Forum - Banjo Ben Clark

#2 postion cord - ring finger mutes 3rd string

#1

Hello pickers! I’m working on up-the-neck backup. I can do a decent job with vamps and 4-2-1 rolls with, but when I try to incorporate the 3rd string into my rolls in the #2 position my ring finger will always mute the 3rd string and it sounds … well …bad. When I try to move my fingers around, I can can get it right but, it hurts and is unnatural to me and I know that I would struggle moving efficiently from position #1 to position #2 in a backup situation which means I’m not ready to try in a jam.

I’ve searched this forum and Banjo Hangout, and the consensus is practice …which I’m committed to do. But, I figured I’d ask this most esteemed group for any tips or advice besides more time in the 'ole practice room

Thanks everyone!

Jz

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#2

Can you post a video? It will help @BanjoBen to analyse your fingering and offer advice on how to adjust your hand position.

#3

@Archie yes! great idea. Heading out of town tomorrow, but will try to get something up … if not, look for it in abt. 2 weeks.

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#4

OK! Here’s my video. any tips, etc. from the experts is most appreciated. Thanks guys.

https://youtu.be/4gSjFA0W7Bs

#5

Video is not working @justjon Jon.

Best to upload the video to YouTube and post the link here

#6

thanks … it worked on my machine! (commonly heard for those that work with software engineers!). I’ve updated the link above. let me know if that works. thanks!

#7

Hi @justjon John

From a retired computer engineer, the reason your video wouldn’t show on a public forum was because it was on your private iCloud and we did not have access to that location.

As regards the G chord up the neck. This is a common issue with beginners. How do you fix it? Well you have the answer right there on the video you posted when you said “Now I can try to move my fingers around - and sometimes I can get it”

Look closely at your wrist position and finger position on your video and compare it to how @BanjoBen holds his banjo in that position. Adjusting your wrist angle and pointing your fingers down onto the strings rather than flat across the strings will prevent you from muting strings.

Another tip you’ll learn further along the beginners learning track is that experience players don’t always fret the 4tn string in a D chord position. That said, it’s important to “FIX” this issue before you move forward and that takes Observation and Adjustment. Patience, Perseverance & Practice. Your NOT going to fix this problem overnight you have to work at it.

advice

#8

excellent advice @Archie, much appreciated and I will get to work!

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#9

Ok…so if i mimic @BanjoBen 's hand position - especially his left hand palm and thumb on the back on the neck, I still get the mute. I do think it’s because of his hand shape (his hands are way bigger than mine), so maybe some tips form those with little “stubby” fingers. :upside_down_face:

thanks

#10

I have little stubby fingers. Trust me when I say it all down to Observation and Adjustment. Patience, Perseverance & Practice. Your NOT going to fix this problem overnight you have to work at it. @justjon

But I’ll leave it to @BanjoBen to respond

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#11

thanks @Archie … that makes me feel ALOT better.

#12

Here you go @justjon, excuse the cam angle attempts but it should help

https://youtu.be/h9FPV8s_jKI

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#13

You fixed it @BanjoBen! I had gone down the “press hard with your thumb” road and that’s what was messing me up. Your “relaxed mode” was the solution. I can now play all 4 strings cleanly and naturally and feel much more confident now about hitting this d-position AND going up/down the neck with chord changes. No more blaming my sausage fingers haha.

And everyone else out there – if you’re having issues with chords up the neck, this video is golden.

THANK YOU! :grin:

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