Hi Archie,
Sorry, maybe stretch was not a correct word to use.
I did review the part 4 vid and the Middle 3rd fret and Ring on 4th fret is what I’m referring to.
For some reason my ring finger just doesn’t cooperate to get to that fret.
I’ve tried and tried but no go. But, my pinkey just seems to fall into place on that fret/string.
I appreciate the advice about the slide as this is what I wanted to know.
As such, I guess at this point, persistence (although seeming impossible at this time) will likely be
easier than trying to repair a future bad habit.
Challenge accepted.
BTW do you know of any suggested exercises in moving a stubborn ring finger to 4th fret while anchoring
the middle on the 3rd fret ??
Discuss the Banjo lesson: Banjo Square Roll Study
Sure I understand fully Steve. As it happens Alan Munde has a great Banjo Workout DVD see link below. It is a bunch of exercises just like a keep fit workout but for your fingers. I had a hard job trying to reach certain frets with my pinkie ( Up the neck Cumberland Gap Licks ) My brain just wouldn’t allow me to move my pinkie on it’s own. Alan’s video helped me fix that issue.
A big part of coordinating finger control is to practice scales. I have to add I hated learning scales in the beginning. I thought they were a waste of time. I just wanted to learn tunes. Over time I learned that learning scales helped me with my finger dexterity and accuracy. @BanjoBen has a bunch of scale lessons on the site.
A good exercise for working that ring finger on the 4th fret is hold down the 4th string at the 3rd fret with the middle finger and hammer on the 4th fret with the ring finger. Again you will come across this lick later on in your studies. It’s a challenge that need lots of perseverance and practice.
Here is that link to Alans Website if your interested in his DVD. Be sure to tell Alan you are one of Banjo Ben’s students and that I recommended this DVD to you.
When you get on the site scroll to the bottom of the page. This is what your looking for>
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 organization of the fingerboard.
(93-MU-B2) $29.95
THE BLUEGRASS BANJO WORKOUT DVD
$29.95 plus shipping add to cart
https://almundesbanjocollege.com/dvds/
Thank you very much Archie.
DVD headed my way.
And thanks for the heads up about BB’s scale lessons and
the exercise suggestion.
Just a quick ?
Does the ring finger hammer on any string on the 4th fret ??
Hi Steve the more you study @BanjoBen 's videos you’ll see he uses his ring finger to hammer-on and pull-off the 3rd string too. This is not a common practice other banjo players use, this is just Ben’s preference. I don’t use my ring finger to hammer-on or pull-off the 3rd string but I do on the 4th string. I was taught to hammer-on and pull-off the 3rd string with my middle finger. My first teacher was Murphy Henry
Going to chord C is my problem. I haven’t gotten it where my fingers land on the strings at the same time.
So here is a little exercise to educate your brain to land all three fingers on the fret board. Start with the ring finger. Place it on the first string second fret. Now place the other two fingers Index on second string 1st Fret middle finger on 4th string second fret. Repeat this exercise for about ten minutes making sure you place the fingers accurately. Take your time this is not a speed exercise.
Now starting with the Index on second string 1st Fret followed by the middle finger on 4th string second fret lastly the ring finger. Place it on the first string second fret. Repeat this exercise for about ten minutes making sure you place the fingers accurately. Once again take your time this is not a speed exercise.
Now start with your middle finger place it on 4th string second fret Index on second string 1st Fret followed by the ring finger on the first string second fret. Repeat this exercise for about ten minutes making sure you place the fingers accurately.
Now try placing All fingers down at the same time. Repeat the exercise until you can land all fingers accurately and with confidence. This is how I learned to do it.