First Lessons Clawhammer Banjo

Dan Levenson

Nov 2015 · Mel Bay Publications

About this ebook

First Lessons Clawhammer Banjo is an ideal book for beginners and banjo players interested in learning the clawhammer style. The book explains the basics of reading tablature, right hand technique, and other elements unique to clawhammer banjo. Included are classic songs such as Little Brown Jug, Cripple Creek, Old Joe Clark, Policeman, and much more. Includes access to online audio.

About the author

Dan Levenson is a Southern Appalachian native who has grown up with the music of that region. Today he is considered a respected master teacher and performer of both the Clawhammer banjo & Appalachian style fiddle. Banjo Newsletter's R.D. Lunceford describes Dan "as an interpreter, rather than a music re-creator". Fiddler Magazine's Bob Buckingham described him as "an accomplished fiddler and ...one of the best clawhammer banjo players in the country." Ken Perlman has called him "The Johnny Appleseed of the Banjo".

Dan has won awards on both instruments including a 2017 Master Artist Award from Arizona's Southwest Folklife Alliance, first place at the 2005 Ohio Clawhammer Banjo Championship and Grand Champion at the 2010 Ajo, AZ Fiddle Contest. He's made numerous recordings both as a solo artist and with his bands.

Dan performs and teaches regularly throughout the world. In addition to the US Dan has performed and taught fiddle, clawhammer and stringband workshops in England, Ireland, Israel and Brazil and many music schools and camps including in the John C. Campbell Folk School, Mars Hill, Maryland Banjo Academy, The Ozark Folk Center at Mountain View, AR, Banjo Camp North, The Rolland Fiddle Camp and Dan's own Clawcamp instructional weekends at various locations throughout the country.