Banjo Hangout - Playing Advice: Bluegrass (Scruggs) Styles Forum Feed

Paired Eighth Notes

eric@banjohangout.org — Tue, 9 Jun 2026 16:00:34 CST

My discussion with Ken Norkin (Old Hickory) on this topic in the thread started by David Knowles (knowles1234) — “Need help playing faster” — while related to David’s development as a player, was threatening to hijack the original post, so I started this topic instead. I won’t repeat what was said there, but there are things I believe are worthwhile to continue discussing.

Fourteen years ago, I wrote a BHO blog article entitled “Roger Sprung & ‘Pairing.’” Roger (who passed away in 2023, having taught more than 3,000 banjo students) taught me “pairing” — his term for bounce or swing or paired eighth notes — in the very first banjo lesson I ever had, in May 2003. In his view, pairing wasn’t some kind of additional technique for experienced players, but an essential first-lesson skill. I took many lessons with Roger, and know many of his former students, and he insisted without exception that every student pair with everything they played. (As Roger taught his students to play by ear, using no tab, written music, or “put your fingers here” instruction — really by ear: determining the chord progression, finding the melody, weaving the two together with rolls (paired rolls), etc. — there was never a question of playing anything “as written.” Then again, as Earl Scruggs couldn’t read music, I guess he never played anything “as written” either.)

Roger is quoted in Masters of the 5-String Banjo saying: “The most important catalyst for improving is the syncopation, phrasing, and ‘pairing’ of the notes.” He was also quoted in the August 1984 issue of Frets Magazine that: “In bluegrass, it’s not the smoothness of a banjo player that counts, it’s the jumpiness – a bounce that’s more conducive to tapping your foot.” This is also a reference to pairing.

While the term “pairing” may be unique to Roger, the concept — as a foundational technique — isn’t just his. His mnemonic for this rhythm — the word “Chattanooga” — was taught up front (i.e., not as an advanced alternative) by Bill Keith on his video “Play Bluegrass Banjo By Ear,” by Paul Hawthorne in his out-of-print book Gestalt Banjo, and by Ritchie Mintz in his book Conversational Bluegrass Banjo.

In his four-volume Bluegrass Banjo Workshop series, Bill Knopf wrote: “All of the arrangements and examples in this four-book series have been recorded with a bouncy or jazz feel.” He then explains the rhythm (“the first note in each group is twice as long as the second”) and concludes with: “It is up to the individual player to decide for himself whether or not to play with the bounce.” What makes Knopf’s statement particularly interesting is that (1) he uses “bounce” not selectively, but with “all of the arrangements and examples in this four-book series”; (2) even though Knopf bounces everything he plays in these four volumes, all the accompanying tab — his arrangements “as written” — notates every eighth note as evenly spaced, thus refuting the notion that tab “as written” is intended to dictate how notes should be spaced; and (3) he doesn’t suggest to the “individual player” that they may add pairing, but rather may omit the bounce he uses; to Knopf, paired eighths is the default.

In his last post on this subject, Ken said: “no one rhythm fits every piece of music and no one way of playing banjo — of timing the notes on banjo — can possibly fit or be right for every piece of music.” I have two responses to this: First, if this is your position, then why suggest to beginners that they space all notes evenly “for every piece of music”? In other words, if Roger was wrong to teach beginning students that all playing should be paired, then isn’t it equally wrong for you to advise all beginners that “at the outset one should play the notes as written, which means playing them as evenly as possible because that's how they're written.” (Is this really why they were written evenly, or is the tab representation simply a visual shortcut?) Aren’t you recommending the very one-size-for-everything solution that you purport to criticize.

