gabeyjo - Posted - 11/05/2025:  04:47:31

Hi Banjo Hangout community! First time poster here -- I just started banjo beginning of this year, and clawhammer has really dug it's claw into my soul! The question main question is at the end, but I have a bit of a "forward" for context, since I don't mean this to be the usual "pointer or middle finger" question.



When first starting, I went through this rabbit hole trying to think of which finger to use for my downstroke. The middle finger felt better for my hand, but most videos I saw were people using their index finger. After hours of looking into it, trying to figure out which was more right, I realized I was researching more than playing! In the end, I decided on one fact: do the thing that feels right and sparks more joy XD standardization is arbitrary, there is no one way.

I figured, that was that. And I put this away in a box without regrets. I have had a year of joyful playing with my middle fingernail as my down stroke, without feeling limited at all by that choice.

__

I then came across this video from Abigail Washburn, where she talks about how she uses both fingers in her clawhammer pattern -- pointer finger for the "bum" on the second string, middle for the "dit" in her bum ditty on the first string. Maybe for speed, feeling, color? (time-stamped video for reference: youtu.be/RzPxMq56qzQ?si=i6Mwd0...&t=47)

It interested me so much, and as far as my (very limited!) research ability could tell, I see no one else talking about that. Some posts here I found with polls on who uses which finger, but no one talking about both (though I could just not have the right terminology for the search!). I started to grow out my pointer nail, and experimented on tunes with just pointer, just middle, and switching. Now that my bum ditty is more solid than when starting, it was not too difficult to change, and there are definitely lots of color choices that comes out of that!

So there was my long pre(r)amble, now the QUESTIONS:

Anyone else vary their down stroke nail? What effects do you get from it? Anyone know of recordings of other players who do this, or who do a similar pattern to Abigail?

Looking forward to hearing from the community on this =)

Tim Jumper - Posted - 11/05/2025:  06:57:57

I use my middle finger exclusively, having found that my index and ring fingernails produce a very different -- and weaker -- sound on all the strings, probably owing to differences in their shapes.
On slower songs and tunes I occasionally use my index finger -- up-stroking -- on the off-beats of eighth-note pairs.
The best advice to follow is the old "Do what works for you."

trapdoor2 - Posted - 11/05/2025:  07:14:35

I switch if I injure my index (woodworker, mechanic, it happens). I never noticed any significant change. However, I use my middle and ring to "cluck"...and can't without them.

slc - Posted - 11/05/2025:  07:15:34

Many (most?) experienced players use both index and middle for downstroke, though likely with a bit of variation.

A big "pro" btw Is just having an alternative if you say break the nail on your primary finger. It also distributes the "work" a little.



For me (started index only), I just decided to give it a try, and practiced alternating fingers on the first string. For yucks I also practiced using my ring and even pinky finger - those aren't so great for notes haha. 

Nowadays I use both index and middle regularly, with the index mostly on the inner strings, middle mostly on the first. There's an efficiency here with the middle being slightly longer; one doesn't have to reach quite as far with the hand. If one plays hard for some hours (festival, playing a dance), small efficiencies make a real difference. 

I haven't canvased, but I suspect many do it this way?

If I'm playing a bunch of notes on the first string I'll often alternate between index and middle.

Regarding brushes (since you mentioned Abigail Washington). It depends on the  sound I want, but I mostly use middle and ring fingers together. That said, there are many, MANY ways to do a brush - different fingers, different strings, different speed, different direction, different angle etc etc - something I've lately been discovering more in my own playing. 

Hope that helps!

tonygo - Posted - 11/05/2025:  07:20:17

My advice is to learn to use both fingers. Do some everyday. Also learn to use an inverted finger pick on your index or ring so that you have the option if you need it. If you do it for a few years you will have skills that will come in.... handy.

lucas73b - Posted - 11/05/2025:  08:07:12

When I use the middle finger I have the feeling that the unused index gets in the way when double thumbing. Therefore I am far more comfortable with using the index.

