[Dixielandjazz] banjo, anyone?

[Keith Garner]

Hi

On 14 Aug 2005 at 19:31, Cebuisle2 at aol.com wrote:

> OK- This is for the few banjo strummer out there. >  
> I never learned how to use a pick, and that is what I am asking about. Do  
> banjo picks come in sizes, like 1, 2, 3, and soforth? Or do I just reach into  
> the old box they hold out for me at the music store while they roll their  
> eyes- and get pot luck?

Some years ago I used to buy plectrums (picks) by mail order from a specialist banjo 
firm. In those days they were made from tortoiseshell, but the environmental and 
wildlife issues mean that today they are plastic. The answer ultimately is to find one that 
suits you and stick to it.  The only general advice I'd give here is not to go for one that's 
too thin - they may be OK for electric guitars, but they'll make a banjo sound scratchy as 
will larger ones even if quite thick

To give you an indication the one I use is 1" by 5/8" when new - although I sharpen 
them with a nail file and use them till they are about 5/8" long (They are too pointed for 
me when new). Most of the other banjo players I meet say this would be too small for 
them, but it suits me.

So - go for thick ones and try out two or three different sizes.

 
> Question 2. How much of the pick is exposed below the thumb and forefinger?  
> I seem to get the pick tangled up in the strings, producing a loud but 
> unmelodic  sound . 
>  

For playing 4 note chords I have about 1/8" - 3/16" exposed, but move it in my fingers to 
somewhere about 1/4" - 5/16" for single string playing. I have to keep the nails on my 
right hand thumb and forefinger extremely short to prevent them getting caught on the 
strings

BTW plectrums are harder to control and will twist round if you hold them between the 
tips of your finger and thumb. It's better to lay them flat onto the end joint of your first 
finger and hold them in place with the tip of your thumb

> Question 3. Do I use the pick on both the down stroke and up stroke,  or only 
> on one?
>  
Both up and down strokes.



Hope this helps
Keith Garner