Second, and more importantly, I think you grossly undervalue how learning to pair, and learning to pair early, accelerates learning to play overall. Pairing isn’t complicated. It’s a very easily understood concept, and a rhythm very easy to vocalize (using the “Chattanooga” phrase or simply counting 1–&2–&3–&4–&1–&2…, emphasizing the numbered beat over the “&” — a la the lubDUB of a heartbeat). Getting it under your fingers takes a little practice. (Roger would recommend that, at first, you “over pair,” i.e., exaggerate the separation of the notes; personally, I think it helps enormously to start with the last note of the roll, thus starting with an “&1.”) But once you habituate the technique, everything suddenly becomes much easier to play. Why? Because the biggest hurdle for a beginner is getting a string of notice to sound like a recognizable song. How many beginners complain: “I’m playing all the notes, but it doesn’t sound like what it’s supposed to be”? That’s because the dry rat-a-tat-tat of even eighths isn’t particularly musical. How can it sound like a song when it’s being played like a typewriter? Music isn’t straight. Music fluctuates. Pairing adds that fluctuation.

Pairing isn’t running. Pairing is walking with shoes on. Shoes help you walk. Shoes make walking more comfortable. Pairing makes playing more musical. And until a new student’s playing starts becoming more musical, and songs thus start becoming recognizable, playing the banjo can be very frustrating.

Questions about calling a tag at the end of a song at a jam

eric@banjohangout.org — Mon, 8 Jun 2026 17:00:04 CST

Let's use the example of Blue Ridge Cabin Home in G. It's a I-IV-V-I song:

GGCC
DDGG
GGCC
DDGG

I've been singing it flawlessly, everyone's doing the chorus with me, life is great. I want to end the song but I want to sing the last part again to help close it out together. If I call "TAG" after the "home" at the end of the chorus:

[Chorus]
Oh I love those hills of old Virginia
From those Blue Ridge hills I did roam
When I die won't you bury me on the mountain
Far away near my Blue Ridge mountain home

1) Would people interpret that as starting from the last phrase ("when I die...") or the last line ("far away...")?
2) The last 2 bars is the I chord twice, so would I play through to the end of the second G bar before picking up at the tag spot, or would I just go into it right after announcing Tag at the end of the first G bar?

Nine Pound Hammer

eric@banjohangout.org — Mon, 8 Jun 2026 14:17:54 CST

Hi
I’m an hangout member since many years but I rarely post in this section not being a bluegrass picker… I usually play my own music with varius influences, also I’m more active in the four string section since I play also Tenor banjo(being a professional violin/viola played I’m familiar with fifth tuning)
That said I tried this arrangement of a bluegrass standard and I’m curious of the opinion of bluegrass experts, I started from a tab from a Tony Trishka, but I made sone canges and I added some variations with up neck playing and a bit of more elaborated harmonies (diminushed chords etc)
This is the result…
Hope you enjoy

I'm sorry if the video/audio sync is not perfect

How to Play Blackberry Blossom on Banjo (Free Beginner Lesson)

eric@banjohangout.org — Mon, 8 Jun 2026 08:36:45 CST

youtube.com/watch?v=GbtOUyb4nv8

Need help playing faster

eric@banjohangout.org — Sun, 7 Jun 2026 13:12:45 CST

Hello friends. I'm learning Lonesome Road Blues, and I'm stuck on slow speed. I can play it a little faster and more fluid than I do in this video (I had some stage fright knowing that this was going to be posted.) I'm looking for tips on gaining some speed. Maybe I just need to play it another 1000 times, but if you have any tips please share. Thanks!

(This is cross-posted in a couple of other groups, FYI)

https://youtu.be/23m5TcrT5wk?si=yQrCjXE2Jx0FgmVO

Scruggs' Rolling Muted Backup

eric@banjohangout.org — Sun, 7 Jun 2026 06:57:53 CST

As described in this post from days of yore and as heard on such songs as Peking Fling:

banjohangout.org/archive/271484
youtube.com/watch?v=LoRVxdKsraQ

Curious if anyone has transcribed these rolling muted backup arrangements of his?

