Pete Seeger version 1- Index finger picks up on a melody note (1 - 4) 2. Space or hammer on/pull off/slide/ thumb note 3. brush down on a few strings with the back of the middle finger or hand 4. thumb plucks the 5-th string. N.Carolina version 1. index picks up as above 2. space or as above 3. INDEX PICKS UP AGAIN! 4. thumb sounds 5-th string (Doc Watson played this way)
Up picking, also called "Seeger Style" is not typically played with picks. In it's most basic form, it's similar to claw hammer, but the middle finger picks up, instead of striking down on a string. The following strum and thumb pick on the drone are very much like basic frailing or clawhammer.
I was curious about the designation of the term "up picking". I thought that Seeger style along with 2&3 finger old time styles and for that matter Strugg's style were all considered up picking.
Another thing I'm curious about is Nancy with 18000 posts and Janalov with 35000 posts. How do you find the time?
Anyway didn't want to hijack the thread. I tried the Seeger style for a while and I just couldn't get it to flow for me.
Uppicking is the first way I learned to play. Basically pick melody note up with index, strum down (all or some strings) with middle, pick fifth string. Of course it gets tedious to repeat endlessly without variation of the pattern. Here are a couple up picking examples that I did. both are slow. if you look at my middle finger you can see the special pick I made to enable me to go back and forth between up picking and Scruggs 3 finger style without having to stop and turn my middle finger pick around.
I play clawhammer style exclusively and your blistered thumb confuses me. I sometimes play for hours and my thumb doesn't have a callous or blister ever.
One thing comes to mind (other than I'm just flat wrong).
Are you strumming chords with your thumb? That might do it. The thumb in clawhammer is used mostly to pluck the 5th string or to "drop thumb" to play an individual note.
I play clawhammer style exclusively and your blistered thumb confuses me. I sometimes play for hours and my thumb doesn't have a callous or blister ever.
One thing comes to mind (other than I'm just flat wrong).
Are you strumming chords with your thumb? That might do it. The thumb in clawhammer is used mostly to pluck the 5th string or to "drop thumb" to play an individual note.
Nope. Not strumming any with thumb. Just plucking the string. I may be too aggressive with that thumb. Wish I'd quit that. Unfun.
I want to the site and did read and looked at the videos. Great site, too.
Actually, I started clawhammer years ago....just let it go by the wayside. Even ordered a lot of books...never read them..just put everything away.
That's when I got the atlasta picks, too. Put that away. My interest went south, that's all.
Thinking about learning now...and forgot about all I use to know. Mind is a perfect zero for clawhammer at this point. I am no musician...just have fun.
What happened was my Little Blue Goodtime banjo (4 pounds)...I take it in the vehicle when I have to wait. I do a lot of waiting....got the wild hair to start back with clawhammer/frailing/ and pick a style and learn. I am in the midst of checking different ways of playing. The Mountain Banjo book I find has lots of ways in there...interesting. Just starting over...and hope this time will keep on going instead of letting it all die a silent death...so....back to learning.
Nancy
Thumb is sore...I must be putting a lot of pressure on the poor thing.
On Seans homepage is a video of virgil anderson, the sound structure is different again from clawhammer and two finger index lead. On the video at about 1 minute you get a glimpse of how the right hand moves work
On Seans homepage is a video of virgil anderson, the sound structure is different again from clawhammer and two finger index lead. On the video at about 1 minute you get a glimpse of how the right hand moves work
Thank you. He sounds really good. Good sound.
Nancy
Guess I need to think about what it is that attracts my attention and get with the program.
Nancy, I'm getting and my skin is thinning. I can't play with my skin at all anymore. Instant pain and blisters. I use my nails and when they break, I use Alaska picks. One on my thumb and one on my finger. I trim them to mimic my fingernail shape. You can pick both up and down with them. Check out the stuff on my BHO music page banjohangout.org/myhangout/mus...p?id=6347 some was done with picks and some not.
Nancy, I'm getting and my skin is thinning. I can't play with my skin at all anymore. Instant pain and blisters. I use my nails and when they break, I use Alaska picks. One on my thumb and one on my finger. I trim them to mimic my fingernail shape. You can pick both up and down with them. Check out the stuff on my BHO music page banjohangout.org/myhangout/mus...p?id=6347 some was done with picks and some not.
Hey, great. Just great playing. I tried to listen, but my head just won't wrap around all that you do.....wish that it was a video or a slow down.
I really prefer picks. I think that I have a *heavy* thumb. Habit. Horse fell on my thumb, and it was weak, so I made up for that by more force. Just habit. What happened was my mare reared, and went over backwards, and on me. Horses sure are heavy. I prefer picks...have to get use to the alasta pick...feels wobbley. False nails are a pain., I did those before. Partly why I quit and gave clawhammer up. Just need to get an idea that will work for me. No two people are alike...different. Need to find my nitch...love the way you sound on that banjo. Take a bow....maybe take two. Great!
I learned banjo initially from a Pete Seeger LP, which led off with up picking. People here have described up picking correctly as index picks up on a melody note, middle (maybe plus ring & pinky) strum down, thumb picks fifth. I suppose where the two first parts of the bum-ditty are up strokes, could be called up picking. I saw Hedy West do this years ago, but she, or someone, called it "scratch" picking--perhaps because the motion resembles scratching an itch on your skin. Clawhammer (or frailing), scratch, and up picking can all give the same bum-ditty rhythm, but with different timbres and emphases.
Ant, all finger style is up picking but the term has come to mean what is often and erroneously known as Seeger style which has been described above. But you're absolutely right, if you're not down picking you must be up picking :-)
Ant, all finger style is up picking but the term has come to mean what is often and erroneously known as Seeger style which has been described above. But you're absolutely right, if you're not down picking you must be up picking :-)
True. I am reading and using the Seeger book. Surprise!
On page 68,,,,he gives instructions on using finger picks!
On page 54, he gives instructions on two finger...index and thumb.like Chip does it.
Still reading...and trying diff things. Looking for my own nitch.
I figure there's many ways to play the banjo. So far, I like Chip's way.
Have not settled in one thing ONLY.
Guess I believe the banjo picker that said "You bought the banjo..play it anyway you want...there's no wrong way." Can't recall who said that. Makes sense. One size never has fit everybody.
My plan is easy. Find a way that I like and enjoy, and can play in the back seat of the car while waiting....or on my front porch swing. Above all...enjoy. Have fun. Some things come naturally for each of us. I am looking for *my* way.
I was curious about the designation of the term "up picking". I thought that Seeger style along with 2&3 finger old time styles and for that matter Strugg's style were all considered up picking.
Another thing I'm curious about is Nancy with 18000 posts and Janalov with 35000 posts. How do you find the time?
Anyway didn't want to hijack the thread. I tried the Seeger style for a while and I just couldn't get it to flow for me.
Pick on,
Paul
There's time always for things you want and need to do.
I get up about 3:30 or 4:00 mornings. Spend time talking to the Lord by the light of an oil lamp. Then my day begins. Lots of hours...to do anything that I want to do.
I have been a caregiver for 19 years...did it all *alone* and had no help. Still doing my job and doing it very well.
It's been good. My cabin and land is paid in full...and no debts at all except for utilities and car insurance. Life is good.
I mean that...LIFE IS GOOD. It's what you make of it. You can be as happy as you set your mind to being happy.
And now....I am back to learning banjo. Guess one never quits learning.
Nancy
This is my cabin. Where I reside..out in the middle of no where...love it. Just love it. 1875..about the same time that the Battle of Little Big Horn took place. Nails are 138 years old or so...