AM - Posted - 11/05/2025:  08:34:34

I started with my index finger, then worked in the middle finger with it together to form the 'cluck' sound.



I later transitioned into a style similar to what you are describing for Abigail Washburn. It's mostly a comfort thing. I do feel more comfortable with a stronger note from my index finger, so if I'm making a melody note or a downbeat note I might choose to make it with my index finger regardless of the string.



There is nothing I'm doing with two fingers that I couldn't be doing with one finger. Whatever is comfortable and able to make the sound you are looking for is what I would recommend. Perfecting the sound and rhythm with one finger would be a better use of time than learning to use two when you're starting out. My using two fingers happened organically, and wasn't something I endeavored to do.



As for using your middle or index, it's all comfort and preference. Everyone has different hands.

Edited by - AM on 11/05/2025 08:35:53

Mickhammer - Posted - 11/05/2025:  10:42:18

I started with the Perlman book, which means I started with the middle finger. But I only really started to make progress when I switched to my index finger (and Sawmill tuning) - it just feels more natural to me (ditto for the tuning, although, thanks to Jim Pankey's videos, I'm having a blast exploring Double C these days*). I'm guessing a lot of this is about morphology.



That said, I often use both fingers (and often all four) for different effects. Since I don't play old style (other than to learn new techniques), I've had to invent my own way of doing things. I'm influenced by Wilko Johnson's guitar style, for example.



I came across the Washburn video the other day and that was something of a discovery. I'm working on the roll she describes, which has an interesting sound all on its own.

(*Definitely check out Jim Pankey's walkthroughs ! Here's a whole playlist: youtube.com/watch?v=NqUYXbq7yW...P-Sg8NR7k )

Edited by - Mickhammer on 11/05/2025 10:48:26

Bill Rogers - Posted - 11/05/2025:  12:45:17

I have used index finger in the inside strings and middle on the 1st since before Abigail Washburn was born. I came to that approach after the typical trial and error on which finger to lead with. Since clawhammer is a hand motion, I can play all strings with either finger (and even my ring finger, though that’s jus a stunt As the posts here show, each of us plays clawhammer in a way that works for that person. That’s what matters.

Hoosieroldtime - Posted - 11/21/2025:  11:00:54

After a year of learning with only the middle I've now been using the index a lot more. Double thumbing with the middle is easier for me, but the clucks are a lot better with the index. Different strings sound different or are easier with different fingers. I've recently found myself switching between fingers without thinking about it.

You're on the money by deciding to do what feels right and fun. My mentality is feel the groove and don't think too much

Joel Hooks - Posted - 11/21/2025:  12:17:17

The reason middle was the choice of the folk revival generation was due to Pete Seeger. He used his middle as that was part of his basic strum pattern.

This caught on and became the standard. Prior to Seeger's book, pretty much every mention of "stroke style" or "banjo style" used the index dating back to 1855.

*Fun bonus fact, in Seeger's book "clawhammer" meant three finger picking.

banjo bill-e - Posted - 11/21/2025:  14:00:18

I usually play melody notes with first finger and "bum ditties" with middle finger. I get more volume with first finger, which is wanted for melody but I prefer a toned down "ditty." But honestly I don't think anyone but me would notice.

Lew H - Posted - 11/26/2025:  14:38:25

I pick with index and dit or strum with the middle also. I like fuller strums to accompany singing for a richer backup. But I don't drop thumb, and I've been accused with the words "That's not clawhammer. That's flat picking or something."

cow_tools - Posted - 11/26/2025:  15:03:51

I gravitated towards middle when I first started learning because I found it much easier to play with a completely relaxed hand. Since the middle and ring fingers are a bit longer than index I found I had to tuck them away a bit to keep them out of the way, and this caused a little unnecessary tension in my hand holding them in that position. Later on I started becoming dissatisfied with the tone I was getting when playing close to the neck/over the fretboard, so now I'm going back and learning to play with my index for when I want to play in that position.