I just started playing with Dunlop banjo finger picks, and have been playing with Ernie Ball picks since I started. The tone is not as crisp as my thumb, this might be because the picks and not flat on the strings. Is there a right or wrong angle for this? I noticed Ben didn’t cover it in this video. I mostly notice it on finger pick heavy songs like John Henry.
Discuss the Banjo lesson: Banjo Hand Positions
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Yes, there is. Watch my lesson called “Pickin’ your picks”: https://banjobenclark.com/lessons/pickin-your-banjo-picks-banjo
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Thanks
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Great Information on hand position. I have just started playing (50ish years old) and my fretting hand is not the most agile or limber. Do you have any advice on exercises that will help to strengthen and allow for more flexibility when not playing?
Thanks
B
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That’s a great question, @wkschuyler! There are basic finger stretches out there though admittedly I don’t do them often–see a google search here
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Hi William 
to @BanjoBen 's Forum
I am sure Ben wont mind me giving his banjo teacher a plug…
Check out this DVD on Alan Munde’s website. https://almundesbanjocollege.com/dvds/
THE BLUEGRASS BANJO WORKOUT DVD
In ten information-rich lessons, master teacher Alan Munde de-mystifies many right and left hand playing techniques. Work with these lessons will add to the player’s dexterity, will increase left hand stretch, solve difficult left hand fingerings, increase speed, and help with the visual organisation of the fingerboard.
(93-MU-B2) $29.95
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I am still having great frustration getting accuracy with my picking hand. What is the best way to develop the accuracy and not having to think about what that hand is doing. I have been practicing the square roll for days and still am missing strings. I am concerned that I will develop a habit of watching that hand. When I add a chord…its even worse? any advice at all?
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Days? Give it time.
Go slow. Relax.
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Well OK…I guess I am expecting too much. The way the lessons are presented it gave me the impression that they are so basic that they should smooth out in a few days of practice and not weeks and months. I should have known better. Dumb question
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Hi Ray Patients Perseverance and Practice lots of it is what is required. We all want to push ourselves forward but it takes a bit of time before we begin to see results. As Dave say’s relax and glow slow
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Ray, the only dumb question is the one we don’t ask…
There are a lot of things in the body & mind that have to happen before playing an instrument becomes second nature.
Hang in there…it will come…in its own good time!
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Post a little video in the video swap forum category and I’ll see if I can spot something to improve!
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Hi Ben. Loving your website. Any advice on how to improve economy of movement of right hand fingers and thumb. I’ve noticed I seem to be moving my thumb and fingers much more than you are doing in your videos. Many thanks.
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Hi Steve To @BanjoBen 's Forum. It may be a while till Ben replies to your post. He will be preparing to head up to Alaska for his Banjo Camp this week end. It would help him greatly if you posted a video showing what problems you have. That way he will be better informed and ready to address your query on his return
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I noticed the fingers on your fretting hand appear to be contacting strings at a slight angle and not directly straight on the string. Is this a video optical illusion or an acceptable angle for making string contact?
I’ve been trying to contact each string straight on and find it extremely difficult (especially with chords). I would like to clarify if this is simply another beginner hurdle that too will pass with practice or an acceptable fretting hand positionl
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@kooseman, the boss is out of town for a few days, but my opinion is that slight angles are normal. Especially on chords. You will hear it stressed by some to play on the tips, but I think that’s just a start. Depending on what you are doing, you may well use different parts of the fingertips and even the pads. I use the side of my finger for some barres.
Just my two cents!
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I agree with @Mike_R. Also, my fingernails point toward my right shoulder, not the ceiling. It would be really helpful if you could post a photo/vid of your hand position.
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Thanks so much Mike & Ben for the advice, particularly about fingernails point toward my right shoulder.
I’ll definitely give that a try. Thanks also for the expedient replies.
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Hello Ben and others. I am brand new to the site and the banjo. I am really enjoying it,. I was making good progress on the forward rolls and then I got my first picks. I’m determined to learn how to use them but it is definitely a step backwards.It’s revealing that my hand position was not quite correct I think. so now as I move forward through lessons my difficulty is I"m not sure if my problems are related to band hand position, bad pick wearing, or just needing more practice. I’ve seen at times that the suggestion was made to post a video in the video swap and then people could help me determine if I Need to adjust my hand position or my pick wearing strategy. If I post a video the the video swap will ben or someone else help me?
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