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/398421
brian wood - Posted - 07/18/2024: 15:18:01
Maybe this is an odd notion, but are there any techniques for practicing right hand movement, rolls or whatever, without an instrument in your hand? I can almost imagine a hand therapy foam block, for instance, shaped to put your fingers and thumb in a picking position that could be held or worn while you did other things, and help you to to memorize repetitious movements with only minimal conscious attention.
Edited by - brian wood on 07/18/2024 15:18:48
Culloden - Posted - 07/18/2024: 16:10:18
There was a device at one time which was made just for the purpose you described. It was a small wooden box with five strings stretched across a bridge and tuned to pitch with zither pins. I wish I remembered the name of it but I didn't take it seriously when I saw it.
Old Hickory - Posted - 07/18/2024: 16:11:43
Banjo Picking Trainer has been around for a while.
But seems to me someone used to sell something that was the same idea only less sophisticated. Not much more than five strings on a slab of wood.
I'll occasionally drum my fingers on a table top or the steering wheel. I'll do this (not on a steering wheel) when reading through a tablature without a banjo in hand.
None of this is exactly what you're asking about. I'm not aware of any device designed to keep your hand in good picking position.
From The Basement - Posted - 07/18/2024: 16:40:15
I had that banjo board quite a few years ago.
Not even sure what happened to it.
I used to take it to work with me and practice rolls.
You could make one that would do the same thing.
Culloden - Posted - 07/18/2024: 17:58:30
The items that Ken and Scott showed are pretty much the same thing I had seen before. If I remember correctly, the one I saw had a sound hole in it.
You can tune it to the proper pitches and practice rolls.
Laurence Diehl - Posted - 07/18/2024: 18:07:35
The way I memorize repetitive movements is simply to play tunes but I suppose there’s no harm in giving it a try!
'I'm Liberated!' 1 hr
'Mahog bow tie.' 13 hrs
