I'm trying to learn banjo Clawhammer style and am having a lot of trouble with down picking with either the index or middle finger. I can't seem to get a clean sound. I found that an up pick seems to be easier for me for individual notes followed by a downward strum on the four strings and using the thumb for the fifth string as normal.
Before I spend too much time experimenting with this, I was wondering what the advice of the group would be? Can I get the Clawhammer sound and speed this way? Disadvantages? Anyone else play this way?