“Buffalo Gals” , easy solo & TAB

eric@banjohangout.org — Sat, 6 Jun 2026 16:24:35 CST

An old favourite from way back when,, Capo 2, G formation.

youtu.be/YYCeKNppDtw?si=Y80mN99O4W1_BTGT

Which Style to Play

eric@banjohangout.org — Sat, 6 Jun 2026 08:36:17 CST

Last week a friend gave me a nice banjo. Today I learned there are two styles of playing. I watched a video demonstrating the different methods and at the end they stated "once you learn one style it is very difficult to switch to the other." So now I am concerned about starting wrong.
Comments?

Rickard v/s gotoh

eric@banjohangout.org — Sat, 6 Jun 2026 08:35:45 CST

Are Rickard cyclone tuners worth $100 plus , more than gotoh tuners . I’ve got my finger on the trigger
“So to speak “ really thinking about getting some . Any feedback is welcome . Obliged

Blue Ridge Cabin Home in D?

eric@banjohangout.org — Fri, 5 Jun 2026 13:14:10 CST

First time I heard this song called in the key of D at a jam. I usually play it in A or G. I've never thought about capo'ing up to the 7th fret before (to keep all my open notes in line for a solo), but is that what I should do without overhauling my song?

Is Cripple Creek a jam buster??

eric@banjohangout.org — Fri, 5 Jun 2026 08:45:55 CST

Context: I have a lyrical version of Cripple Creek that I was hoping to play and sing to at a recent beginner-oriented jam in the key of G and AABB format, and the jam leaders talked me out of it.

Reasoning: they said Cripple Creek and other fiddle tunes usually follow a certain format (AABB) and with keys that should be changed sparingly, if at all. When people sing to a fiddle tune, changes in the format and key are often made which can overly confuse the circle and bust the jam.

My thoughts are that if I followed the key and the format and since most beginner bluegrass jammers know CC, it would be considered safe, but maybe I'm wrong. Any input from seasoned jammers?

Metronome vs playing along to recordings

eric@banjohangout.org — Thu, 4 Jun 2026 13:46:26 CST

I have been playing banjo for about a year and a half. I play by myself 99 percent of the time. I was playing with a buddy who also plays banjo and he said my timing on foggy mountain was really bad. I have been able to play foggy forever so I decided to try playing along to recordings (russ carson and earl himself as well). I played with the volume up whole way to play in sync and also with volume off just to watch my hand movements in sync with theirs to get a feel for how good timing sounds when im the only one playing out loud. My timing didnt seem that different playing with them than it did when I play without an audio or visual aid. Is my friend likely innacurate in his opinion of my timing, or should I switch to a metronome to hear differently and try finding a mistake im not picking up. He wouldn't tell me what was bad with my playing, he just said my playing was bad and then proceeded to play himself so I didnt learn what I was doing wrong haha. Any insight with timing and practice would be very appreciated as this is a topic I haven't delved into much

Finger and Thumb Pics

eric@banjohangout.org — Wed, 3 Jun 2026 13:11:11 CST

New to banjo. I bought a box of medium(?) plastic picks. I wasn't aware they came in sizes. These are too small by far.
Is there anything I can do to make them bigger?

I don't think I have large fingers?

Best Tailpiece for Banjo as good as Derring Tailpiece

eric@banjohangout.org — Tue, 2 Jun 2026 06:50:07 CST

Hi Folks,

Enquiring for a relative who has a few high quality custom made banjo's Not Derring but is disappointed with the Tailpieces that are on them, they are six string and I believe he tunes them to guitar pitch,

So he is thinking of ordering a few Derring Tailpieces but they are in excess of £100 each.

Are there any other makes that are equal in quality to the Derring piece, but not as expensive?

Many Thanks,
Joe

Powerful High Up the Neck Banjo Lick | Free Bluegrass Banjo Lesson

eric@banjohangout.org — Sun, 31 May 2026 12:24:27 CST

youtu.be/1MD-CuqrXJQ

“Just a Closer Walk With Thee” , intermediate solo with TAB

eric@banjohangout.org — Sat, 30 May 2026 22:56:41 CST

The popular old gospel song with roots in African-American music.

