I'm embarrassed to ask this question. I've played one instrument or another for 60 years and made a good living a lot of years in the honky tonks, biker bars and other dives around NorCal.
I've got a decent banjo and I am getting the rudiments of the frailing style. Unfortunately I cannot get any tone out of the the second, third or fourth strings when I strike them with my middle finger nail. First string sounds out, but the others are plinky. Very perplexing.
Another question: I notice that many fine frailers have the main joint in their right thumb bent when striking the 5th string.
Many, many years ago I attempted to play the banjo and ran into theses same issues. I've watched countless videos on youtube but I haven't seen a whole lot on the use of the thumb or how to get a decent tone out of the other strings.
Any suggestions really appreciated. I'm about ready to chuck it and go back to the peddle steel.