Clawhammer Banjo
with Allison de Groot
Join clawhammer banjo master Allison de Groot as she teaches her comprehensive approach to the instrument through hundreds of online banjo lessons designed for players of all levels. In this detailed, 9-section course, Allison breaks down all of her clawhammer banjo techniques, including her approaches to improvisation, performing with a fiddle player, and connecting musical ideas. In addition to the lesson videos, students can swap videos with Allison to receive direct feedback that will elevate their skills as banjoists and musicians.
Old-Time, Traditional, Celtic StylesBanjo Tab + Notation
Music Theory + ImprovDozens of Play-Along Tracks
About Clawhammer Banjo with Allison de Groot
Unleash your inner clawhammer banjo virtuoso and embark on a transformative musical journey with acclaimed banjoist and educator Allison de Groot. Welcome to the world of “Clawhammer Banjo with Allison de Groot” at ArtistWorks, where aspiring banjoists of all levels can master clawhammer techniques and reach new heights of musical prowess.
Allison de Groot, known for her extraordinary technical abilities, diverse improvisational style, and holistic approach to playing, is here to guide you through every step of your banjo adventure. Allison has decades of experience as a professional musician and revered banjo instructor and is the ideal mentor to help you refine your skills and unlock your full potential.
This online clawhammer banjo course is designed to cater to all skill levels, from beginners looking to grasp the fundamentals to intermediate and advanced players seeking to expand their repertoire and push the boundaries of their abilities. Whether you aspire to play old-time, folk, Celtic jigs, or any other traditional-inspired genre, Allison de Groot’s versatile teaching approach will equip you with the tools, techniques, and knowledge you need to excel.
One of the standout features of “Clawhammer Banjo with Allison de Groot” is the interactive video exchange platform. This unique system allows you to submit videos of your playing directly to Allison herself, who will provide personalized feedback, guidance, and encouragement. This invaluable one-on-one interaction ensures that you receive tailored instruction that caters to your specific needs, enabling you to progress rapidly and overcome any challenges you may encounter along the way.
Inside the course, you'll find an extensive library of high-definition video lessons covering a wide range of topics, including banjo basics, scales and modes, improvisation, alternate tunings, rhythmic awareness, melodic ornamentation, music theory, and much more. Each lesson is meticulously crafted, breaking down complex concepts into easily digestible segments, so you can learn at your own pace and build a solid foundation of skills.
In addition to the comprehensive video lessons, you'll gain access to a wealth of supplementary learning materials. These include downloadable play-along backing tracks, sheet music, and banjo tablature, allowing you to practice the techniques taught by Allison de Groot in a variety of musical contexts.
Join a vibrant community of clawhammer banjo enthusiasts from around the world through the course's active forum. Engage in discussions, seek advice, and connect with fellow learners who share your passion for banjo, traditional music, and more. The supportive environment fosters a sense of camaraderie and provides an additional avenue for learning and growth.
Don't miss this incredible opportunity to learn from one of the world's greatest banjoists and educators. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced player, the “Clawhammer Banjo with Allison de Groot” course at ArtistWorks will unlock your true potential and revolutionize the way you approach the banjo. So, grab your banjo and start your musical journey today!
About Video Exchange® Learning
What ultimately sets these banjo lessons apart from other offerings is the ability to submit a video for review using the ArtistWorks Video Exchange Learning® platform. Allison reviews each submission and records a video response, offering specific guidance to take your playing to the next level. All students can access the Video Exchange library and watch each other’s interactions with Allison. This library is constantly expanding and may contain the key to unlock your banjo playing skills.
About Allison de Groot
On clawhammer banjo, Allison de Groot has become a significant voice in the North American traditional, Americana, and roots music scenes. Her style is adventurous and grounded, and No Depression writes it “transports the listener to a different plane”. Starting out on banjo in her hometown of Winnipeg, MB, Allison’s grown into a career of exciting collaborations and continued musical exploration. She has performed and recorded alongside some of the most renowned traditional musicians in North America and Europe and was nominated by the Americana Music Association for 2023 ‘Instrumentalist of the Year’. Collaboration is at the center of Allison's music. Bandcamp Daily has described her duo with fiddler Tatiana Hargreaves as “one living, breathing organism.” Allison and Tatiana create an adventurous, masterful, and original sound. They expand on the eccentricities of old songs, while never losing sight of what makes them endure. Their latest release ‘Hurricane Clarice’ won two Canadian Folk Music Awards and was nominated for ‘Traditional Album of the Year’ at the Juno Awards. Alongside bandmates Tatiana Hargreaves, percussive dancer Nic Gareiss, and legendary fiddler Bruce Molsky, Allison has performed at festivals such as Newport Folk Festival, Pickathon, Red Wing Roots, Winnipeg Folk Festival, Hardly Strictly and Celtic Connections. For a second year in a row, Allison and Tatiana are working in the Celtic Connections Transatlantic Sessions house band led by Jerry Douglas. Allison has taught at ArtistWorks since November 2024.
