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Please note this is an archived topic, so it is locked and unable to be replied to. You may, however, start a new topic and refer to this topic with a link: http://www.banjohangout.org/archive/201252/2
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oldwoodchuckb - Posted - 09/08/2011: 15:44:45
A small point about the Speed of styles. Since The up-pick style known as Seeger style can be played with the hand completely still over teh banjo head (or even with fingers braced) it can potentially go faster than clawhammer which calls for some movement. I never braced for Seeger Strumming but I still could make it go a whole lot faster than clawing.
I wish I could still do it, as I have friends who play far too fast for me to claw with them. I used to Seeger strum those songs but now my wrist goes electric pretty quick from the carpal tunnel bidness, and then the pain shoots up to my shoulder and I'm done playing for the night.
john bange - Posted - 09/08/2011: 16:31:05
quote:
Originally posted by Gary Blanchard
I am unusual in that I do not play the banjo to be a banjo player, I play banjo to be a singer. I have my own style that works for what I want to do. I can't play with the old-time or bluegrass crowd, but that was never my aim anyway. I think the basic strum is great for a singer/songwriter type of thing. The beauty of the banjo is that there can be as many ways to play it as there are players.
me too, I use it to accompany my voice...up with a nail and down with a nail...sorta-seeger
Paul R - Posted - 09/08/2011: 16:41:03
I started using Pete Seeger's method from his old red book, using it to accompany songs for my students in my music classes. I even used a thumb pick, finger pick, and backwards pick on the middle finger. Then I took lessons and decided to "re-learn" "the proper" method, and ditch Pete's method. Glad I learned clawhammer, but disappointed I threw the baby out with the bathwater. Better to have more tools in the toolbox ...
I think we need to distinguish method or style from technique. There are various methods, or styles, of playing, and all have their places. Within each style is the proper technique, without which it becomes more difficult to get the proper sound, imho.
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