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Clawhammer and '''frailing''' describe a class of Fingerpicking techniques used by Banjo and, rarely, Guitar players. Although both terms are widely used, the difference between the two is not clear and there have been many debates over the precise meanings of the terms, so for the sake of consistency this article will treat them as equivalent and prefer the more popular term "clawhammer". The distinction is discussed below. Clawhammer is a highly Rhythmic and common component of American Old-time Music . The principal difference between clawhammer style and other finger picking styles is the picking direction. Traditional, Folk , and Classical Guitar picking styles comprise an up-picking motion by the Finger s and a down-picking motion by the Thumb , as does the Scruggs Style on the banjo. Classical guitar technique dictates the use of three fingers ( Index , Middle , Ring ) and the thumb; traditional styles vary. Clawhammer picking, by contrast, is a mostly or completely down-picking style. In its most common form on the banjo, only the thumb and middle or index finger are used and the finger always downpicks, flicking the string with the back of the Fingernail . In any clawhammer style, the hand should assume a claw-like shape and the strumming finger should be kept fairly stiff, striking the strings by the motion of the hand at the Wrist , rather than a flicking motion by the finger. A common characteristic of clawhammer patterns is the thumb usually does not pick on the downbeat, as one might in typical fingerpicking patterns for guitar. For example, this is a common, basic 2/4 pattern: # Pick a Melody note on the downbeat ( Quarter Note ) # On the second Beat , strum a few strings with your strumming finger (roughly an Eighth Note ) # Immediately following (on the second half of this beat), pick a note with the thumb, usually the shorter fifth string. (roughly an eighth note) Here, the thumb plays the high Drone on the second "and" of "one and two ''and''". This combined with the middle finger strumming provides a characteristic "bum-ditty bum-ditty" banjo sound, whether actually played on a banjo or on a guitar. Banjo players often also use the left hand, the fingering hand, to pick. Using a motion similar to a pull-off, the left hand picks up at the top of the neck, usually on the second half of the first beat. The result is a change from the "bum-ditty" sound to a "bum-pa-ditty". CLAWHAMMER OR FRAILING? Many people use the terms "clawhammer" and "frailing" in all their senses interchangeably. Other old-time players, however, draw a distinction between the two. On the banjo, the most common definitions are that frailing means always picking the drone string, and clawhammer allows you to pick other strings with the thumb, which is also called "double-thumbing" or "drop-thumb". Some players even distinguish between "drop-thumb" and "clawhammer", in which the thumb plays rhythm in drop-thumb, but melody in clawhammer. There are yet more variations of the distinction between "clawhammer" and "frailing", but they usually refer to the same general style of playing. Confusing the nomenclature further are the various other terms that are used by some people for perceived variations on the method. These include "flailing," "knockdown", "banging," "rapping," and "clubbing." This is reflective of the informality of Old-time Music in general, as each player develops a style which is comfortable for him or herself. CLAWHAMMER ON GUITAR Although both "clawhammer" and "frailing" are primarily used to refer to banjo styles, the terms do appear with reference to guitar. "Frailing guitarist" Steve Baughman , defines "frailing" as using the index finger for picking melody (which is done by up-picking) and the middle finger for strumming, and "clawhammer" as using only downstrokes with one finger as is the usual technique on the banjo. In one variation, often taught for guitar, the index finger is used to up-pick melody notes while the middle fingernail is used for rhythmic downward strumming. Another usage of "clawhammer" in guitar circles refers to a style in which the Pinky Finger or the pinky and ring fingers are used to brace the hand and the index finger, middle finger, and thumb are used to pluck the strings. The index and middle fingers are held in a claw shape and they do resemble the two prongs of a Claw Hammer , but this is an uncommon and arguably incorrect usage of the term "clawhammer". See Fingerpicking . FURTHER READING
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