Stuck between "worlds"

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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 74rider on 7/16/2014 7:33:18 AM

I don't know if anyone else feels this way, but I find myself stuck between old-time clawhammer banjo and bluegrass style. I like the Grandpa Jones, Stringbean approach to music (clawhammer with a resonator) but find it difficult to fit in with bluegrass or old time. Seems bluegrass is more 3-finger picking and old-time is more of an open back approach. At bluegrass jams, I feel like an "outsider" and old time doesn't really seem to cater to "fast and furious" approach a.k.a. Grandpa Jones. I don't want to give up the style, but I do wish to be part of a group someday. Anyone else feel like they are in this boat? Any advice?

10 Comments
	74rider says: 7/16/2014 7:34:03 AM Maybe this should be in the clawhammer section.
	RJWMitchell says: 7/16/2014 12:47:14 PM Haven;t ou come across 'Clawgrass'?
	74rider says: 7/16/2014 12:56:33 PM Never heard of it..
	RJWMitchell says: 7/16/2014 1:20:42 PM banjohangout.org/archive/87426
	stetix01 says: 7/25/2014 3:17:35 PM We are kindred spirits my friend. I have posed this concern on the sight before. I too have two loves.
	vic rawlings says: 11/5/2014 8:00:50 AM I too believe the land between the 2 extremes is where it's at- things are so segmented! The diversity of music is suffering- no doubt about that. I have found large jam sessions to be great places to meet people, but not great places to make music; once bands get too big the structures are stifling. My favorite banjo recordings are soloists or duos. My guess is finding one or maybe 2 players you identify with and focus on that will be more fun than the big group.
	74rider says: 11/5/2014 10:06:04 AM Thanks Vic, what you say makes perfect sense and I totally agree. I like listening to smaller combo's too.
	IamNoMan says: 11/12/2014 12:51:59 AM I do not feel stuck between two worlds. I'm a frailer. I like open back banjos. I have a mild preference for Old Time stylings but play Bluegrass with enthusiasm. Many of the BG banjo players where I grew up were frailers as well so I guess I never knew better.
	74rider says: 11/12/2014 7:31:37 AM IamNoMan - I like what you said and I have to say, I'm with you. I love the BG music and my voice range is in the keys of A and G and I tend to identify with the BG'ers the most. But I too am a frailer. I should probably get back into the BG jam near where I live. Nobody asked me to leave it but I just "felt" pressure to put on some picks. Maybe it was all in my own "gourd". I think what I need to do is to just take my picks out of the case so the temptation will not be there. Thanks again for the post - your comment is very timely and well received.
	IamNoMan says: 11/16/2014 11:26:46 PM 74rider - One of the reasons I frail is because I've always been a late jammer. For some reason when you do this with the Fiddle players they always attract the good 'shine. You drink enough you lose your picks sooner or later. No picks, no play has never been an option for me. Sadly my best keys for singing in are F, F#, and Fm.
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