Finger picks are virtually essential when playing bluegrass banjo at any level of proficiency, as they help you play faster with crisp and loud sounds that you simply cannot achieve with just your fingertips.
Finger picks consist of two parts – the band that wraps around your thumb, and a blade part that strikes the strings. Each finger pick has different shapes and sizes; you should experiment until you find what suits you best.
Thumb Picks
Finger picks may not be required for bluegrass banjo playing, but they do add a crisp, clear tone and allow faster and more accurate playing than using just your hands alone. New players may initially find them awkward but usually adjust quickly; it is best to include them from the very beginning so your muscles won’t develop the habit of not using them later on.
Thumb picks come in various sizes, shapes, and materials; brass, nickel-silver, or stainless steel are among the more commonly used options for these instruments. Each produces different tones which can be tuned according to player taste.
Thick thumb pick blades make a significant difference to their tone; thicker ones produce louder sounds while thinner ones tend to be softer and more flexible. Thicker picks will generally be easier for beginners who are still learning the ropes to control more effectively; therefore they should make for an ideal starting point when learning about using one for themselves.
Consideration should also be given to the angle of your pick. Some players prefer tilting their pick slightly upward, so when striking strings they hit at an oblique rather than flat angle; this produces fuller, more pleasing tones.
Thumb pick length can also play an essential role. Some musicians prefer shorter picks that are easier to control and allow them to more quickly locate strings without exerting effort; other prefer longer ones to use more power in their picking techniques.
Thumb picks can be purchased at music stores and some acoustic specialty shops, often offering sample packs that you can try before committing. Online sales also exist. Be sure to experiment with various brands, gauges and styles until finding one that best meets your needs.
Finger Picks
Banjo finger picks are small pieces of plastic or metal that fit over the thumb and first two fingers (typically index and middle), to assist bluegrass style music players. Both left- and right-handed players may use finger picks; though traditional banjo players use just their fingers without using finger picks for added clarity and power; finger picks allow faster playing. There are many styles of finger picks; it is essential that you find one which feels comfortable for you.
Fingerpicks come in an assortment of shapes, sizes and materials. Plastic fingerpicks are typically the easiest and cheapest to work with – starting off with them may be best before moving on to other options. Metal fingerpicks tend to cost more, but may outlive their plastic counterparts by offering longer wearability – these may even be bent by rubbing against hard surfaces like tablestops to change the angle of striking surface.
Most finger picks feature a flat, or blade-shaped, striking surface which glides across strings when struck by playing them, along with a band to hold the pick around your thumb. While some feature striking surfaces molded from plastic material or polymer blades riveted onto metal bands like those found on popular Blue Chip picks.
To select an effective finger pick, the most essential consideration should be making sure that it comfortably covers your thumb, index and middle fingers, including all bumps and grooves. This is especially crucial for beginners as they work towards developing their sense of playing using one.
An incorrect method for attaching finger picks can make picking difficult at first, which is why so many beginning pickers struggle. Most will push on their pick so that its striking surface faces towards their fingers rather than away, leading to strings to hook rather than glide off of it. You should experiment with various angles and lengths until finding what works for you!
Split Wrap Picks
Propik finger picks provide unsurpassed comfort and bluegrass tone, with their double wrap design providing unparalleled support and a variety of blade angle options to meet the playing styles and finger positions of every banjo player.
Angled picks allow for squarely hitting of strings without much finger movement or pick noise, leading to less pick noise and improved sound quality. The #1 blade is thinnest among them while #3 provides brighter tones.
Choose from an array of sizes that can fit any finger – child and women’s, extra large or even extra extra-large sizes! In addition, there is also a selection of colors to match your personal style.
Metal fingerpicks are often preferred by bluegrass banjo players due to their bright, clear sound that accompanies the banjo’s inherent twang. Unfortunately, however, they may take some getting used to as they can dig into your fingers’ cuticles and cause pain.
These picks may cause temporary discomfort; however, most people find that their pain diminishes after several days of use. It may also help to boil them in water or heat them in a skillet to modify their shape if they become too tight on your fingers.
Typically speaking, it is best to play your fingerpicks without moisture as this may cause them to rust and create noise when touching strings. Some players like to apply a small amount of lubricant onto their picks in order to reduce friction and enhance performance.
Selecting the appropriate fingerpicks can make a world of difference to the sound of your banjo. There are a wide range of choices out there; do your research and discover which option best meets your needs! Plastic picks tend to be most popular, though metal options also exist – each type may offer advantages or disadvantages depending on personal needs.
Blade Angle
Metal finger picks feature an angled blade to accommodate for how most people’s fingers reach strings, helping you hit more directly without contorting your hand or fingers. Reso offers multiple blade angles including straight options.
Players often change the angle of their metal fingerpicks by pushing down on it and bending it against a hard surface such as a tabletop or similar hard surface, creating an easy yet cost-effective modification that can dramatically enhance banjo playing.
If you are new to using metal fingerpicks, it is wise to experiment with various angles and configurations of blade and thumb placement in order to find what feels most natural for you. Also experiment with different metal types if metal doesn’t do it for you; wood may even work!
Most metal fingerpicks feature a striking surface connected to a collar that secures them around your index or middle fingers, typically right-handed. While designed for these fingers specifically, they may also fit the ring or pinkie finger as well. Some fingerpicks even include grooves for your thumbnail for easier grip and use.
Metal fingerpicks can be extremely durable, yet require careful maintenance in order to stay in top shape. After every use, it is advisable to rub the picks down with soft leather such as chamois to remove any dirt or oxidation that builds up over time – one two-time national banjo champion I know keeps his metal picks in his pocket so he can use a chamois every time he goes out playing banjo!
Metal fingerpick bands tend to be two times thicker than regular fingerpicks, requiring them to be cut down for optimal fit. We are happy to do this at no additional charge if necessary – however, before ordering engraving services on them, it would be prudent to first test out one of the stock designs so you know it fits you properly!