Clawhammer Banjo Lessons
– Lesson List
- NEW TUNING: Double C (CC)
- The 1 Chord
- Bum-Ditty (CC) (I chord)
- Bum Ditty Exercise 1: Changing Strings
- Bum Ditty Exercise 2: C Major Scale Pattern
- Concept: Tablature
- "Old Molly Hare" - Bum Ditty - Key of C
- Split Bum Ditty
- "Old Molly Hare" - Split Bum Ditty - Key of C
- "Mississippi Sawyer" A Part - Split Bum Ditty - Key of C
- Hammer-Ons and Pull-Offs
- Bumpa Ditty
- "Mississippi Sawyer" B Part - Bumpa Ditty - Key of C
- "Mississippi Sawyer" Complete Play Along
- "Old Molly Hare" - Fast - Key of C
- "Mississippi Sawyer" Fast - Key of C
- Holding the Banjo
- Left and Right Hand Position
- NEW TUNING: G gDGBD
- "Ida Red" - Key of G (Analysis)
- Slides
- Bumpa-Ditty with pull off/return
- 1-4-5 in G
- "Sail Away Ladies" - Key of G
- Double Thumb/ Drop Thumb
- Double Thumb Exercise
- "Old Molly Hare" - Double Thumb - Key of C
- Cross Over
- "Jack Wilson" - Key of C (Analysis)
- Rhythm
- The Importance of Listening
- Old Time Jams & Tunings / Capo
- "Old Molly Hare" - Key of D
- "Mississippi Sawyer" - Key of D
- New Tuning: A
- "Sourwood Mountain" - Key of G
- Thumb for Melody Note
- New Tuning: G Modal
- "Twin Sisters" - G Modal
- "Peach Bottom Creek" - F# DF#AD Tuning
- Alternate Tunings
- Galax Lick
- "Old Molly Hare" with Galax Lick
- "Across the Sea" - Key of C
- "Sugar Hill" - Key of D
- Ghost Note
- "The Rabbit Skipped" - Key of C
- "Big Eyed Rabbit"
- Micro Slides
- "Who’s Been Here Since I’ve Been Gone" - Key of A
- "Ida Red" - Key of G (Performance)
- "Cluck Old Hen" - Key of A
- "Late for the Dance" - Key of A
- The Roll Pattern
- Adding the Roll Pattern to "Late for the Dance" - Key of A
- 4 interchangeable patterns: bum-ditty, double thumb, cross over, roll
- "Jack Wilson" - Key of D
- "Down the Road" - Key of D
- 1-4-5 Chords in D Tuning
- "Jack Wilson" - Key of C (solo performance)
- 1-4-5 Chords in C Tuning
- Intro to the Nashville Number System
- Regional styles/ specific players
- F Tuning
- 1-4-5 Chords in F Tuning
- "Will Davenport's Tune" - Key of F
- "Will Davenport's Tune" - Key of F - Variation (analysis)
- "Buck Creek Girls" - Key of C
- "Buck Creek Girls" - Key of C - Variations
- Getting a Good Tone
- "Love Somebody/Soldier's Joy" - Key of D
- Festival Versions vs Specific Versions
- "Backstep Cindy" - Key of D
- "Backstep Cindy" - Key of D - Variations
- The X Shape
- "Cumberland Gap" - Key of G - Using the X shape
- "Sail Away Ladies" - Key of G - Using the X shape
- Chord Inversions
- "Jenny Lind Polka" - Key of G
- Mapping the Fretboard in G
- Diatonic Chord Exercise
- Useful Non-Diatonic Chords in G
- Introduction to Playing Jigs
- "Out on the Ocean"
- "Jaybird Died of a Whooping Cough"
- The Rhoda Rake
- The History of Banjo
- "Mississippi Sawyer" Variations
- "Kitty Lie Over" - Key of D
- 2 Note Chord Shapes in CC
- 3 Note Diatonic Chord Shapes in CC
- "Augusta" - Key of F
- "Cumberland Gap" - Key of F# BEAD
- "Pretty Little Widow" - Key of A
- "Sourwood Mountain" - Key of G - Duet
- "Touch Me if you Dare" - Key of G - Duet
- "Sail Away Ladies" - Key of G - Duet
- "Ida Red" - Key of G - Duet
- "Twin Sisters" - Key of G - Duet
- "Across the Sea" - Key of C - Duet
- Rhythm Exercise - fiddle backing track
- "Lonesome Blues" - Key of C - Duet
- "Nancy Blevins" - Key of D - Duet
- "Backstep Cindy" - Key of D - Duet
- "Mississippi Sawyer" - Key of D - Duet
- "Ducks on the Millpond" - Key of D - Duet
- "Rabbit Where’s Your Mammy?" - Key of D - Duet
- "Who’s Been Here Since I’ve Been Gone" - Key of A - Duet
- Crooked Tunes - Duet
- Old Time Music Resources - Duet
- "Farewell Whiskey" - Key of A - Duet
- "Soldier's Joy" - Key of D - Duet
- "Old Molly Hare" - Key of C (slow) - Duet
- "Augusta" - Key of F - Duet
- "Dry" - Key of F - Duet
- "Mississippi Sawyer" - Key of C (slow) - Duet
Select a Plan:
Pre-sale purchasers receive: early access 1 week before the course's public launch, pre-release lessons right to their inbox, PLUS: first 100 students get "Original 100" badge attached to student profile.
Expected Course Launch Date: November 12, 2024
*Promo and discount codes cannot be applied to this membership purchase
What's In This Plan
- Unlimited Access to Lessons
- Unlimited Access to Video Exchange Library
- Unlimited Video Submissions to Teacher
- Music Theory Workshop
- Backing Tracks across Instruments
- VIP Bonus Content
- 100s of banjo lessons at your own pace
- All levels and styles of playing welcome
- Deep dive into single string banjo
Get Free Sample Lessons
Enter your first name and email below and we'll send you free video lesson samples from this course, plus exclusive offers, updates on our courses, and more!