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Bob Murphy - Posted - 03/23/2026: 12:24:44
In the last several weeks, when picking with my middle finger, my ring finger, which used to stay planted on the banjo head, moves toward the strings and has been muting the first string. It’s very frustrating.
Anyone else experience this and if so, how do you deal with it?
The Old Timer - Posted - 03/23/2026: 13:16:36
Well I'm 72 and have been playing for 60 years. In the last few years I've found I can't keep my ring finger down on the head like I always used to. It's not muting the 1st string however, so I'm not worried about it.
If I make a conscious effort to keep the ring finger down on the head (and not pay attention to what I'm picking) I find my ring fingernail makes a slight scratching noise on the head. Which it never used to do. So I'm happier having it not touch.
BTW, picking with NO fingers touching the head gives a rather pleasing sonorous tone! But that can't be right!
eagleisland - Posted - 03/23/2026: 13:27:41
quote:
Originally posted by Bob Murphy
In the last several weeks, when picking with my middle finger, my ring finger, which used to stay planted on the banjo head, moves toward the strings and has been muting the first string. It’s very frustrating.
Anyone else experience this and if so, how do you deal with it?
This topic has been discussed many times before. You do not NEED to keep your ring finger on the head if it doesn't feel natural to you. It did for Earl, and he specifically discussed this point in his book - and also said that if it doesn't work for you, don't fight to do it.
Many superb players plant only one finger - not limited to Alison Brown and Sammy Shelor.
Texasbanjo - Posted - 03/23/2026: 14:06:21
I have a similar problem. I used to hold both ring and pinkie on the head. A few years ago, I found the ring finger just didn't want to stay put. It bothered me at first, but I got used to it and now, I put both fingers down and if that ring finger comes up, it doesn't bother me. It doesn't mute or touch the first string, so I just don't worry about it. I've often wondered if it's an age problem.
Alex Z - Posted - 03/23/2026: 14:07:58
Poster is asking for advice on how not to mute the first string, since the ring finger is moving and muting the string. Advice from those who have experienced the muting difficulty.
He is not asking about which fingers ought or ought not to be touching the head.
Owen - Posted - 03/23/2026: 14:21:06
I dunno if muting was one of my [many] problems, but when starting out, I cobbled up a "band" to hold my ring and pinkie somewhat together. IIRC, I used a section of an appropriately sized flexible plastic bottle [shampoo??] lined with duct tape. ....might align (?) your ring finger more with the pinkie than the middle finger??? Good luck!
Edited by - Owen on 03/23/2026 14:21:50
Bob Murphy - Posted - 03/23/2026: 14:23:55
Thanks Alex. You are correct. When I pick with the middle finger the ring finger INVOLUNTARILY moves toward the first string. I’ve never had this problem before and been picking 30+ years. I’m wondering if it’s a medical issue.
If anyone has dealt here this before I’d greatly appreciate advice. PT, stretching?
Dupuytren contracture?
Edited by - Bob Murphy on 03/23/2026 14:32:36
Alex Z - Posted - 03/23/2026: 14:49:13
Since you've been playing 30 years and this started just several weeks ago, might ask your regular doctor for a referral to a hand specialist.
I wouldn't fool around with trial and error remedies, even if they worked for someone else. Want those hands to be good for the next 30 years
Bob Murphy - Posted - 03/23/2026: 14:59:28
Great suggestion. I have a physical coming up soon.
FiveWire5 - Posted - 03/23/2026: 16:04:27
I took a rubber band and banded my pinky and ring finger together. After a few weeks I was good to go.
chuckv97 - Posted - 03/23/2026: 16:09:24
I’ve had that problem for a couple years now,, I need to stretch those fingers out , away from each other, sideways and length-wise. Kurt Kemp’s stretches are aces!
youtu.be/FcbZb_Snxr8?si=5UEutKsJL9VGik9r
Edited by - chuckv97 on 03/23/2026 16:10:27
Tractor1 - Posted - 03/23/2026: 16:24:58
you might try to change one the angles a bit--I tend to dig in more since the old man is getting wimpy compared to when i broke strings--I think that --the on coming weakness has been compensated for by better music and technique by far--and yes the ring finger followed suit ,but i can't say how much --I doubt it is medical --
my opinion I ask no agreement--
chuckv97 - Posted - 03/23/2026: 16:25:01
If I try play too fast the ring finger mutes the first string on the backward rolls
Jerry Hatrick - Posted - 03/23/2026: 16:41:10
Some of us tuck the ring finger in towards the palm and just plant the pinkie. Again, takes a while to get used to, but it stops the ring finger twitching or wandering about.
chuckv97 - Posted - 03/23/2026: 17:37:52
I think Doug Dillard did something like that too,,, I wonder if'n I can do those last backward rolls on Jed Clampett whilst tucking the ring up to my palm
Edited by - chuckv97 on 03/23/2026 17:39:30
HarleyQ - Posted - 03/23/2026: 18:27:27
That is exactly why I didn't bother with my "Ring Finger" 50 years ago when it wouldn't stay down. It's floated for 50 years and I don't even realize it. My pickin wouldn't have been any better planted or not!! 
