Gorwel Owen - Posted - 10/11/2025:  04:04:01

Firstly, thanks for accepting me to the group. I've been dabbling for a few years but started taking lessons and taking a more serious approach - an hour or two playing a day - since retiring a few months ago.

Anyway, I play clawhammer with my middle finger. I tried both to begin with and this felt more comfortable. I didn't pay much attention to my index finger and it sticks out a little. I've just bought Ken Perlman's 'Everything you wanted...' book and, quite early on he says that this ('pistol finger') is not good practice. I've started trying to correct it, but I'm noticing that my hand tenses up quite a bit. I guess this is normal when changing a well-established technique but welcome any views on this issue from other middle-finger players. Thanks!

One of the main reasons I'm posting here is that I've noticed quite a bit of pain in my index finger and wondered if this might be a reason for it, though could be barking up the wrong tree here!

Bob Buckingham - Posted - 10/11/2025:  05:08:40

Welcome to the hangout. I use index and middle on brushes and go for the melody with either finger but then I guess I'm not normal. Ken is very particular about everything he does so take it with a grain or salt. Be comfortable and consistent. You will find your way.

Gorwel Owen - Posted - 10/11/2025:  05:40:28

Thanks Bob. I guess that none of us are 'normal'. ;-)

It feels very comfortable for me with my index finger pointing out a little but I got a bit obsessed with the pain. IT's not a great pain but don't want to set up problems for later. Of course, the pain might have absolutely nothing to do with this - I may have knocked it without noticing and/or general age-related arthritis.

dbrooks - Posted - 10/11/2025:  08:11:22

Like you, I use my middle finger on downstrokes and my index finger sticks out a little, enough to stay out of the way.  I started with my index finger but liked the sound I got from my middle finger. Josh Turknett and Dan Levenson fall into this camp as well.

Clawhammer Banjo: Tune (and Tab) of the Week - "Cold Frosty Morn" (or Morning)

Dan Levenson plays Spotted Pony, clawhammer banjo

Don't know what to say about the pain.  I doubt that it's related to your playing style, but who knows?  Hope it clears up.

David

Gorwel Owen - Posted - 10/11/2025:  08:32:59

Thanks very much David,

I don't think I'm going to worry too much about it having looked at that clip of Josh where the index finger is well extended, much further than mine is. If I recall correctly, he's a medic during the day too, so would be well aware of any potential problems. I think I'm grasping at straws with the pain, but good to get some opinions here.

I'm getting a lot out of Ken's book though, and only a few pages in.

Cheers,
Gorwel

banjered - Posted - 10/11/2025:  09:47:27

A relaxed right hand is a long term goal of good Clawhammer. One downside to a pistol index is that I suspect it would largely if not entirely cancel out the "cluck" latter on. Check out youtube.com/shorts/Uxxp0Zch1Dw if you are wondering what-the-cluck is all about. banjered

Gorwel Owen - Posted - 10/11/2025:  09:57:25

Thanks Tom.