Where have you been!?! You take the time to explain why; the need to; try; experiment; practice (all the key words) on Hand, Wrist and Finger Placement, Picking and Technique. When I asked my Banjo instructor about these topics, I got a deer in the headlights look and a response with no resolution. Everything you covered here could have saved me months of trial and error. This is so empirical and concise! Thanks Gary!
@RobDigsGaming9 жыл бұрын
Please continue to make additional beginner banjo videos. This video is the most comprehensive on right hand technique I've seen. Very helpful. Thank you.
@lcj95643 жыл бұрын
I just got my banjo, and this video in 14 min has thought me so much. Thank you
@carleroo9 жыл бұрын
Hello Gary. I'm so glad I found your video. I am a new player (also no spring chicken...I'm 67) and trying to get things right. The video on fingers, positioning, etc.. is extremely helpful. Lots of great tips, and hopefully I am early enough in the learning process to avoid some bad habits from taking over. Thanks, again! Carl
@hollydoodle3 жыл бұрын
I am 67 and just got a banjo yesterday. We can do this!
@dreadnaught909 жыл бұрын
Well presented Gary! Watching this video will be a great help for anyone starting out on the five string banjo. You hit all the important points.
@brunodifonzo46212 жыл бұрын
Loved your video. You are a great teacher with a wide audience that now includes myself. I’ll be watching you!
@jfelipino6 жыл бұрын
Gary, thanks for making this video. It's clear up a lot of problems, if not all, I was having concerning tone, speed, and comfort. I kept feeling jammed up picking the banjo and I couldn't figure out why, and it sounded bad. The relaxed shoulder tip helped immensely. It helped me to relax and bow my wrist which in turn freed up some room under my fingers. Who woulda thunk. All these years playing guitar and those ingrained habits were making the banjo very frustrating. Anyways, everyone picking up banjo should watch this, even those who have played for years. A very no frills approach. You've done a great service. Thanks again!
@johnoshea33493 жыл бұрын
I changed my hand position tonight as you showed. Incredible difference in accuracy and resonation. My speed increased because of the little change in my wrist angle. And I ran a few rolls I've struggled with and they played smoothly! Thank you, thank you!
@Xezlec8 жыл бұрын
I've watched a dozen videos on right hand position and this was the one that finally helped me fix my problem. You explain everything completely, without leaving out any details. Thanks!
@minimal_enthusiasm59714 жыл бұрын
Great video, thank you! I'm a complete beginner and your advice has been so useful. Your style of teaching and pace is just perfect. Also, the way you say "don't obsess about it.." is very relaxing, I feel like you would be a great therapist, haha! Keep on pickin' 👍
@davemosher5059 Жыл бұрын
Thank you, Gary, for this very informatonal video..have had a 5 string for over a year, and this video is really helpful in regard to hand positioning & the anchoring issue.
@teeteesmansion85685 жыл бұрын
Oh my gosh thank you for this!!! I have been trying to learn the banjo for a good few months and couldn’t figure out why my sound was just not what i wanted u solved my problem lol thank you thank you!
@mr.rogers98495 жыл бұрын
This was so helpful. There was so much I was always unsure about my right hand technique. Thank you.
@johnjriggsarchery24572 жыл бұрын
Good stuff. For beginners you may want to also watch Clifton Hicks because he goes into styles beyond Scruggs and clawhammer. I thought I wanted traditional bluegrass but I'm finding two finger with drop thumb very interesting.
@Stinkdebollo8 жыл бұрын
I solved my moving ringfinger problem by tying it to my pinky and anchoring them together. Practicing that made me get the right feel for my hand position
@norseman794 жыл бұрын
Gary - thanks so much for this video. The info about keeping your right shoulder relaxed and your elbow down really helped me. That gives an arch to the wrist automatically, but it also helps keep the picking hand relaxed. I also sometimes had a problem with my pinky damping the first string because I was pulling my hand back more towards the fourth string. Keeping the hand more centered over the middle strings helps with that.
@googlemustdie6 жыл бұрын
Thank you so much. I'm a new player at 50 (trying ot cary on the family tradition) and your video was immensely helpful.