Reverend - Greensky Bluegrass Backup

eric@banjohangout.org — Wed, 27 May 2026 05:04:43 CST

Can anyone tell me what the Banjo players is playing for most of this song? Just the backup portion.

Sounds like he’s just doing 321 on repeat. Let me know if it’s more complicated than that please.

m.youtube.com/watch?v=h96TCoSOwvE&ra=m

“Careless Love”

eric@banjohangout.org — Sun, 24 May 2026 22:56:11 CST

Here’s a demo & TAB for this great oldie. Suitable for first year players - no slides, hammer-ons, or pulloffs (not even à harmonic chime or bend/choke ;-). However, warning! ... there is a 2-string barre.

Common G Lick Timing Explained | Banjo Technique with Geoff Hohwald

eric@banjohangout.org — Sun, 24 May 2026 14:51:40 CST

youtu.be/kMojvT8351Y

GREAT NEWS! STANLEY STYLE BANJO BY STEVE SPARKMAN BACK!!!

eric@banjohangout.org — Fri, 22 May 2026 12:06:55 CST

Over the years I have seen people posting wanting a copy of the DVD Stanley Style Banjo by Steve Sparkman and have never heard anyone getting it. I have the DVD and felt bad for them, but would not copy and send it out of respect for Steve. I heard it was out of print. So a little bit ago, I tracked Steve down, called him and left a message to get permission to send a copy. Steve is a Seargent Detective in the police department in Versaille, Kentucky.

Today he called me back and I got to catch up with him and ask about the CD, First about the CD. The people he put it out with split apart so he had trouble getting more printed. (Artists should not be subject to that garbage. Ask Butch Robins how long some of his GREAT music was help up by Hay Hollar). But he said they have things worked out and he is going to be getting some to sell in about a week!! What great news. IMO Steve did the Ralph style better than anyone else besides Ralph. AND Steve and James Allen Shelton were as good a driving rhythme section as any band had. They really kept Dr Ralph at the top of his game when his banjo skills were having problems.

How to get the DVD. Steve has a band Fenced In. They play about 15 dates a year (this weekend at the Dr Ralph Memorial Day Festival) and they will possibly be sold there or wherever they are playing. OR people can go to the bands Facebook page and as soon as they are available (again, in about a week), Steve will have information how to get them mailed to you. Here is the bands Facebook page.... https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063549011052

To me, this is a big win for the banjo community. Hope this helps the searchers from around the world.

Ken

Some Earl!

eric@banjohangout.org — Thu, 21 May 2026 18:45:07 CST

Earl talks about first hearing Home Sweet Home played by a blind musician when he was 4 years Old! Some kind of different. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=czilysIOB_Y

Ken

Bear tracks in a maple

eric@banjohangout.org — Wed, 20 May 2026 21:05:25 CST

Has anyone put a Blaylock Crowe tone ring in a maple banjo ? I’ve heard these rings sound better in a mahogany banjo. ? Any information or advice is appreciated. Obliged !

“When My Blue Moon Turns To Gold Again” , banjo solo & TAB

eric@banjohangout.org — Mon, 18 May 2026 20:10:49 CST

Written by Gene Sullivan in 1940; Elvis had a hit with it ; Jim & Jesse recorded it as did Bill Monroe.
Standard tuning, key of G. Hope you have fun with it.

youtu.be/y39yz6hMJTo?si=ZP10-U63k4eTKVDi

Geoff Hohwald on lick substitution: build breaks from the chord progression

eric@banjohangout.org — Sun, 17 May 2026 12:19:58 CST

youtube.com/watch?v=Dp9utBP5BJY

Do you guys get pick grit?

eric@banjohangout.org — Sat, 16 May 2026 10:30:10 CST

Periodically I get a gritty feeling between my metal finger picks and my strings. I've noticed it happens most often with brass, nickel, or alloy picks, and not as often with stainless steel picks. It almost feels like it makes the pick stick just a little bit, and it definitely affects the quality and cleanness of the note produced. Polishing the pick on my pant leg reliably solves the problem.

