I realize that there has been many topics on how many fingers to rest on the head of the banjo. I have read through many of them, however I have not seen one specific to the problem I am having. I have the ability to rest the pinky and the ring finger on the head, however when I pluck the string with my middle finger, my middle finger goes limp at the joint closes to my finger nail. This causes the tone to be somewhat scratchy and weak, however accuracy is very good. When I pluck the string with only my pinky planted, the tone is solid and stronger, however accuracy suffers. Having said all that, should I continue with 2 fingers down and hope that my middle finger will strengthen, or should I use only the pinky planted and hope that my accuracy improves?
Edited by - leehuddle on 01/31/2023 09:44:24
"When I pluck the string with only my pinky planted, the tone is solid and stronger, however accuracy suffers. Having said all that, should I continue with 2 fingers down and hope that my middle finger will strengthen, or should I use only the pinky planted and hope that my accuracy improves?"
Gently touch with only the pinky. (Thinking "plant" is too severe."
As you've said, touching with both causes something to happen with your muscles/joints. Since you asked, best to avoid that.
Accuracy will degrade for a short time with any change in hand technique, but it will improve with practice. Plus, the tone will remain solid and strong, not weak and scratchy.
Plant too severe is good point. I do have a tendency to plant 2 fingers harder than with the pinky alone. Thanks
In some people, the ring and middle finger seem to have a connection and when one moves, the other wants to follow or if one is still, the other wants to do the same thing. That may be part of your problem.
Can fingers be taught to be independent? Maybe. When I first started picking, if I held my ring finger and pinkie down, my middle just didn't want to do what I wanted it to. When I let the ring finger float, then the middle finger obeyed my commands and the ring finger sort of went along for the ride.
You might try this exercise and see if it helps: put the palm of your hand down on a hard surface (table, for instance), with fingers flat. Then lift each finger as far up as you can without moving the other fingers. Work from the index to the pinkie. If you find the index doesn't want to move without the middle moving also or that the ring moves when the middle does, then work on just those two fingers until your brain gets the idea and the hang of it. Then see if you can lightly touch the banjo head with 2 fingers and play with no problem with the middle. May take a while to change the habit, but it can be done.
I can now touch the head with 2 fingers, no problem or I can also play with just the pinkie touching or at times I can play with no fingers touching the head. That took many years to happen, but it can and will.
I have the same issue. It has to do with tendons; practice can’t fix it. The idea you have to plant two fingers to have a powerful right hand is a myth. Here’s video proof:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XHsRfKnPGuE
Too many top players plant only the little finger to sustain the claim it leads to inferior playing. Tom Adams is not remotely unique. Keep playing with what works for you and don't worry about it.
Edited by - Bill Rogers on 01/31/2023 11:51:12
The little finger of my right hand tends to hook around the bottom foot of the bridge and I never even realize I am doing that. Many years ago, one of my teachers tried to break me of the habit and he told me that no other banjo player in the world does that. I responded that Doug Dillard would often hook his little finger around the bridge and he responded, "Well you are no Doug Dillard."
Robert
Sammy Shelor does too. Your teacher completely missed the point. That’s poor pedagogy.
@TN Time
Also Alison Brown, Tom Adams, Lynn Morris, Allen Shelton....
Have you tried planting/resting your ring finger only? Works for some people.
Whatever works best is best.
Similar problem here - I only plant the pinkie but tuck the ring finger up into the palm out of the way, which allows more independence of movement between the middle and ring.
My first reaction was you'll never be able to drive in Massachusetts.
I have tried different variations as has been suggested, however I believe Bill Rogers explanation makes the most sense for my issue. I am going to use just the pinky plant and with practice I believe my accuracy will improve. Thanks for all the suggestions.
Watch these videos. It is so-called "Classic banjo" players which usually play with the whole hand in the air.
youtube.com/watch?v=as4FGoaly9A
youtube.com/watch?v=5O6_EPu_920
youtube.com/watch?v=YIkGXKV4SFU
youtube.com/watch?v=O6Q_32s_8Ys
youtube.com/watch?v=B11gCN5NH0A
youtube.com/watch?v=xieWsBxcqWc
youtube.com/watch?v=Ve5ONF2XChI
Sherry's point about the ring and middle finger being connected is right. There's a fun way to see this - rest your fingertips on a table with your palm raised up, then tuck your middle finger under your palm and try to raise each of the other fingers and your thumb off the table individually. You'll find you cant move the ring finger. I read somewhere this is because your middle and ring fingers share some tendons, whereas the other fingers and thumb are all independent
DC5 , or Arizona!
Mark: "There's a fun way to see this - rest your fingertips on a table with your palm raised up, then tuck your middle finger under your palm and try to raise each of the other fingers and your thumb off the table individually. You'll find you cant move the ring finger."
I recall as a kid my mom showing us this, but she had us put our two hands [fingertips] together..... thumbs apart: "This is how far you can be from your parents.... index fingers: " This is how far you can be from your brothers and sisters.: .... pinkies: "This is how far you can move from your friends. .... ring fingers: "This is how far you can be from the one you love."
Having dealt with that ^^ so admirably, with my limited knowledge of the structure [bones/muscles/tendons] of the hand and fingers, I'm scratching my head on how the finger goes "limp" at that particular joint and not the next one too.
Looks like everyone has their way of steadying their R. H. I think whatever makes you feel secure in your picking hand is the way to go...Jack
Originally posted by Owen
Edited by - Jack Baker on 02/01/2023 11:51:25
Well, I'm in a similar, but different boat. My index finger, due to severe injury, does not work at all. If I try to pick with it, the sound is a soft scraping sound. Most of this is due to the fact that it has no functionality: I can bend it at all. It's just there on my hand. I plant my pinky on the head and pick with my thumb and middle fingers. If I planted my pinky and ring finger, I'd hardly be able to pick with my middle finger. I play Old Time 2 Finger Thumb Lead anyways. So no biggie.
Yeah Wobba,
At least you can still have fun...good luck...Jack
Originally posted by WobbaWell, I'm in a similar, but different boat. My index finger, due to severe injury, does not work at all. If I try to pick with it, the sound is a soft scraping sound. Most of this is due to the fact that it has no functionality: I can bend it at all. It's just there on my hand. I plant my pinky on the head and pick with my thumb and middle fingers. If I planted my pinky and ring finger, I'd hardly be able to pick with my middle finger. I play Old Time 2 Finger Thumb Lead anyways. So no biggie.
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