How to wear Finger Picks -

[@LewisFreeman-o9w]

Rewatching the series. Turns out I had my finger picks upside down. Much easier this time around. Thanks Jim!

[@JimPankey]

That'll make a huge difference! :)

[@powergod897]

Me too lol

[@joelfildes5544]

Same !

[@anthonydunbar2405]

Thanks Jim for getting me started! My banjo came w/ a beginner book & dvd that bored me tons! Your vids have peaked my interest & kept me pickin w/ you many nights on the road! May the force be with you! ;)

[@JimPankey]

Thanks for letting me help you!

[@donaldabailey1]

Good morning Jim, today I was surfing the web for different banjo teaching. Man was I disappointed I looked and lesion too all I could find. I truly must said. You and your wed site beat the dog out of them all. Your great thanks for your teaching.

[@JimPankey]

Thanks ☺️

[@invinciblecheng7844]

Thanks for the look see. I bent mine like that now too. Works good.

[@JimPankey]

Good to hear

[@lisa-marieschwalbe2934]

Awesome 👍

[@JimPankey]

Thanks 😊

[@dabeefguy]

Hey Jim. Those Ernie Ball picks are great. They take a little getting used to but they have eliminated a ton of pick noise I was getting from my National picks. Thanks!

[@JimPankey]

Glad you like them!

[@johnboyette4710]

String high 1 8 th or less. Thanks Jim

[@MichaelVondung]

I finally bought some Ernie Ball picky picks (you put them on my radar!), and I *really* like these. They eliminate most of the pick noise, which was always my biggest issue with using picks. I don't hear any appreciable difference in volume, and it took me no time getting used to them. Bonus: I only had to bend the bands, the blade/point were curved fine right out of the box. Not easy to find here, but I'll track down more and stock up, just in case they stop making them. These really are ace. (Do wish they made them in stainless steel also.)

[@JimPankey]

Glad you like them! Yup, a stainless version would be nice to try.

[@eddiemoore8468]

Jim, I recently got myself a Blue Chip thumb pick and a pair of the Pickey Picks. At this point, I honestly don’t care much for the Pickey Picks. I’m going to keep them and I might try them along and maybe get to liking them later. The Blue Chip Thumb Pick, I absolutely Love it. I’ve used plastic thumb picks for years and they simply aren’t all that good for me. They either stretch and start to slip on my thumb, break in 2 pieces or the tip will wear out in no time. The price might seem pricey, but for what plastic ones I wear out , The Blue Chip is just a good investment. It fits good. Sounds great and I believe it will hold up well. I’ve heard all kinds of people are using these now. And I can see why! Thanks for posting about this!

[@JimPankey]

Glad you like the BlueChip. Yep, the EB picks are an acquired taste. :)

[@isaiahbarnett9062]

Hi Mr. Jim. I am one of your teenage students. I use Dunlop USA picks. They work pretty good.

[@JimPankey]

I started with Dunlops

[@lukasrh]

Earnie Ball picky picks are the best, for me they've been a game changer. I feel like there's a huge benefit in terms of sound and they are much more forgiving compared to other brands.

[@JimPankey]

Pretty much the only finger picks I can use

[@elisabethemory]

@@JimPankey I agree!

[@8bitsloth]

To get good sound out of the standard Dunlop I had it took me holding my banjo and fingers in a position that wasn't very comfortable for me. I changed to pickey picks and holy crap was it a blessing for me. Now I don't have to worry about holding my fingers in one certain uncomfortable position and these picks seem to add extra twang.

[@JimPankey]

Glad to hear they're working for you!

[@michaelm2945]

I broke down and bought a Bluechip thumb pick. I tried other cheaper picks but they were so uncomfortable. I checked out the Ernie Balls and they are real nice. Oddly enough, I found a Bluechip thumb, an Ernie Ball index and Dunlop social work for me😅

[@JimPankey]

That's an interesting mix of picks, but if it works it's great!

[@eelcogg]

I was struggling with my old metal thumb pick making that scratching noise on the strings, plus it felt heavy in a way. The BlueChip pick really helped me.

[@JimPankey]

Yep, love my Blue Chip

[@MasonCroneMusic]

Cool! You curve your's a lot more than I do, that's just a preference thing though. I need to try those kind of picks, they look interesting.

[@JimPankey]

Have you tried bending them like that?

[@MasonCroneMusic]

@@JimPankey I did once, I had a hard time getting volume.

