Alternate String Pull Off - Clawhammer Banjo Lesson For Beginners

Welcome Banjo Adventurers! 🎶

Thanks so much for checking out my YouTube lesson on the Alternate String Pull Off (ASPO)! I’m thrilled you’ve made your way here to grab the free exercise sheet that goes along with the lesson.

If we haven’t met yet, my name is Ben Dorning, and I run BanjoAdventures.com — a membership community where I help new and beginner players from all around the world learn clawhammer banjo from scratch.

About This Lesson

The ASPO is one of those classic embellishments that can really bring your playing to life. It adds texture, rhythm, and a bit of flair once you’ve got the basic clawhammer groove down.

In the free download below, you’ll find a tab for “Cluck Old Hen” with the ASPO clearly marked so you can follow along. The first exercise keeps it simple, while the final exercise throws in that extra 5th string for a fun, rolling feel that’s both challenging and rewarding to play.

👉 Download your free exercise sheet here
👉 Download Cluck Old Hen FREE Tab here

A Few Tips Before You Dive In

• Make sure your banjo is tuned to G-Modal (that’s tuning your second string up from B to C).

• If you’re finding the ASPO tricky, take a step back and focus on your bum-dit-ty rhythm, clawhammer momentum, and simple fretting before layering in the embellishments.

• Be patient with yourself — these techniques take time, but they’ll pay off in your playing.

Want to Go Further?

If you enjoyed this lesson and would like to keep building your skills, I’d love for you to check out my Banjo Adventures Membership. It’s where I guide players step by step through the fundamentals, songs, and techniques that make clawhammer banjo so rewarding.

👉 Learn more about the Banjo Adventures Membership

Thanks again for watching, learning, and picking with me. Have fun with this tab, and I can’t wait to see how you bring it to life on your banjo!

Happy picking,
Ben Dorning
Banjo Adventures 🎵