Banjo Workshop — Working with Rhythm in Clawhammer Banjo
- July 10, 2019
- By Admin: sfbluegrass
- Comment: 0
In this hour and a half workshop, we’ll explore some of the possibilities beyond the “bum ditty”, using drop thumb and double thumbing not only to play melody notes, but to syncopate the rhythm in an old-time tune.
Mark Olitsky plays clawhammer banjo and has recorded with various string-bands, including jimmyjohnnyjoe with fiddler Joe Thrift, Bad Dog, and Killer Grits with Freighthoppers’ fiddler David Bass. He has been interviewed and reviewed in The Old-Time Herald, Banjo Newsletter and Bluegrass Unlimited. Mark has taught banjo workshops over the last 15 years at festivals in Ohio, West Virginia, and Virginia. He has won awards at many old-time festivals throughout the South in both solo banjo and string-band competitions and recently won the 2012 Cuyahoga County Seth Rosenberg prize in music. He was also selected to represent old-time banjo in the “First Voice” film project showcasing Ohio roots musicians.