Forum - Banjo Ben Clark

Rt hand troubles

#5

Wow! This link could not have been referenced at a more perfect time.

I’ve spent the last week contemplating everything covered in this video. Forgot most of what’s in it, cause I haven’t viewed it for over a year. Can’t recommend enough that every banjo player review this.

I was even googling this matter, and I discovered that the famous pianist John Schaum permanently damaged his hand from trying to play with his middle and ring fingers moving independent of each other. Some of his students suffered the same fate.

Thanks to Ben for covering that part, and thanks to Archie for this link.

To all my fellow banjo players, please review this video. You’ll be glad you did.

1 Like
#6

Neil, do you by any chance work at the John Deere plant in Kville? If so, I’m your neighbor.

#7

I wish I did; then I could stop over and do some jamming with you guys! :wink: I work in the Product Engineering Facility in Waterloo, Iowa. This is the home of the largest production tractors in the U.S.A. While I do testing in Waterloo, I also travel to Lincoln, NE and Groß Umstat, Germany for Official test. Fun stuff right there!

1 Like
#8

@Treblemaker its amazing the “little things” you forget to do after playing a while. (glad I watched Bens video again).
@brianvanhoosier773 as for your one or two finger plant, I personally have gotten used to just using my pinky and even that lays at a bit of an angle, you will just have to see what works the best for you, don’t get to caught up in one or two finger plant, just use whatever is comfortable for you.

#9

That is a really great video. I learned stuff that I had forgot!

@brianvanhoosier773, I mentioned in the other thread, please upload a video of your right hand and we’ll get you going.

#10

My ring finger has gotten to be a teenager and wants to do things on it’s own! I never had this issue before: I will start playing and something seems off when I suddenly realize my ring finger is doing the wave like at the ballpark!
Does it not realize it is part of the whole and needs to be focused on what is good for all?!

2 Likes
#11

Ugh. I apologize for the delay here I have not been able to make a video that I can successfully get on this site. Ben if you could email me at my registered email. I would be happy to send it to you. I guess I’m technically challenged all over the place here

#12

Thank you everyone for the great advise. I’m finding this to be a struggle between proper technique and comfort. I have a couple videos but have not been able to make one that the site will allow me to upload

#13

I may have figured this video issue out. Here is a link to the Dropbox. Please let me know if this does not work.

#14
#15

Hi Brian

The best way to submit a video is to create a YouTube Channel. Upload your video to YouTube then post the link to the video in the Video Swap Forum.

#16

@brianvanhoosier773, sorry for the delayed reply! It looks like yet another one has fallen victim to the false advice that everyone should anchor two fingers. I think you need to forget anchoring the ring and go with the pinky. Let the ring float as long as it doesn’t get in the way of the strings and let me know what you think. Regarding the angle, everything looks pretty good and please settle into what is comfortable…keep me posted.

2 Likes
#17

Well isn’t that exciting! Thanks for the comment and advice Ben. I wondered about the second finger when I saw your video on RT hand placement and that you were a pinky guy because of the codependent ring finger. I have been forgetting about the ring and just watching to not lay on the bridge. Things are moving much more smoothly now. This is such a great forum of great people.

Banjo Ben community is the best!

1 Like
#18

I can only anchor my pinky so wouldn’t sweat about it. I think it’s just a matter of time and picking slowly and correcting when you feel your hand rolling back. I still have problems sometimes where I feel my hand is just touching the bridge depending on what song I’m playing. Don’t worry, your hand will eventually find a correct comfortable position for YOU. I say you, as we are all different in what we find comfortable. We just have to try and avoid bad habits that may inhibit our progress. I’m trying to correct a slightly fly away middle finger when I’m picking. :stuck_out_tongue:
Great to have you aboard :+1:

1 Like
#19

Brian,

Yep. That danged issue. I went to Ben’s camp last week. The first thing he noticed about my right hand was that I was laying my pinky down sort of on its side. We chatted. That position drags your whole hand out of line in terms of getting a “square” shot at the strings. the face of the pick needs to come straight across the string. Ben pointed out that I was picking with the edge of the pick which deprived my banjo of tone and power. That night I went to Ben’s lesson on the right hand. It really helped. You will have to concentrate.

Go for it!

2 Likes
#20

Awesome info Boo. I have been working diligently at this and it is getting better. Thanks for the info. Hope the camp was a good time.

#21

I suffer the same issue. And I know the hassle that comes with it. Singelstring picking is harder, Less space to get in between the string and I have hard time to reach 4th with my index. I have tried to force a more upright position. But if I play like that for 30 min and stops, I have so much pain in my forearm that I can’t ever turn around it’s on axis so to speak. Don’t know if it has to do anything with me using computer since I was a child, like alot and when you lay your hand on the mouse it is kinda sideways with the pinky and ring.
Don’t know if I can force it, if only do it a couple min a day perhaps.

2 Likes
#22

Glad you popped up on here. I honestly know little to nothing about single string, but Banjo Ben and the other folks on here set me straight. they suggested just forgetting about the ring finger and as long as it is not hitting the strings just let it float around.

I took that advice and not only picked up speed but dexterity. I am on computers daily too and understand the concern there. If we want to look at it technically I thin it has to do with not having an independent ring finger. So planting it causes the muscles to strain to stay in place.

Good luck and let me know if it works better for you.

Brian

#23

A new single-string lesson went to the site today :slight_smile:

#24

Hey Matts. I gotta tell you. I suffered with the same deal actually needlessly for a long time. What changed my life, is a short video on this Forum called "Eliminating Banjo/Guitar Tendonitis. I do these short stretches and flexes before & after (and actually during) my practice sessions. It really changed my life and far as picking and restoring my hand and forearm. It might help you. Can’t hurt. Who knows?
https://banjobenclark.com/forum/t/eliminating-banjo-guitar-tendonitis-my-rapid-road-to-recovery/7794

Also, I can only speak for myself, but relaxation during picking is so important. I used to tense-up at higher picking speeds and start pushing my anchor fingers around the head. Took a lot of work, but now that ring & pinky stay right where they are. In part, I use this as a gauge that I’m tensing up with will quickly lead to pain & stiffness. My 2-cents. Worth about that probably. :wink: Happy Picking!