Free Banjo Lesson: Basic Left Hand Technique

[@kevo6767]

I will say something as a newbie that just started working my left hand I noticed I was having trouble not hitting the other strings or getting a press. I was convinced my fingers are just to fat then I noticed something about your left hand. Your nails are trimmed down low and out of the way of the tip of the finger. I trimmed my nails down short and it's 10 times easier to get my fingers in the right spot!

[@christopherklinger4645]

Thank you! That was very useful. I keep on finding I'm accidentally muffling the first string with the edge of my palm/base of ring finger. I found this video while specifically searching correct left hand technique and this really helps.

[@christopherklinger4645]

Sorry, I meant index finger.

[@MikeHeddingMusic]

Glad it helped! - Mike

[@MrBraindead101]

Great info, thanks

[@philm9593]

Great tips there Mike thanks. My problem is that the fleshy pad of my middle finger keeps touching and muting the string next to it which is screwing up my rolls (with left hand moving) exercises. I've even tried (don't laugh) wrapping the tips with electrical tape - hurts like hell after awhile. Ever come across this issue before? please advise. Thanks again. Phil.

[@MikeHeddingMusic]

Yes I have seen that issue before. It's pretty normal. It'll just take some time to find the right angle you have to bend your left hand so you don't mute the other strings. Keep your nails on your left hand short, that will help you get the proper angle with your fingers so you don't mute the other strings. People of all shapes and sizes play the banjo so I think you'll get it with some practice. Good luck. - Mike

[@OrdinaryCrab]

Thank you! I knew I was doing something wrong, but who knew it was all of it! 😂

[@bens5859]

How tf do you keep the neck elevated at that angle...?

[@wanderingsoul4104]

Thanks! Had a moment of "Oh, crap, what if I've been doing this wrong!?!"

[@darkmysterytemple]

very nice tips.. thank you

[@MikeHeddingMusic]

Thanks! Hope it was helpful. - Mike

[@mnshutterbug]

Great video for the total noob like myself. Is my assumption correct in that it doesn't make any difference which fingers you use for different strings?

[@MikeHeddingMusic]

Yes, any finger (left hand) will at some point play on any string. Glad it was helpful. - Mike

[@banjobear]

How does the neck of the banjo stay up like that when you take your left hand off it? If I don't hold the neck of my banjo up, it drops right down.

[@MikeHeddingMusic]

Your banjo probably doesn't have a tone ring which makes the banjo MUCH heavier but also helps it stay in your lap. Try adding a little pressure on your right forearm to help hold the banjo without it falling down.Or try getting a strap that could also help. - Mike

[@bkidd4234]

Flying fingers=GUILTY Thank you !!!!

[@MikeHeddingMusic]

Don't worry, we've all been guilty at some point. Hope you enjoyed the lesson. - Mike

[@gbadeboitunu545]

I appreciate it really helps me to know more about it i respect your lesson if you're selling please send me your address to buy from you thanks

[@MikeHeddingMusic]

This is a free lesson I offer so no purchase necessary. - Mike

[@IONredline06]

I have extremely tiny hands and my fingers can not reach 4 frets. For example, for a 3-5 hammer on, on the 4th string I hold the 3rd fret with my index and my ring finger can only reach the fret wire of the 4th. If I try the hammer with my pinky I have to reach so far that I end up muting the first string.

[@IONredline06]

and when I say small hands, I mean the 5 foot 2 Filipino guy i work with has bigger hands than me.

[@MikeHeddingMusic]

You could try doing a 3-5 slide instead of a 3-5 hammer-on. That would be easier with smaller hands. It's totally fine to make some adjustments for your particular situation. Everyone's hands are different shapes and sizes. Keep practicing and you'll make progress. Good luck. - Mike

[@IONredline06]

@@MikeHeddingMusic Thank you for the advice, I didnt even think to do the slide.

[@charlesbenedetti8607]

Mike...........I have big fingers and I'm having difficulty placing each finger on the string positions. Is there a secret to this? For example, I'm struggling with G C D F chords. Gosh, it aint easy !

[@MikeHeddingMusic]

Probably just more practice! You can do the string test and make sure every note is ringing out clearly and you're not muting it with your left hand. If you're struggling with a particular chord, remove fingers until you can get the note to ring out, then add fingers back one at a time. Sometimes you just need to build up more strength in your hand do the chords that use 3 and 4 fingers. Keep practicing. - Mike

[@antiqueshistoryandconspira3791]

Ohhhh, so I SHOULD be comfortable holding the neck. My problems been holding it with my hand to far out, and that's been really hurting. Plus I didn't adjust it cause my teacher told me to do it that way so I trusted him. Of course, quarantine is here so I have to find my own way.

[@MikeHeddingMusic]

Hmm, not sure what your teacher told you but I definitely wouldn't recommend keeping your hand in any position that hurts. That's going to be very difficult to play and have fun if your hand is always hurting. - Mike

[@jimwells8829]

Still having a big problem "fat fingering". My notes don't sound clear or clean