Laurence Diehl - Posted - 03/24/2026: 10:58:01
I think the test for Dupuytren contracture is seeing if you can flatten your hand out on a flat surface.
PT might be a good option.
Bob Murphy - Posted - 03/24/2026: 11:19:18
I think you are right. I’ll get a PT referral. I cannot flatten my hand BTW.
chuckv97 - Posted - 03/24/2026: 11:24:12
I can flatten my hand and lift each finger separately, do all the stretches, and I still mute the first string. I think it’s when I tense up to play fast... I need to play slowly for a half hour every day , gradually increasing the tempo & staying tension-free.
Edited by - chuckv97 on 03/24/2026 11:25:52
Owen - Posted - 03/24/2026: 12:19:27
Geez Chuck, that's ^^ like the old joke:
Patient: "Doc, it happens when I ________________ ."
Doc: "Well then don't _________________ ."
[Sorry, sometimes I can't help it .............. good thing it's not constant. 
]
When you do ^^ stretch, is the forearm resting flat on the table? And in lifting the fingers separately, do you mean each with its own power, or with help from t'other hand? [Inquiring minds want to know!!]
Edited by - Owen on 03/24/2026 12:22:24
chuckv97 - Posted - 03/24/2026: 14:01:20
quote:
Originally posted by Owen
Geez Chuck, that's ^^ like the old joke:
Patient: "Doc, it happens when I ________________ ."
Doc: "Well then don't _________________ ."
[Sorry, sometimes I can't help it .............. good thing it's not constant. ]
When you do ^^ stretch, is the forearm resting flat on the table? And in lifting the fingers separately, do you mean each with its own power, or with help from t'other hand? [Inquiring minds want to know!!]
Sheesh,, the stretches are from the Kurt Kemp link I posted above. But the finger-lifting is done without any assistance from t'other hand, toes, or psychic phenomena. My forearm isn't resting flat on the table but if u insist I'll attempt that.
Owen - Posted - 03/24/2026: 14:54:59
Thanks. I was/am/?? unclear about "flatten my hand and lift each finger separately... ." I got to wondering while sitting here at the keyboard .... if my forearm is on the desk I can individually lift my fingertips up off the desk using the muscles/tendons in that arm, but when I "flatten my hand" on the desktop with my forearm off the desk [i.e. wrist fully extended at 90 degrees] I need help from t'other hand to get the fingertips off of the desktop. Either way, to get the full range-of-motion I need help from the other hand. [But, but, but, lack of hand/finger flexibility is the least of my problems when it comes to making music. 
]
Bob Murphy - Posted - 03/24/2026: 15:10:56
Thanks for the stretching link Chuck.
It has really helped my ability to pick .
Bob
chuckv97 - Posted - 03/24/2026: 16:01:27
quote:
Originally posted by Bob Murphy
Thanks for the stretching link Chuck.
It has really helped my ability to pick .
Bob
Way to go, Bob. Thank Kurt for the helpful video,, he's a member
1935tb-11 - Posted - 03/25/2026: 04:47:22
take a wide rubber band and run it thru one of the brackets below and tie it off ,, make sure its long enough for moderate tension but not too tight,,, then hook your ring and pinky in it when you pick next time.. it will hold the finger back from muting until it becomes habit again.
Edited by - 1935tb-11 on 03/25/2026 04:48:11
chuckv97 - Posted - 03/25/2026: 10:42:41
quote:
Originally posted by 1935tb-11
take a wide rubber band and run it thru one of the brackets below and tie it off ,, make sure its long enough for moderate tension but not too tight,,, then hook your ring and pinky in it when you pick next time.. it will hold the finger back from muting until it becomes habit again.
Thanks for the tip, Terry.... this just might be the answer. I'll try it for a couple of weeks and see how it all pans out.
share.icloud.com/photos/01bfSD...9mExmWNyQ
Owen - Posted - 03/25/2026: 11:06:38
I dunno .... ^^ looks like the ring finger is still moving with the middle one .... could the resistance exacerbate* the problem?
