Well I've been learning banjo for a couple of months now, and have been following the usual beginners routes by watching Youtube, Pat Costello, RSB , Cathy Fink etc.., concentrating my efforts on the basic frailing stroke, and noodling around with Old Joe Clark, Cripple Creek, bluesy stuff trying to establish a technique rather than perfecting the actual tunes. My thumb has been stuck in 5th string land and I've just been trying to introduce some drop thumb into my playing before I get too firmly fixed into my particular way of playing. Following the RSB drop thumb video, I've been alternating between 2nd and 5th, 3rd and 5th strings while striking the 1st. It doesn't come easy but I keep tryng and I can sense a slow and steady progress.
The question is, to understand when drop thumb could be incorporated into playing, are there any simple tunes I could practice that would ease me gently into it, and at the same time help me understand when it can be used? Thanks in advance