I am slowly approaching my one year anniversary playing clawhammer banjo and I want to thank all of the folks here like OldWoodChuck, Dan, RD, Jim Reed, Donnie Gill, Ratler, Mark Johnson, ZEPP and so many countless others for chiming in on my questions and comments and in all of the threads about anything and everything banjo...kudos to you guys. I cant remember when I last enjoyed playing music so much and my desire to improve and play this instrument is fueled in many part by all of you...your vids, advice and songs...its really a great community of folks here.
Lately I have kinda...well this past week..I have begun to take a closer look at just some of the basics, in particular my right hand. I have watched many vids of alot of the pros and many of you guys who have been playing for years with lots of experience and I have noticed nuances and differences in just some of the basics that maybe I am not doing and should be doing. Maybe I am just over-analyzing as well. For instance in the beggining I know OldWoodChuck had commented about my thumb and possible tension. Back then I didnt really "get it" but now I think I do. I have noticed with many of the players here on BHO who are either A: "Really exceptional players" which there are many here on the BHO or B: "Really experienced players" or C: "Both" .....that the thumb seems to be slightly cocked into a downward position and that the right hand just flows fluidly and effortlessly with more focus on accuracy. Lately I have been taking a closer look at this and am trying to slowly apply this to my right hand and I feel I am having good results. Its helping me to with a bit more accuracy and my tone seems more full sounding, but its also causing me to play "slower" and more focused. I am not being militant about this in my practice but I feel like I am entering a "Sit back and take full stock of where you have been and where you want to go" moments with my technique, tone etc.... Have any of you guys ever had these moments in your learning? What was the result...? Many of these things may seem trivial but I take music and my playing very seriously... Dont get me wrong...I am not at all discouraged or frustrated...quite the contrary..I just want to continue to progress with the banjo and just really get this stuff down before I move along any further to where it is like second nature..
