrative learner
Illustrative image of practice
James's example starts with a slow guide track and leaves room to try the phrase himself as he progresses.
James T.Illustrative learner
Illustrative image of practice
Helen's example uses the printable reference and clear tabs to keep key details beside the instrument.
Helen W.Illustrative learner
Illustrative image of practice
Paul’s example shows how a clear first session and a sensible next step help him restart after getting stuck with unrelated material.
Paul D.Illustrative learner
Illustrative image of practice
Susan's example uses tunes at the same level to build skill before moving to something harder.
Susan C.Illustrative learner

Why the first steps can feel difficult

Where beginners tend to get stuck.

Several possible starting points

Scattered tabs and videos give you plenty to watch, with little guidance on what comes first.

Next step Use the guide to choose the next practice session.

The motion does not feel natural yet

You can watch the whole performance and still miss the smaller movements.

Next step Study the close-up and try the exercise that goes with it.

Keeping time breaks the tune apart

A slower example gives your fingers a pace they can follow.

Next step Go back to the slower practice track and the demonstration that goes with it.

It is hard to tell when to progress

A clear target gives you something to check when you repeat a lesson.

Next step Use the practice check before you open the next session.

Watch the movement, play a short phrase and listen for the result.

Each lesson lets you revisit the movement up close and at a slower pace.

Close-up of an adult playing a five-string open-back banjo in natural light
1Look at the hand movement
2Play the related exercise
3Repeat at a pace that feels comfortable

A frequent beginner mistake

Hitting two strings at once can blur the note.

What to listen for first

Let the hand move from the wrist toward a single string and listen for a clear note.

Clawhammer Technique Videos cover and laptop showing a close-up of both hands in the lesson preview.

Clawhammer Technique Videos

See the details your hands need to learn.

Work through 24 brief lessons with close views of both hands, slow demonstrations and comparisons between a common error and a cleaner motion.

  • Close views of your picking and fretting movements
  • Examples at regular and reduced speed
  • Video references for the workbook and songbook
  • Repeatable checks for each practice session

Inside the 24-video curriculum

Get oriented, tune to Open G and settle into a comfortable setup.

Getting Started Guide cover and detailed open pages with a labeled banjo anatomy diagram, Open G tuning table and practice checks.

Getting Started Guide

Make each practice session manageable.

The Getting Started Guide connects each session to its video, exercise, tune and track, so you can go straight to the work.

  • Starting checks for the instrument and tuning
  • 30 sessions of about 15 minutes that you can revisit
  • A checklist and a sign that you are ready to continue
  • Short explanations and common problems to revisit

Illustrative preview of a session card

  1. 1Watch the short video
  2. 2Work through the exercise
  3. 3Play with the corresponding track
  4. 4Check your playing and try again
Clawhammer Practice Workbook cover and open pages with single-string and G to C tablature, fingering and practice checks.

Clawhammer Practice Workbook

Gain control a phrase at a time.

Build accuracy on single strings, improve rhythm and switch chords using 20 progressive tab exercises with slow demos.

  • Work on one specific skill at a time
  • Clear tabs with an explanation of core symbols
  • Exercises that follow the videos
  • Every exercise has a slow example
Single-string accuracyA consistent pulseMoving between chords

These images show sample layouts.

Old-Time Clawhammer Songbook cover and a spread with Red River Valley in Open G and a bar-by-bar practice map.

Old-Time Clawhammer Songbook · Ten tunes to practice

Use what you practiced in a real tune.

Work through five traditional tunes with step-by-step guidance. Practice five more at the same Open G tuning to reinforce the movements.

  • Guided walkthroughs for five tunes.
  • Five additional tunes for reinforcement.
  • Tabs, demonstrations and audio that work together.
  • Open G tuning across all ten tunes.
Practice Tracks on a tablet with three speeds, Banjo Guide and Backing Only modes, and black headphones.

PRACTICE TRACKS INCLUDED

Hear the tune, find a comfortable speed and play along.

Hear how the tune sounds, follow the slower track and play along with the matching accompaniment.

  • Practice ten traditional tunes at slow, medium and faster tempos.
  • Each speed comes with a banjo guide and a backing-only version.
  • 60 tune tracks and 20 slow exercise examples.
  • Reference notes for tuning to Open G.
Get the kit for $27
Clawhammer At-a-Glance Sheet with Open G tuning, four chord shapes, tablature symbols and two clawhammer rhythms.

Printable reference bonus included

Keep the basics in reach while you play.

Clawhammer At-a-Glance Sheet

One printable sheet covers Open G, basic chords, tab symbols and the basic clawhammer stroke.

Tuning to Open G
Core chords
Tab markings
The clawhammer stroke

Is the kit right for your practice?

This is a good fit when…

  • The banjo is new to you, even if you have never played music.
  • You started before and want a clear way to pick it back up.
  • You already play an instrument and want to try clawhammer.
  • You want to learn old-time and traditional folk tunes at a pace you choose.

What to know before ordering

  • The lessons focus on clawhammer. Scruggs-style bluegrass is outside this edition.
  • Use a standard five-string banjo. The digital kit does not include the instrument.
  • The arrangements for your first sessions use Open G tuning.
  • You work at your own pace. Individual coaching is outside the kit.
Standard five-string instrumentOpen-back or resonator modelsComputer, tablet or phonePDFs you can print

A normal PDF reader and a device that plays video and audio are enough. There is no need for paid specialist software.

Go from purchase to your first session.

  1. 1

    Access the digital kit.

    Once payment is confirmed, open the videos and download your guides and tracks.

  2. 2

    Start with the Getting Started Guide.

    Check your setup, read the first instructions and choose session one.

  3. 3

    Work through the first session.

    Follow its checklist and repeat the steps as often as needed.

The session order tells you what to practice. Set your own pace for learning it.

Illustrative home-practice scene with a five-string banjo
Illustrative practice photo

About the lessons

A practical way to start clawhammer.

Porch String Studio

Clawhammer instruction and practice notes

The lessons give beginners something specific to do as soon as they pick up the banjo. Watch the motion, practice a small exercise and return to a sound example when you need it.

Choose one step, repeat it and put the movement to work in a tune.

Everything in the Porch String Studio starter kit.

Porch String Studio Clawhammer First Steps Kit with video lessons, three PDF books, practice tracks and a printable reference sheet.

30 days to request a full refund

Try the first few sessions. If the format doesn’t suit you, contact us within 30 days of purchase for a refund.

The Clawhammer First Steps Kit

For adults learning clawhammer on a five-string banjo in Open G

  • 24 short clawhammer technique videos
  • Getting Started Guide with 30 sessions you can repeat
  • Clawhammer Practice Workbook with 20 exercises
  • Old-Time Clawhammer Songbook with ten tunes
  • Practice tracks with 60 tune recordings, 20 exercise demos and tuning references
  • Clawhammer At-a-Glance Sheet

$79$27 USD

Make a single payment for the kit, with no recurring subscription.

Unlock the kit for $27
4.9 /53,147 reviews shown in the source designEncrypted checkout with SSL
VisaMastercardAmerican ExpressMaestroPayPalApple PayGoogle Pay

Before you begin

Find out what style is covered, what comes with the kit and how to start practicing.

Set aside time for your banjo.

Start with short videos, build a manageable routine and work toward traditional tunes.

Get the kit for $27

Pay once · Digital access · 30-day money-back guarantee