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BamBam6942 - Posted - 03/03/2024: 12:15:53
When you're playing thumb lead do you use picks? Are there pros and cons or is it just something that isn't done?
jack_beuthin - Posted - 03/03/2024: 13:02:07
I generally do not wear a thumb pick, but many people do. Personal choice, or it could also depend if you are in a situation where you need to cut through better.
RG - Posted - 03/03/2024: 13:15:47
Completely personal choice, I don't use them...
Bill Rogers - Posted - 03/03/2024: 13:46:06
Generally not—because I will switch from two-(or three-) finger to clawhammer in the same tune. I also have very strong nails. .... This example is three-finger, but it makes the point. Just couldn't work wearing a thumbpick. (The seconod break is fingerpicked.)
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thisoldman - Posted - 03/03/2024: 14:07:01
I started my banjo with a short lived attempt at claw hammer, then discovered 2FTL. Nobody I watched in the (few at the time) videos used picks, so I didn't even think about picks. Bonus is that your playing isn't overly loud, so you don't need to worry about offending any one else's ears. Now I mostly play Tony Ellis tunes, where there are parts of a few tunes that are arranged for 2FTL, and I just leave my picks on. I have Eddie Collins book of fiddle tunes arranged BG/Scruggs style, and I pick those bare fingered on the open back banjo I leave in the living room.
banjo bill-e - Posted - 03/03/2024: 16:05:31
Currently play TFTL without picks but I'm trying to learn to use them as I am now playing in some acoustic jams with my guitar and would like to bring the banjo for a tune or two but it would get lost without picks. My greatest difficulty so far is that my 5th is way too loud right now when playing with a thumb pick.
janolov - Posted - 03/03/2024: 23:37:11
I don't use picks, because I often change between finger picking and clawhammer.
Mivo - Posted - 03/10/2024: 21:14:33
I don't. Actually, it's weird. The moment I put on finger picks, my brain goes into three-finger picking mode and I start to use the middle finger for the first string even when playing a two-finger piece. Without picks, I automatically use the index finger on that string. It doesn't really make sense, but that is what happens.
