Carter Family Style (Guitar Lesson)

Chapter 1: (00:25) Musical Introduction Welcome back to the Phase 2 Fingerstyle Guitar Series with Jim Deeming! In this introduction scene, Jim performs the song "Wildflower" by the Carter Family. This guitar arrangement provides a perfect example of a new technique called the "Clawhammer." In the following scenes, Jim will explain the mechanics and key musical features of this technique. Chapter 2: (03:41) Frailing / Clawhammer Technique A Technique of Many Names

The technique discussed in this lesson is referred to by several names. The terms "frailing," "Carter Family Style" and "clawhammer" all refer to the same technique. The clawhammer guitar technique imitates a common banjo accompaniment.

Role Reversal

The clawhammer pattern features a role reversal from the accompaniment patterns Jim has explained in previous lessons. In most fingerstyle lessons, arrangements feature a melody line and some sort of accompaniment pattern played by the thumb. More often than not, an alternating bass line has been the preferred accompaniment pattern. The clawhammer technique features chords and accompaniment strummed by the index, middle, and ring fingers while the thumb performs the melody.

Using a Capo

In the introduction scene, Jim performed "Wildwood Flower" with a capo fixed in fifth position. As the capo travels further up the neck, the guitar begins to produce a sweeter, brighter tone. The tone begins to sound more similar to a banjo. As you might have noticed, the melody is played out of familiar chord shapes from first position. When a capo is employed, these chord shapes are simply shifted up the neck. Essentially, the capo has changed the location of the nut to give the guitar an overall higher register. In doing so, the key of the song is transposed from C major to F major.

Clawhammer Basics

The clawhammer allows you to play a melody line in a lower register while the accompaniment is played in a higher register. While the thumb picks melody notes, the index, middle, or ring finger(s) may be used to flick the treble strings with the back of the nail. The nails produce a bright strumming sound that contrasts nicely with the warm tone of the melody.

The vast majority of the melody is played with the thumb on the third and fourth strings. However, the melody climbs to the first and second strings during the chorus section. Unlike past fingerstyle lessons, the thumb continues to perform the melody line regardless of which strings it is played on.

Strumming Practice

First, strum an "open" C major chord with a thumbpick. Then, strum the same chord using the index finger method Jim demonstrates in the lesson video. Flick the index finger outwards from the palm in a relaxed motion. The clawhammer is meant to produce a laid back, lightly swaying accompaniment. Consequently, the index finger must not strum too aggressively. Watch at 03:06 as Jim demonstrates the clawhammer pattern with a I, IV, V progression in C major. Within this demonstration, bass notes are plucked with the thumb on beats 1 and 3. On beats 2 and 4, the index finger strums the chord.

Right Hand Fingering

Within the clawhammer pattern, chords can be strummed with one finger or multiple fingers. Each permutation produces a unique tone. For example, the nail of the index finger produces a slightly different tone from the nail of the middle finger. An altogether different tone is produced by strumming with these two fingers together, and so on. Multiple fingers produce a louder, more aggressive sound. This may be desirable in some situations. However, be careful not to drown out the melody line with loud strumming. Jim usually prefers the sound and control available with the index finger. Chapter 3: (04:03) Melody and Right Hand Technique Practicing the Clawhammer

When first learning this technique, begin with a familiar chord such as C major. Pluck the root note on beats 1 and 3. Strum the chord with the index finger on beats 2 and 4. Strive for a solid tone that is appropriate in volume. Imitate the finger movement that Jim demonstrates in the lesson video. When you feel comfortable with this new strumming technique, apply an alternating bass pattern on beats 1 and 3.

Strumming Rhythm

To vary the accompaniment pattern, the index finger can perform upstrums on the "and" beats of 2 and 4. This technique incorporates eighth notes into the strumming pattern.

Which Strings Do I Hit?

When the clawhammer is employed, the melody line is typically played on the three bass strings. For this reason, only the three highest strings should be strummed by the index finger. To add some variety to the accompaniment pattern, the B and E strings can be strummed without the G string. If a melody note is played on the third string, do not strum the third string as part of the accompaniment pattern. This will disturb the fluidity of the melody.

During the chorus section, the melody travels to the first and second strings. In this section, there is no choice but to re-strum a string immediately following a melody note. However, as Jim demonstrates, if you play the melody with a clear, powerful tone, it will still stand out from the accompaniment. Consequently, a melody note can be played by the thumb on any of the sixth strings while the strumming rhythm remains constant on beats "2 +" as well as "4 +." Chapter 4: (04:40) Demonstration In this scene, Jim has tuned his guitar as follows:

6th string: D
5th string: G
4th string: D
3rd string: G
2nd string: B
1st string: E

This tuning is quite similar to open G tuning with the exception of the first string. Notice how the first string is tuned to E. In open G, the first string is tuned to a D. This tuning is commonly used in folk, country, and rock music. The rock band Soundgarden employed this tuning in many songs on the album Superunknown.

Chord Voicings

In this tuning, an "open" G chord can be played simply by fretting the note G at the 3rd fret of the first string. The remaining strings can be strummed open since they are part of a G major chord (G, B, D).

U2 Medley

Doyle Dykes frequently performs a medley of U2 songs that utilizes this tuning. In the lesson video, Jim demonstrates a portion of "With Or Without You." In this song, a bass line is performed by the thumb. The melody is played primarily by the index, and middle fingers. The ring finger is occasionally also used to pluck melody notes. The index finger strums chords only when the melody is inactive. It fills the space during rests or breaths in the vocal line.

This variation on the clawhammer is different in several ways. Now, the melody is no longer played by the thumb since it is busy performing an alternating bass line. As a result, the index, middle, and ring fingers must be used to play the melody. Finally, the index finger does not maintain a constant strumming pattern. These alterations lead to an overall more complex sounding arrangement. Three separate parts are now used instead of two.

Palm Muting and the Clawhammer

When the clawhammer is used, the options for palm muting the bass line become more limited. Since this accompaniment style has such a loose, flowing feel, a palm muted bass line doesn't sound appropriate anyway. The clawhammer is much better suited for open, ringing bass notes.

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