raymondjparker - Posted - 10/11/2025:  11:28:59

Looking for IDA RED Tab but 2 Finger Thumb lead/ Can anyone help.
Thanks !

jack_beuthin - Posted - 10/11/2025:  13:07:37

Here’s a thumb lead 2F version in A (standard G tuning, capo 2). You can easily modify it to suit your circumstances.

Edited by - jack_beuthin on 10/11/2025 13:11:02

Ida Red (2F)

 

banjered - Posted - 10/11/2025:  14:04:03

Jack, when you learned the bum-pause-dit-ty 2FTL style, was it challenging/difficult to switch to bum-pause-TY-dit where you basically hit the fifth string right after the bum, followed by the dit? It looks like it would be as tough as (I remember) learning the basic bum-pause-di-ty of standard clawhammer. I currently play a lot of slow ballads in 2FTL but my pattern is bum-dit-ty-bum, a 4/4 pattern without the pause of bum-pause-dit-ty. Although what you do is all good, my favorite is your Pretty Polly !Thanks! banjered

jack_beuthin - Posted - 10/11/2025:  15:08:24

quote:

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Originally posted by banjered

Jack, when you learned the bum-pause-dit-ty 2FTL style, was it challenging/difficult to switch to bum-pause-TY-dit where you basically hit the fifth string right after the bum, followed by the dit? It looks like it would be as tough as (I remember) learning the basic bum-pause-di-ty of standard clawhammer. I currently play a lot of slow ballads in 2FTL but my pattern is bum-dit-ty-bum, a 4/4 pattern without the pause of bum-pause-dit-ty. Although what you do is all good, my favorite is your Pretty Polly !Thanks! banjered

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banjered,  I don't recall that being my main challenge.  Getting used the thumb lead, after playing clawhammer and up picking for a long time took some muscle memory retraining.  But, when I came back to TL2F after a looooong time away, I started by just using my thumb to play beats, and alternating between a melody note and the fifth string (beats 1 and 3 were melody notes, beats 2 and 4 were 5th string drones). After I got comfortable with that, I started adding the first string with my finger on offbeats.  So, hitting the 5th string on the beat following the bum was burned into muscle memory. I also worked on bum-pinch a lot before using my finger on offbeats. Bum-pause-ty-dit as you call it was there from the get go (I often call it "note five-one").  Later I started adding in the bum pause dit ty, which is more akin to clawhammer, then I worked out how to switch between the two, as needed.  Like you, I use the four note roll as well, but I tend to mix it up quite a bit.  It does indeed make for nice rolling backup for singing ballads and such.  I often like to turn it into a square roll type pattern, where my finger alternates between the first and second string (eg, a 3-2-5-1 string pattern, or a 3-1-5-2 pattern, both using TFTF).

banjered - Posted - 10/11/2025:  20:06:15

Thanks Jack! I'll see where 2FTL carries me.... Best! banjered

raymondjparker - Posted - 10/12/2025:  06:07:40

Jack_- Wonderful. Many Thanks !! Switched to 2F TL recently--from clawhammer. I like the "texture" of 2FTL .

jack_beuthin - Posted - 10/12/2025:  08:12:24

quote:

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Originally posted by raymondjparker

Jack_- Wonderful. Many Thanks !! Switched to 2F TL recently--from clawhammer. I like the "texture" of 2FTL .

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Have fun Ray. If you are not aware, I have a playlist on my YouTube channel titled, "Two finger banjo with tabs", currently with 93 videos.  Each video is me playing a tune/song, and in each video description there is a link to a corresponding tab stored here on the Banjo Hangout.  I have similar playlists for other styles too, and a bunch of lesson videos too.  Anyway, I hope you get some use from my 2F playlist.

Two finger banjo with twbs: youtube.com/playlist?list=PL00...7Di2KiK4j

raymondjparker - Posted - 10/12/2025:  11:03:45

This is wonderful. Cant thank you enough. I learned quite a few these on clawhammer; but fell for 2FTL and that's it for me. Good luck and thanks again.
Ray