Welcome to Jewish Banjo
An Inspiration for Jewish Clawhammer
One seldom comes across a banjo in Jewish settings. Even more unlikely is it to find clawhammer players performing Jewish liturgical songs. However, the style lends itself well to playing in groups, adding rhythm, color and melody. The instrument can be played solo or with others. The musician can also sing while playing, becoming a full participant of a service. This site is dedicated to raise awareness about this form and its potential.
What is Jewish Clawhammer?
Clawhammer is the sound of resistance and the sound of community. Jewish Clawhammer is a spin on traditional Jewish music using the clawhammer style for 5-string banjo. The style is versatile and can be used in many traditional Jewish songs.
How to Play Jewish Clawhammer
To play Jewish Clawhammer, you use mostly a minor tuning with capos. You’ll also need to adapt clawhammer to Jewish melodies. Here, you can learn how to create tab notation, develop a capo solution and play the clawhammer basics.
Some Sample Songs
From Eliyahu Hanavi to Yismechu Hashamayim, here you can find a sample of Jewish Clawhammer songs in simplified tab notation, as well as full clawhammer tabs. You can also find links to recordings of the traditional melody, as well as sample recordings of the songs in Jewish Clawhammer.
The Jewish People as a whole has never forgotten its original song
Abraham Idelson
You are welcome to use all the resources on this site, free of charge.
The project is private and all volunteer, with no ads or commerce.
About Jewish Clawhammer
Learn about Jewish Clawhammer, a type of playing Jewish music on banjo using the clawhammer style
Sample Songs
A collection of Jewish songs using the clawhammer style, including tab notation and sample recordings
Join the Discussion
Give feedback and join in on the discussion for playing banjo in Jewish music settings