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| Moderated by: Richard Hefner |
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| Thumb Pain - Clawhammer Banjo - Banjo - ezFolk Forums | |||||||||||||||
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Chaoscat Approved 
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I picked up a banjo a few months ago and started working on learning to play clawhammer style. (Thanks so much to Richard for all the great help here on the site) While I'm really loving clawhammer banjo, I'm starting to get pains in my right thumb. I wasn't playing it all that much. Everyday for 20-30 minutes and a couple of hours over the weekends. We just got back from a 10 day vacation (banjo was left at home) and my thumb didn't hurt at all after the trip. I picked up my banjo for half an hour after we got back and the next day, the pain was back. I've tried backing off on how much stress I put on the G string, but it's darn hard to back off. When you're playing at tempo, everything just kind of happens. Any advice?
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banjo brad Super Moderator 
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Where, exactly, is the pain? On the pad of the thumb where you pluck the string, or at the base (ball) of the thumb? Are you hitting the head or rim of the banjo with the ball of the thumb? If so, you need to adjust your hand angle to avoid this. If it's at the pad, you may just need to get that portion "hardened up" some. I played fingerstyle guitar for years before starting clawhammer banjo, so I had no problem with that. If the feeling is like cramps or muscle soreness, maybe you are too tense in the hand, causing the thumb to start cramping. You need to have a fairly rigid, but relaxed position for the entire hand, and the thumb should not be making a 'plucking' motion. It should hook the string, and sound it when it rotates off on the stroke reset. Hope we can help. If it persists, you might want to consider seeing your Doctor. A player I know developed a case of bursitis from hitting the ball of the thumb on the head consistently. She now plays lefthanded. Brad
____________________ ezFolk Help Brad Prickly Pear Music Banjo Brad's ezFolk page TOTMC |
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Chaoscat Approved
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I hit the G string with the pad of my thumb, but that's not where the problem is. The pain is in the joint of my thumb. I think it's the constant stretching and reaching of the thumb for the G string that causing the joint irritation.
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banjo brad Super Moderator
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Ah! You shouldn't be "reaching" for the 5th string! The hand should start in a slightly curled position - kind of like holding a credit card or business card in the palm of your hand: and the thumb should only make minor movements to adjust for the difference in distance between strings. There are 4 photos on my photos pages showing how the distance varies between thumb and playing finger (even though this is shot for a uke, the concept is the same). "Reaching" with the thumb tells me that you are trying to use it like a guitar player or a Scruggs player would. It isn't something that should be a part of your movement. Watch some of Richard's videos or check the two videos I have Here or Here for a look at how the thumb doesn't move. Hope this helps. Brad
____________________ ezFolk Help Brad Prickly Pear Music Banjo Brad's ezFolk page TOTMC |
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Chaoscat Approved
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I'll have to take a look at that with my banjo at lunchtime ( I bring it with me an practice at a local park during lunch). I know that my "claw" opens up every time I hit the bottom D string and then pluck the Top G. Maybe I'm over extending and letting the knuckles drop to low on the down stroke. Last edited on Fri Sep 21st, 2007 01:28 pm by Chaoscat |
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banjo brad Super Moderator
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" I know that my "claw" opens up every time I hit the bottom D string and then pluck the Top G" Try to start with the claw in the position where your finger (index or middle, whichever you use) is resting on the 1st string and your thumb is resting on the 5th string. This (with just a bit more separation) should be the extent of the "stretch" of the thumb. When you are picking inside strings, the gap will decrease depending on which string, but should never get more open than the "starting" gap. Sounds like you have what some of the folk over on BHO call a "floating" thumb, where you let it hover above and around the strings until it is needed and then you try to get it in there in time to make the note. Practice making sure that the thumb comes to rest of the 5th string every time. Eventually, you will get the feeling down, the "float" should decrease, and you will find the comfort zone. Keep me posted. Brad
____________________ ezFolk Help Brad Prickly Pear Music Banjo Brad's ezFolk page TOTMC |
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| ezFolk Forums > Banjo > Clawhammer Banjo > Thumb Pain | |
