Dennis Vernier - Posted - 08/30/2011:  12:48:18

I've played guitar for years, and fingerpick the guitar using a normal flat pick held with my thumb and first finger, and my second and third fingers to do the finger picking.  I just picked up a 5-string banjo and although I want to get used to using the fingerpicks, I find it easy to use the same technique on the banjo. So instead of using a thumbpick and a pick on the index and middle finger, I'm still picking with three fingers, only I'm holding the flatpick and using the middle and ring finger.  I can switch between strumming and fingerpicking instantly.  Right now, I'm looking for what sounds good and works easy for me, rather than trying to be sure everything is being done "traditionally".  The banjo is tuned  in the G tuning.  I really love the sound of the ( traditional) 5-string bluegrass fingerstyle banjo.  Just curious if anyone else has taken this approach?  I play weekend guitar gigs and right now I'm looking to introduce it into a few of my songs. 

However, I really love the "traditional" bluegrass sound.  Just thought write this as I was reading an old topic about someone playing the 5-string with a flatpick.

BlueRanchRider - Posted - 08/30/2011:  13:10:48

One thing I've learned about 'rules' on an instrument is that there are none!  It's all about making music.  Having picked guitar with just a flatpick for 6 years I was amazed at the speed you could pick notes on the banjo having two more picks available and the 'rolling' rhythm. 

 

Whatever works for you have fun, and post up a sound bite for all to hear...

 

banjologist - Posted - 08/30/2011:  13:12:36

My brother who's played guitar for yonks, hs does the same for years, now with his GFI pedal steel.

Earls 5 - Posted - 08/30/2011:  15:17:54

I "hybrid picked" when I first started on the banjo, which is what you are describing. It works, but the volume aint there like finger picks.

minstrelmike - Posted - 08/31/2011:  05:47:00

Unless you learn to take advantage of the 5th string, you're essentially playing a 4-string banjo ala plectrum or tenor.

If you start hitting the 5th string with the flatpick and decide you'd really prefer a lower sound like you're used to, then I suspect you might be better off with a guitar-banjo. You get all the strings of guitar with the 'sound' of banjo.

Martian - Posted - 08/31/2011:  06:15:50

no,no,no, like playing a fiddle with a pick, you are missing what the5 has to offer

DeanT - Posted - 08/31/2011:  07:05:02

I have some experience here!
I started the same way. All it took was one gig to know I needed the volume of finger picks. I put the picks on and couldn't get used to them. The thumb pick was really weird but the mind is very powerful and after several hours it got better. The fingerpicks I finally bent around my fingertips until the tips of the picks almost touched my fingernails.. this put the strings where my muscle memory needed them. Within several days I was playing just fine, LOUD, and it didn't take long, and I wouldn't even play my guitar without them. I still use thumb and three finger picks, and use four fingers a lot, but also do a lot of three finger picking, and find that my thumb, middle and ring finger work together the best for that. To someone who's never played an instrument before, I wouldn't recommend doing stuff all weird, but to an experienced musician, I would definitely say to do what works, and utilize your strengths and already developed muscle mechanics and memory.

Kenneth Logsdon - Posted - 08/31/2011:  07:16:03

Nope, The best that you will ever achieve is immitation guitar on a banjo( insult to both instruments)... Learn it rite to start with....

Bob Peelstrom - Posted - 08/31/2011:  07:30:12

I agree with the guys who are steering you away from the flatpick. HOWEVER... as long as you're using that thing, learn "Bye Bye Blues" (in C). Once you execute a passable Scruggs-style (or Reno-style...) break, then launch into an up-tempo flat pick attack just using chords (think Tenor banjo style, like playing that first "C" in four different, descending positions).  It will blow most of the audience away (but some true believers may weep at the travesty).  Have fun with it.

phb - Posted - 08/31/2011:  07:40:23

Brian Setzer has played banjo using what seems to be his standard guitar technique on several occasions. Just search youtube for the Stray Cats' version of Foggy Mountain Breakdown.

