Build it and they will come?

The bluegrass and old-time forums also look back (sometimes fixedly) on the progenitors of the style, then present a contemporary interpretation.
It’s a formula that works. All you need is enough interest and engagement.

Speaking historically (which, as I understand is not exactly the idea here), I can easily give examples of people playing fingerstyle on wire strings. And not just zither banjos.

A. J. Weidt, a very prevalent composer for banjo, guitar, mandolin and tenor banjo with scads of high quality (and playable) compositions converted to wire strings for regular banjo in the 20s.

But Weidt lived on a houseboat in New Jersey and humidity would have been pretty hard on gut or silk.

… so, a guy grows up finger picking guitar, 3 or even 4 finger + thumb… then later in life picks up a banjo and keeps right on playing like he always has, adapting his guitar skills to work on banjo.

Is that what you all are talking about? Or is “finger style” banjo some historical style that’s actually a thing? If it’s the above, I’m game, that’s what I’ve always done anyways. If it’s a defined historical thing, I’m not really interested.

quote:

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Originally posted by Dean T

… so, a guy grows up finger picking guitar, 3 or even 4 finger + thumb… then later in life picks up a banjo and keeps right on playing like he always has, adapting his guitar skills to work on banjo.

Is that what you all are talking about? Or is “finger style” banjo some historical style that’s actually a thing? If it’s the above, I’m game, that’s what I’ve always done anyways. If it’s a defined historical thing, I’m not really interested.

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Great post. You hit on the exact purpose of a home for finger-style. Finger-style has a long history. But it isn't bound to or restricted by it's history. 
What you describe sounds like it is very much a part of finger-style. Many of the early banjo players also adapted their guitar finger picking to banjo.

So I could finally find a home for this?
Based on so-called Travis style guitar picking which was in turn based on stride piano rocking bass.