TaterHead - Posted - 03/21/2026:  14:41:17

Q1) My nails are trimmed short and I've got various picks on the way ... but for now, when I strike a string with my middle finger, it helps if the back of my nail lands on the string (about halfway up the nail) and the slides off the string - like my middle finger is 'opening' the claw (and trying to keep the thumb still on the 5th string). If my finger is very relaxed, I'll get a good tone as the tip of the nail slides off the string ... and the tiniest variation in finger angle (any) results in the flesh on the end of my finger touching the string and giving me a 'thup' sound instead of a nice tone.  It's even harder on strings #2 thru #4.

Q2) I'm not sure how to perform the 'brush' (in the basic bum di dee) .. I hit strings #1-#3 ok, and it sounds best if I strike fairly fast and a bit firm/hard. Is this move supposed to be a 'fast strum'? Do I use middle through pinky to play 3 strings at the same time?  Can someone give me a slo-mo camera type description so I can know if I'm practicing right? (Practice does not make perfect ... Perfect Practice makes perfect ... and "speed comes from perfect consistent timing, not from trying to play fast")

Thx,

Brian

Bill Rogers - Posted - 03/21/2026:  16:51:36

You won’t find better than Walt Koken.

m.youtube.com/watch?v=-PRE9CkX...yohjO8%3D

Rusty - Posted - 03/21/2026:  17:12:51

Take lessons, it sounds like you are just starting clawhammer style banjo.

jack_beuthin - Posted - 03/21/2026:  17:18:02

Here’s a short demo video in which I play the bum ditty without and with a brush. I use my index finger instead of middle finger for down stroking, but that shouldn’t matter much for observing the basic stroke mechanics. When I brush, I generally use my index and middle fingers, but sometimes just the index.

youtu.be/yRFlvU01pco

Also, not all brushes have to be full brushes where you hit strings 1-4.  In fact, I would say that partial brushes are more common, at least in my playing.  In my terminology, there are "high brushes" where you primarily are aiming for strings 1 and 2, "middle brushes" where you primarily are aiming for strings 2 and 3, and "low brushes" where you primarily are aiming for strings 3 and 4.

banjered - Posted - 03/21/2026:  17:49:19

I think Jack's demo is far better for a beginner. Walt's playing is very fluid/relaxed but also very accurate. That kind of fluidity comes with years of going at it. So Bum Ditty is really FOUR parts – Bum-PAUSE- Dit-ty and the bum-pause takes as long as the dit-ty For timing I think it is good for a beginner to "catch" the fifth string at the same instant as the Bum wether you sound it or not – it'll help the timing later on when things speed up. Jack is also right about the brushes, as you improve you vary the brushes according to how you want the tune to sound at various places within the tune. Don't worry, it comes with time/practice and preferences.
Finally I agree with getting a teacher, it'll speed up the learning curve 10X. I was 10 years locked into beginner because there were no teachers around. With a good teacher that 10 years could have been reduced to ONE year. Good Wishes! banjered

carlb - Posted - 03/22/2026:  04:49:28

Have you tried your first finger rather than your middle?

Bill - Posted - 03/22/2026:  05:57:30

quote:

---

Originally posted by Bill Rogers

You won’t find better than Walt Koken.

m.youtube.com/watch?v=-PRE9CkX...yohjO8%3D

---

Thank you so much for posting this.  Recently, I have been having a crisis of confusion with my banjo.  My playing has gone to pot for personal reasons.  The Koken video is just what I needed.  And I think it should be required viewing for all beginners and experts alike.  Spot on!

Edited by - Bill on 03/22/2026 05:57:55

RG - Posted - 03/22/2026:  11:28:40

quote:

---

Originally posted by TaterHead

Q1) My nails are trimmed short and I've got various picks on the way ... but for now, when I strike a string with my middle finger, it helps if the back of my nail lands on the string (about halfway up the nail) and the slides off the string - like my middle finger is 'opening' the claw (and trying to keep the thumb still on the 5th string). If my finger is very relaxed, I'll get a good tone as the tip of the nail slides off the string ... and the tiniest variation in finger angle (any) results in the flesh on the end of my finger touching the string and giving me a 'thup' sound instead of a nice tone.  It's even harder on strings #2 thru #4.

Q2) I'm not sure how to perform the 'brush' (in the basic bum di dee) .. I hit strings #1-#3 ok, and it sounds best if I strike fairly fast and a bit firm/hard. Is this move supposed to be a 'fast strum'? Do I use middle through pinky to play 3 strings at the same time?  Can someone give me a slo-mo camera type description so I can know if I'm practicing right? (Practice does not make perfect ... Perfect Practice makes perfect ... and "speed comes from perfect consistent timing, not from trying to play fast")

 

Thx,

Brian

---

I think so many folks when they're first starting out make the mistake of trying to apply a "formula" of sorts to their playing in an effort to "speed up the process" so to speak, rather than applying their ear.  Some people play with the index, some play with the middle, some are brush heavy, or "ride" the 5th string, I play with my middle and brush with my ring finger, and drop thumb to the second string almost exclusively while "brushing" like Jack describes, "high" or "low" but rarely more than 1 or 2 strings... there's no "manual" of the "right way", since there's really no "right way."

