BanJoe80 - Posted - 04/01/2007:  22:50:21

I am very new to the banjo and when I play at tempo (bile em cabbage down etc) I scratch the head alot and it makes a noise. is this semi-normal? Also I notice that my weatherking is begining to change color, probably caused by my middle finger pick. How much should I focus on lifting my fingers up?

Edited by - BanJoe80 on 04/01/2007 22:54:44

banjonz - Posted - 04/02/2007:  00:27:48

Hi BanJoe80, welcome aboard. Great to have you here! Scratching is perfectly normal when you first start off picking. Whenever one starts a new skill involving muscle coordination, the brain make new connections and thr process of learning begins, In time your hand muscles will learn to hit the strings and not the head. Learning to play an instrument like the banjo is 1% inspiration and 99% perspiration. Keep at it. You will succeed.

Wayne
New Zealand

All of us could take a lesson from the weather. It pays no attention to criticism.

Tobes - Posted - 04/02/2007:  04:02:32

Hi Banjoe80

Try experimenting with you right hand angle as well. If your hand is flat against the head you will get this problem. As wayne says it is practice I'm afraid. As for the head decolouration - don't worry about that it shows the banjo has been played rather than just hung on a wall.

Tobes

beegee - Posted - 04/02/2007:  04:36:37

What height bridge are you using? I disagree that scratching is normal for a beginner. It may be common, but it ain't normal. I have found that scratching or drumming most often occurs when the right hand is too flat and there is too much finger motion, I try to get my students to arch the wrist and concentrate the finger motion to the smallest area at the fingertips. An exercise I make them do is to place a dime on the desk and ask them to lay the palm of the hand on the desk and pick up the dime. Then I have them do the same thing with the palmof the hand a couple of inches elevated. The comparison between amounts of finger motion and effort is obvious. your picking hand should be like trying to pick up a dime of pick a piece of lint off your clothing. The Weatherking will lose its coating the more you pick.

_________________________________________
usus promptos facit

Grifton NC

Texasbanjo - Posted - 04/02/2007:  08:51:32

I don't think scratching is normal, either. And I agree with the above: you need to work on your hand position. From what you said, it isn't the thumb that's hitting the head, it's the middle finger and that is NOT normal. You may be digging in too deep with the middle finger, lighten up a little, try to just barely pick the string with just the tip of your fingerpick -- that should stop the scratching from the middle finger. Now, if the thumb is hitting the head, again, you're probably digging in too deep. Watch your fingers as you pick. Try to make sure that the picks are barely touching the strings, just enough to make a good, clear tone. It'll take a little work on your part, but you can teach your fingers not to dig in too deep and then the scratching sound will go away.

Let's Pick!
Texas Banjo

AD3AD3AD3 - Posted - 04/02/2007:  08:55:16

Slow down and pay a lot of attention to your right hand. The angle of attack may be the problem. Any changes you make will probaly seem awkward at first but stick with it.

AD3