Posted by erikforgod on Thursday, February 28, 2013
I am trying to decide where/when to use more of a palmed fiddle grip and when to spread my fingers out to reach for certain notes. I notice alot of fretless players don't use too much pinky reaching in their playing...not sure if that is good or bad. Anybody no a video resource or a resource that shows proper left hand technique for fretless playing....or is this kinda open ended?
I added: "I Wish I Was a Mole In the Ground" and also "Sugar Hill" but Iam not satisfied with my efforts yet in playing fretless. My intonation is a little "too" off in some spots still and I definately want to improve.
Another thing is I have decided to down-tune the entire banjo one/half step to F# tuning....I think it sounds more bluesier twangier.
6 comments on “Working hard on my left hand technique for fretless playing”
bd Says:
Thursday, February 28, 2013 @10:09:13 AM
I haven't seen much in the way of advice on left hand technique. I think one just has to spend the time hitting the notes.
My daughter is learning fiddle & it's been instructive helping her find the notes on the neck. I have to do the same thing on my fretless banjo. Sometimes I've had to sit at the piano and spend some time matching notes. I think you have to put the time in.
erikforgod Says:
Thursday, February 28, 2013 @10:43:31 AM
yeah I think thats basically the key....in my videos you'll see that I am watching my son. It never fails once daddy starts playing his banjo thats when he wants to play with Daddy and wants to be held! hahaha!!!
bd Says:
Thursday, February 28, 2013 @12:06:31 PM
Yep, it's Murphy's Law of parenting. But soon enough he'll be up and dancing AND trying to grab the banjo away to play it himself or jump on it! Which is why my deering doesn't have a resonator any more.
erikforgod Says:
Thursday, February 28, 2013 @1:07:11 PM
Oh no...lest talk about something else jajaj
erikforgod Says:
Friday, March 1, 2013 @4:26:06 AM
This morning he def wasnt into my banjo playing....my new fretless is like 3 times louder than my Goodtimes ( even with the towel stuffed in it ) he is "sound" sensitive.
bd Says:
Saturday, March 2, 2013 @9:18:37 PM
Children do get over that--or at least mine did! But I also have learned to play to play my banjos softly. Not as fun for me but yo can work on memorizing tunes and such.
You must sign into your myHangout account before you can post comments.