If you can play a banjo standing on your head with your toes and it sounds like you want it to sound like, well then, that's the "right way" for you. Play and practice until it sounds like who, or what, you like to hear in this music, then you'll truly be on your way to "figuring it out"; the result will inform the technique

There weren't any videos or youtube tutorials when I learned to play in 1972, I just kept listening and playing to the songs/tunes I liked on LP, looked at still photo's of players I liked to listen to, until I eventually figured out my own playing "style", and trust me, music doesn't come natural for me in the LEAST. You'll find your own style too if you put your ear to work and let the fingers follow.

Happy 'hammering.

Edited by - RG on 03/22/2026 11:32:10

TaterHead - Posted - 03/22/2026:  12:05:35

quote:

---

Originally posted by Bill Rogers

You won’t find better than Walt Koken.

m.youtube.com/watch?v=-PRE9CkX...yohjO8%3D

---

Wow, nice!  Definitely a big help, and you can play it over and over, watching one thing in particular each time. Q) I'm going through Banjo Lemonade's beginner Clawhammer lessons ... If I remember it right, she's got your thumb landing on the 5th string on every drop of your 'claw' (strike or brush), whether you're playing the 5th on that beat or not ... but in the YT video above, it appears that his thumb goes right past the 5th and heads towards his hand/index finger when he's not playing the 5th.  I see that a lot ... maybe when I get to higher lessons in Banjo Lemonade, that'll be introduced and taught, e.g. for the drop-thumb technique?

TaterHead - Posted - 03/22/2026:  12:09:35

quote:

---

Originally posted by jack_beuthin

Here’s a short demo video in which I play the bum ditty without and with a brush. I use my index finger instead of middle finger for down stroking, but that shouldn’t matter much for observing the basic stroke mechanics. When I brush, I generally use my index and middle fingers, but sometimes just the index.

youtu.be/yRFlvU01pco

Also, not all brushes have to be full brushes where you hit strings 1-4.  In fact, I would say that partial brushes are more common, at least in my playing.  In my terminology, there are "high brushes" where you primarily are aiming for strings 1 and 2, "middle brushes" where you primarily are aiming for strings 2 and 3, and "low brushes" where you primarily are aiming for strings 3 and 4.

---

Thanks. Bookmarked (and watched twice!)  Banjo Lemonade's basic lick uses a brush on strings 1-3 and she said not to worry about it if you hit the 4th or miss the 1st etc ... goal is to get the basic bum ditty down with correct timing. 

TaterHead - Posted - 03/22/2026:  12:12:24

quote:

---

Originally posted by carlb

Have you tried your first finger rather than your middle?

---

Tried, yes ... my index finger feels unnatural to me, and the middle finger feels more natural. My middle finger is longer than my other fingers and gets used the most, e.g. I'll press elevator buttons with my middle finger every time, never with anything else.  Same for any button, or gluing down the flap on an envelope etc.

TaterHead - Posted - 03/22/2026:  12:18:40

quote:

---

Originally posted by RG

I think so many folks when they're first starting out make the mistake of trying to apply a "formula" of sorts to their playing in an effort to "speed up the process" so to speak, rather than applying their ear.  Some people play with the index, some play with the middle, some are brush heavy, or "ride" the 5th string, I play with my middle and brush with my ring finger, and drop thumb to the second string almost exclusively while "brushing" like Jack describes, "high" or "low" but rarely more than 1 or 2 strings... there's no "manual" of the "right way", since there's really no "right way."

If you can play a banjo standing on your head with your toes and it sounds like you want it to sound like, well then, that's the "right way" for you. Play and practice until it sounds like who, or what, you like to hear in this music, then you'll truly be on your way to "figuring it out"; the result will inform the technique

There weren't any videos or youtube tutorials when I learned to play in 1972, I just kept listening and playing to the songs/tunes I liked on LP, looked at still photo's of players I liked to listen to, until I eventually figured out my own playing "style", and trust me, music doesn't come natural for me in the LEAST. You'll find your own style too if you put your ear to work and let the fingers follow.

Happy 'hammering.

---

Thanks and thanks for the encouragement ... that's one reason these forums are great. You're not in it alone and there are a lot of folks providing encouragement and help. I notice that if I just go stand somewhere, like facing a blank wall, and relax, that the bum-ditty comes more natural, metronomes are easier, and striking scales (1-2-3-4-3-2-1-2-3-...) comes easier.  I guess that's progress. I do worse when staring at digital clocks w/seconds or looking at myself in a mirror etc...

tonygo - Posted - 03/23/2026:  07:36:51

It is actually bump ah dit tee because the count is 1 e and ah. The e is what the pull off on the first string at the second fret accomplishes. That pull off in it most basic form is just after the index plays a string, and before the brush and 5th string thumb. There is a video of Riley Baugus explaining it briefly among stuff he is playing. Drummers will see that it is RLRR, a Paradiddle.

R.D. Lunceford - Posted - 03/23/2026:  09:20:54

@TaterHead

You may find Mike Iverson's "Three Different Right Hand Approaches" helpful:
youtube.com/watch?v=yXV4nt1Psck