2 finger bluegrass pickin'

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Two Finger Pickers

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For the eclectic banjo player who counts 2-finger styles among their tools of the trade.

515 Members, Created 1/31/2011 -

Administrators: stigandr5 (owner) , Marc Nerenberg , revellfa

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From jimmie99 on 2/1/2011 9:09:28 AM

Hi, I am a former 3 finger picker who lost control of his index finger when playing the banjo (dystonia) and, after nearly giving up, re-learned using thumb and middle finger. After years I am almost back to where I was 3 finger wise.

I am wondering if there are/will be any other two finger pickers in this forum that play bluegrass style.

8 Comments
stigandr5 says: 2/1/2011 3:09:09 PM That's an inspiring story, thanks for sharing it. Have you heard of Wade Mainer? He plays bluegrass in a two finger style of his own invention.
	mojo_monk says: 2/1/2011 3:32:50 PM I'm with Nate - thanks for sharing your story. Believe it or not, the earliest Stanley Brothers recordings feature Ralph playing two-finger banjo! Check it out if you're looking for inspiration...it's lightening fast. Check out Lee Sexton's playing, too. It's old timey, but seems to contain some of the elements of the early bluegrass he heard on the radio when he was younger.
	jimmie99 says: 2/1/2011 4:10:40 PM Thanks guys. I remember reading about Wade Mainer years ago in BNL. Never heard him tho. I'll also check out Sexton. The banjo player for Jay Riechman and the Jaybirds also plays 2 finger - thumb/index.
kevinwholmes says: 2/2/2011 10:34:33 AM Bill Manfield plays a kind of hybrid 3-finger style that can sometimes sound a little like Blugrass. I posted a number of MP3's of his playing and discussing his style in the MP3 section.
kevinwholmes says: 2/2/2011 10:35:39 AM Misspelled Bill's last name above; should be Mansfield.
	JRushing says: 3/2/2011 10:39:23 AM George Pegram sometimes played a thumb lead 3 finger that sounded bluegrass at time. It could be recreated in 2 finger.
	martzepan says: 1/30/2012 12:05:46 AM I have basically the same story as jimmie99, as in I don't really have control of my index . . it just curls up almost cramp like, but doesn't hurt, so I just took the pick off and use thumb and middle and try to play bluegrass tabs I find and like . .and I enjoy it. I am probably past where I was with 3 finger playing, but haven't got any speeding tickets yet. whatever works, I reckon.
	IamNoMan says: 11/16/2014 11:18:36 PM Have any of you'all tried two finger picking with a double drone. Basically you are dropthumbing the fifth and whatever string and droning on the first string, possibly with your dysfunctional finger. It raises eyebrows in both BG and OT circles.
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