@doriscampbell97755 жыл бұрын
Killer instructor, you had me at thank you Jesus..
@johnmettler9954 жыл бұрын
Gary, I've been picking since 1976. Still learning, your vids are loaded with information that could easily get lost in other aspects of the banjo. It took years to get my ring finger to behave. But, it did happen. Thanks for the post. Will follow.
@TimmyTraspie5 жыл бұрын
This was the best video of the right hand tech, Thanks
@richmandau63079 жыл бұрын
Great advice. I especially liked the pitfalls to avoid. Keep the videos coming!
@gregcaudill25115 жыл бұрын
I recently built a 6 string banjo and I have been trying to learn how to play it right. This helps!
@61mab5 жыл бұрын
Great info for beginners, getting a lot out of this and trying to adapt my physical makeup to some version of the right way to position myself and not start bad habits that will be hard to break later on, for any musical instrument. Thanks for this, and no thanks a lot for your time!
@samuelelias934 жыл бұрын
Thank you, this is so helpful figuring out how to get the best sound out of my right hand as a beginner and now i can work on some of my bad habits. Thanks again!
@georgescarlett23205 жыл бұрын
Thank you brother Gary, I praise the Lord that he blessed you with that Sullivan, keep the Vids a'comin'!!! Gb
@krisross13262 жыл бұрын
Fantastic video. I've just started learning to play banjo and my right wrist has been really hurting. Using your recommendations my wrist doesn't hurt anymore and my right hand playing sounds much improved ☺️
@GaryLPuckett Жыл бұрын
Thanks Kris! I'm very happy any advice I could give helped you:)
@philm95937 жыл бұрын
I'm having issues on this very subject. Consequently, I find myself chopping and changing my hand position in an attempt to increase tone and accuracy. So I'll try and put your excellent advice into practice at my next session. Thank you for taking the time to post this.
@JustinRothberg7 жыл бұрын
best video out there about right hand! thanks!
@videovigilante84286 жыл бұрын
Great educational video for first time players, thank you.
@patogden8565 жыл бұрын
Thanks Gary just. Love the softer tone , fabulous . Godbless Pat nz (Haha 70 just starting )
@wallacereyes4758 жыл бұрын
As a novice banjo player I consider your tutorial very informative, even that I'm left handed. So my job is to apply your tutorial to my left hand abilities.
@billymurray77793 жыл бұрын
Great teacher
@thomwessels2281 Жыл бұрын
Thanks for the good tips! I'm again playing my Baldwin ODE Model D after a 25 year hiatus, wanna get back to what I used to be. Don't we ALL though.
@GaryLPuckett Жыл бұрын
Thanks! You had a D?!?!? I have a Model C. It was a mess when I got it but it's up a running now....super cool banjo. Thanks for your message and best of luck with your picking! Enjoy the journey:)
@brazilhead7 жыл бұрын
Here I am watching this, thinking, hell I know all this and then, BAM, that wrist angle of attack for tone and volume! Something I have yet to explore and have thus far failed to fully appreciate. Thanks!
@bmetoxen5 жыл бұрын
Thank you, very helpful! Helps me in my practice...
@sparkpluggarage Жыл бұрын
thanks so much for your help been learning for a month
@moosiesmusic34734 жыл бұрын
very helpful. I'm a real beginner and you've been very helpful
@richardprince57587 жыл бұрын
The way I learned to anchor my finger was to put a "Rubber Band" on the last two fingers and practise that way
@debalexander54692 жыл бұрын
Thanks so much! This is a really helpful video!
@PT-rg2vo6 жыл бұрын
That is a great video for beginners. Thank you.
@21stcenturydead966 жыл бұрын
Thanks for the tips, Gary!
@someguy45053 ай бұрын
Thanks for the tips. Good advice for a crosspicking guitar player learning to play banjo.
@Outdoorsmanlife888 жыл бұрын
Very helpful video! I just started a week ago and started with the bad habit Of getting a running start at the strings instead of keeping them close to the strings and plucking towards my palm. Great tips and I can't wait to grow further in knowledge like yourself! Do you have any tips on what happens after you get your rolls down. Where to go after this?
