For enthusiasts of early banjo
Learning Stroke Technique - Help Needed!
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Comment by Rob MacKillop on August 17, 2009 at 9:10am
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OK, here goes. I have messed around with stroke technique on the odd ocassion, but have now decided to give it a serious try. I would like to know if I am doing anything wrong before I go 'perfecting' my errors. All comments welcome.
You will notice half way through I start using the Fred Kelly Freedom Pick. I have VERY soft nails, and the pick allows me to play for longer, and actually gives me a sense of extra security, somehow. I know it is not 'authentic' but hopefully I can find an suitable thimble or strengthen my nails - I have no real hope there, I spent 8 years as a classical guitarist trying every solution known to humankind, and ultimately failed. Interestingly, the Freedom Pick allows you to play up strokes as well.
I've tried to use Converse's directions, using the 'half combination' where indicated, sort of a ghost stroke with the thumb on the 5th string. I can feel that it helps articulate the rhythm somewhat.
After making this video I started playing better, but would like to know if I am making any grave errors before spending hours forcing my hands to do the wrong thing.
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Comment by Tim Twiss on August 17, 2009 at 9:46am
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Rob, that is a nice video. Keep us posted on your journey. Let me know how you feel about the combination movement and the resulting plants with the right hand...how does it feel? I like the way the entire hand is stabalized. I like the way it is thrown down and drawn up, as Converse describes it. My opinion is that by using the combinations, it opens a window to the real feel of these tunes. I think the combination idea can travel backward through time and be applied to much of the early stroke material. I'm certain you will get many opinions on the right hand thing. I'll be waiting to see them. Is there a proper "technique" for this way of playing? Leave it to us white Europeans to try and make it so. If there is one, Converse nailed it down. Let me know if you begin to add the Hammer stroke.
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Not sure the video really helped. It's very slightly out of sync with the sound, and when things speed up it becomes a wee bit of a blur, but I suppose it gives a rough idea of what I'm doing. You are right, Tim, about the relationaship between the combinations and the feel. For those who are not sure what we are talking about, Converse refers to a combination stroke when the thumb anticipates where it is going to play after the note that is just about to be played by the striking finger. He is very keen to mark this when needed, and it takes some getting used to - for me at least. But it does seem to be very important.
Hammer stroke - working on it!
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For things that are more about function than beauty, I wouldn't be too concerned about sound quality of your camera. We all suffer from the same thing...but that's what cheap quick videos are. Do you have a feeling of the hand drawing through the stroke? I thought I heard the knuckles hit the head of the banjo. Personally, I like that. I like to do it, and I like to hear it. It adds to the rhythm of the hand stroke. Of course, it's good to turn it off at will.
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Yes, it is a much more percussive feel and sound. I almost feel I am beating out a rhythm. Great fun!
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"The position of the fingers is never changed in playing Banjo style, the hand being moved from the wrist"
Green Converse 1865 p 7.
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"when the 1st string is struck, the finger should slide to, and rest on top of the instrument"
Briggs' 1855 p 8
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I'm going to try Carolina Reel (Analytical, p.96) next as it gets good use of what Converse calls the 'hammer' stroke - in other words, a stroke with the index finger which does not have the thumb on another string in anticipation. This is where I see Tim resting his thumb on his index. That looks a neat way to support the index. But not everyone does that, so I'll experiment.
I'm also concerned that I should be pushing out my index a little further than the others, as in the famous painting:
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Nice picture, but I think instructions clearly say to keep fingers together. The extension, I have found, is sublte. Let me know how the hammer works for you. I'm kind of alone on that tangent right now. It would be good to have somebody to discuss it with.
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