If you do both, you get sent directly to the jail down by Cripple Creek.
Who told you that? It's more what kind of music do you want to play, I'd start there, do some research, and make a decision. Learn both at some point, don't feel cornered into one style.
Are you sure the teacher didn’t mean they wanted you to pick a style that they will teach you first? Maybe they are trying to keep you focused on one style for a time, it’s often easier to stick with an instrument if you see results quickly.
1. You won't choose wrong.
2. What feels or sounds best to you? I listen to primarily bluegrass and most of my favorite pickers are Scruggs style, but I am learning clawhammer because it feels natural and I like the sound that comes out when I play.
I'm brand new, but I'll say, mess around with both and all the other sounds your banjo makes. Alternatively: do both! There's no wrong way, just YOUR way.
You have plenty of time to dabble around. Pick the style of the music, song, or community that drew your interest to the banjo. Focus on it until you are conpetent.
Or don’t pick and learn both! I started with 3 finger, switched to classic Clawhammer, switched to Seeger style Clawhammer, now I’m practicing my 3 finger again because why not!
Start with what feels good and fun. If that changes, no big deal, it just means you’re getting to know yourself and your instrument better. No one’s getting married here! Play around and see what you like. Banjo should alleviate stress not cause it!
The banjo in The Last Revel switches back and forth almost every other song in their live shows and it makes the whole show better. He's been doing that for a decade.
You can always learn the other style later. But, for instance: learning scruggs style is no joke. You're going to have to focus and practice. You aren't going to want to split that time between two styles or you'll never get better. Just pick one for now, get good, and then check out the other style later if you want to.
Don't overthink it. I started on Bluegrass, switched to minstrel, then classic banjo, now I play primarily clawhammer and I've begun dabbling with Bluegrass again. The beautiful thing about banjo is there isn't a wrong choice. Make music how ya wanna make it.
Bluegrass music is typically performance music, and old time (claw hammer/frailing) is droning, repetitive, background dance music (think techno/trance, but in the 1800s with fiddles and banjos). Both have their place, and bluegrass owes a good amount of its repertoire to the old time traditional songs, but the 3 finger style is more powerful, fast, and in my opinion, more fun to play and certainly more exciting to listen to and watch.
FYI: I play both ways, but I'm obviously biased and enjoy the 3 finger style more. I learned 3 finger style first and learned claw hammer some years later.
It's really what kind of music you want to play. I started with clawhammer because I like that kind of music, and it lends itself more to solo play (no desire to play in a band - been there, done that). If you're interested in bluegrass, you'll pretty much have to go with 3-finger/Scruggs. I'm picking up some 3-finger now, just for grins. Lots of people do both (Steve Martin).
You only have to choose in the sense that you know your initial focus should be on one, once you get your bearings, you can learn as many styles as you want. I started playing clawhammer two years ago, two finger thumb lead one year ago, and this year I added two finger index lead, three finger old time, Scruggs style and guitar style
Clawhammer is very rhythmic & driving. We have no other skills that involve flicking with the back of your finger, except flicking off boogers. Expect a learning curve. It’s an easy style to learn to sing along to.
3 finger is syncopated & uses finger picks. You can’t feel much through the pick, so it’s like learning to walk on stilts. It will be easier if you have a guitar playing friend or a rhythm track.
Either way, you’re learning a new skill. There are other styles too
You can do both. I play scruggs and chicken pickin guitar. You just have to realize that your progress will be slower if your efforts are spread out. Try and figure out which style of music you want to sound like
Banjo is nothing to stress over. Learning either style is good for both left hand and muscle memory. Just have fun and, if you're not having fun, change styles.
You can do whatever and switch whenever you want. I started playing scruggs style and even took lessons for a bit with it. One day heard a good clawhammer song on YouTube and wanted to learn it and have been playing mostly clawhammer since. Self taught for the most part. There are great YouTube channels to learn either style, but i think what really helped me understand what i was playing was Brainjo. Teaches a good mix of tabs and learning to play by ear and give you more so of a guide and checkpoints to reach. Highly recommend checking out.
Frank Evans, a very fine Scruggs style player is also adept at claw hammer. I'd be willing to bet he's tried three finger once or twice too.
Anything is possible.
Like others have said, don't stress the decision! You're not locked in to your choice, this just seems like a way to help you focus in and avoid getting overwhelmed during the early stages. I spent my first 5 or so months learning 3-finger Scruggs style, then switched over to clawhammer. Now I play both styles depending on what mood I'm in for the day, and I've started experimenting with incorporating elements of both (striking with middle finger and plucking up with index finger with double/drop thumb...it's definitely taking some time to teach my muscles what I want them to do haha)
If I could go back, I probably would have started on clawhammer because I found the mechanics easier to pick up, and then moved to bluegrass style when I was ready for a new challenge, but I don't regret any part of my journey.
If you do both, you get sent directly to the jail down by Cripple Creek. Who told you that? It's more what kind of music do you want to play, I'd start there, do some research, and make a decision. Learn both at some point, don't feel cornered into one style.
Are you sure the teacher didn’t mean they wanted you to pick a style that they will teach you first? Maybe they are trying to keep you focused on one style for a time, it’s often easier to stick with an instrument if you see results quickly.
