Fretting Hands Question
Question
I'm still struggling with the lick in sitting on top of the world. Would you mind a detailed explanation how to play the lick with the 2 hammers, pulloff ? exactly what the left and right hands are supposed to do and how to do it ?
Answer from Ross Nickerson
First of all I'd like to apologize that there is no right-hand fingering for this lick included in the Banjo Encyclopedia. Also, the tab program is somewhat limited with how I can key this measure in. To answer your question I have been working on keying it into the tabledit program more effectively, this should help.
Here is the lick in Tabledit Tab, I recommend that you download the lick, print it out, but first, follow the instructions below without attempting to play it. Wait until you have a better understanding of the lick is accomplished.
Sitting On Top Of the World
Banjo Encyclopedia/Page 73 Last Line/First Measure
The difficulty lies in what right hand-fingers you pick and the timing of course. Follow these instructions carefully.
First and very importantly, I recommend thinking your way through this lick and trying to hear it in your head. The more you flail or whack at it, the bigger the ditch you are digging gets. By repeatedly misplaying the lick you are reinforcing the wrong things. Think this through first.
The first note is an 1/8th note, picked with the thumb
The second is a 2-3 hammer-on that counts a 1/4 beat and is picked with the index.
The next 2-3 hammer and 3-2 pull all happens with just one pick of the index finger, and counts as a 1/4 beat.
The next open 3rd string is also picked with the index and is an 1/8th note, followed by 2 more 1/8th notes, the 4th string, 2nd fret picked with the thumb and the open first string with the middle.
Listen to the CD that comes with the book, listen to the Tabledit program, THINK IT THROUGH SOME BEFORE ATTEMPTING IT.
Be sure you are picking with the correct fingers and that you understand the timing, Good Luck!!
Extra
Here is the whole last line as it appears in the book, however I recommend cycling the lick example given earlier above to further isolate the lick and get it down first.
Sitting On Top Of the World
Banjo Encyclopedia/Page 73 Whole Last Line
