classic banjo v classical guitar

[Eric Reid]

I am really kean to learn the classic style of banjo playing but I am on the horns of a dilemma. If I cut my nails as seems to be the chosen way of playing then I must sacrifice the guitar. I also wonder why the ring finger id not used. Classical guitar players use it all the time and it seems to me there are places in banjo music where this could be used

I believe Mike Moss was classically trained on the guitar. Perhaps he could comment

[Jody Stecher]

Use the nails on the banjo if it pleases you. Play and see what you think. You can make changes later or not. Use the ring finger for chords. I do.  Some of classic banjo right hand is patterned, although the patterns are not codified as in bluegrass. The ring finger would get in the way of these patterns.  There are several professional banjo players who use thumb and three digits regularly (as opposed to occasionally using the ring where needed).  In my opinion their music is less rhythmically compelling as a result.  For slow pieces, using the ring finger is unlikely to be harmful I think.

[Eric Reid]

Many thanks for this advice. I will do exactly as you suggest and will let you know in the fullness of time how It works.

Eric

Jody Stecher said:

Use the nails on the banjo if it pleases you. Play and see what you think. You can make changes later or not. Use the ring finger for chords. I do.  Some of classic banjo right hand is patterned, although the patterns are not codified as in bluegrass. The ring finger would get in the way of these patterns.  There are several professional banjo players who use thumb and three digits regularly (as opposed to occasionally using the ring where needed).  In my opinion their music is less rhythmically compelling as a result.  For slow pieces, using the ring finger is unlikely to be harmful I think.

[thereallyniceman]

Hi Eric,

This again a "how can you" question. I usually answer these with a "This is how it WAS played" answer.. ie. in most cases played with bare fingertips.

One thing that may sound silly is that a banjo is a banjo and a guitar is a guitar. Over the years we have had several classical guitar players, who have visited the site, and seemingly tried every way they could to play the banjo in a way to make it sound like a guitar!... even down to stuffing rags, socks, vest inside, adding reverb etc. to change the acoustic quality of the instrument. 

You can, and many excellent players do, play it with nails, fingerpicks and bare fingers.. you can play it with thumb and two, three or four fingers.. but please let it ring and sound like a banjo!

Please record your efforts for us and ask anything, at any time, as we have many experts who are willing to share there experience of playing the instrument. Your musical skill in playing Classical Guitar will greatly help when playing CB.

[Eric Reid]

Thanks for your comments. Watching you play has been a big inspiration to me and has spurred me on to change from folk to CB. Sadly my long necked Framus banjo could not be more unsuitable to play this style BUT I will use it initially to practice and save up for a more suitable model when i feel I am proficient enough Just now I am having a go at Banjoland ---very nice tuneful piece and I am making progress and once i acquire a decent banjo I will have a go at recording it for your comments. Any suggestions for a medium priced suitable model --perhaps a couple of hundred pounds worth

Best regards and thanks again

thereallyniceman said:

Hi Eric,

This again a "how can you" question. I usually answer these with a "This is how it WAS played" answer.. ie. in most cases played with bare fingertips.

One thing that may sound silly is that a banjo is a banjo and a guitar is a guitar. Over the years we have had several classical guitar players, who have visited the site, and seemingly tried every way they could to play the banjo in a way to make it sound like a guitar!... even down to stuffing rags, socks, vest inside, adding reverb etc. to change the acoustic quality of the instrument. 

You can, and many excellent players do, play it with nails, fingerpicks and bare fingers.. you can play it with thumb and two, three or four fingers.. but please let it ring and sound like a banjo!

Please record your efforts for us and ask anything, at any time, as we have many experts who are willing to share there experience of playing the instrument. Your musical skill in playing Classical Guitar will greatly help when playing CB.

[Dan Colombo]

Hi all,

Great responses above. My two cents as a nail player who tries to keep up their guitar chops is to maintain nails, but keep them about 1 or 2 mm shorter if I'm going to be playing the banjo a lot. This allows me to get that plunky, staccato, flesh/nail combined attack for the banjo, but you're only a couple days away from being guitar ready if a "banjos-strongly-discouraged" gig comes up, like a wedding or church service.

Re: the third finger, I would definitely echo what Jody says above about using it for chords. I stopped trying to use it so much when I heard the early recordings of Ossman, Van Eps, Hunter, etc., and realized that they were all 3-finger players and were clearly were not missing the ring finger.

Best,

Dan

[Eric Reid]

Many thanks for your response. Seems like a good way of getting the best of both worlds Actually playing the banjo with nails sounds OK. I remember Julian Bream playing the lute which, like the banjo is meant to be played without nails. He managed to get a great sound out of it I suppose he just adapted the technique and I will do the same with your good advice. Fortunately I play only for my own amusement so its not such a critical matter. I will gradually wean myself off the ring finger but I must admit it comes in handy at times.

Dan Colombo said:

Hi all,

Great responses above. My two cents as a nail player who tries to keep up their guitar chops is to maintain nails, but keep them about 1 or 2 mm shorter if I'm going to be playing the banjo a lot. This allows me to get that plunky, staccato, flesh/nail combined attack for the banjo, but you're only a couple days away from being guitar ready if a "banjos-strongly-discouraged" gig comes up, like a wedding or church service.

Re: the third finger, I would definitely echo what Jody says above about using it for chords. I stopped trying to use it so much when I heard the early recordings of Ossman, Van Eps, Hunter, etc., and realized that they were all 3-finger players and were clearly were not missing the ring finger.

Best,

Dan

[Mike Moss]

Perhaps he could comment

There is but one answer: the Classic Banjo Guillotine!