Pick or fingernail?

Premier Sponsors

We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue, we will assume that you agree to our privacy policy which includes details of cookie usage. Hide this notice

Banjo Uke Players Unite

Join This Group

Banjouke,Banjolele,Ukejo It's the crazy family member that nobody talks about. Let's here from you if you love the Banjo Uke

80 Members, Created 11/21/2011 -

Administrators: cb56 (owner)

< Back to Home

From BigDaddio88 on 2/23/2012 2:11:19 PM

What do people strum with? I've been doing some playing with just using my finger to strum. A standard Uke thing. Last night with my band I brought out the uke on a fast and loud number and wore out my index fingernail and part of my thumb's. I can't do that too many time and wonder what other folks do.

10 Comments
	Jim Yates says: 2/23/2012 3:46:55 PM I use my nails for strumming, index and middle. My nails are reinforced with acrylic, put on at the local nail salon, but I get them done for guitar and banjo, not for uke or banjo uke. I play single string passages with thumb and index.
	cb56 says: 2/23/2012 4:13:57 PM I use index finger and some thumb. I use a fred kelly freedom pick on my 5 string for frailing so if I hurt my finger too much strumming the banjo uke, I'd probably put that on and use it to strum.
	BigDaddio88 says: 2/23/2012 4:58:33 PM Anybody else? I've heard people using a felt pick. Or what about some other pick. I'm picking up the uke for a couple of songs. I normally use a backward steel fingerpick for clawhammer and that works great for me.
	jefrs says: 2/26/2012 4:19:53 PM Fingers, but then I don't actually strum, well not often. Anyway I've got it tuned mando fashion because I find it better for playing melody as the little neck is a bit cramped otherwise.
	UnkaTony says: 3/13/2012 6:04:08 AM I just can't use felt picks with my ukes. Got one when I bought my first ukulele and wore it out within 2 weeks. After quickly wearing out two more, I finally decided just to heck with it and started using guitar picks, instead. The one I use is a Jim Dunlop nylon 73mm as it has a lot of give and flexibility for the quick Dixieland strumming that I prefer. I also use them for my Irish banjo, but that's just me. What can I say; I'm a rebel, baby!
	Jrbianchi says: 5/9/2012 7:22:45 AM I never use a pick. I use strums that make use of all five fingers, from simple index strums to fan strokes, triples, shakes, and split strokes - I also use forward and reverse rolls a lot. so - I'm spreading the strain over all nails, and I try to save the index and use a simple thumb strum when accompanying vocals and only use the nails for the solos or breaks between vocal phrases.
	Jim Yates says: 5/9/2012 8:42:03 AM I really like the sound of a triplet stroke. I do it with a downstroke with the index, followed by a downstroke with the thumb, followed by an upstroke by the index. I started doing it after hearing George Harrison do it on that Ain't She Sweet video with Paul and Ringo in Candlestick Park.
	Jim Yates says: 5/9/2012 8:44:03 AM My mistake. I just tried it and the first down stroke is with the middle finger. I can do it with the index, but the middle is easier.
	Jrbianchi says: 5/9/2012 8:11:34 PM Jim - after I saw that video, I realized George was a real devotee of George Formby. That was a pretty laid back, but inspiring performance. :)
	peanutroad says: 5/30/2012 5:37:02 AM For strumming, totally my thumb, both up and down. I basically play pretty much every instrument the way Albert Collins played his Tele. :)
Post a Comment
You must be logged in and a member of this group to post a comment.

Blog Entry: Holiday News 2021 Linked by maryzcox 5 years ago
Forum Post: (untitled) Linked by wormpicker 9 years ago: I just got a cool new (old!) banjo uke!
Blog Entry: Blue Sky Banjo digital cd now on Bandcamp :) Linked by maryzcox 11 years ago
Forum Post: (untitled) Linked by wormpicker 11 years ago
Event: (untitled) Linked by maryzcox 11 years ago
	Rockin' In a Weary Land - Mary Z Cox, Jim Crozier, and Brett Gardner - Live at Bird's Linked by maryzcox 11 years ago
	South wind /Cello Banjo/Mary Z Cox Linked by maryzcox 11 years ago
Blog Entry: Blue Sky Banjo cd & tab book :) Linked by maryzcox 11 years ago
Forum Post: (untitled) Linked by Kevin B 11 years ago
	Blue Sky Banjo/ Mary Z Cox Linked by maryzcox 11 years ago