How to Play Gospel Plow on Banjo - Clawhammer Tab & Lesson

How to Play Gospel Plow - Step by Step

Get Into Double C Tuning

Gospel Plow is played in Double C tuning (gCGCD). From standard Open G (gDGBD), you need to change two strings:

• Lower your 4th string from D down to C
• Raise your 2nd string from B up to C

Your 1st string stays at D, 3rd at G, and 5th at G.

Strum the open strings once you’re tuned up and listen to the sound. Double C has a bright, open character that works perfectly for this song. You’ll hear that open C string droning underneath everything you play, and that drone is a big part of the arrangement’s sound.

Learn the Verse

The arrangement is clearly divided into three sections, and the tab labels them for you: Verse, Chorus, and Instrumental Break. Start with the verse (measures 1-8).

The verse follows the vocal melody closely. As always with clawhammer, we use a basic bum-ditty pattern. Take it measure by measure and focus on getting each note clean and clear. There’s nothing tricky here technically. Just solid, clean clawhammer playing. Get this section feeling comfortable before moving on.

Learn the Chorus

The chorus (measures 9-16) shifts the melody to reflect the “Hold On” refrain. The playing pattern stays consistent with the verse, but you’ll notice the melody sits in a slightly different position on the neck. Same tempo, same feel, different melodic phrase.

Pay attention to how the chorus resolves back to the open strings at the end. That resolution gives you a clear landing point before the instrumental break begins. Practice the last measure of the chorus going into the first measure of the break until that transition is seamless.

Tackle the Instrumental Break

The instrumental break (measures 17-32) is where the arrangement really opens up. This is a banjo solo section, and it adds embellishments to the melody that the verse and chorus keep simple.

You’ll encounter hammer-ons (marked H in the tab) throughout this section. These add rhythmic punch and melodic interest. Each hammer-on should ring out clearly. Bring your fretting finger down with authority so the hammered note rings just as strongly as a struck note.

Slides (marked sl) also appear in the instrumental break. These connect phrases smoothly, giving the melody a vocal quality. Practice each slide passage on its own. Start on the correct fret, apply firm pressure, and glide to the target fret in one smooth motion. The target note is what your listener hears, so make sure it lands cleanly.

Connect All Three Sections

Once you’ve got each section learned individually, it’s time to play through the full arrangement: verse, chorus, instrumental break. The break combines the verse and chorus melodies and dresses them up with hammer-ons and slides, so once you’ve got the first two sections under your fingers, the break will feel familiar.

Focus on the transitions between sections. These are the spots where most players lose their flow. The last measure of each section should lead naturally into the first measure of the next. If a transition feels choppy, isolate those two measures and loop them until they connect smoothly.

Make It Your Own

Gospel Plow is a song with deep roots and a powerful message. Once the notes are solid, think about the feel you want to convey. Keep the tempo steady throughout, and let the dynamics do the work. The instrumental break is your chance to really dig in and play with confidence.

Don’t be afraid to let certain notes ring out longer or to soften other passages. The song has a built-in dynamic range, and your playing should reflect that. A flat, even volume throughout will sound correct but lifeless. Let the music breathe, and this arrangement will reward you with a tune that feels genuinely good to play.