Terry's [innovative idea, IMNSHumbleO] does say "ring and pinky" which, off the top of my noggin, seems more likely to improve things. [A nice wide elastic .... eg. from broccoli** heads?? + an easily adjustable length of string or shoelace to the hook??]
* like I sometimes say to my wife: "Where's Don Cherry when ya need 'im?"
** and the psychological boost from eating broccoli .... that's what's called a win-win, no? 
chuckv97 - Posted - 03/25/2026: 11:50:30
Well, I don’t need it to be attached to the little finger,, I need it to move a bit but not too much. Mostly, as I remarked earlier, I need to play with less hand tension.
Owen - Posted - 03/25/2026: 18:34:49
Ya mean my '68 B.P.E. is not standing me in good stead?
chuckv97 - Posted - 03/25/2026: 18:52:18
I git lost with all deez akronims deez daze ,, mercy!
1935tb-11 - Posted - 03/28/2026: 02:18:55
maybe rig up a small rod across the head under the strings and hook it on the tension hoop like a heavy coat hanger or something to hook your fingers on beneath the strings.
tonwil - Posted - 04/02/2026: 21:14:03
I only place my little finger on the head. My ring finger moves with the middle naturally. So it occurred to me if i restrict it then it might have a hindering effect plus it feels unnatural to put my ring finger down. But it hasnt been a problem muting anything. I leave that to my 64 year old left hand muting everything under the sun. Wish i could have my skinny fingers back without arthritis so i could play clean again. If my ring finger followed my middle, and it was traveling toward the first string, i would try to shift my arm or hand position, or just break the finger and have the Dr set it pointed in a different direction. It might look funny, but who cares, we're banjo pickers....
Bob Murphy - Posted - 04/02/2026: 21:18:03
Excellent suggestion. Thanks!
chuckv97 - Posted - 04/02/2026: 21:44:16
quote:
Originally posted by tonwil
I only place my little finger on the head. My ring finger moves with the middle naturally. So it occurred to me if i restrict it then it might have a hindering effect plus it feels unnatural to put my ring finger down. But it hasnt been a problem muting anything. I leave that to my 64 year old left hand muting everything under the sun. Wish i could have my skinny fingers back without arthritis so i could play clean again. If my ring finger followed my middle, and it was traveling toward the first string, i would try to shift my arm or hand position, or just break the finger and have the Dr set it pointed in a different direction. It might look funny, but who cares, we're banjo pickers....
You gave me another idea,, how about I put a splint on it like they do after it's broken ,,,, it should keep those last 2 joints from curling in and hitting the first string. I'll let y'all know how it goes
Edited by - chuckv97 on 04/02/2026 21:44:36
Owen - Posted - 04/11/2026: 08:53:41
quote:
Originally posted by chuckv97
I git lost with all deez akronims deez daze ,, mercy!
Well then I expect you'll love this one from one of our MB MPs." Mercy indeed!
=========================================================================================================================
Btw, did the elastic between the finger and a J-hook help? [Inquiring minds want to know!! ]
Edited by - Owen on 04/11/2026 08:55:24
Dale Diehl - Posted - 04/24/2026: 17:29:44
I've been playing over 30 years, mostly closet/recreational picker.
I've NEVER been able to keep two fingers down. I tortured myself for months. I tried every thing. Then I got over it. The guy who started the this two finger down thing should be strung up.
Owen - Posted - 04/24/2026: 18:27:43
Drat!! I figured coming up with two small medium density foam donuts affixed to the head with double-sided tape ... two different heights/thicknesses to accommodate the fingers being different lengths, and then trimmed down with a razor blade as "learning" took place was kinda a feather in my cap. But, if it didn't work ...... .
Robert Schultz - Posted - 04/25/2026: 06:32:57
I quit planting any finger , just curl them under, i quit years ago clean banjo head, You don't see classical guitarists who play with there fingers do any planting.
jcrowban - Posted - 04/30/2026: 06:19:23
Hi Bob, I don't think it's a medical issue. I struggled with Scruggs style and found my ring finger wants to move with the middle finger and won't anchor to the head. I feel that it is a muscle issue with the ring finger (lazy undeveloped ring finger muscle) . I ignored it, but try by holding the index, middle, and pinky fingers flexing them backwards and exercising that ring finger to strengthen the muscle alone. I learned Pete Seeger style first and Loved it and gave up Scruggs style. Two finger style could be a great option too.
Bob Murphy - Posted - 04/30/2026: 06:24:28
That’s exactly what I did. Daily finger stretching, as well as practicing with a metronome at 70 bpm seems to have helped a lot. Thanks for the suggestions.
Bart Veerman - Posted - 04/30/2026: 10:30:53
start playing clawhammer
