Banjo Advice
Questions / Answers from Ross Nickerson

Banjo Advice / Left hand muting

Dear Banjoteacher.com: I recently purchased a Tennessee Crafters banjo and it has great sound. I am struggling with my left hand muting/interfering with the 4th string. The neck is (apparently) narrower than my previous banjo and the 4th string is very close to the lower edge of the neck. Is this something I might be able to adjust with a new nut, or is it just lazy left hand technique?

Thanks for help on this.

Nickerson answer

I can't say for sure on the adjustments, but from what you wrote, my best guess is lazy left hand technique and difficulty adjusting to a new neck size.

Take your picks off and give that left hand a workout and get loose, it just takes practice, but students are usually too busy picking to work at it enough. For instance, guitar is much harder on the left hand and there are plenty of people who can play the guitar, they practice the left hand more, they normally aren't as busy with picking and tab reading to neglect it.

I've been taking a slightly heavier handed approach on this with students because, I care for one, and, I really hear a lot of, "I can't do its" on the left hand stuff, which is bringing out the coach in me, I want to blow a whistle and say drop and give me twenty scales and get those darn fingers to respond! LOL, you know what I meant though, get started and work at it...alot!. I really think in most cases it's simply lack of practice time devoted to improving the left hand

Don't take it to heart, I just want to help.

Thanks, Ross N.

PS: You inspired me to fix some tabs, give me another hour.

I'm updating tabs on the free tabs page at the members site

PS: TN crafters are really good banjos, good choice.

Thanks again,
Sincerely,
Ross Nickerson
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