I'm a beginner- started with Bluegrass style about 3 months ago and can play three beginner songs fairly well and am working on #4... Not wanting to "limit" myself I picked up Erbsen's Clawhammer Banjo for the Complete Ignoramus book and am working on the first song (now in double C tuning), Old Molly Hare. My question is, since the first string is played at the 2nd, 3rd, 5th & 7th frets in this beginner tune- what finger should I be using for each? Is there a "rule" about "positions" similar to guitar? My 1st inclination was 2nd fret/2nd finger, 3rd fret/3rd finger, 5th fret/1st finger, 7th fret/3rd finger... Is this appropriate or much ado about nothing?
Next, about learning both styles before mastering either... Is this a bad idea? In my spare time (ha!), I'm learning guitar, too; although, banjo has stolen my heart!
Finally, if there's anyone in Cochise county, AZ (I live in Bisbee) who could help a beginner with a couple of in-person lessons, I could use 'em- although I may have to resort to Skype...
TIA,
-Allen M.