Dowel - Posted - 02/15/2026:  23:58:04

Just wondering if anyone might be so kind to recommend some finger picks for 2finger old-time playing.

Thankyou

ob1 - Posted - 02/16/2026:  00:03:56

Doubtless there will be some who disagree with me ,but from my experience you can get a great resonant sound in just using your finger tips for old time picking. I do use finger picks when playing blue grass runs but I guess that it is a case of 'horses for courses'.

RomanS - Posted - 02/16/2026:  00:36:36

I'm originally a dobro (with fingerpicks) player, who started on banjo playing two finger thumb lead - I used bare fingers (most common for that style) but when I started playing with a band, I found that I wasn't loud & clear enough to "cut through", so I started using the fingerpicks I was familiar with from dobro (now I'm starting with Scruggs style - different story...)
I'm using Pro Piks Nr. 3 made from brass - brass picks have a warmer tone that might work better for old time music.
I find Pro Piks more comfortable than the traditional Dunlop/National shape ones, but for comfort it's most important you shape your fingerpicks well with needle nose pliers, so they sit on your fingers securely, without hurting them.
Fingerpicks definitely don't work straight out of the box, shaping them is absolutely essential!

banjobob36 - Posted - 02/16/2026:  04:27:42

SHELOR finger picks. Form finger picks around your fingers comfortably and securely before anything.

eagleisland - Posted - 02/16/2026:  04:29:05

I generally avoid recommendations on accessories - everyone has their favorites. Dialing in on a set of picks is part of the experience of learning the instrument, and too many people believe that the solution that they found for themselves is the one that will work for everyone. And this is absolutely NOT true.



With that said, I do actually have a "favorite" when it comes to fingerpicks for new players, and this is derived over more than a decade of teaching beginners.



I personally think that the split-band Pro-Piks offer some real advantages to new players. For one thing, the split bands make them the easiest pick I've seen to shape to your fingers. For another, they sit more deeply on the fingers than many picks, making it less likely for them to fly off your fingers in a moment of haste. Third, they sound pretty good.



There are different models of these, incorporating different metals and different blade shapes. To me, those are tertiary considerations at your stage - the whole thing is getting used to using finger picks and developing good tone and timing. The subtleties can be addressed later.



FTR, I used to use these picks. I've long since moved on to different ones that I personally like better (and no, I'm not going to say which).

 

Mickhammer - Posted - 02/16/2026:  04:54:22

Thumb-lead doesn't require finger picks, as you're picking with the flesh of your fingers, not your nails.

When I need more volume, I plug my banjo into an amp.