A discussion about technique

[Austin]

Why is the banjo placed on the right thigh instead of in the middle like a bluegrass player? 

[Jody Stecher]

A banjo is placed according to the length of the player's arms. Plenty of bluegrass players put the pot on the right thigh. I am one of them. Been doing it since I was 12. If I put it in the middle it would contort my right shoulder.

[Austin]

It also seems that you would contort your elbow. Which a lot of bluegrass players do I notice. If I may ask a question, what angle do you play the banjo at?

Jody Stecher said:

A banjo is placed according to the length of the player's arms. Plenty of bluegrass players put the pot on the right thigh. I am one of them. Been doing it since I was 12. If I put it in the middle it would contort my right shoulder.

[thereallyniceman]

Many years ago I made a video for beginners that explains why the banjo should be played rested on the right thigh:

There are a whole number of videos on the "LEARN TO PLAY" link at the top of the home page.

[Joel Hooks]

One could pontificate on 19th century prudishness and ideas of decency… perhaps the same reason that many American teachers of the Spanish Guitar taught a similar same right thigh position.  But there is no real proof.

In my personal experience and observations, I have found that right thigh placement tends to encourage sitting up straight which opens up the chest and allows for full and easy breathing.  It also makes for a nice presentation.  When I am sloppily noodling with the banjo between my legs I find myself rounding my back/hunching over with poor posture.

I’ve tried all kinds of positions over the years.  I like left leg crossed over the right as it forms a sort of support for the banjo on the left thigh.  I will also often use a foot rest (as those used with the guitar) to elevate my left knee for the same effect of supporting. And sometimes I don’t.

There are a few ABF rally regulars that got their “banjo” playing start (on plectrum or tenor banjo) with the Shakey’s Pizza fad who hold the banjo like Eddie Peabody, between the legs with the new nearly vertical and that seems to work for them.

[Ethan Schwartz]

Another reason that hasn't been mentioned yet is sound projection. With a resonator or closed-back banjo, how you hold it doesn't have a big impact on sound (beyond how position affects your playing technique, of course). But with an open-back banjo, holding it in the middle means that a lot of the instrument's sound is absorbed by your belly. By placing the banjo on the right thigh and angling it slightly up and forward, the sound coming out the back has a chance to escape leftward across the body and reflect off the floor/wall.

[Jody Stecher]

Some closed-backed banjos may have a back that is sonically inert. But the resonators on Gibsons or Paramounts for instance do vibrate when the banjo is played. The impact of contact with the clothed body of the player is readily audible. As to which sound is better or preferable, there is no agreement. 

Ethan Schwartz said:

Another reason that hasn't been mentioned yet is sound projection. With a resonator or closed-back banjo, how you hold it doesn't have a big impact on sound (beyond how position affects your playing technique, of course). But with an open-back banjo, holding it in the middle means that a lot of the instrument's sound is absorbed by your belly. By placing the banjo on the right thigh and angling it slightly up and forward, the sound coming out the back has a chance to escape leftward across the body and reflect off the floor/wall.