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Pseudo frailing on 6-string banjo

From Explorer on 9/28/2014 3:50:46 PM

When I first picked up a 6-string banjo, I started thinking about how to get a clawhammer sound out of it.

I initially restrung it so the drone string was at the bottom position, but that caused some minor problems with intonation of the drone string when using a capo. So, I went back to regular 6-string stringing.

I did some research on PF (pseudo frailing), but there really wasn't any information out there on achieving it. Since I was on my own, I gave some tought as to what I wanted it to sound like, and it all came down to that popping drone.

Initially I tuned to open D, and capoed at the fifth fret, to put me in open G. I then started working frailing drills, but using my middle finger to pull up the drone, just as the thumb pulls up the drone in regular frailing. I used mostly the thumb for the rest, but the index finger gets involved for what would normally be double/drop thumbing technique.

PF doesn't rely on the up-down motion of frailing. If you were plucking just one string, the thumb would pluck in one direction, and then the middle finger plucks in the other direction.

At this point I use a variety of tunings, not just open tuning but even guitar standard tuning, adding a capo when appropriate. Guitar standard tuning is the most versatile, since youve not locked to any key.

You can even fret the drone.

Most non-banjo folks don't realize there's anything non-standard about the instrument. However, I've had a few banjo players who wandered over, and then realized it wasn't a 5-string with a drone. The first part of the changing expression is always the same... a smile, then the eyes narrowing. If they're open to new ideas, then the full smile returns. If they feel that banjo development should freeze at their particular stage, then the smile disappears entirely.

Since you're likely a citizen of Banjitar City, I'm sure you'd keep your smile.

To me, the more sounds and styles an instrument can achieve, the more useful it is. PF expands the sound palette of the 6-string banjo.

For basic frailing exercises and more, to adapt to your PF endeavours, I hghly recommend Rocket Science Banjo. I worked the basics with a metronome while watching movies.

If anyone else is heading in this direction, I'd love for you to post about it!