Essential Right-Hand Patterns for Bluegrass and Clawhammer Banjo

The key to becoming a great banjo player is having solid timing and rhythm in your picking hand. One of the best ways to develop this ability is to practice the most frequently used patterns in clawhammer and bluegrass style, playing them over and over again until you've completely internalized them.

Here are the crucial right-hand moves you'll use just about every time you pick your banjo.

Clawhammer patterns

The Basic Clawhammer Stroke

Double-Thumbing Technique

Bluegrass patterns

Alternating Thumb Roll

Forward-Reverse Roll

Forward Roll

Credit: Tablature courtesy of Bill Evans