Changes

Clawhammer has the player picking the notes of the melody interspersed with strumming all the strings together. This style is older than bluegrass style and is usually easier to learn.  In the usual style, only the thumb and index finger are used, and strings are struck by the back of the fingernail.

Clawhammer has the player picking the notes of the melody interspersed with strumming all the strings together. This style is older than bluegrass style and is usually easier to learn.  In the usual style, only the thumb and index finger are used, and strings are struck by the back of the fingernail.

The banjo is also popular in [[Ireland]] where it is often played in [[Celtic music]]. The banjo was brought to Ireland from the [[United States]] by returning emigrants. In addition to its use in bluegrass and old-time music, the banjo was an important instrument in early [[jazz], and in recent times has been used in a variety of genres, including [[classical music]] and [[rock and roll]].

The banjo is also popular in [[Ireland]] where it is often played in [[Celtic music]]. The banjo was brought to Ireland from the [[United States]] by returning emigrants. In addition to its use in bluegrass and old-time music, the banjo was an important instrument in early [[jazz]], and in recent times has been used in a variety of genres, including [[classical music]] and [[rock and roll]].

Notable banjo players include Eddie Peabody, Grandpa Jones, "Stringbean" Akeman, Earl Scruggs, Ralph Stanley, Bill Keith, and more recently Tony Trischka and Bela Fleck.  Comedian [[Steve Martin]] is also a talented banjo player, and won a Grammy in 2002 for a performance with a group that included Earl Scruggs.

Notable banjo players include Eddie Peabody, Grandpa Jones, "Stringbean" Akeman, Earl Scruggs, Ralph Stanley, Bill Keith, and more recently Tony Trischka and Bela Fleck.  Comedian [[Steve Martin]] is also a talented banjo player, and won a Grammy in 2002 for a performance with a group that included Earl Scruggs.