Do you guys experience the same thing? I've always assumed it's residue from either the pick or the string being worn down. Stainless is a harder material, so it makes sense that it would be less prone to wear.

I get noise when playing with metal finger picks.

eric@banjohangout.org — Sat, 16 May 2026 03:28:03 CST

When I play the banjo with metal finger picks, I always feel like there's some kind of metallic scraping noise. But I don't know if it's a problem with my strings, or with my picks, or neither — and the real issue is actually my playing technique?

Banjo playing -> tablature Python program

eric@banjohangout.org — Fri, 15 May 2026 10:19:19 CST

I am attempting to write a Python program to record a clip of banjo playing, and to transcribe it into tablature. We'll see how this goes...

Blue Trail of Sorrow // Ron Block

eric@banjohangout.org — Wed, 13 May 2026 14:11:14 CST

Enjoy!

Earl Scruggs Playing Twin Banjos with Nat Winston

eric@banjohangout.org — Tue, 12 May 2026 19:48:30 CST

I had not seen this before and they sound really good together. Followed by a site talking about it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6bkt-Sl1dug

https://bluegrasswest.com/wordpress/visiting-earl-scruggs/

ken

Want to buy Homespun Bela Flecks The Bluegrass Sessions Banjo Tab Songbook

eric@banjohangout.org — Mon, 11 May 2026 13:46:26 CST

I want to buy Homespun Bela Flecks The Bluegrass Sessions Banjo Tab Songbook.

This is the link in the Marketplace Instructional Materials

banjohangout.org/classified/115086

“Those Memories of You” - banjo solo & TAB

eric@banjohangout.org — Mon, 11 May 2026 13:29:54 CST

The hit song for “TRIO” back in 1980 , written by Alan O’Bryant. Wanda Vick also does a nice job on it.

youtu.be/Ywj-NctABq0?si=I8nkaKQsJZgGYadW

Train 45 Complete Arrangement from Banjo Songs Book | 6 Banjo Breaks

eric@banjohangout.org — Sun, 10 May 2026 08:37:01 CST

youtu.be/9mWnY2ligmw

Anyone Know Where I Can Find A Copy Of Ron Block's Instructional DVD?

eric@banjohangout.org — Fri, 8 May 2026 18:17:54 CST

No luck on eBay or his personal site. Anyone have a copy they would sell me? Thanks!

“Darby’s Castle” , A Kris Kristofferson song,, easy arrangement + TAB

eric@banjohangout.org — Fri, 8 May 2026 15:00:24 CST

The Country Gentlemen made a very nice recording of this Kristofferson tune. (this video made right after Kris passed away in September, 2024)

Foggy Mountain Breakdown

eric@banjohangout.org — Fri, 8 May 2026 11:46:43 CST

Hi Everyone - I’m an old guy with large hands trying to learn Foggy Mountain Breakdown. My problem is the 2-3 hammers on the second string. I am continually fouling the first string. I have tried numerous positions with my left hand but just can’t seem to get the right position. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

“Old Joe Clark” - cross rhythm variation, demo + TAB

eric@banjohangout.org — Sun, 3 May 2026 22:03:54 CST

The old fiddle & banjo tune , using forward rolls and melody on the 2nd string. Intermediate level arrangement. Here's a link to the full recording https://youtu.be/QDiT23GG2-Q?si=HDZbDYTPqGBgHlID

Free weekly lesson from Geoff Hohwald: How to Play Faster Banjo Rolls

eric@banjohangout.org — Sun, 3 May 2026 18:13:36 CST

youtube.com/watch?v=vi1vYCct9nA

Sally Ann

eric@banjohangout.org — Sat, 2 May 2026 13:14:58 CST

Try this one out!

