henk - Posted - 04/16/2023:  07:22:28

Hello,
I’m experiencing some troubles with Pull offs. I struggle to keep them “subtle” i have the idea that it is caused by my rugged fingertips (not damaged as in teared more like sandpaper) that the string kinda keeps hanging on my skin and does a ploing when it comes loose. Making a out of order loud sound.
It doesn’t seem to be affected by speed.

I tried pressing softer on the fretboard to the point its almost muted but it also doesn’t matter.

I hope someone had this too and there is i fix i haven’t thought about.

Texasbanjo - Posted - 04/16/2023:  08:09:29

Grow your fingernail long enough to be able to pull off using the fingernail instead of the fleshy part of the finger. Or, if that's not possible, try using a hand lotion to soften those rough fingers. Working Hands is one made specially for dry, cracked hands/fingers.



Or.... your problem might be you're not pulling off fast enough and forceful enough to get that crack that you want. Try pulling off faster, harder for a little while, see if that helps. If not, try the hand lotion.

I've always thought pull offs should be fast, quick and loud, not subtle.   I guess it is according to what sound you want to get.  

Edited by - Texasbanjo on 04/16/2023 08:11:04

Wyrd - Posted - 04/16/2023:  09:06:55

It might be helpful if you were willing and able to post a video--sometimes we don't realize what we're doing that is making things sound "off"!

gcpicken - Posted - 04/16/2023:  10:21:40

1. I use a rotary tool like nail techs use on fingernails, to buzz off the calluses on my fingertips. I’m not sure if that is responsive to your post.
2. What happens when you do a PUSH-off?

gcpicken - Posted - 04/16/2023:  13:04:32

I just re-read your post. Is it possible that the “ploink” is from the adjacent string. In other words, on a 3-2 pulloff, could you be making contact with the second string?

Wobba - Posted - 04/16/2023:  16:40:32

I suspect that you might be hitting the string below the one you're pulling off from. That sound doesn't work for Bluegrass, but if you're playing Old Time it's not bad. Sorta like the clawhammer cluck. I do it on purpose with a pullout sometimes for the effect, like the cluck. But I play 2 Finger Thumb Lead.

henk - Posted - 04/17/2023:  11:19:18

quote:

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Originally posted by Texasbanjo

Grow your fingernail long enough to be able to pull off using the fingernail instead of the fleshy part of the finger. Or, if that's not possible, try using a hand lotion to soften those rough fingers. Working Hands is one made specially for dry, cracked hands/fingers.



Or.... your problem might be you're not pulling off fast enough and forceful enough to get that crack that you want. Try pulling off faster, harder for a little while, see if that helps. If not, try the hand lotion.

I've always thought pull offs should be fast, quick and loud, not subtle.   I guess it is according to what sound you want to get.  

---

Thanks all for replying!

I get to much of a crack sometimes so that wouldn't be it i think. I just tried but it is even getting louder when more force. The nail is i think doing the same sound that i mean, trying it now. 

Subtle is maybe the wrong word for it and should i say in line what i'm playing. I'll try the lotion or sanding down option see what that does. 

Thanks. 

henk - Posted - 04/17/2023:  11:27:35

quote:

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Originally posted by Wobba

I suspect that you might be hitting the string below the one you're pulling off from. That sound doesn't work for Bluegrass, but if you're playing Old Time it's not bad. Sorta like the clawhammer cluck. I do it on purpose with a pullout sometimes for the effect, like the cluck. But I play 2 Finger Thumb Lead.

---

I'm doing clawhammer/seeger style.

But in this case its not that. I'm having trouble, reason starting this post, also on the 1st string. I also feel my finger not sliding off the string but pulling it on my skin and shooting loose creating the ploink more than a clear sound. Thanks for you reply though. 

 

Edited by - henk on 04/17/2023 11:34:14