@rjmoney93 жыл бұрын
great video. useful knowledge presented with a great personality for video lessons.
@crankinrankin3641Ай бұрын
Great info! Thank you.
@chrisblair16583 жыл бұрын
Thank you! Very, very informative !
@lizstorer0002 жыл бұрын
Thankyou for the help
@bartfipolito75938 жыл бұрын
Makes all sense. Thanks.
@maxwellfan558 жыл бұрын
Your views on choices of thumb and finger picks and how they affect tone and attack would be appreciated. Also how to position them for best results. There is such a huge range of styles, makes and materials out there. Thank you.
@GaryLPuckett8 жыл бұрын
+maxwellfan55 Great suggestion! I will try to get on it asap.
@shirleyweeks63608 күн бұрын
It would be great if we could have a tent meeting here in Florence Alabama. 🙏🏼
@schoendominik8 жыл бұрын
Thanks, great help.
@zonianinexile4 жыл бұрын
Thank you!
@kensulman98177 жыл бұрын
thanks mate , from Tasmania
@michaelyaussi54815 жыл бұрын
Thank you!!
@therealdiehl46715 жыл бұрын
Mechanics are a big deal. Classical musicians are drilled on posture and technique. Beginners often think it's boring and not necessary, but It does pay off.
@sirgalah5615 жыл бұрын
Why does the tone change when you move up or down the strings with the right hand??? I was fooling around with my banjo today and noticed the change in tone when I changed where I placed my hand.. Is it because the skin is like a drum head? And you can change the sound of a drum depending on where you hit the head??
@jamesrockford51455 жыл бұрын
good tips, will give them a try.
@rickn.backer10877 жыл бұрын
OMG.......what a cool name. LOL.......Loved them in the 60's. ( Gary Puckett and the Union Gap) Bet you had a ton of fun with your name. Just wondering if maybe I should get a banjo, as I play damn near everything else. (Except an OBOE...damn double reeds! LOL). Cheers.
@GaryLPuckett7 жыл бұрын
Of course you should get a banjo!!!!
@Rodolph20128 жыл бұрын
Thanks Gary, very helpfull!
@adrienfourniercom8 жыл бұрын
thank you
@thomwessels2281 Жыл бұрын
And regarding 'anchoring the last 2 fingers' just look at Steve Martin's right hand. His hand id flailing ALL AROUND and he's NOT anchoring ANYTHING! . He's a great banjoist!
@GaryLPuckett Жыл бұрын
Actually, he anchors his pinky. His ring finger doesn't anchor but follows his middle finger. And yeah...he's terrific! I'm not saying you HAVE to anchor your finger(s). The vast majority do, but if somebody can play the want to without anchoring, more power to them!
@eugenelayton52312 жыл бұрын
I'm very new to banjo but this right-hand information has helped me alot. Thanks for sharing. 👍
@christinescullion45495 жыл бұрын
I have to ask, are you the Gary Puckett from the legendary band ( Gary Puckett And The Union Gap)?
@rjmoney93 жыл бұрын
doesn't look like it
@blubberbooty8 жыл бұрын
Hey there brother. I like that tune you play at the end of the video. Do you teach that tune? i sure would like to learn it. Thanks.
@GaryLPuckett8 жыл бұрын
+Randall Gordon Hi Randall! That's "Clinch Mountain Backstep" by Dr. Ralph Stanley. I do indeed teach it. I will make a video of it as soon as my new GoPro camera gets here...hopefully any day now. :) Thanks!
@anamicarai70218 жыл бұрын
+Gary Puckett sounds great!
@chickjones7494 жыл бұрын
I am a beginner. What type of Bango should I buy. 5 string, the name. The best one for me to begin on. Thank you....
@Meany19608 жыл бұрын
Hi Gary, I have been playing for about 5 years now. I have had a second carpal tunnel surgery, and since that surgery have lost a great deal of my roll ability. I also have developed a bad problem with the thumb. I tend to move my thumb under my palm and get my thumb tangled with my index finger. I really want to get back to being able to play. Any suggestions to help me get rid of the bad thumb motion?
