Fretting the 5 string banjo | banjo Left hand technique

Fretting the 5 string banjo | banjo Left hand technique
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The banjo is a stringed instrument with a thin membrane stretched over a frame or cavity to form a resonator. The membrane is typically circular, and usually made of plastic, or occasionally animal skin. Early forms of the instrument were fashioned by Black Americans in the United States. The banjo is frequently associated with folk and country music, and has also been used in some rock, pop and Hip-Hop, also created by the Black American community. Several rock bands, such as the Eagles, Led Zeppelin, and The Allman Brothers, have used the five-string banjo in some of their songs. Historically, the banjo occupied a central place in Black American traditional music and the folk culture of rural whites before entering the mainstream via the minstrel shows of the 19th century. Along with the fiddle, the banjo is a mainstay of American styles of music, such as Bluegrass and old-time music. It is also very frequently used in traditional ("trad") jazz. Banjo is also a common instrument for Caribbean genres like Biguine , Calypso and Mento.
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[@ronaldbradley7897]

This video has really helped me as an old but beginning banjo player. Thanks for helping the neophytes.

[@BanjoAddict]

No problem, I just remember how hard it was for me beginning the banjo !

[@donaldabailey1]

Thanks for this information on this video.I was having big trouble with my left hand. I was thinking short finger. Hand position ! All of the sudden my finger would reach a lot better. Just need to keep working on it.

[@BanjoAddict]

You are most welcome

[@Steve-jf3hf]

Thanks for the info Sandy, and good to see that you haven't lost your picks :0) !

[@curiositydrawsme9180]

Thanks for your advice about loosening up the left hand. I’ve been clamping down really hard because I thought I needed to in order to eliminate buzz or fuzzy notes. Your advice to “choke up” my fingers right behind each fret is helpful. I guess maybe the calluses won’t come as fast, but my fingers will be less painful after each practice session! Always great content with your videos.

[@BanjoAddict]

Glad I could help!

[@thefamily2707]

Love the content 🙏🏻 keep it coming I’m living in south east Asia now and banjo is trending here big time. 👍🏻

[@BanjoAddict]

hello! south east asia! wow that is fantastic thank you for watching. love to hear the banjo is is trending!

[@markusbartell9611]

Great video! One of my goals for the year is the darn D chord. Its actually coming along pretty good with LOTS of shake and make repetition. Really like what you said about the thumb position. After watching this video I'm becoming more aware of keeping my thumb in the middle of the chord shape and it really helps. Thanks once again

[@BanjoAddict]

You can do it!

[@markusbartell9611]

@@BanjoAddict Amen! When I first started trying to fret the D chord , my fingers looked like they were playing a game of twister from hell...lol, but they are starting to cooperate!

[@Fast_Twist]

Practicing thumb position for chords today, great insight thanks 🫡

[@BanjoAddict]

Have fun!

[@mikeh.5145]

Very helpful video, thank you. I’m a new player and subscriber that’s using a shoulder strap that slides on my shoulder. Which strap are you using ? or another one you would recommend ? Thank you for your help !

[@BanjoAddict]

Hey Mike, thank you for watching. I use a 2” leather strap. I found that the 1” straps dig into my shoulder with heavier banjos. As far as how to wear it, just wear it how is most comfortable to you. I wear mine across my shoulders and behind my neck. But I know a lot of players wear them across a single shoulder.

[@timhutchinson8087]

I talked to you the other day about anchoring my little finger on my bridge. Tell me what is wrong with it? It's the only place that feels natural to me . Explain why I should not. Thanks Tim!!

[@BanjoAddict]

The main reason is the bridge transfers all the vibrations from the strings to the banjo head. Planting your pinky on the bridge would “mute” the bridge in essence and muffle the sound

[@keithcox7075]

Thanks for the advice, i have been doing just what you said with my thumb. How about the timing between right and left hand, i struggle with that also at my age of 65.

[@BanjoAddict]

I still struggle with timing myself .. it takes discipline to get it down

[@stephenbacon8239]

Brilliant stuff, keep it coming. Question, why do some banjos have an area of the neck higher up without frets. Or is that a dumb question. UK Steve

[@BanjoAddict]

openback banjos sometimes have a scooped neck, to where the neck is scooped out near the pot for ease of playing. thats the only reason i can think of that frets would be missing.

[@stephenbacon8239]

@@BanjoAddict got it, makes sense. Thank you