youtu.be/tTgCc9KiFws?si=forx9rUgxrgRRxq4

Free weekly lesson: Nine Pound Hammer Banjo Play Along Revisited

eric@banjohangout.org — Wed, 29 Apr 2026 11:14:11 CST

youtube.com/watch?v=DE_WzTZFOJQ

The Metronome

eric@banjohangout.org — Tue, 28 Apr 2026 13:30:07 CST

Howdy,
There was a thread a few weeks ago about playing faster. As someone who has been doing this almost twenty years at a pretty good clip, I struggle playing fast. In my band I feel like I can be the one holding back tempos sometimes. As a banjos that’s not what you are going for. Anyway, whether you agree or not, there’s just going to be times when plying bluegrass banjo that you’ll have to put it in gear. BobbyE laid out the perfect strategy. Play to a metronome for five days at a slower pace and increase by 5 bpm every time. Some advice I’d gotten along the way is to crank up the metronome and try to hang on. I like tangible strategies and BobbyE’s advice has been a game changer. In this endeavor I realize that I practically never have played along with a metronome. In two weeks of doing this I am realizing that I’ve neglected arguably the best tool for learning. If you don’t already, USE YOUR METRONOME as much as you possibly can. You hear the clicks. You feel the rhythm. Your playing gets so much cleaner.

“Freight Train” - Elizabeth Cotten’s tune on banjo , + TAB

eric@banjohangout.org — Mon, 27 Apr 2026 10:07:47 CST

The iconic fingerpicking guitar song that Elizabeth Cotten made famous. Arranged for 5 string banjo out of C formation, featuring the Osborne/Dillard roll.

youtu.be/N2BqQKqKEV4?si=8y-dyQKzylDlgtfq

Earls right hand/left hand and guitar picking

eric@banjohangout.org — Fri, 24 Apr 2026 12:15:40 CST

Just for background info. I have been following Earl and been playing 'his' style on and off for over fifty years so although I'm grey I ain't green.
Now, most say its all in the right hand but I have just been watching the Flatt and Scruggs tv shows (again) and Earls left hand is so precise accurate and smooth that I would say its 60/40 maybe 50/50 (what do you folks think?). And,
what is hardly mentioned is his guitar picking (Georgia buck is sublime).
A true virtuoso, a humble (almost regal) individual the like of which me may never see again.
Never did get to see Earl, we had purchased tickets to see Earl in London but the show was cancelled due to the twin towers.
When did any of you folks get to see/speak to Earl, Lester or the foggy mt. boys?.
Any of you that did are so lucky.
Kindest regards from England,
Clive.

Picking Slow Songs

eric@banjohangout.org — Fri, 24 Apr 2026 12:02:23 CST

My new grandson seems to enjoy “moonlight” by blaze Foley. There’s only a few simple chords. It’s quite slow and I can remember the lyrics. it’s essentially a lullaby.

I’m trying to find a quiet, compatible slow banjo roll to pick this up while he’s goobering on my frets. In general is there an example I could follow?

Maybe a stretch, but I think this would sound lovely in the spirit of “Susan’s Gone” by Dirk Powell… but how? Is a beginner version of that difficult? I’m not trying to master that song, but just get to general picking competence on a simple song.

Is there a basic roll ?

Some YouTube links

Moonlight: youtu.be/lP0qs_Ogw5A?si=7yf-FGWJXN2VC7_x

Susan’s Gone: youtu.be/lP1VRvOPyqM?si=CYdV9G2XYWDoa2PZ

How to use Tab without building dependency

eric@banjohangout.org — Thu, 23 Apr 2026 17:35:15 CST

For context I played banjo solely off of TAB for about 10 months and my timing was awful. I couldn't hear changes, I couldn't hear melodies, and I was completely unable to even think of improvising. After some light hearted ribbing from a mentor I decided to try learning g stuff by ear and after about 6 months the progress I made was great, I was in perfect time, I could play rolling backup, I could improvise over simple songs in G position, everything improved. Recently I looked at some Tab as I wanted to learn something note-for-note and all of the issue reappeared, it was sloppy, out of time and just bad. So my question is how can you effectively use Tab, or should I just continue using only my ear?