[@SilkieRoo]

Hi Jim! Looks like that's a BlueChip thumb pick. Do you stick with the standard, JD Crowe, or other models? I'm debating between the standard and JD Crowe, and just wondering which BlueChip you like the most. Thanks in advance!

[@JimPankey]

I'm using the JD model.

[@timhutchinson8087]

Jim I need some counsel, I'm fixin to buy a new banjo one has a tone ring, the other does not. The one I like best does not. The one I like is a Deering I am only expecting only to be playing with friends you know back porch pickin. I trust your advice what do you think ok with out ring or get the ring? I have a Fender FB59 if I need a ring and I love it, it's just really heavy. Let me know your thoughts I trust them and very much. Thanks Tim

[@JimPankey]

Buy the one that you think you might play more often.

[@timhutchinson8087]

@@JimPankey Thank you Jim

[@simonhuffa9885]

Thanks for that Jim I’m a bit out of town but went in today and bought some of those Dunlop steel picks before I became too used to playing without them. It was a bit like starting lesson one all over again but after 45 mins it got easier. I find I’m striking the string with my index finger pick on the edge of the pick not the centre … it sounds ok but is it correct? Otherwise I have to really distort my hand. ( got the reference little finger on head surface now when playing so that’s good. Cheers

[@JimPankey]

It will take a little bit to get used to them. What you’re experiencing is why I recommend them from the start.

[@simonhuffa9885]

@@JimPankey yep agree got to town quickly b4 too much practice lol

[@joshlane6718]

Are you wearing your thumb pick over your cuticle? I'm wearing mine right against it. Think I need to get more of my thumb in it.

[@JimPankey]

Yes, but it all depends on the shape of both the pick and the thumb that's involved.

[@MrWozzy28]

hey jim, new to the banjo and i was wondering could you tell me what the numbers on the picks are. ie 020, thank you so much

[@JimPankey]

Ernie Ball picks do not have a gauge printed on them.

[@MrWozzy28]

ok so its the weight thank you jim

[@bloke1348]

Shit I've been wearing em upside down for 2 months!!!!!!

[@JimPankey]

This should make your life a little easier then. 😀

[@thefarmer013]

Is there a lesson for playing cowboys and Indians by Jim mills

[@JimPankey]

Cowboys and Indians was written by Bill Emerson. I do have a lesson for it.

[@Herr_Keystyne]

hey jim. what do you say to nylonstrings?

[@JimPankey]

Cool for some stuff, not so great for bluegrass.

[@BigFredMachine]

I've been learning banjo for about 2 weeks now.... And all this time I had my finger picks on the wrong side >.

[@JimPankey]

Glad I could help ☺️

[@kennybryson6542]

The big question is how do you get them to move that fast!! 😂

[@JimPankey]

The p word…

[@brianblankenship8924]

What bluechip pick do you like the best?

[@JimPankey]

JD Crowe

[@lasses0450]

I've been playing banjo for 3-4 weeks now, and yesterday I lent out my finger picks to a friend. when he gave them back, they started to hurt wheever I put them on. Any tips?

[@JimPankey]

Lesson learned... don't loan your picks. You'll have to reshape them to fit.

[@chriskleichi4059]

✌🏻

[@JimPankey]

🖖🏼

[@johnboyette4710]

On the 12 th fret what is a good measurement for a set up banjo

[@JimPankey]

1/8” is what I like

[@Billsingsong]

What about your ring finger?

[@JimPankey]

I play three finger style. No need for one on the ring finger.

[@erwinlightspeed1228]

Hey Jim! I started playing banjo about three years ago and I've learned alot from your instruction videos. I have a couple of videos up, any comment on my progress would be much appreciated! Speaking of picks, I've pretty much tried 'em all except the Bluechips. I liked the feel of Ernie Ball but I couldn't get good tone from them. The Hoffmeyer fingerpicks (kinda pricey but worth it) and Golden Gate thumbpicks are what works best for me now!

[@JimPankey]

Checked out your channel. You're doing great!

[@foggymountainmusic3468]

I kinda let my picks stick out. Is that okay?

[@JimPankey]

Have you tried bending them like mine??

[@foggymountainmusic3468]

@@JimPankey yes I find it very uncomfortable and i always find myself not being able to pick as fast or blend my notes.

[@davidskimin3471]

Hey Jim, good to see you're looking so well. I'll have to give that a go. Mine sort of stick straight out but I've found lately I'm missing notes or fouling different strings. Most the stuff I've been doing lately has a lot of forward rolls. My speed has been picking up quite a bit but my pointing finger seems to foul the D string at speed. Hopefully this'll help once I get used to it.