@monellerichmond72086 жыл бұрын
Thank you very much for this video. What is the lovely tune that you play at 11:43?
@GaryLPuckett5 жыл бұрын
It's called "Cynthia's Waltz"...one of my tunes. You can find it on iTunes or on my CD "Grandfather Mountain." It's available on iTunes, Amazon, etc. or on my website. www.garypuckettbanjo.com Thanks for the kind words!
@tedtedsen2692 жыл бұрын
the g chord on open strings is that a down or upstroke movementi just got my first 5 stringer
@marine72897 жыл бұрын
Gary, I am hitting the head with my picks! Any suggestions?
@tablature61216 жыл бұрын
You could try a higher bridge, as well. I know a lot of pickers, of guitar and banjo, seem to fixate over "string height" and "action", but a higher action produces more volume with less "string noise." Hitting the head with your picks while picking is really a pretty common problem, with beginners and advanced players as well. You can see the results with the gray marks on their head, from repeated "bad" practice. I had those too -- a tell- tale sign of doing it -- until I switched to a higher bridge. If you don't like the resulting string height, simple process on a banjo to adjust the neck to get a more favorable string height, over the fingerboard. (Might ought to get someone more experienced to do it, though.) Keep pickin'.
@garypuckett41015 жыл бұрын
Yeah...that's a thing. I do it sometime too. Make sure you have a little bit or arch in your wrist. That seems to fix it for me.
@cwilli10248 жыл бұрын
I rubber-banded my ring finger and pinky together to get a 2 finger anchor
@mikejustice11964 жыл бұрын
Hey Gary Were you in Oklahoma around the late 70’s early 80’s in the AG church’s?
@garypuckett41013 жыл бұрын
No.....must have been a different Gary Puckett.
@kimross73036 жыл бұрын
Every morning I wake up and my little finger (anchor) ring finger (does nothing but wiggle ..won't stay anchored) and my middle finger knuckles are all sore. My index is not, nor my thumb. I play about 1 hr to 1 1/2 hrs. a day. I'm 65 yrs old. I must be doing something wrong. What would it be?
@GaryLPuckett5 жыл бұрын
Hmmm. Does you hand feel tired after you've been playing a while?
@jimweiss58738 жыл бұрын
hey gary,,,do you give lessons skype,,,and what area are you out of....,,ive been playing about a year on,,and off,,56 here and just seem to be stuck in a rought,,..ant advice would be helpful,,thanks jim
@GaryLPuckett8 жыл бұрын
+Jim Weiss Hi Jim! I'm in Westerville Ohio....just outside Columbus. I do indeed give Skype Lessons, and I'd be glad to work with you. Send me an email to gary@garypuckettbanjo.com and we can work out particulars. All the best!
@jimweiss58738 жыл бұрын
Ok...its jaw3007@aol.com gary..
@kenbrownfield65845 жыл бұрын
...and the Union Gap ?
@sktrmns64 жыл бұрын
my gosh, gary. you are so handsome
@garypuckett41014 жыл бұрын
Finally....somebody who noticed that:)
@richardprince57587 жыл бұрын
Sorry,cann't resist "Gary Pucket and the Union Gap "
@Celticman1972 жыл бұрын
You don't have to touch the head at all.
@GaryLPuckett2 жыл бұрын
There are lots of ways to play the banjo. For Scruggs based technique, the vast majority of players find achoring the right hand gives a more stable and controllable right hand. If you don't need to anchor more power to you. But with most of my students we work on anchoring.
@Celticman1972 жыл бұрын
@@GaryLPuckett Yeah, they should try to keep a finger on the head, if it comes naturally. But my fingers just naturally come off the head, especially play Irish/Celtic and Bluegrass Rock.
@GaryLPuckett Жыл бұрын
@@Celticman197 Well rock on brother!:)
@sparkpluggarage Жыл бұрын
i play by strings dont understand notes at all guess you and other people say learning by ear