Big Train Don Rigsby Intro Lick.

eric@banjohangout.org — Thu, 23 Apr 2026 09:25:22 CST

Hey all
I’m trying to figure out that simple banjo intro lick. We are playing it in G .
Not the fancy Don Reno solo.

To me it sounds like a 5 to 6 pull off (3-4 for F) on the B string but the guys I play with say it doesn’t sound right?

Any help will be greatly appreciated.

“Snowbird” - easy banjo solo & TAB & tutorial

eric@banjohangout.org — Mon, 20 Apr 2026 15:27:39 CST

The 1970 hit for Anne Murray , written by Gene MacLellan from Prince Edward Island.

Free Weekly Banjo Lesson from Geoff Hohwald: How to Switch Chords Revisited

eric@banjohangout.org — Mon, 20 Apr 2026 09:18:09 CST

youtube.com/watch?v=na2KD4GpQSc

Subscribe to the free weekly email newsletter here:

f02c7f60b02f11ef81a461960b153e...jfQrZ8sgA

GONE: FREE BANJO LEARNING BOOKS/Jack Hatfield Banjo Method Books 1-3

eric@banjohangout.org — Sat, 18 Apr 2026 12:48:28 CST

The Dread Cleaning Bug has bit, so I am thinning out some learning materials. It's been a while since I've done a giveaway, life has been a bit crazy the past few years.

My philosophy – resale of these things does not directly support the wonderful teachers who put in a lot of work and expertise to make these materials happen. I also dislike throwing things away when they’re perfectly useful. So if you can afford to buy a copy new, from either the author or your favorite acoustic music store, that helps sustain the community. But, if you are on a fixed income or a starving student type, I am happy to send this to you gratis (that means “free”), and hope that you will pass it on to someone similarly situated when you are done with them.

I am offering Books 1-3 of the Jack Hatfield Banjo Method Series. Book 1 is the book only, no CD or DVD, very lightly used . Book 2 has the CD, markings throughout but all text is legible. Book 3 has both CD, the 2nd of which is unused. I would like to send these out as a set, they truly work very well as a unified, graduated learning system.

Contact me through the BHO private message system. First responder who fits the above criteria gets the set. I will ship via USPS media mail.

UPDATE: This set has been claimed, and is in the mail!

Speaking of Thumb Picks

eric@banjohangout.org — Thu, 16 Apr 2026 19:07:12 CST

I spent a lot of time recently trying different thumb picks. They each have their pluses and minuses.

I like the light weight and feel of the Giepel. I have played the most with it. The sound is a little tinny.

I like the BlueChip but it feels a little heavy to me. It took a lot of refining to get the shape acceptable to my playing. It has a good sound.

I have never liked plastic thumb picks. They break about the time I get one shaped the way I like it.

I really like the sound from the ToneSlab so I’ll be spending more time trying to get comfortable with it. It too took a lot of time to shape for preference.

What I really noticed when reviewing the picks and taking pictures is how much they differ in placement on my thumb. The point of the pick ranges from the front of my fingernail to the back of my fingernail. That is part of why they feel so different. It takes a little bit to get use too each when switching out.

What are your thoughts on the big difference in location in reference to the thumbnail?

The forward Roll Pattern that where it all begins

eric@banjohangout.org — Thu, 16 Apr 2026 06:35:43 CST

The "Rule of Three": Psychology suggests that our brains are hardwired to notice, process, and recall patterns, and three is the minimum to form a recognizable pattern. Don Reno recalled Snuffy Jenkins numbering his index to middle fingers 1,2 3. Told him to "Just keep doing it over and over. Like the Glen Miller tune in the Mood. Don had the finest forward Roll. Listen to the original Dueling Banjos with Arther Smith. I guess Snuffy had invented the first fingerstyle Banjo teaching method. We don't know what he told Earl to get him started. In Ralph Stanleys book he recalls How Earl taught him the Forward roll. That is where it all begins.