Aargus - Posted - 06/28/2015:  06:02:39

Hey all

Just wanted to ask if anyone knows any stretches for my left hand. I have trouble getting my fingers to stretch around the neck to do pull off, hammer on's and any chords on the 4th string. it would be near impossible at the moment to fret on the 5th. Any advice would help and be appreciated.

Side note, my middle finger tip is sore as buggery, but time will harden it up. Thanks gang

God Bless

steve davis - Posted - 06/28/2015:  06:33:10

I fret the 4th string with my thumb quite often.

If your banjo's action is high this will make fretting much more difficult.



It would help to know how much clearance there is between the top of the 1st fret and the strings over it.

Any clearance greater than .020 inch increases difficulty (pain) when fretting.



Also,how high are the strings over the 22nd (last) fret?

Good practice is simply to continue attempting to form the full chords.

Construct them one clear sounding note at a time until the full form is realized.

Edited by - steve davis on 06/28/2015 06:36:55

Fathand - Posted - 06/28/2015:  06:39:33

Best stretching exercise I know is to make movable closed chords like the full F and D formations.  If the stretch is too much at the first or 2nd fret move them up to the 7th and 8th fret or elswhere and move them back down later. Also try barre chord 7th formation with the 1st string 3 frets higher and various minor and other movable closed chords. Play them in songs and you will be working on backup at the same time.

SteveMurtha - Posted - 06/28/2015:  09:35:43

Here's a stretch exercise I stole from Aaron Shearer's classical guitar method- start on the 12th fret (or higher if needed,) 1st finger on 1st string 12th fret, 2nd finger on 2nd string 13th fret, 3rd finger on 3rd string, 14th fret, and 4th finger on 4th string, 15th fret. Play any roll that uses strings 1-4. Then, without lifting or moving any other finger, stretch the 1st finger back one fret to 11th fret, and roll again. Then stretch the 2nd finger back one fret to 12th fret, and roll again. Then stretch the 3rd finger back one fret to 13th fret, roll, and shift the 4th finger back one fret to 14th fret. You will now have the same chord shape as you started with, but one fret lower. Continue the process until you reach the first position, or as far as you can manage. Make sure when you roll that every note is clear and clean.
It is helpful to notice which stretch is the most awkward. For me, it's the stretch between the 2nd and 3rd finger, so I will also practice hammering on between those fingers:
_____________5-7
________5-7____
____5-7________
5-7_____________

with fingers 2 and 3.

Texasbanjo - Posted - 06/28/2015:  09:54:17

How are you  holding  your banjo with your left hand?  I have very small hands/fingers and have no problem reaching over to the 4th fret to slide, hammer, etc.

If you are a beginner (and it sounds like you are), many beginners tend to "strangle" the neck of the banjo trying to get clean, clear notes/chords.  Doesn't work.  Try this:  put the fleshy part of your thumb on the back of the neck of the banjo and arch your wrist over the fretboard (limp wrist arch).  Your fingers should be in about the correct position to make 4 finger chords or do slides or hammers or whatever.  Are you using a strap to help hold up the neck of the banjo so you don't have to use your left hand to do so?  If not, get a strap and use it whether sitting or standing so it will free up your left hand to do what it needs to do. 

As far as fretting on the 5th string, a lot of people use their thumb to do that.  Unfortunately, that doesn't work for me, so I use whatever finger is available -- usually it's the pinkie but sometimes it's the index.  I find I don't fret the 5th very often unless  I'm doing some melodic thing where I need "color" added to the tune.   If i can't figure out how to fret the 5th, I figure out how to use the 1st string fretted instead.  It usually works. 

rickhayes - Posted - 06/28/2015:  10:38:16

The stretching exercises in the video linked below are some of the best I've seen.

youtube.com/watch?v=TSrfB7JIzxY

Tam_Zeb - Posted - 06/28/2015:  12:26:50

Check out Alan Munde's website, bottom of the page left side.

almundesbanjocollege.com/dvds/

drew-gurbach - Posted - 06/28/2015:  12:48:56

Hi Steve!  I'm in my 50's and the fingers are starting to tighten up.  You know, it's funny, when we were kids playing sports we spent so much time stretching and loosening up... but I can NEVER remember doing the same thing BEFORE picking!  Of course, now, that my range of motion is starting to diminish, I start my playing experience with some finger stretching and warm-up.  Do what works for you.

Aargus - Posted - 06/28/2015:  14:55:46

Thanks everyone, yes I'm a beginner, 2 months on now, still practicing rolls but started on the first 2 licks of foggy mountain breakdown last night just to keep me interested. Trouble is I have fallen in love with the sound of the banjo so much I just want to extend myself. Might be too early on in my playing but if I don't challnge my self it quickly becomes mundane. SO if I ask dumb questions please bear with me. I'm trying to work it all out. Thanks again.

drew-gurbach - Posted - 06/28/2015:  16:26:19

quote:

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Originally posted by Aargus

 

SO if I ask dumb questions please bear with me. I'm trying to work it all out. Thanks again.

---

Don't EVER worry about that here... there's a few know-it-all's... but the vast majority of folks here wont give you a rough time.  Enjoy the journey!  - Drew

steve davis - Posted - 06/29/2015:  06:23:16

The fretting of chords is one of the more difficult/frustrating aspects of learning to play.



Slowly training the fingers to move in new ways is akin to learning how to walk.

Achieving total command of your fretting fingers is a glorious "lightbulb" moment.It kinda just happens all at once.



Pain can be an indicator of pushing too hard,too soon.

Try and relax while you play.Take it easy.



Get your banjo set up as good as it can be in string action height,for instance.

Edited by - steve davis on 06/29/2015 06:23:54

drew-gurbach - Posted - 06/29/2015:  16:25:11

quote:

---

Originally posted by steve davis

 

The fretting of chords is one of the more difficult/frustrating aspects of learning to play.



Slowly training the fingers to move in new ways is akin to learning how to walk.

Achieving total command of your fretting fingers is a glorious "lightbulb" moment.It kinda just happens all at once.



Pain can be an indicator of pushing too hard,too soon.

Try and relax while you play.Take it easy.



Get your banjo set up as good as it can be in string action height,for instance.

---

I would also humbly add lighter gaged strings.  You'd be surprised at the added relief you're left hand gets.

Tim13 - Posted - 06/30/2015:  03:46:55

quote:

---

Originally posted by drew-gurbach

I would also humbly add lighter gaged strings.  You'd be surprised at the added relief you're left hand gets.

---

The other advantage to light strings is they are easy to bend, and move in general.  This forces you to use good technique right from the beginning, as sloppy technique will likely result in bending the strings sharp, or unintentionally pulling the 1st string off the edge of the fret board.

Tim

JStuart - Posted - 07/01/2015:  01:58:55

I do a fair bit of work with my hands (have done throughout my life) and now find that they are a bit stiff after a day's work, especially in cooler weather (we're in winter here now). Soaking them in warm water for a few minutes and stretching them can help flexibility and relaxation quite a bit too Steve. Even simple chords can be challenging to begin with, but you'll get there...