I just ran into the hardest stretch yet for my grubby little paws. It is in John Hardy in Beginning Banjo 1. You walk into the "D" chord and then you are supposed to do the "two finger D" with your index finger on the 2nd fret of the 3rd string and your ring finger on the 4th fret of the 4th string. There ain't no way my hand will stretch that far and fret the string where I should. I'm thinking about hooking my two horses to the index and ring finger and whippin them to pull them apart, just like in the Levi jean picture. Anyone else have this problem?
12 Comments |
 | Banjosnob says:
3/9/2011 4:55:31 PM
As you "walk" to plant the ring on the 4th fret, you already have just played your index on the 4th string, just move it down one string (to the 3rd string).......and there you have it!
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 | Augie says:
3/9/2011 5:20:02 PM
Hi Lynn, I can't do the "walk in" while keeping my index on 4th string. I can't put my finger on three frets simultaneously that far down the neck. I don't have the spread. I thought about cheating and using the little finger to get the spread. Isn't that improvising?
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 | Oalbrets says:
3/9/2011 7:16:39 PM
Just keep at it Augie and you will get it. I had a hard time with that also but now its a piece of cake.
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| Banjosnob says:
3/10/2011 3:45:02 AM
Start reading this archived topic.
banjohangout.org/archive/151594
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| Augie says:
3/10/2011 4:03:41 AM
Hi Lynn,
Thanks for the thread. I just read all of it. I have tried all the suggested techniques and still think I need the horses. I think that I have the best position for the banjo and also my left hand and arm. I'm not giving in, I just wanted to let beginners know that others have difficulty also. Whenever I get to one of these problems I think about a friend that had his little finger on his left hand amputated in an accident. It took some doing, but he plays pretty damned good. Augie
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| Banjosnob says:
3/10/2011 4:10:25 AM
also, when you "walk", after playing 2nd fret, 4th string with you index, you can let it go, but start moving it to the 2nd fret, 3rd string. (only 2 fingers freted) Augie, you will eventually have to learn this "d"shape with 4 fingers. Like Oalbrets said, keep at it and you will eventually stretch the hand and "get it".
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 | caseyhenry says:
3/10/2011 6:10:07 AM
Here's a blog post from Murphy about a student who had trouble with this same part and actually CHANGED the arrangement so that she could do it more easily!!
blog.murphymethod.com/2011/01/...-the-sun/
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| Augie says:
3/10/2011 6:33:17 AM
Hi Casey, Thank you, I just read the post and sat down and tried it. It is easier for me to do, but being a "learn be ear" sorta guy now, (Murphy's fault), it really sounded strange. Isn't that neat, to be able to recognize the difference? I will probably keep on trying the RIGHT way. I can now get it, but the index finger is really laying down on that third string fret. Looks like a spider caught up in it's own net. Thanks agin. That is why this is such a good group and having you as a member is so helpful.
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 | DGEBanjo says:
3/10/2011 4:23:25 PM
Augie:
i had the same trouble for awhile and actually did play the alternate as a bluesy changes but just kep working at it and stretching it finally got it.
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 | mebacon says:
3/10/2011 4:42:40 PM
Hi Augie,
If you keep at it, it will just happen. I think that is definitely an example where slowing down and playing in time will make you faster because your muscle memory will happen more rapidly if you do it right over and over at a very slow speed. Also Murphy calls that D lick, the "In the Mood lick" because of the song of the same name. It is helpful to listen to that song to get that lick into your head and it is a good song.
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 | Jim T says:
3/11/2011 7:41:52 AM
You might try going a ways up the neck and try this maneuver. Then when comfortable start working down the neck until you get to the 'D' position. Also, try angling your wrist slightly, which can make a difference.
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| Augie says:
3/11/2011 8:08:33 AM
Hi Guys, Thanks for all the suggestions. I finally hooked the horses up to the fingers in question, but Tess my young Appaloosa did not Whoa when I told her to. I can now fret the 1st fret on the 3rd string and the 12th fret on the 4th string. Farm boys know how to improvise. I've got to go see if I can get a glove to fit my new hand. See Ya
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