Beginning Level

Simple Gifts: Clawhammer Banjo Backup

with David Brooks

This course teaches the right-hand rhythm and left-handed chords to play clawhammer backup for "Simple Gifts" in the key of G.

Course Contents

Handouts for this Course

Download before proceeding.

Simple Gifts lyrics - G.pdf

Video Lessons

part1.mp4

Featuring

David Brooks

Banjo Instructor

David Brooks has been playing guitar and banjo for 50 years. He first learned from the banjo player in “The Stephen Foster Story” in his hometown of Bardstown, KY. Five years later, David was the banjo player in that outdoor musical. For the past 15 years, he has played clawhammer banjo for the weekly contra dances in Louisville. He has taught banjo and guitar at Kentucky Music Week for the past 6 years and leads a monthly jam in Louisville. He has written occasionally for Banjo Newsletter, including interviews with Abigail Washburn, Evie Ladin and Bob Carlin. He has authored 11 Kindle ebooks of tablature for clawhammer banjo. He is active on the Banjo Hangout web site, writing tab for others and providing advice.