Clawhammer Banjo Books

Looking for some clawhammer banjo books? I have you covered. Everything from basic beginner clawhammer to intermediate and advanced clawhammer. From How To Play to masses of fiddle tunes.

Banjo Books -Clawhammer Banjo

Clawhammer Banjo For The Complete Ignoramus

This is a book by well known banjo instructor Wayne Erbsen. The book is made for the complete beginner to clawhammer banjo. It goes over how to hold the banjo, how to strike the strings, plenty of songs, and more.

Features include:

• 64 pages
• 31 songs
• For pure beginners
• Spiral-bound or Kindle version

It includes songs like Buffalo Gals, Little Sadie, Handsome Molly, New River Train, Old Holly Hare, and more.  It has over 450 ratings on Amazon with a 4.5 star rating.  Most people are well pleased with the purchase.

Clawhammer Cookbook: Tools, Techniques & Recipes

This one is a more recent offerings (published in 2014) by Michael Bremer. It is another How To Play Clawhammer Banjo book. It does contain songs, but also starts you out with the basics.

Features include:

• 128 pages
• Paperback and Kindle Editions

I did notice there were multiple complaints about the included audio CD/files. It has over 30  ratings and 4.5 star ratings as well. 

Old Time Songs For Clawhammer Banjo

“Old Time Songs for Clawhammer Banjo” is by David Marshall and comes in physical book format only (no digital?). This would be a good follow up to one of the beginner method books above. The material is of a more intermediate-level.  This one is primarily a songbook instead of a “how to” book. It does have a little bit about reading TAB, but assumes you know the basics.

Features include:

• 62 pages
• Paperback and Spiral-bound
• 50 songs

It has over 30 ratings and 4.6 stars.  Most are well pleased with this purchase.

Appalachian Fiddle Tunes For Clawhammer Banjo

This is by Ken Perlman, melodic clawhammer banjo wizard.  It is another tune book.  Who doesn’t need another dozen fiddle tunes or so?  It comes in both physical and digital formats.

Features include:

• 156 pages
• Kindle and Paperback.
• 124 online audio tracks
• Loads of Southern Fiddle Tunes

It currently has over 25 ratings with 4.7 stars.  It seems people are thrilled with this book (I may have to pick this up myself!).

Beginner Clawhammer Songbook

Sorry, I couldn’t resist. I must mention my “Beginner Clawhammer Songbook” as well. I fashioned these arrangements to not be too difficult for a beginner. I don’t cover how to read tab or how to hold the banjo. I assume you know the bum-ditty and some basics. However, I’ve got thirteen tunes in my songbook. This is for somewhere between the beginner and intermediate stages. I think it can be harder to find arrangements at this level.

Features Include:

• 13 songs
• Digital Format Only
• Easy access to yours truly for questions!
• Links to video performances of ALL the songs (some slower tempo)

It is also on the Hughes Music Etsy page if you wish to pay via another method than paypal

Clawhammer Banjo by Miles Krassen

This was actually my first and only clawhammer banjo book. My dad found it in an old thrift store and brought it back one day. This was originally released in 1992, so it’s been around awhile. Lots of old tunes in this one, some more obscure ones. Unfortunately, it is only in physical format, no digital. It is less of a “How To Play” book and more of a tune book.

Features include:

• 80 pages
• Paperback
• Beginner to Advanced material

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