I have been playing banjo for over 30 years, and this video about hand position and thumb “out front” has made a world of difference in my speed. Thank you!😊
Some great tips here. I have to say I like the old timey sound of playing the banjo without picks like you showed in this video. Even though it`s the same technique it just sounds more mellow and natural... and well old timey if you know what I mean.
Dude, thank you so much for this video! I was about to throw these finger picks in a drawer and never see them again, you've helped me a lot, good sir!
I was using Fred Kelly and other plastic thumb picks. The problem I’ve had with plastic picks is I’d wear the tip out in about 3 weeks, the pick would stretch and be loose on my thumb or it simply break in less than a month. I’ve been using a Blue Chip for about 8 months and haven’t had any problems anymore. For what I was paying for thumb picks, if it lasts about a year, I’ve saved money. I get great tone and it fits good.
Go Dawgs! My son plays and yes he misses strings. I hear it when I record him. He noticed your pick in the first 45 seconds! $45 picks are worth it. Great advice.
I appreciate the tip about ditching the picks. I NEVER use them and feel like I am wrong for doing so. As soon as I try to put them on, I regress and have no idea where my fingers are in relation to the strings because I can't feel them (the strings).
I've heard that alot of old timers regret not starting with picks. If you are new to the banjo, I would encourage you to try and get at least a little comfortable with them. Cheers!
All excellent tips! I also use a Blue Chip thumb pick. It's everything wonderful except inexpensive. Current price is $40. It's worth it, but it's hard to accept it. The ProPik thumb pick is pretty good too, and significantly more affordable.
Yo Idaho, don't neglect the outdoors, get up north and get in some fishing & hunting but always be alert for what can sneak up on you. Cats & bears are faster than you think if not familiar with that fact so take a buddy along and have each other's back. Great vid on picking advise. I recommend all beginners learn to play slow at first NOT looking at the strings but ingraining the feel of where your fingers are and picking. Finding a anchor point and sticking with it and correct hand position is frustrating as a beginner but work through the and yes, get the thumbbput front but don't stare at the picking or fingering hand or you never learn to instinctively play . It's the difference in a performer who looks at the audience and can smile projecting the joy of playing and personable character instead of a mechanical stressed out preformer . Ben Pera, on RU-vid has one of those smiles and a very diverse musician with a sense of humor.
@@Nicholas-ze5vv Agreed! Playing without picks has several benefits. I made a video about it here: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-Jr5H7S5k2YU.html
A couple issues I'm having, though I suspect one is more is what I find more comfortable. 1. I don't rest my little anf ring finger on the head at all. I find when I do my middle and index fingers don't feel like I have enough room to play(if that makes sense). The other is instead of missing a string when I pick I occasionally end up skipping across 2 of them(for example when I pick the 1st string ocasionally I'll pick that plus skip across the 2nd and sometimes the 3rd string as well). In my defense though I have only been played since Christmas 2022, so i'm sure it's a common mistake\issue.
I understand what you're saying, Shawn. Are you able to straighten your index and pinky fingers out when you try to rest them on the banjo head? If they are straight, and not bent, it will give you more room between your picking fingers and the strings.
@@acousticidaho I've been trying that and still find my picking fingers feel crowded(the word I was looking for, for my last comment). I also find resting my ring and little finger on the head I skip across the strings more.
I find it a lot easier to hit the strings accurately without the picks but I find that if I do that a little too often it throws off where I think my point of contact is and it takes me a while to return to using picks accurately.
Im not sure what happened to me - relatively new to the instrument but I’ve developed this new nasty habit of MISSING completely my index finger on the third string. Been compensating by extending the index finger pick but I know thats a half assed solution. Use picky picks… have for awhile now. Not sure whats been happening…lazy hand position?
Could be, Joseph! You definitely want your fingers to have a nice, gradual curve as you play. Maybe that finger has too much of a curve? Maybe the index finger is just staying too close to home? If not that, it could be your wrist position.
Greetings! Great video. I have a bit longer nails on my index and middle finger for clawhammer, but have a new issue. Lately, when I am playing Scruggs style with finger picks, I miss the string with my pick and catch it with my nail. I am hoping this is a new player "phase" I am going through. Any thoughts? So far I am just concentrating on what I am doing and it is happening less. Thanks!
Thank you, Mister Bob! I had a student who had this same problem! I am assuming that you are talking about your thumb, correct? If so, your thumb might not be out far enough in front of your other fingers. Scruggs style picking relies more on the side of your thumb striking the string. Using the front of your thumb probably comes natural from playing clawhammer though. It's almost like you have to retrain your thumb for Scruggs style...which can be frustrating! It is certainly a phase though. You'll get it down pat and it will become second nature. Strike with the side of the thumb while keeping it out in front of the other fingers and you will be good to go! Easy said that done though :-) Let me know how it goes!
I've just received a banjo, yeah! Among my many questions is this: are picks made in sizes? The ones I have for my fingers are tight but the ends over my nail are not touching, about 1/8" gap. Suggestions? They also cause throbbing.
Hi Leonard! Ouch! Your picks are either too small or they are the right size, but are too tight. Here’s a video where I talk about setting you finger picks up correctly. ru-vid.comk7fsLtgy4B0
How come nobody plays bare fingered? As a bassist I find that an oddity, I get that picks sound different but you'd get much different tones with fingers. I suppose most people want to keep their fingertips lol. To me the tone is much richer without picks. Glad you're at least showing how to practice that way.
Projection - the banjo is louder and cuts through better with picks. As a bassist myself, I find the banjo easier without them but it’s a skill I think I need to work on.
@@basswulf That's fair, but there's also slapping and doublestopping techniques we could use and be more interesting that way. It really depends on the setting. I've just never had trouble hearing the banjo live when it's (almost always) plucked with a pick, though. Fingers allow a lot more unique tonation, same reason most bassists don't like using picks. That being some of my favorite bassists used picks. It's all style/preference, mostly, unless it's just not cutting through the mix. Bassists have the advantage of working with way bigger strings and being able to project well, I figure.
