Ray17 - Posted - 07/09/2022:  00:42:41

Hi everyone, two weeks ago I bought an open back banjo, I have always played the guitar and perhaps for this reason I find myself in difficulty with the fifth string, that is, when I play the fourth I go to the fifth and vice versa. Is there a method for no more messing around? Thanks for all the advice you will give me.

carlb - Posted - 07/09/2022:  05:38:45

Just remember that the 5th string is sounded as the hand is moving upward (i.e. recovering for the next downward motion).

raybob - Posted - 07/09/2022:  08:43:55

I had guitar techniques wanting to creep into my banjo playing too when I started. Most notably was the tendency to play the 5th on the beat because that's usually what one does when fingerpicking the guitar. It went away after a time. What I would suggest is to get a book, if you don't already have one, or take some lessons. IOW, follow a structured plan to learn how to play the banjo and practice often, and put the guitar aside for awhile. Once your brain gets used to the banjo your skills will be more compartmentalized, and you'll be able to go back and forth between instruments without much crossover. Have fun!

Ray17 - Posted - 07/09/2022:  09:52:35

My biggest problem is not with the rhythm but with the index finger I hit the notes on the fourth string instead I hit the fifth string

janolov - Posted - 07/09/2022:  10:00:34

Do you play the fifth string with the index?

Ray17 - Posted - 07/09/2022:  10:10:05

I play the fifth string with my thumb but when I play D string I make a mistake and hit the fifth string

TN Time - Posted - 07/09/2022:  10:28:13

Practice.

Robert

kd8tzc - Posted - 07/09/2022:  10:41:02

I agree with Robert. I'm new to playing the banjo too, and when I first started, I was constantly missing the fifth string. One of the things I noticed on my bluegrass banjo though was also that the 5th string was much lower than the rest of the strings. Possibly check this too, but I suspect that me being new to banjo playing had more to do with it than the string height as the height of the string where you pick should be all fairly close to the same height at that point.

banjo bill-e - Posted - 07/09/2022:  11:04:05

Then play as slowly as necessary while watching what you do and make yourself do it right, over and over, until you don't have to watch your hands any more. Then begin speeding up.

Dan Gellert - Posted - 07/10/2022:  17:15:12

quote:

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Originally posted by TN Time

Practice.



Robert

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That is the most important factor, but a bridge with wider string spacing (or cutting the appropriate slots in the one you have) can make things a bit easier.

Ray17 - Posted - 07/10/2022:  21:06:07

This is truly a great idea! can i find a bridge with wider string spacing? Thanks Robert.

Dan Gellert - Posted - 07/12/2022:  11:05:24

quote:

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Originally posted by Ray17

This is truly a great idea! can i find a bridge with wider string spacing? Thanks Robert.

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If you have a razor saw (like an Xacto saw) you can cut some more slots in the one you have.

There are several folks on the Marketplace selling custom bridges.  See what they have.  The "JD Crowe" spacing is 1-3/4", which is just 1/16 wider than the "standard" 1-11/16.  I usually cut mine ~ 1-7/8".... (1st to 5th string)

I keep my strings about equally spaced, but I've seen bridges with extra room between the 4th and 5th strings.

Edited by - Dan Gellert on 07/12/2022 11:09:54

Ray17 - Posted - 07/12/2022:  11:33:38

Thanks Dan for the advice, i do

chip arnold - Posted - 07/12/2022:  12:16:22

Practice SLOWLY until you have it down, then speed up just a little until you have it down again. Rinse and repeat. New players often play too fast.

Ray17 - Posted - 07/12/2022:  12:18:50

Thanks!