Cap - Posted - 03/24/2026:  14:53:34

There is a short on YouTube Bela is talking about melodic style. I noticed his finger pick set up. His fingertips are not covering the hole in the pick They stop just short of the hole very little of his finger are in those picks. What would be the advantage? I'm going to try it, if it doesn't work for me. I'll just go back to what does. Its good to experiment.youtube.com/shorts/3KnKYgLOyWE...ure=share

Edited by - Cap on 03/24/2026 14:55:42

Laurence Diehl - Posted - 03/24/2026:  15:59:32

I have noticed that before. He seems like a guy who experiments constantly and came up with something that works for him. By all means try it and let us know how it feels. I think I would have trouble gauging where the strings are. And of course, I won't be playing like Bela no matter what.

Ira Gitlin - Posted - 03/24/2026:  16:04:49

Wow! That's at the opposite end of the spectrum from how he was wearing his picks in the 1980s, as shown in Masters Of The 5-String Banjo. It's more like John Hickman's pick configuration.

Edited by - Ira Gitlin on 03/24/2026 16:05:27

Tractor1 - Posted - 03/24/2026:  16:46:30

my guess [uneducated opinion ],it would give him more reach,for the things he goes for that Earl shied away from, such as -- inside middle finger  and ongoing fast single string--there are a lot of Bela students --they might shed some light

Edited by - Tractor1 on 03/24/2026 16:47:58

stanleytone - Posted - 03/25/2026:  03:51:20

There was a local picker,and a decent one at that, who wore his picks sticking straight out, not bent at all. How he was able to play like that is beyond me

Edited by - stanleytone on 03/25/2026 03:51:40

banjoy - Posted - 03/25/2026:  04:29:48

I've noticed for a while Bela's almost straight fingerpicks. Courtney Johnson used to do the same thing, as I recall from seeing photos (videos?) of his hands somewhere along the way. Clearly this does not inhibit playing!



I don't tinker much so have never played with this idea. My fingerpicks are probably 1/2-way between curved to the contour of my finger and sticking straight out, somewhere in-between seems to be the sweet spot for me.

Edited by - banjoy on 03/25/2026 04:30:48

steve davis - Posted - 03/25/2026:  05:51:05

I think we can adapt to many new things.You just get used to the new habits.

kantstandya - Posted - 03/25/2026:  07:45:59

And he sure can make it work for him, wow! I have tried but not my style, I like them wrapped inside(my finger tips), almost to full coverage. I had a chance to sit with Colton Powers, he was with Seth Mulders and the Midnight Run band a couple years ago now and his appear to hang out even more the Bela’s do. Like a good 3/4 to one inch out? Idk, gonna have to try it again.