Right hand technique I use to play the 5-stringed banjo.

[@moehoward21]

Best banjo player on KZbin

[@JohnApfelthaler]

Thank you!

[@jimjoyce7607]

Great explanation and quite logical John......THANKS!

[@JohnApfelthaler]

You’re welcome Jim!

[@nunya2512]

I actually took up banjo a month ago and my right hand position seems natural for me even adjusting the picks on my fingers are exactly what you do believe it or not and I just now discovered you 11/28/21. I tried the Scruggs style but without realizing it my hand seemed to naturally drop back into the position you use and it is easier for me to pick the strings without messing up.

[@larryhunt9180]

You are the best you don,t have to convince me I wish I could play like that

[@JohnApfelthaler]

Thanks Larry!

[@Vilkages-Mike]

Thanks for sharing. My hand position has gravitated to one similar over the years.

[@JohnApfelthaler]

You’re welcome!

[@ranjrog]

I had watched this a couple years ago and just saw it again! I surely do admire your playing and there is no denying that your approach works great!!

[@JohnApfelthaler]

Thanks!

[@MarkSteiger-Parrotshow]

Very helpful! Thank you, John! You are very humble and yet (one of) the best.

[@JohnApfelthaler]

Thanks Mark!

[@tablature6121]

One other benefit I noticed using this position: on your single string picking, the thumb and index are picking at pretty much the same spot on the string (or strings), not at different spots, like when holding the "standard" position with thumb extended. Thanks for sharing. I've been most curious about your right hand ever since I recently discovered your videos. Great picking.

[@JohnApfelthaler]

Thank you!

[@lammmy]

Wow, this came at just the right time for me. I was noticing that lately my picking has started to run-together, the notes were not getting the separation I was expecting. I've tried a bunch of different positions and I started digging in (like you said) but I found the same thing (timing was effected). After trying this is sound magical. I'll have to practice a bunch, but wow, thank you for this video, I feel like I'm approaching a next-level in my playing now.

[@wsearp]

Thanks John.... I will be trying that.... As it is, my fingers tend to run into each other at times.... So hard that sometimes a pick goes flying off....

[@tonyparrish5366]

Good Word!

[@JohnApfelthaler]

Thanks!

[@davidlee-vm9ub]

I rest my pinky on the corner of the bridge also and I believe it helps kill some of the harsh overtones that plague some banjo players. and improve the tone

[@Tasmanaut]

this is interesting. I'm learning to play banjo, two finger and clawhammer, I haven't really got into 3 finger style at the moment, but I hadn't even considered hand position. I have the exact same hand position and used it to play guitar for many years. I always knew it looked weird and hadn't seen anyone that also picks like this. Upon closer inspection, fingers are not as extended and a bit more parallel with the strings, but very similar.

[@robcrawford9657]

That's a great hand by the way, something to strive towards! thanks!

[@JohnApfelthaler]

Thanks Rob!

[@kennethwigginton7322]

Great video man

[@adrenalinefamily8063]

That was great! What is the name of the first song you played please? I've heard it before but never ran down the name

[@JohnApfelthaler]

It's an Alan Munde tune called Jubilee. It's off the Poor Richard's Almanac album.

[@yuridanylko]

So helpful!

[@webadage]

Wow! I use a similar hand position and rotate my picks to accommodate the angle of attack. I'm just wondering.... do you ever make a mistake? How can someone play such intricate songs and NEVER miss a string or hit the wrong one? You're A W S O M E! :)

[@JohnApfelthaler]

+webadage Thanks! I've made my share of mistakes.

[@larryhunt9180]

Where are you located you are great banjo player

[@JohnApfelthaler]

Thanks! I live in Melbourne, Florida.

[@johnnysmith7656]

Hi Johnny could you please post string numbers strummed for amazing Grace on banjo thanks

[@tuccoramerez5523]

Nice!

[@SwissBanjo]

Thanks for this John! Isn't it bad touching the bridge with the pinky? Doesn't it mute the sound a little bit?

[@JohnApfelthaler]

Thanks Piero! To my ears, I don’t notice any difference in sound touching the bridge vs not touching the bridge. If I were to pinch the bridge between the ring finger and pinky, then I would probably notice a difference. With the way I rest my right hand on the head, my pinky doesn’t contact the head, but it does reach the top corner of the bridge which helps keep my right hand stable. I’m sure there is some muting happening, but to my ears, it is unnoticeable.

[@patrickroark3035]

your technique makes,alot more sense.and it is the right way.but my curiosity is that you have to twist your picks.have you ever tried using dobro picks?..they are already turned for you...no disrespect.just a thought..

[@JohnApfelthaler]

Thanks Patrick. I used to use a Dobro thumbpick because it would stay on my thumb better. I've never seen Dobro fingerpicks. I'll have to look for some.

[@roddyfuller5705]

Great video, John! Do you find that this method also helps with speed? It appears that your fingers move smaller distances, making the movement very efficient. Thanks very much!

[@JohnApfelthaler]

+Roddy Fuller Glad you enjoyed it Roddy. I find that holding my hand this way does improve my speed for the reason you mention.

[@brazilhead]

Nice video! I'm going to try this. BTW, if I could choose which one, I'd give an appendage to play like that!

[@JohnApfelthaler]

Thanks John!

[@brazilhead]

I've been practicing this technique for over a month now and it has really helped improve my playing. My rolls have gotten faster and I find that when my thumb pick starts hitting the banjo head again, I remember to lower my arm and this stops. I also think you are right in that when your shoulder is lower, it is in a more relaxed position, which again we know is important for playing uptempo. Thank you again!

[@JohnApfelthaler]

Great! I'm glad it's working out for you.

[@jimsatterfield8748]

your hand is better than my hand.

[@patrickbowles4524]

What kind of banjo is thati wanna say gibson sounds good tho I got and old rb250

[@JohnApfelthaler]

Patrick bowles, that’s a 1933 Gibson TB-2 conversion.

[@patrickbowles4524]

@@JohnApfelthaler that's a great sounding banjo

[@rawbeets]

Wow John....your speed and accuracy are amazing....do you have any specific exercises you use or recommend to help build speed and accuracy? Thanks!

[@JohnApfelthaler]

Thanks! When I first changed to this right hand position, I concentrated on the following: making sure my picks were striking the string with the center of the pick ( I use the old National finger picks and I had to twist my picks around my finger a little to get them to line up), making sure I was only using the tips of my picks to strike the string and not near the hole on National and Dunlop picks, working on my roles slowly and concentrating on using enough force to get a clear, crisp sound as well as how that sound felt with my right hand (I strike the strings about 2 finger widths away from the bridge) and only when my right hand playing of rolls had the clearness, crispness and tone that I wanted did I try to play faster. I spent a lot of time concentrating on the above with my right hand going over various rolls and tunes.

[@rawbeets]

Yessir! I get that, but are there specific exercises that have helped you become the speed demon that you are? I'd love to see a typical practice session you use to get up to this high caliber of picking (which rolls, and specifically how you go through them, and any other useful exercises...).....help us mere mortals out please!! If you started a Patreon I would gladly subscribe as I'd bet many others would as well.

[@midnighttoker8663]

What song is this?

[@JohnApfelthaler]

After the right hand technique talk, I play 3 tunes. The first is an Alan Munde tune called Jubilee, the second is an Allen Shelton tune called Ridgerunner and the third tune is Flop Eared Mule, the first break is based on Don Reno's single string style and the second break is a melodic version. Thanks for asking.

[@larryhunt9180]

Help me please Larry Hunt call