Patrick Randall - Posted - 03/16/2007:  13:57:23

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When I'm playing hard, I notice quite a bit of pressure on the head from the RH planted ring finger and pinky. Enough in fact to drop the pitch of the high strings a teeny bit.

Is this normal please? I can't say it notices when I'm playing but I'm a newbie to the banjo and it is a pretty obnoxious noise in the first place

Danielg - Posted - 03/16/2007:  13:59:54

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Yes it's normal. I have a thread about "Gee, that kills the sound" about this too. If you press this way (demonstrates) it muffles the sound, if you press that way (demonstrates) then it is like you bend the string.

I've altered my hand slightly and found that there's a whole new set of sounds because of that minor adjustment. Trying to find the best sound seems to be a life long path but it's a fun one

uncledelphi - Posted - 03/16/2007:  14:11:24

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quote:

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Originally posted by Danielg

I've altered my hand slightly

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Gee, that must have been painful!

When I switched from a pinkie plant to a two-finger plant, I had the same issue. I was bearing down too hard on the head. But I get much better tone if I just gently rest my fingers on the head without bearing down.

Austin "Breakbuster" Rogers

GIBSON MAFIA
Vega Partisan

Harry - Posted - 03/16/2007:  14:41:41

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If you see Bill Keith play he'll just lift his right hand of the head so now and than. It's just to make sure not to put pressure on the head.
It will also help you to relax your right hand.

www.sistrum.dk

randybartlett - Posted - 03/16/2007:  16:30:53

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Maybe your head is too loose.

Randy

My playing is a natural product. Minor variations and imperfections are normal and only serve to enhance it's natural beauty.

sawyer 12 - Posted - 03/16/2007:  21:13:19

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I agree with Randy, if its effecting the sound that much the head must really be loose. Pressing too hard will effect the tone a little but not like a whammy bar.

david

PickinNGrinin - Posted - 03/16/2007:  23:33:09

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Yes it is normal. And some people will try scruggs style without planting. but I say it is a bad habitt. Because you sacrifice controll for a little bit of sound difference.

Pickin N Grinin With Christ,
Trey Reed

banjomon - Posted - 03/17/2007:  08:54:10

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I noticed that this would happen with my first no-name banjo that had a mylar head. It was a Remo WK with the shinney side up and was tuned to G#. I learned to not push it in too hard as it would do exactly what you are talking about.

The frosted head on on my RK however does not do this at all. The amazing thing is that the J-hooks are barely tightened around the head.....just enough to keep the hooks on.



Pickin' Proud & Pickin' Loud
on my RK-R80!

uncledelphi - Posted - 03/19/2007:  08:11:18

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Randy, the head on my primary bluegrass banjo is so tight I fear it's gonna pop, and it still does it.

Austin "Breakbuster" Rogers

GIBSON MAFIA
Vega Partisan