Davide Scozzi's Page

Davide Scozzi replied to Davide Scozzi's discussion Left hand finger position

"Thanks guys for your contributions. My sense is that John is right when he says that index ring is a more modern approach and index middle a more traditional approach. I'm interested in the historical reason for this shift over the time…"

Jun 7

Paul Draper replied to Davide Scozzi's discussion Left hand finger position

"...but I can't say that the occasion arises often with the minstrel tunes. I'll have to pay closer attention..."

Jun 7

Paul Draper replied to Davide Scozzi's discussion Left hand finger position

"Al - yes, frequently esp. when playing out of low-bass tuning for "old-time" tunes. "

Jun 7

Timothy Twiss replied to Davide Scozzi's discussion Left hand finger position

"I'm just not even concious of it."

Jun 7

Al Smitley replied to Davide Scozzi's discussion Left hand finger position

"Tim, I think I asked you about your approach in the past. If I recall correctly, you said that you use both methods. If so, how do you decide from one tune/song to another? Paul and John, do you ever hammer on with the 2nd finger…"

Jun 7

John Masciale replied to Davide Scozzi's discussion Left hand finger position

"I use the third finger as well. In part it was because of Mike Seeger's instruction videos on claw hammer, and in part I agree with Paul Draper, I find pull offs easier with the third finger. It is also more comfortable to me. …"

Jun 7

Timothy Twiss replied to Davide Scozzi's discussion Left hand finger position

"I guess if you are a beginner getting good habits is advisable. I came to banjo late in the game. Fingers were already working."

Jun 7

Al Smitley replied to Davide Scozzi's discussion Left hand finger position

"Well, Tim, I'm more accustomed to razzing each other than disagreeing! ....and who am I to argue with your banjo playing?!? But wouldn't it make sense that proper intonation would be easier if one were not picking up fingers to…"

Jun 7

Paul Draper replied to Davide Scozzi's discussion Left hand finger position

"I use 3rd finger on 2nd fret because it makes pull-offs easier (for me). "

Jun 7

Timothy Twiss replied to Davide Scozzi's discussion Left hand finger position

"It always seemed irrelevant as long as you could properly intonate the note."

Jun 7

Al Smitley replied to Davide Scozzi's discussion Left hand finger position

"Granted, I learned to keep the 2nd finger free from Pete Seeger's book and watching him on "Rainbow Quest". I haven't been playing minstrel banjo much since Tim asked me to play fiddle but keeping the 2nd finger free still…"

Jun 7

Davide Scozzi replied to Davide Scozzi's discussion Left hand finger position

"Ps: i have used the word "fret" which in fretless instruments is not accurate only to indicate the position on the fingerboard. So for second "fret"according to briggs i mean a B and for third "fret" i mean a C on…"

Jun 6

Davide Scozzi posted a discussion

Left hand finger position

looking carefully to many videos from different players i noticed that people use 2 different major approach to left hand fingering in minstrel banjo at the first position. The majority use the third finger for the second fret and the fourth finger for the third fret on the first string. This is probably an attitude of people coming from the old time clawhammer and has the advantage of making the second finger free for other eventual figures. Other players use instead what is prescribed by the…See More

Jun 6

12 Comments 0 Likes