Thumb hitting the banjo

[lurcherlad]

I try and incorporate tapping the head with my thumb in certain tunes-I agree it adds a lot to your playing and after all the Banjo is a rhythm instrument and also a drum!-One of my favourite players -who's no longer with us- Morgan Sexton who played a three finger but very old time banjo style used it to really good affect-Havn't got a clue how you put links for clips up but you can find his stuff on i-tunes! And enjoy your playing-which in time gets more and more individual if you stick at it!All the best-Andy

[frkeith]

I have a problem trying to play anything at all without my thumb hitting the banjo head - sometimes I think it gets a bit annoying but I have the action set up so low I can't avoid it. I might try setting up one of my banjos with a high action to see what difference it makes to the overall sound.

[Eddy]

Hi Tom - I also agree with the others, it sounds great to hear it played especially when Patrick plays does it, so keep on thumbing.

[Fingers n thumbs]

I think Mark and Yannis hit the spot - get the frailing strum down pat first and then work on what you'd like to do with your thumb.

Have been frailing for not quite 2 years and i can now add or drop the thumb beat - haven't mastered doing that in and out during a song, but i am working on this way i have of rocking my hand back and forth to get more of a boom chukka sound - been listening to too much Johnny Cash. ;D

Dont know if that helps - but it gives you an idea that it takes time to master your control over your instrument. One foot in front of the other and if we meet along the way, and, or, you get there before me - give me a wave ;D

Rogf

[Patrick Costello]

One thing to keep in mind: I only started my fabled thumb-thwacking as a way to help me keep rhythm as my hearing started fail.

I always feel kind of weird when somebody who can hear just fine imitates my thumb . . .

-Patrick