harveys - Posted - 11/27/2010:  19:37:14

Can anyone refer me to a source of instruction for this style - online, books or video. I have come across very little written about this style.

Any good recordings to listen to?

Thanks.

Banjolution - Posted - 11/27/2010:  19:45:21

Check this!!
2ftlbanjer.wordpress.com/about-2/

Thanks Mojomonk!

Marc Nerenberg - Posted - 11/27/2010:  19:52:48

Then there's this recent thread on this same subject:
banjohangout.org/topic/181666/1

scooter46 - Posted - 11/27/2010:  21:15:25

check with Chip Arnold he's the two finger go to guy, he had quite a bit posted but I don't remenber if it was on his homepage or where. Send him a private message from his homepage. Larry

janolov - Posted - 11/28/2010:  05:41:13

The best instruction video is Mike Seeger's Southern Banjo Styles: elderly.com/videos/items/300-DVD303SET.htm . He demonstrates aseveral tunes in thumb lead and index lead styles.
Also Mike Seeger's Old Time Banjo styles contains some interesting stuff: elderly.com/videos/items/300-DVD152.htm.

There is also some good tabs in Art Rosenbaum's book Old Time Mountain Banjo. It is out of print but use to be available on ebay. There may also be some people here who have scanned it.

And don't forget Pete Seeger's book How To Play the Five.String Banjo: elderly.com/books/items/01-000024.htm. It contains descriptions of most banjo styles.

lucydog - Posted - 11/28/2010:  07:22:40

It's geared more towards the beginner, but the Homespun video 5-String Banjo for Beginners covers thumb lead banjo for the first 4 songs ("My Home's Across The Smokey Mountains," "Handsome Molly," Cumberland Gap," "Jesse James"). They're pretty sparse arrangements, but they get you used the thumb lead style.

(and I also second the suggestions for Sean, Chip and Jan Olov)

RG - Posted - 11/28/2010:  09:41:51

I would also add that Jan has some excellent 2 finger tunes, if you PM him he'll be glad to share. Between Sean, Chip and Jan you should get a great idea how this style is played...

janolov - Posted - 11/28/2010:  13:07:22

I have a lot of own arrangements two finger thum lead. Just send me a PM if you want to look at them. Some day I will organise them and put them together in some kind of tab book or manual.

majikgator - Posted - 11/28/2010:  18:16:31

All of the above