Thumb Keeps Hitting the Head...

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Absolute Beginners

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For anyone who hasn't yet mastered Cripple Creek.

379 Members, Created 1/28/2011 -

Administrators: Wallster (owner) , Texasbanjo

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From GreasyNails on 7/25/2014 3:26:22 PM

I'm not sure why, but my thumb pick keeps hitting the head while picking the 5th string. I don't have any issues with any of the other strings, just this one. Any ideas on how to fix it? Do they maybe make shorter thumb picks?

5 Comments
	TKarrow says: 7/25/2014 7:52:02 PM You could maybe trim you thumb pick? O change your setup so there's a little more clearance but Look at the heads on banjos played by some of the pros and you'll see they're all worn for exactly that reason.. I've made myself a could bridges with the 5th string elevated about an eighth of an inch and that seems to help prevent it.. I think you can buy bridges like that on line if you're not handy..
	RB4picker says: 7/27/2014 4:09:04 PM You can try different picks, but mostly just practice. David
	Rawhide Creek says: 7/28/2014 9:21:38 AM 1. Check your right hand position. You might have a better result by "rolling" the right edge of your right hand toward the tailpiece. (If you have or feel tension in your right shoulder, this will help.) 2. Also, try reshaping your thumbpick (use cheap ones that are all the same) with fine sandpaper to get a blunter, rounder tip. But try #1 first. 3. Don't worry so much about it. What you hear, with the banjo in your lap and your head right above it, is not what someone "out front" hears.
	GreasyNails says: 7/28/2014 10:10:16 AM Thanks for the tips everyone. I'm really not sure what happened. I stopped playing for a couple of months while finishing up the last couple of classes for my degree, and when I started plauing again it just happened. I've been trying to play in a position that feels natural, but I guess that I just need to make the uncomfortable feel natural again. -Chris
	kalstras says: 8/8/2014 2:33:38 PM HAHAHAHA I was just lurking reading these lmao!! banjohangout.org/archive/79063 banjohangout.org/archive/266846 banjohangout.org/archive/224955 ALL about this very subject xD too funny WELCOME :D
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