Forum - Banjo Ben Clark

Hand position

#1

I have a problem with my thumb pick hitting the head of the banjo as I play. Not real sure how to position hand to correct this. Can you help?

Kenny

1 Like
#2

Hi @Ken_Ehlschide Ken welcome back to @BanjoBen 's forum.

Great question

Sigh of relief your not alone, I have been picking banjo 18 years and still hit the head sometimes. It may also help to reassure you knowing that Earl Scuggs has been known to hit the head with his thumb pick.

The best advice I have to offer is. Do not fret over this (pun Intended)

Now for some practical advice.

Some thumb picks have long blades, the type of pick I use has a long blade. I trim the down the tip with nail cutters and file the edges. That helps to some degree.

It could be down to your pick angle and or how deep you are digging into the strings.

Check out this lesson. @BanjoBen talks about hand positions
https://banjobenclark.com/lessons/banjo-hand-positions-banjo?from_track=beginner-banjo

Finally, create a video of your picking hand and post it in the Video Swap area, Let Ben review it and provide you with some feedback

#3

I find that when I play slow or medium speed I don’t hit the head, but when I speed up I start hitting the head with my thumb pick occasionally. I have been playing since the early 2000’s, and never cared before. Now I’m trying to clean up my picking and stop hitting the head, but old habits are hard to break. Your smart for trying to fix it now.

#4

Howdy Kenny! If you can post a vid of your picking hand, that would be great. However, without looking at it, I can say that one thing that can often cause this is having a very flat wrist, and having the thumb side of your palm too close to the banjo head. With a slight arch in the wrist, you can lift that further away from the head and that can help with this.

#5

Thanks for the reply. I haven’t played in 10 yrs. and I’m trying to get back into it. However, at 72 yrs. old I’m finding it a bit more difficult than I thought I would.
If I change hand position it does help it a bunch but then my wrist gets tired and I flatten out again.

Thanks to all that replied. Good advice from all of you.

2 Likes
#6

Hi @Ken_Ehlschide Ken I startled learning banjo aged 61, I turn 79 in August. Stick with it it gets a little easier each day.