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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/406256
jaypol - Posted - 12/01/2025: 09:54:01
My right thumbnail catches on the string when I am striking it. Yes, I have cut the nail down as far as I can. Any advice to correct this?
RG - Posted - 12/01/2025: 10:04:00
Adjust your angle of attack, or just keep trying things until you stop catching your thumb? Physiology precludes a one size fits all solution to playing the banjo, or any musical instrument for that matter. Good luck.
pinenut - Posted - 12/01/2025: 10:48:59
Hi Joyce,
That hurts; I know. Once it starts, it doesn't just go away with clipping, filing and angle of attack; it takes a day or three.
If it's really driving you nuts; a little super glue (smoothed,,, application technique matters), tape or a clunky band-aid can be sorta-helpful too.
Keep the right thumb nail clipped short, then, file it shorter and smooth the edges. Do this to the left hand fretting fingers too.
And, like @RG says, shift your play style (regardless, it still happens occasionally).
Cheers.
Edited by - pinenut on 12/01/2025 10:57:13
Tim Jumper - Posted - 12/01/2025: 16:30:27
I also hate it when that happens, but I agree with RG: adjust the angle of attack.
This might involve arching, or flattening, the wrist.
It's a solvable problem.
Lew H - Posted - 12/02/2025: 10:05:31
My thumb is pretty much parallel to the strings vertically and horizontally when I claw the banjo. I've never had a problem with that. For 2 or 3 finger, my thumb is about 70 degrees off the horizontal for intentionally picking with the nail.
Dan Gellert - Posted - 12/02/2025: 11:10:38
Different strokes, as the saying goes. Bob Flesher played clawhammer/stroke style using his thumb nail, which he kept quite long. A lot of his right-hand technique is what I'd usually call "wrong" (not talking about the tricks and sight gags), but it sounds very right indeed, which all that really matters!
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