The Galax Lick – A Challenging Clawhammer Banjo Technique Explained For The Complete Ignoramus
Learning clawhammer banjo is full of little surprises. Some techniques feel natural from day one… and then there’s the Galax Lick — a flashy, percussive, slightly rebellious move that makes every beginner wonder “Wait… am I actually supposed to hit the strings like THAT?”
In today’s post, I’m excited to share my honest journey learning the Galax Lick, why I ignored it for two years, how a Banjo Adventures member finally forced me to bite the bullet, and how The Beatles (yes, really) helped everything click into place.
And yes — you’ll find a FREE play-along tab for Let It Be further down the page, arranged so even a complete banjo ignoramus can follow along.
So grab your banjo, grab a drink, and let’s dive in!
🌀 What Even Is the Galax Lick?
If clawhammer banjo had a party trick, this would be it.
The Galax Lick is a brush-thumb flourish that creates a rolling, melodic burst of sound often heard in old-time jams. It looks stylish, it sounds impressive, and it’s usually one of the first techniques beginners try, fail, and whisper quietly:
“Yeah… let’s come back to that later.”
(You’re not alone. Trust me.)
🎬 How I First Discovered the Galax Lick
A couple of years ago, I stumbled across the technique while exploring regional clawhammer styles. I thought it looked cool, but I also knew something important:
👉 I wasn’t going to use it in any of my songs.
At the time, my banjo playing was more about creating smooth, melody-driven arrangements — not adding flashy rhythmic flourishes. So I made the decision every sensible beginner makes:
I shelved it.
No guilt. No shame. Just a mental note: “Maybe I’ll learn this properly one day.”
🤦♂️ …Then a Banjo Adventures Member Changed Everything
Fast forward to recently.
A Banjo Adventures member asked,
“Ben, can you teach the Galax Lick?”
I opened my mouth to say “Sure!”…
and then realised I would actually have to learn it properly first.
So I did. And here’s the twist:
Learning it as a teacher, not a student, suddenly changed how I understood the movement. Everything clicked differently — the mechanics, the timing, the thumb placement. It all felt more… logical.
And then something unexpected happened.
🎵 Where The Beatles Come In (Yes, Really)
I’ve been arranging Let It Be for clawhammer banjo recently — a lovely tune that sits beautifully under the fingers.
While practising, I realised there was a little rhythmic gap where the Galax Lick could sneak in perfectly.
It added this warm, shimmering, flowing lift to the arrangement — not traditional old-time at all, but somehow it worked.
That’s when I finally understood the Galax Lick:
💡 It’s not just a technique. It’s a texture.
💡 It gives your playing personality.
💡 And it’s way more versatile than I thought.
Suddenly I wasn’t learning it because someone requested it.
I was learning it because it actually had a place in my music.
🎥 Watch the Full Breakdown in My YouTube Video
In the video, I walk through:
My first impressions of the Galax Lick
Why I ignored it for years
How I finally learned it
Mistakes beginners make
How it fits into Let It Be
Perfect for complete beginners, Kuala Lumpur banjo players, global clawhammer fans, and anyone who wants to level up their technique in a fun, friendly way.
🎼 Free Let It Be – Play-Along Clawhammer Tab
Click or tap on any of the images below to receive the FREE PDF File. If you need help with this play along tutorial use the audio tutorial below
🧠 Should Beginners Learn the Galax Lick?
Short answer: Yes — but only when you’re ready.
You don’t need it for basic clawhammer.
You can play thousands of songs without it.
But when you do learn it, you unlock:
More rhythmic variety
More expressive arrangements
More confidence and flow in your right hand
And honestly… it’s just fun.
🌍 Why I’m Writing This For a Global Banjo Audience
The global banjo community is growing fast thanks to the internet and social media— more beginners, more players looking for modern teaching, and more people discovering clawhammer through online lessons.
So I wanted this post to be:
beginner-friendly
jargon-free
international
easy to follow
packed with value
No matter where you live, if you’ve ever thought “Am I good enough to learn that?” — this is your sign that yes, you are.
⭐ Final Thoughts
The Galax Lick is one of those techniques that looks intimidating until the moment it suddenly… isn’t.
If you’ve avoided it like I did, give it another go.
If you’ve forced yourself to learn it but can’t make it sound musical, try putting it into a song like Let It Be.
And if you’re brand new — welcome, friend. You’re in exactly the right place.
Let the banjo adventures continue.