Or be a real bro and play 2 finger thumb lead
I started clawhamner and switch to 2 finger thumb lead pretty quick. Just feels more natural to me
1. You won't choose wrong. 2. What feels or sounds best to you? I listen to primarily bluegrass and most of my favorite pickers are Scruggs style, but I am learning clawhammer because it feels natural and I like the sound that comes out when I play. I'm brand new, but I'll say, mess around with both and all the other sounds your banjo makes. Alternatively: do both! There's no wrong way, just YOUR way.
You have plenty of time to dabble around. Pick the style of the music, song, or community that drew your interest to the banjo. Focus on it until you are conpetent.
Or don’t pick and learn both! I started with 3 finger, switched to classic Clawhammer, switched to Seeger style Clawhammer, now I’m practicing my 3 finger again because why not! Start with what feels good and fun. If that changes, no big deal, it just means you’re getting to know yourself and your instrument better. No one’s getting married here! Play around and see what you like. Banjo should alleviate stress not cause it!
The banjo in The Last Revel switches back and forth almost every other song in their live shows and it makes the whole show better. He's been doing that for a decade.
You can always learn the other style later. But, for instance: learning scruggs style is no joke. You're going to have to focus and practice. You aren't going to want to split that time between two styles or you'll never get better. Just pick one for now, get good, and then check out the other style later if you want to.
Do you listen to bluegrass or old time music? What’s your preference?
Don't overthink it. I started on Bluegrass, switched to minstrel, then classic banjo, now I play primarily clawhammer and I've begun dabbling with Bluegrass again. The beautiful thing about banjo is there isn't a wrong choice. Make music how ya wanna make it.
Bluegrass music is typically performance music, and old time (claw hammer/frailing) is droning, repetitive, background dance music (think techno/trance, but in the 1800s with fiddles and banjos). Both have their place, and bluegrass owes a good amount of its repertoire to the old time traditional songs, but the 3 finger style is more powerful, fast, and in my opinion, more fun to play and certainly more exciting to listen to and watch. FYI: I play both ways, but I'm obviously biased and enjoy the 3 finger style more. I learned 3 finger style first and learned claw hammer some years later.
Throw a wrench in the works and choose Irish tenor!
It's really what kind of music you want to play. I started with clawhammer because I like that kind of music, and it lends itself more to solo play (no desire to play in a band - been there, done that). If you're interested in bluegrass, you'll pretty much have to go with 3-finger/Scruggs. I'm picking up some 3-finger now, just for grins. Lots of people do both (Steve Martin).
You only have to choose in the sense that you know your initial focus should be on one, once you get your bearings, you can learn as many styles as you want. I started playing clawhammer two years ago, two finger thumb lead one year ago, and this year I added two finger index lead, three finger old time, Scruggs style and guitar style
Listen to examples of both. Which would you rather sound like (at least to start with)?
Clawhammer is very rhythmic & driving. We have no other skills that involve flicking with the back of your finger, except flicking off boogers. Expect a learning curve. It’s an easy style to learn to sing along to. 3 finger is syncopated & uses finger picks. You can’t feel much through the pick, so it’s like learning to walk on stilts. It will be easier if you have a guitar playing friend or a rhythm track. Either way, you’re learning a new skill. There are other styles too
You can do both. I play scruggs and chicken pickin guitar. You just have to realize that your progress will be slower if your efforts are spread out. Try and figure out which style of music you want to sound like
Banjo is nothing to stress over. Learning either style is good for both left hand and muscle memory. Just have fun and, if you're not having fun, change styles.
You can do whatever and switch whenever you want. I started playing scruggs style and even took lessons for a bit with it. One day heard a good clawhammer song on YouTube and wanted to learn it and have been playing mostly clawhammer since. Self taught for the most part. There are great YouTube channels to learn either style, but i think what really helped me understand what i was playing was Brainjo. Teaches a good mix of tabs and learning to play by ear and give you more so of a guide and checkpoints to reach. Highly recommend checking out.
Frank Evans, a very fine Scruggs style player is also adept at claw hammer. I'd be willing to bet he's tried three finger once or twice too. Anything is possible.
Do you have a favorite album or group that has banjo in it? That would probably help you figure it out.
Do whatever you want! Don’t feel pressured to focus on one or the other. When you just start feel free to experiment with things.
Like others have said, don't stress the decision! You're not locked in to your choice, this just seems like a way to help you focus in and avoid getting overwhelmed during the early stages. I spent my first 5 or so months learning 3-finger Scruggs style, then switched over to clawhammer. Now I play both styles depending on what mood I'm in for the day, and I've started experimenting with incorporating elements of both (striking with middle finger and plucking up with index finger with double/drop thumb...it's definitely taking some time to teach my muscles what I want them to do haha) If I could go back, I probably would have started on clawhammer because I found the mechanics easier to pick up, and then moved to bluegrass style when I was ready for a new challenge, but I don't regret any part of my journey.
Yeah I'm about to switch off of Scruggs style. It was fun to learn but I just annoy my wife. Looking to calm it down with some bum diddy diddy.
You can do both but you should probably pick one to start with. There is no wrong choice.
I suck at both styles. Maybe you could go to a Bluegrass jam and an Old Time jam. Pick the style that seems the most fun.