JRushing - Posted - 08/31/2011:  08:18:27

There is a current post about Trampled by Turtles banjo player Dave Carroll. He plays with a flatpick and is a great picker. He does use the 5 th string alot, but the trick is not to sound like a tenor banjo. Unless that's the sound your going for. That's what Alan Munde said about single string or Reno style. That's basically what playing with a flatpick is like, single string is actually supposed to mimic flatpicking guitar styles while incorporating the three finger roll style. There are some Mel Bay books on flatpicking the five, I think I can be done, but you probaly would have to play faster and harder to achieve some of the same results as 3 finger pockets. Dave C. right hand looks like it's in a strobe light. And like someone else said you have to involve the 5th or it will sound more ragtime than bluegrass. Good luck.

Dennis Vernier - Posted - 08/31/2011:  12:18:11

quote: I'm using the 5th string and I'm satisfied with the sound.  I have played a 6-string guitar-banjo but I perfer the higher pitch of a banjo.  I'm going to work more on using the finger picks. 

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Originally posted by minstrelmike

Unless you learn to take advantage of the 5th string, you're essentially playing a 4-string banjo ala plectrum or tenor.

If you start hitting the 5th string with the flatpick and decide you'd really prefer a lower sound like you're used to, then I suspect you might be better off with a guitar-banjo. You get all the strings of guitar with the 'sound' of banjo.

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Jim E. - Posted - 09/01/2011:  06:13:35

Here is one of a series of videos that may open some eyes. Dennis Coats was (and perhaps still is) a very skilled 3-finger, Scruggs style banjoist who now plays the 5-string with a flatpick. I have no idea why he switched, perhaps because of some physical malady. Whatever the reason, he proves that dedication, and a bit of talent, can overcome the perceived limitations of any given style.

youtube.com/watch?v=q-6Sie-GnV...e=related

Earls 5 - Posted - 09/02/2011:  12:31:33

quote:

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Originally posted by Jim E.

Here is one of a series of videos that may open some eyes. Dennis Coats was (and perhaps still is) a very skilled 3-finger, Scruggs style banjoist who now plays the 5-string with a flatpick. I have no idea why he switched, perhaps because of some physical malady. Whatever the reason, he proves that dedication, and a bit of talent, can overcome the perceived limitations of any given style.



youtube.com/watch?v=q-6Sie-GnV...e=related

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 Jim that is nothing like Scruggs style banjo. I did not see any 5th string use! No limitations were overcame in my opinion, just a banjo being played like a guitar. It was good pickin but nothing like Scruggs three finger style ....

Jim E. - Posted - 09/02/2011:  13:43:58

I can see why you'd reach that conclusion, Ron. If you check some of his other vids, though, perhaps you'll hear a lot of what sounds like banjo rolls - he has, for example, an instructional vid specific to creating the roll sound with the flatpick. While I agree that his use of the 5th string is far less frequent than that of a Scruggs-style player, he does indeed employ the 5th string when it is necessary. Using a flatpick, as you no doubt already know, gives the player other choices when the sound (note) of the 5th string is needed, e.g., 2nd string, 8th fret, etc., and it appears from the videos that such is often easier than actually striking the 5th string. That said, I wholly agree that the sound produced using a flatpick would not often be confused with just about any any 3-finger style.

JMalmsteen - Posted - 09/04/2011:  11:06:25

I can see where you are coming from. I am a guitar player who has started to play banjo. Personally, my variety of cheating is playing without any picks. Just use the banjo picks. Yes, they are annoying first but you just have to get used to it and eventually you will, probably much faster than you would think. My husband even yells at me and says "Jennifer put on your picks!" So, get some metal picks and start using them religiously. Good luck!

japus - Posted - 09/04/2011:  11:19:39

Years ago while at the Old Time Fiddler's Reunion at Davis & Elkins college, an old timer who was playing his guitar asked if he could play my Hartford.

He played it with a flat pick and I can  only wish I could make music the way he was able to...

If it sounds good and you like (enjoy) it, DO it