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steveforse - Posted - 02/08/2007: 12:17:47
I just started playing banjo about 5 months ago and I try to divide my time between practicing Scrugg's Style and CH Style. over the last couple of months, I noticed some strangeness with the picking finger and I wanted to know if anyone else had the same thing happen to them.
When I try to play with my middle finger, my index finger rises and points straight out. Even when I concentrate, it just seems to point out like if I were making a gun while playing cops and robbers. It didn't bother me too much at first, but when my middle fingernail started to crack in the top right corner, I switched to playing with my index finger. Now the finger is forced to stay down so my hand finally has that claw shape. Strangely, the index finger nail is showing no signs of damage on thicker gauge strings.
Anyone else ever experience this?
Rachel Streich - Posted - 02/08/2007: 12:41:20
Personally, I wouldn't worry about the index finger sticking out when you frail with your middle fingernail -- as long as your hand is relaxed, and nothing hurts, and as long as the index finger isn't getting in the way of anything, it shouldn't be a problem.
Apparently your index fingernail is thicker and stronger than your middle fingernail -- or else you're attacking the strings at a different angle with the index finger than you were with the middle.
If you prefer to frail with the middle finger but are bothered by weak nails that crack, you can buy a brush-on nail hardener at the drugstore that will help. Or clear nail polish will also do the trick.
Rachel Streich
What?: c 1920 Weymann 5-string openback
How Long?: Since 1989
Venues: Mostly jamming, willing to teach
Style: Old-time clawhammer
Other: Fiddle, guitar, some mandolin, vocals
Working On: "Garfield's Blackberry Blossom"
Dream Banjo: I'll know it when I see it
Yopparai - Posted - 02/08/2007: 12:47:42
I average somewhere right in the middle of the claw and the gunslinger. Sometimes its more claw like, sometimes its a six-shooter. I have seen instruction materials that recommend both approaches.
(I am also a pinky (only) planter when Scruggsing.) Be comfortable and go with the one that feels and sounds best. Also it never hurts to practice with both now and then, just in case your preferred finger/nail gets incapacitated.
canerods - Posted - 02/08/2007: 18:41:26
My experience is this: I've also been playing about 5 months, I tried both index and middle finger. By far, the index finger just seemed to be the most natural and easiest for me. So, maybe your index is the right one for you? Just go with what works best -- I don't think it really matters which finger you use.
"A gentleman is someone who knows how to play the banjo, but chooses not to." Mark Twain
Edited by - canerods on 02/08/2007 18:42:56
oldwoodchuckb - Posted - 02/08/2007: 19:13:49
I wouldn't worry about it unless you sart to feel tension in the finger.
I firmly believe that every clawhammer player should know how to do it with both fingers - not only because of the nail thing, but also because they get a different sound.
I used to be able to do it with my Ring finger too - very handy for long festivals - but as I age I've lost that ability.
The Whiskey Before Breakfast variations and a few tunes in "F" tuning are now available on the web at:
http://home.thegrid.net/~fjbrad/id20.html
janolov - Posted - 02/09/2007: 02:20:44
It is not uncommon that index finger rises and points straight out when you are playing with middle finger. It is even recommended by some. I just looked in the How and Tao of the Old-Time Banjo by Pat and Patrick Costello (http://www.ezfolk.com/banjo/howtao/) that describes the hand position as:
"Now stick out your index finger and thumb just like when you were a kid playing cops and robbers. You want that sort of "gun" shape. Do not clench your remaining three fingers to your palm but rather try to relax and keep everything kind of loosey-goosey. Tension just slows things down. The middle finger should be a hair extended."
I have never got along with the middle finger playing and always use my index. I do some training with the middle finger beacuse it is good to have as backup when the index finger is damaged. When I am playing with the middle I also use to point the index out.
Janolov
steveforse - Posted - 02/12/2007: 03:08:19
I recently noticed that when playing with the index, my pinky starts pointing out, but that's considerably more controllable. I'm one of the people who has his pinky stick out when drinking from those little teacups, too. I don't do it on purpose, but it looks funny. I have a cousin of mine who pointed it out one time because he does it, too.
banjoghost - Posted - 02/13/2007: 01:01:51
i pick mostly with my middle finger and i've noticed that while driving, it often points straight out. it's such an odd phenomenon that i frequently show it to other drivers, just not ones who look bigger than me. crazy world.
Logger - Posted - 03/02/2007: 21:37:07
I have the same trouble with my Index finger pointing straight out when I pick with my Middle finger when I play Scruggs style...this almost had me to the point I want to quit trying.
It ain't no disgrace to be poor, but it's just so darned unhandy.
stanger - Posted - 03/03/2007: 02:21:50
Hi, Steve...
Don't worry about it. Just keep experimenting with your fingers and hand positon, and eventually you'll find something where it all feels relaxed. If your nails are thin and/or brittle, eat lots of Jello and try some Sally Hansen Nail Proteck- it's a good hardening nail polish. If you don't want to look like you went to the nail salon, scuff off the gloss with some fine sandpaper- I use 1000 grit; it's available at any auto paint supply. It may also help ifyou keep your playing nails fairly short.
regards,
Stanger
