Forum - Banjo Ben Clark

Discuss the Banjo lesson: Intro to Potatoes

#21

In the Intro To Potatoes, Basic Banjo, in measure 6 (Worried Man Blues),
the 2-5 slide indicates fingering using the Thumb & Index finger.
Why is the index finger used and how/where is it used ?

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#22

Hey Steve, the index finger plays the open G string (It’s the same note you’re sliding up to, which strengthens the emphasis of that note).

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#23

Is this typical of a slide to play (strengthen) that note ?
I’ve not yet gotten to that lesson in the banjo learning track but I
thought the second note in a slide was not accented. Noticeable,
but not directly accented.

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#24

Hi @kooseman Steve

You got it, this comes directly from Earls Scruggs Banjo Style

#25

You’re not plucking the note you’re sliding to; you’re picking the same note on the open G string as part of a roll, resulting in two G notes sounding at the same time – the G on the 5th fret of the D string (which you are sliding to, not picking) and the open G. The index finger’s note (open G) is not part of the slide.

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#26

Got it. Thank you very much for clarifying.
I think my question was answered in Ben’s lesson on slides
relative to using an additional “target” note.
Thanks again .

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