This question pops up frequently – do we really need to use picks? I often get messages from folks who don’t play with picks, and feel that they don’t play as well and end up with sore fingers when they use them.
To this, I have to reply, “I agree.” Picks will hurt your playing (and your fingers) when you first start using them. However, this is a necessary hurdle in order to get the best value out of a banjo’s sound. Without the amplification and articulation of picks, you won’t be able to pull the true tone and volume out of your banjo and will be easily drowned out in a jam setting.
So if it’s crucial to our sound to get accustomed to wearing picks, what kinds of picks do we use as banjo players?
Bob Swanson
July 07, 2023
I’ve had two problems over the years. The first was the curved part of the thumbpick hooking the fifth string. Doug Dillard showed me how to reshape it in a tighter hoop. The other is even with a short blade I still hit the head and make a noticeable thump when I record. I also, like my fingerpicks with less bend.