That happens sometimes with me. There can be more than one thing that causes that - but it my case it's almost always that I have the finger picks at the wrong angle on my fingers and the strings are scraping the string on the side of the pick, or there are rough spots on the pick. For the first problem, change the angle of the pick on your fingers. For the second issue, you need to sand down and smooth the edge of the picks.

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Originally posted by carrot

When I play the banjo with metal finger picks, I always feel like there's some kind of metallic scraping noise. But I don't know if it's a problem with my strings, or with my picks, or neither — and the real issue is actually my playing technique?

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This is a VERY common concern among new players. You are not alone.

Let's start with this: it's virtually impossible for there not to be some level of noise resulting from pick to string contact. The great players produce it as well - it's just that their speed and technique are such that we don't hear it.

In fact, hearing it is part of the issue. Remember that your banjo is designed to project its sound forward. Your ears are perpendicular to where that sound is going, so you're able to hear that scraping noise more clearly. You can rest assured that anyone in the room with you will NOT hear it as clearly as you can!

Now with all that said, developing good technique will help a lot. It is NOT your strings. Rather, it's the contact your picks make when coming in contact with a vibrating string that produces the noise.

Make sure that your picks are striking the strings as directly as you can. Some of that is addressed by neck angle, and some of it can be addressed by ensuring you're picking the strings as squarely as possible. A good way to test is to cover your tip blade with a magic marker-type pen. Then play for a while.

If you're picking squarely, you should see the ink worn off from pretty much the center of the pick blade. If the worn ink is on the side or edge, you can adjust your picks so the blades are slightly twisted on your fingertips.

With time and practice, this noise issue should go away.

Welcome to the crazy world of banjo!

You may be scraping the strings as you pick instead of a quick, clean pick. That would cause a noise or scraping sound. Try arching the wrist a little and making a quick pick on the string and then get off of it.

I believe the Deering Propik angled picks are designed to help this. I twist my picks a little with needle nose pliers to get them to hit squarely.

I also get this with dirty sweaty strings, especially on a dusty hot summer day. I often have a bandanna or handkerchief in my pocket on days like this for wiping the strings off, and the sound goes away for awhile. You can also swipe your nose with the picks, and the skin oils will lubricate the picks and quiet them. I learned this here, and I think it’s something Earl did.

I've found that cobalt plated finger picks seem to reduce pick noise. I've been using them for years. A number of pick makers have them available.

Also, I've found that Blue Chip thumb picks really live up to their claims. Whatever material they use for the blade of the pick seems to make little or no extraneous noise. It's hard to spend so much $$ for a thumb pick, but they really do make a difference.

As others have noted, it is worthwhile to make sure you're hitting the string squarely. And it's good to hit the string quickly and make sure the blade isn't lingering on the string. These are little arcane techniques, but in the aggregate they can make a difference.

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Originally posted by calicoplayer

I've found that cobalt plated finger picks seem to reduce pick noise. I've been using them for years. A number of pick makers have them available.

Also, I've found that Blue Chip thumb picks really live up to their claims. Whatever material they use for the blade of the pick seems to make little or no extraneous noise. It's hard to spend so much $$ for a thumb pick, but they really do make a difference.

As others have noted, it is worthwhile to make sure you're hitting the string squarely. And it's good to hit the string quickly and make sure the blade isn't lingering on the string. These are little arcane techniques, but in the aggregate they can make a difference.

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Thank you for your reply. I'll keep working hard. In China, Dunlop picks are probably the only ones I can easily find. Right now I'm using brass ones.

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Originally posted by Dean T

I believe the Deering Propik angled picks are designed to help this. I twist my picks a little with needle nose pliers to get them to hit squarely.

I also get this with dirty sweaty strings, especially on a dusty hot summer day. I often have a bandanna or handkerchief in my pocket on days like this for wiping the strings off, and the sound goes away for awhile. You can also swipe your nose with the picks, and the skin oils will lubricate the picks and quiet them. I learned this here, and I think it’s something Earl did.

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Thank you for your guidance and tips!

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Originally posted by eagleisland

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Originally posted by carrot

When I play the banjo with metal finger picks, I always feel like there's some kind of metallic scraping noise. But I don't know if it's a problem with my strings, or with my picks, or neither — and the real issue is actually my playing technique?

---

This is a VERY common concern among new players. You are not alone.

Let's start with this: it's virtually impossible for there not to be some level of noise resulting from pick to string contact. The great players produce it as well - it's just that their speed and technique are such that we don't hear it.

In fact, hearing it is part of the issue. Remember that your banjo is designed to project its sound forward. Your ears are perpendicular to where that sound is going, so you're able to hear that scraping noise more clearly. You can rest assured that anyone in the room with you will NOT hear it as clearly as you can!

Now with all that said, developing good technique will help a lot. It is NOT your strings. Rather, it's the contact your picks make when coming in contact with a vibrating string that produces the noise.

Make sure that your picks are striking the strings as directly as you can. Some of that is addressed by neck angle, and some of it can be addressed by ensuring you're picking the strings as squarely as possible. A good way to test is to cover your tip blade with a magic marker-type pen. Then play for a while.

If you're picking squarely, you should see the ink worn off from pretty much the center of the pick blade. If the worn ink is on the side or edge, you can adjust your picks so the blades are slightly twisted on your fingertips.

With time and practice, this noise issue should go away.

Welcome to the crazy world of banjo!

 

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Thank you so much for such detailed guidance. At the moment, when I use finger picks, it  sounds even worse than playing without them. I'll work hard to change that. Thank you.

As Sherry alluded to, it’s probably due to how you are positioning your right hand and the angle of attack when picking. Might want to try arching your hand/wrist a little more?

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Originally posted by carrot

When I play the banjo with metal finger picks, I always feel like there's some kind of metallic scraping noise. But I don't know if it's a problem with my strings, or with my picks, or neither — and the real issue is actually my playing technique?

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I wondered what that noise was!!! 

Regards 

GS

The noise I get is from my thumb pick making contact with the head and all pics coming to rest on or very close to the string. When I pay attention, arch my wrist a bit, and keep the follow thru of the string picked off the string at the end the noise goes away.

Why do we get pick noise? Because we play fast, and the string hasn’t had a chance to stop vibrating before the pick touches it again.
Play close to the bridge & there’s a little pick noise. Play far from the bridge & you’ll get a lot more.
Try every trick that’s been mentioned & you can significantly reduce it.
But there will be times when bbzzz happens.

Its the pace at which you approach the string.

Ease into it and it hits at the peak of the amplitude of the vibrating string multiple time.

Snap into the string quickly and it is once and done.

When I changed to Dunlop picks my tone got a lot better.
They are dished instead of flat and never get that "edge scrape" problem.
I still polish them about once a week for ultra smoothness,though.
I polish my thumbpick on my pant leg every day.
Plastic thumbpicks also polish nicely on a piece of printer paper.

I get clear notes whether playing at the bridge or over the 22nd fret.
I play a lot where the neck meets the rim to soften the tone of the banjo's voice especially during someone's vocals or during many places in old country and western pieces.