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/79523
Ture - Posted - 04/07/2007: 17:21:14
Hello,
I'm a beginner and I recently changed my left hand position to keep my thumb on the back of the neck instead of cradling the neck in the web of my hand. It feels right and I think it improves my fretting accuracy and my hammer-ons. It works for everything except pull-offs.
How can I pull the string downwards with a fretting finger while my thumb is on the back of the neck and not have the neck want to slide down into the web of my left hand? If I pull-off on the fret that is nearest my thumb it is especially bad. I feel like I would need stickum on my thumb to keep the neck from sliding down with my pull-off. Am I supposed to be squeezing the armrest with my right forearm a little bit tighter? That doesn't feel right either.
Thanks for any advice. For the first time since picking this thing up I am starting to go a little bit nuts.
piperdoc - Posted - 04/07/2007: 17:29:00
for a pulloff you are not supposed to be "pulling down the string", you are supposed to be pulling down your finger off the string, just hard enought to sound the string even it were open.
are you pulling off with too much force?
if not, i would just slow down and practice it as an exercise. and yes, it is for many people harder on the first string than on the second and third.
meir
oldwoodchuckb - Posted - 04/07/2007: 22:17:53
I'm not much of one for putting the thumb on the centerline of the banjo as the necks tend to be pretty narrow - at least for people like me who come from 2 - 2.25 inch wide classical guitars.
However, I think the problem you are having is more one of holding the instrument than where the thumb is located on the neck. If the pull off is making the banjo move in relationship to your arm you might very well have to put more grip in your grip.
I usually start students with the banjo on the right thigh and the peghead about the same level as the chin. The instrument is held in by the right arm (above the elbow) and the thigh. There is no pressure on the armrest. As with much else in banjo this position is not hard and fast - so long as the head is well supported without the left hand or the portion of the right arm below the elbow involved. You might check the other puff off thread for an exercise that involves having a finger planted while doing pull offs.
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
