Banjo Hangout Logo
Banjo Hangout Logo

Premier Sponsors

  • The Murphy Method
  • Elderly Instruments - Since 1972
  • CROSSROCK
  • Deering Banjos
  • Gold Tone


 All Forums
 Playing the Banjo
 Playing Advice: Bluegrass (Scruggs) Styles
 ARCHIVED TOPIC: Earls right hand/left hand and guitar picking


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/408312

clive_jet - Posted - 04/24/2026:  12:15:40

Just for background info. I have been following Earl and been playing 'his' style on and off for over fifty years so although I'm grey I ain't green.
Now, most say its all in the right hand but I have just been watching the Flatt and Scruggs tv shows (again) and Earls left hand is so precise accurate and smooth that I would say its 60/40 maybe 50/50 (what do you folks think?). And,
what is hardly mentioned is his guitar picking (Georgia buck is sublime).
A true virtuoso, a humble (almost regal) individual the like of which me may never see again.
Never did get to see Earl, we had purchased tickets to see Earl in London but the show was cancelled due to the twin towers.
When did any of you folks get to see/speak to Earl, Lester or the foggy mt. boys?.
Any of you that did are so lucky.
Kindest regards from England,
Clive.

Laurence Diehl - Posted - 04/24/2026:  12:44:56

Maybe it's not "all" in the right hand, but that is where most of the tone production and timing is, two elements that are most admired about Earl's playing. Fast, accurate left-hand movements up and down the neck are a requirement for BG banjo, and the close intervals of G tuning have much to do with that.
His guitar playing is beautiful, and his banjo playing also influenced a generation of guitar players (Jerry Reed, Albert Lee to name a few).
I saw him at Byron Berline's festival in Guthrie OK about 20 years ago. He was 80, but playing like he was 20 that night. I wanted to get to see him, just to shake his hand but he was surrounded by more "handlers" than the president so that meeting was denied.
This is the pic I took that night. It is rather distant; I couldn't get any closer unfortunately.


Earl Scruggs


Earl Scruggs


chuckv97 - Posted - 04/24/2026:  13:04:31

I saw Earl once,, with the Revue in a Toronto club. He came off the stage with that noticeable limp from his 1950’s car wreck, walked down the roped off area to the green room and I lightly touched his shoulder (with my RIGHT hand). I didn’t wash that hand for a month.

Terms of Use | Privacy Policy | Privacy Consent (EU/GDPR Only)

Copyright 2026 Banjo Hangout. All Rights Reserved.





Hangout Network Help

View All Topics  |  View Categories

0.2890625