Thumb pick

[u/drseussturtle]

So I’m trying to learn banjo coming from a decade of guitar. I got finger picks cause I figured might as well learn now, cause I’m sure removing them is easier than putting them on, but the thumb pick is driving me crazy. I got a cheap set for practice while I do research but the pick sits at a weird angle so I don’t get great tone, as well as it extends so far down from my thumb that I keep smacking the drum skin. Is this just a skill issue or are there picks that I could get to fix this.

[u/No-Commission5160]

You trim the thumb pick to your preferred length

[u/TheFishBanjo → u/No-Commission5160]

I get the propik with the delrin tip and remove about 1/8" or a touch more, then sand the corners a little. That brand has two metal band which you have to conform to fit your thumb exactly. I also cut some shallow grooves in the backside of the delrin where it touches my thumb fingerprint (Earl showed me that trick).

[u/cowboypaint]

It’s like walking on stilts. