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Please note this is an archived topic, so it is locked and unable to be replied to. You may, however, start a new topic and refer to this topic with a link: http://www.banjohangout.org/archive/396437
banjolander - Posted - 03/22/2024: 09:13:50
The cover of the March issue of Bluegrass Unlimited Magazine features a picture of Jerry Garcia that seems to show that he has all five fingers on his right hand. But Jerry lost most of his middle finger due to a childhood hatchet mishap. So, he learned to play bluegrass banjo with his thumb, index, and ring fingers.
He is one of a group of professional banjo players who have overcome challenges of missing or non-functional fingers to have or continue successful musical careers. Many have developed unique styles because of their handicap and have added to the rich tapestry of bluegrass music.
I have played the banjo for a long time, but as I have grown older, arthritis in my hands has threatened to limit my playing of the music that I love. As a result, my list of banjo heroes has adjusted lately to include banjo pickers succeeding to work through obstacles especially with their hands.
My banjo heroes list now includes Jerry Garcia, of course, but also Nick Hornbuckle, Tom Adams, Eddie Adcock, Dave Hum, Barry Abernathy, and Emory Martin (one armed banjo player touring with Uncle Dave Macon). I am sure there are many others.
These folks should be recognized for their contribution to bluegrass and their inspiration to folks like me who are dealing with their own issues.
danielburdett - Posted - 03/22/2024: 09:30:24
I broke the middle finger on my right hand and had to have my finger in a splint for a number of weeks. During that time I used my ring finger to pick, instead of my middle. After I took the splint off I realized that my middle finger healed a little crooked, so I kept picking with my ring finger, like Jerry. I’ve played like that for years and it hasn’t changed my playing much at all.
Texasbanjo - Posted - 03/22/2024: 11:06:32
I have degenerative arthritis in my hands/fingers and as I grow older, the middle finger on my right hand has begun to deform and head off towards my index finger. I have had to adjust my playing where that finger hits the strings as it should. I've found the brain/finger(s) have an amazing ability to compensate for such happenings. I can't play as fast as I used to, and some breakdowns up the neck are impossible because of arthritis, but I can and do still pick and sing and enjoy what I can do.
There used to be a gentleman that came to our festivals who was called the fingerless fiddler. He could play a mean fiddle and did pretty good on a guitar. It was amazing to watch him pick and see how he compensated for those missing fingers.
Where there's a will, there's a way.
Culloden - Posted - 03/22/2024: 11:37:58
I used to play occasionally with a Dobro player who has no fingers on his right hand. He has a little nub to fit a thumb pick on and that's all.
He's not a great Dobro player but he does surprisingly well. There is no substitute for determination.
gcpicken - Posted - 03/28/2024: 10:02:04
If you watch Jerry Reed play the banjo, you will see that he tucks his index finger up, i.e., he plays thumb, middle, ring. I don’t know why, but it sure don’t hold him back none!
Ira Gitlin - Posted - 03/29/2024: 06:38:01
quote:
Originally posted by gcpickenIf you watch Jerry Reed play the banjo, you will see that he tucks his index finger up, i.e., he plays thumb, middle, ring. I don’t know why, but it sure don’t hold him back none!
Sounds like it might be a habit carried over from "hybrid picking", where you use a flatpick when playing guitar, but also use your fingers. Of course, you can't use the index when doing so, because it's helping to hold the flatpick.
I do that a lot on guitar. You can see what it looks like here: youtube.com/watch?v=KCQytxwTl3I
Edited by - Ira Gitlin on 03/29/2024 06:39:17
gcpicken - Posted - 03/29/2024: 07:50:07
quote:
Originally posted by Ira Gitlinquote:
Originally posted by gcpickenIf you watch Jerry Reed play the banjo, you will see that he tucks his index finger up, i.e., he plays thumb, middle, ring. I don’t know why, but it sure don’t hold him back none!
Sounds like it might be a habit carried over from "hybrid picking", where you use a flatpick when playing guitar, but also use your fingers. Of course, you can't use the index when doing so, because it's helping to hold the flatpick.
I do that a lot on guitar. You can see what it looks like here: youtube.com/watch?v=KCQytxwTl3I
Understood - and that's a great video - LOVE the reverb - I think you could play in the Po' Ramblin' Boys with that outfit! . I saw Sammy Shelor and the LRB last weekend at a festival and he brought Rod (Riley?) along for some telegrass.
Owen - Posted - 03/29/2024: 08:31:01
Off onto a tangent [again] ... A while back [guessing 1 to 2 years] a BHOer had posted about injuring his index finger badly [jammed a piece of metal into it ??] and had asked about learning to pick with M and R. If I recall correctly he had posted a couple of pics [with "be forewarned"]. At that time he was also wondering about getting it amputated.
Anyhoo, in an effort to re-connect, I've done several << "searches" but so far nada.
If anybody can give me a lead about who the guy was and/or his contact info, I'd be mucho appreciative.
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