Half-Strike Question

[Grey Cloud]

Hello everyone,

    For the past couple of weeks, I've been teaching myself stroke style from Rice's book. He isn't specific about the action of the thumb when executing a half-strike with the index finger. So, I've decided to play all my half-strikes as hammer strikes, as described by Converse. This seems to be the most logical and comfortable thing to do. My question is: Is this a bad idea? I just don't see the point in landing my thumb when it isn't going to sound a string.

[Tim Twiss]

depends where it goes next. got an example/

[Tim Twiss]

I mean an example of a spot where you would question it one way or the other?

[Grey Cloud]

In the second example from Rice's book, I can kinda see landing the thumb on the fifth even when it's not sounded since using a hammer stroke would create extra hand motion. However, in the sixth example, I think the first note screams hammer strike. As well as the first two notes of Camptown Hornpipe, which I've been fooling around with.

[Tim Twiss]

Yes. If you look at all Converse's "banjo style" tunes, you can get a sense of where he re-thought some of the earlier concepts. It does stay in line with the Rice "Strike" idea, but I think the Hammer is a refinement...and an improvement to it.

Those tunes in the Analytical are a pita to work out upon first reading, but they really are beautiful Well worth the time.

Yes....Camptown notes certainly a Hammer, as are almost all single notes...especially on the inner strings.

That move in # 6 seems obsolete, and I don't think is very practical nor used. It is worth trying it, as it may provide some insight into a style that was in use at that time. Certainly, it helps dictate the tempo and feel to use that, but I believe it proves to be impractical.

I think # 2 is just following through of an idea, and reinforcing the idea of the "plant" or Combination.

[Grey Cloud]

I'm still a bit confused... How about in "Where did you come from". Should the quarter note half-strikes be played with planting or with the hammer stroke technique?

[Grey Cloud]

Thanks for your time and help. I think I'll let VLC answer anymore fingering questions I have in the future. Only thing left to do now is practice :).

[Tim Twiss]

What is VLC?

[Grey Cloud]

My apologies. If you click on the link, it will take you to the program's site. I use it to watch videos in slow motion with pitch correction.

[Tim Twiss]

That must be quite helpful.