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| Moderated by: Tony Provencher, Richard Hefner |
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| Can I play the banjo without some fingers? | Rate Topic |
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| Posted: Wed Jan 7th, 2009 07:21 pm |
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1st Post |
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bamboo Approved
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Hey all. Used to play piano way back when , but that's not really a good option for me now. Lost the pinky and ring finger on my right hand in an accident years ago. Looking for an instrument to learn again. Is the banjo a possibility given my situation? *(I am right handed btw). Thanks any input!
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| Posted: Thu Jan 8th, 2009 12:21 am |
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2nd Post |
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Philj200 Approved 
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You certainly can play any type of banjo in any style. And you won't have to adapt any techniques either. Check out the instructional forums right here on EZFolk to see more. The pinky and ring finger of the right hand are the least used (assuming a right-handed player). The 5-string banjo is basically an 8-fingered instruments. Tenor or plectrum banjo (four string instruments) your cup of tea, then all you have to do hold a flatpick with your right hand. Thumb, first and second finger is all most people ever use. If you need inspiration, listen to an Django Rheinheardt recordings. The great gypsy jazz musician had severe right-hand challenges and overcame them with legnedary skill. But you better check hoe he spelled his last name. Les Paul has been playing with a fused elbow for the last 50 or so years. Good luck.
____________________ My MP3 Section: http://ezfolk.com/audio/bands/1143/ My Myspace area: http://myspace.com/philj200 |
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| Posted: Thu Jan 8th, 2009 02:58 am |
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3rd Post |
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banjo brad Super Moderator 
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Actually, OT music played clawhammer style can be a 3 or 4 finger activity (index or middle finger and thumb on right hand, and one or two fretting fingers on left hand). The nice thing about OT music is all the drone and open-string playing. Very little chording is required for most of it. Welcome to ezFolk and the banjo!
____________________ ezFolk Help Brad Prickly Pear Music Banjo Brad's ezFolk page TOTMC |
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| Posted: Fri Jan 9th, 2009 01:41 am |
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4th Post |
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garyblanchard Approved 
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I will add that Jerry Garcia was missing his middle finger on the right hand, and he was able to play bluegrass banjo (three-finger style) by using the right ring finger for picking rather than the middle one . Good luck,and welcome to the forum!
____________________ http://www.GBandF.com http://ezfolk.com/audio/bands/919/audio.php?p=1 |
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| Posted: Fri Jan 9th, 2009 01:18 pm |
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5th Post |
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Philj200 Approved
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I didn't know that about Garcia! Next time I play a Dead tune, I'll appreciate him even more. The guys I jam with every week have been messing around with Midnight Moonlight. Good crossover tune, no matter how many fingers you have.
____________________ My MP3 Section: http://ezfolk.com/audio/bands/1143/ My Myspace area: http://myspace.com/philj200 |
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| Posted: Fri Jan 9th, 2009 02:45 pm |
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6th Post |
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garyblanchard Approved
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It is interesting that some of the hard-core bluegrassers dismiss Jerry's banjo playing as "sloppy." I would guess that that the one finger difference might have added a syncopation to Jerry's playing that made it slightly different from the Earl Scruggs sound. Also, Jerry often admitted that his playing with Old and In The Way was not his best, as he had been concentrating more on guitar and his banjo chops were rusty at the time. It is nice to know that what some might see as a barrier is merely an obstacle that requires a slight detour.  
____________________ http://www.GBandF.com http://ezfolk.com/audio/bands/919/audio.php?p=1 |
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| Posted: Fri Jan 9th, 2009 02:56 pm |
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7th Post |
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ejsant Approved 
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"It is nice to know that what some might see as a barrier is merely an obstacle that requires a slight detour." That's quite inspirational Gary, thank you! As to Jerry Garcia's banjo playing I can only say it was good enough for Vassar Clements and David Grisman and that is more a bona fide then this hack would ever need! Good luck to you and welcome to ezFolk. All the best! Peace, Ed
____________________ Peace, a brilliant aspiration!!! Traditional and Contemporary Irish Music P.O. Box 5086 Phillipsburg, NJ 08865 (201) 424-6141 http://www.EdSaultz.com http://www.ezfolk.com/audio/Ed_Saultz |
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| Posted: Sat Jan 10th, 2009 08:28 pm |
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8th Post |
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Philj200 Approved
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BB King is severely arthretic. While he still has all his fingers, he has to take muscle relaxants and pain killers (no, he is not a junkie) before long gigs or sessions.
____________________ My MP3 Section: http://ezfolk.com/audio/bands/1143/ My Myspace area: http://myspace.com/philj200 |
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| Posted: Sun Jan 11th, 2009 06:01 am |
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9th Post |
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Raindog Approved 
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It can be done, many famous musicians have over come similar handicaps. Jerry Garcia lost his right middle finger in a gardening accident as a kid.  Phil Keaggy is missing his as well.  Django Reinhardt's had was severally burned at the age 18 and became one of the 20th centuries foremost jazz guitarists.  Tony Iommi (Black Sabbath) lost the tips of 2 of his fingers of his fretting hand in a factory accident. He fashioned his own replacement 'thimbles' for his finger tips.  And lastly, ME!! I've been playing with half a brain for years!! 
____________________ "Don't ya know there aint no Devil, that's just God when He's drunk.." |
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| Posted: Wed Feb 11th, 2009 02:56 pm |
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10th Post |
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celticagent Banned
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Django Reinhart had a few fingers missing
____________________ ___________________________ (Spam Deleted) |
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| Posted: Thu Feb 12th, 2009 10:28 pm |
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11th Post |
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cockneybanjo Approved 
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2-finger picking style banjo would be simple, 3-finger picking would need a bit more practice because it helps to brace your little finger against the head. it's not essential, but it helps. Russ Conway was a popular piano player in the 60s and 70s with a missing finger Last edited on Thu Feb 12th, 2009 10:30 pm by cockneybanjo |
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| Posted: Fri Feb 13th, 2009 11:44 am |
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12th Post |
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hrlarson Approved 
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Clawhammer would be easier still.
____________________ I'm not addicted. I can stop playing anytime I want. |
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| Posted: Mon Feb 16th, 2009 07:45 am |
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13th Post |
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cockneybanjo Approved
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go to youtube and seatch 'Barry Abernathy'
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