This is going to sound so ridiculous, so please don’t laugh. ??
When I play say a C chord and place my left fingers where they need to go, how do I pick it with my right (playing) hand? I can’t get this right!!
quote:
Originally posted by charrold48This is going to sound so ridiculous, so please don’t laugh. ??
When I play say a C chord and place my left fingers where they need to go, how do I pick it with my right (playing) hand? I can’t get this right!!
It's not a ridiculous question, Clay (and welcome to the Hangout).
There is no one way to play the C chord with your right hand. There is no one way to play ANY chord with the right hand. I'm assuming you're trying to learn bluegrass, due to the forum you posted your question in.
In bluegrass, the rolls we use with a given chord are entirely dependent on the notes we wish to play, in the sequence we wish to play them.
You could try to use what's commonly called a forward-backward roll (actually a roll PATTERN, but that's a discussion for a different day:
Third string thumb, second string index, first string middle, fifth string thumb, first string middle, second string index, third string thumb, finish with the middle finger on the first string.
You could try what's commonly called a square roll (actually a roll PATTERN):
Thumb fourth string, index second string, thumb third string, middle first string - and repeat.
Those can get you started, but there's lots more that you can do. Experiment. Don't get locked into one right-hand pattern for a given chord - doing so will create tremendous limitations.
If you could put this in context, that would be helpful. Since this is the Scruggs forum, the answer could be (1) playing a roll/picking pattern with your thumb, pointer and middle fingers (2) "pinching" 2 or more strings, (3) picking one string and pinching 2 or 3 others (like when vamping while playing backup), (4) strumming the strings.....
Not ridiculous, by the way, its a bit hard to figure this stuff out as a beginner. Go to the top of the BG forum and take a look at Jim Pankey's beginner lessons - those should get you off to a good start.
Appreciate it! I did just start watching Jim Pankey’s videos as well. I’ll keep at it.
Hey Skip, I play ALL the chords with my right hand! Im a southpaw!
Edited by - stanleytone on 11/27/2020 17:28:51
charrold48 So here is a picking pattern you could try. String 1 is the string closest to the floor, string 5 is the closest to the ceiling. Fretting string 1 at the 2nd fret, and string 2 at the 1st fret (partial C chord).
Pick string 1 with the middle finger, string 2 with the pointer finger, string 5 with the thumb
Picking pattern, strings 2-1-2-1-5-2-1-5
quote:
Originally posted by stanleytoneHey Skip, I play ALL the chords with my right hand! Im a southpaw!
As a southpaw you have probably figured out by now that a lot of stuff was designed by & for right handers. Sometimes you just have to adapt, or pay more money for a banjo no one else can play,,,,& consign yourself to never being able to play all those other really nice banjos's your friends have. Like my first banjo instructor said, at this point neither hand knows what to do so you may as well save yourself all that grief & learn to play a right handed banjo. Besides, left handed 5 string banjo's are rarer than hens teeth. 
You made a good choice.
fwiw: Banjo Lefty has some interesting things to say on that,,,,& left handed piano's.
A picture paints a thousand words. But a moving picture can teach you how to play banjo
Learn to play a C chord using a forward reverse roll pattern
In addition to Jim Pankey’s excellent videos it’s worth the price to pick up a copy of Blue Grass Banjo for Dummies by Bill Evans. This is a guide with all information you need to get started and you will use this for years to come. He explains how and why to do things. Also, check out Mike Hedding on YouTube. Very good at explaining and showing in detail the things you need to know.
As for left handed instruments; they are expensive initially but great deals can be had on quality used instruments.
Edited by - Pick-A-Lick on 12/05/2020 07:49:45
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