Subject: Banjo Finger Picks
Date: Mon, 12 Jul 2004 19:48:51 -0400
Hello Mickey (Mr. Cochran), Just a quick question about finger picks ...... When placing them on the index and middle fingers, do the curves go up toward the fingernail, or do they curve downward like a cat`s claw? Thanks for your time. ....I think your website and your in-depth lessons and tips are truely incredible !!!! Thanks so much !!! Keith Gill

Greetings Keith,

On metal fingerpicks, you'll want to adjust them so that they curve towards the fingernail...I, personally, keep mine fairly straight...most banjo players will curbe them in a half circle so that the tip of the fingerpick is above the fingernail. This seems to contribute to better speed...Earl Scruggs himself curves his fingerpicks in this manner...

Hope this helps, Mickey

Subject: Question about banjo picks from a newbie
Date: Wed, 9 Jun 2004 14:19:11 -0600

I have just started to learn the banjo, and I'm having problems getting my finger picks to fit -- I'm using Dunlop metal picks, but my fingers are so thin that the edges of the pick bands overlap and the picks sit too far down on my fingers. Are there any good alternatives for skinny fingered people like me?

Thanks,

Virginia

Virginia,

Glad to assist:

Dunlop fingerpicks are my personal choice...because of their malleability, I'm really surprised you cannot get them to fit...it shouldn't be a problem with the overlapping bands...only, in your case, it sounds like they'll have to overlap substantially. I do not know of another smaller fingerpick...and most all fingerpicks are designed to fit universally. A personal banjo instructor should be able to assist you with this...this is quite difficult to assess by e-mail...if you're ever through our part of the country, I'd be glad to personally assist you in finding the right fit.

Another consideration is to make sure you do not have the heavier gauge metal dunlops...you should be using the .018's...they're quite a bit softer to the feel and easier to bend. Additionally, you might try the brass fingerpicks instead of the steel ones.

There are two ways to bend the bands:
1. By overlapping them to make them tighter...
2. By bending them flat so that they fit tight...

You might try step 2 above...there will be a sharp crease on the sides...but, this should ensure that the picks do not fall down too far on the finger...

Hope something here helps, Mickey

Subject: Re: Regal RD-45 Squareneck
Date: Sat, 10 Apr 2004 04:14:25 +0000

Thanks Mickey

Greetings Bret,

I do have one more question concerning the resonator. As I have been trying to learn it, I continue having problems keeping the picks on my fingers tight. As a guitar player who has only used flat picks in the past, this is turning out to be quite an adjustment. What type of picks do you recommend? Also, would you recommend the same picks for dobro and banjo?

Unless you're playing your very own style, and have no plans of playing bluegrass, picks are essential...keeping in mind, that a squareneck is almost always played in a bluegrass context, my suggestion would be to try your best to adapt to the fingerpicks and thumbpick. I've found that using just the right brand, and having them adjusted to fit your fingers properly, can make all the difference in the world. I've tried most everything out there before I settled onto the picks that best fit my playing style and approach:

Dunlop Small Thumbpick (white)
Dunlop Brass Fingerpicks (.018s)

On banjo I use two fingerpicks and one thumbpick...on Dobro I usually use three fingerpicks and one thumbpick...for bluegrass, it's recommended that you use two fingerpicks on both banjo and squareneck dobro...

The same brand and fit of picks, once you've found what fits you best, will work well for both banjo and squareneck dobro...Mickey

Subject: question
Date: Fri, 6 Feb 2004 14:13:39 -0700

Hello-

Greetings Jim,

I have the Deering Goodtime banjo and am very pleased with it. I was thinking of trading up to a different banjo but I am a little stumped. I still have a very difficult time using finger picks and doing the 3 finger approach, more or less, I still can't do the Scruggs roll.

I can understand your predicament...you may not feel comfortable with fingerpicks and the Scruggs technique...only, keep in mind, there are many other approached to the 5-string of which you may be in tune with naturally...

Instead, I use a flat pick to hit the notes or to strum, I guess I am way more comfortable with the frailing approach. My dilemma is that I want a banjo that has that resonator ring and attack but don't want it to sound muddy when I strum.

Unfortunately, most all resonator banjos have a muddy tone when strummed...that's why most frailers choose to play an open-back banjo...

After many hours of research, I am thinking that the Goodtime Special might be the one for me at this time. Ideas? Thoughts?? I do have a 'shadow' type pickup for playing live. You can reply to all if you like.

Well, the type of banjo you choose would be dependent mainly on the type of music you choose to play...the medium, as you've explained, can also be an influence...if playing with a flatpick, you might also consider a 6-string banjo...this is my banjo of choice when playing with a flatpick...on fingers, you might want to experiment with other approaches to the banjo such as classical or ragtime...if you're set on learning bluegrass, you'll most definitely want to methodically learn to play 3-finger rolls and gain some comfort with the fingerpicks...I've found that some fingerpicks are not as comfortable as others and may discourage or impede your ability to accomplish bluegrass rolls...you might try the Dunlop fingerpicks (.018) which are far more malleable than most other fingerpicks...and, to me, are the most comfortable I've tried...additionally, bending the fingerpick tips so that the strike the strings at a correct angle, and allow for a smoother banjo roll, can be a big influence...

Hopefully, something here helps you out...Mickey