Basic Two-Finger Picking
Added 2018-02-22 23:03:15 +0000 UTCLet's break down the basics of two-finger "thumb lead" banjo picking. This is the easiest, most intuitive way to play the five string banjo (best approach for beginners).
Comments
Nice video but I do wish it was slower for the complete noob to follow. Thanks.
Mike Osmond
2021-05-06 00:34:08 +0000 UTCThanks, boss! Maybe I aught to re-do this one, with better lighting...
Clifton Hicks
2020-12-09 22:49:18 +0000 UTCThree years old and still getting views. Really appreciate all the work you put in.
Jonathan dube
2020-12-09 13:30:59 +0000 UTCHey Ian, I'm dealing with the same issue. First string drone is just another way to play two-finger thumb lead and I don't consider it "wrong". To make it sound good you have to add lots of pinches. It sounds good for some things but I think once you can flip it, it'd be awesome to switch between the two like a bluegrass player switching up rolls within a song. I see your post is a few months old. sure you have it worked out by now ;)
Chad Hawkins
2018-05-15 11:30:23 +0000 UTCCan you explain the problem some more? I am not following your exact meaning. If your fingers are picking out that rhythm efficiently and it sounds good to YOU, then don't worry necessarily about all the details. Again, try and explain your issue in some more detail and maybe me or someone else here can get you fixed up.
Clifton Hicks
2018-02-25 18:31:35 +0000 UTCArgh! I taught myself a couple songs in two finger style and I’ve inadvertently done it completely wrong. I’ve been doing bum-tytit instead of bum titty. In other words I’ve been using the first string as a drone. Unlearning things is a drag.
Ian Harding
2018-02-25 17:49:25 +0000 UTCThanks, Brian, that's music to my ears.
Clifton Hicks
2018-02-24 22:17:10 +0000 UTCGreat question, David. We just filmed an intro to playing waltz rhythm with two-finger picking, so look out for that one soon.
Clifton Hicks
2018-02-24 22:16:50 +0000 UTCThat is the best explanation, and easiest for me to understand that I have ever heard!
Brian Hamby
2018-02-24 22:00:12 +0000 UTCSorry I hit the return key at the wrong time - are there other rhythmic possibilities for 2 finger picking other than that straight bum-ditty pattern?
David Long
2018-02-24 10:42:13 +0000 UTCThank you for this very clear explanation on producing the bum-ditty rhythm in 2 finger picking. At some point can you show some of rhythmic
David Long
2018-02-24 10:39:47 +0000 UTCWe will probably be spending pretty equal amounts of time on two-finger, up-stroke and overhand. I'll do a video like this on how to up-pick and "frail" as well.
Clifton Hicks
2018-02-23 18:17:20 +0000 UTCThat is like a alternating roll minus the middle finger in 3 finger picking style. And that is what i was afraid it was going to be. Due to an injury to the right arm tendon i'm just not able to do repetitive picking without the arm cramping up. But i will continue to watch your techniques and try and incorporate them into the overhand style.
OkieRob
2018-02-23 17:51:09 +0000 UTCAwesome. That's what it's all about.
Clifton Hicks
2018-02-23 15:59:41 +0000 UTCThumb-3rd, REST, Index-1st, Thumb-5th.
Clifton Hicks
2018-02-23 15:59:13 +0000 UTCI'm a little confused, when you make the 2 finger sound like the bum-ditty, do you go thumb on 3rd, index on 1st, thumb on 5th? Or do you go thumb on 3rd, thumb on 5th, index on 1st?
Matt Gibson
2018-02-23 13:01:26 +0000 UTCWow... Thank you so much for this tutorial. I've been struggling like, forever to get this in my head and this has made it to so accessible! ;-)
Stephen Reilly
2018-02-23 12:33:32 +0000 UTC
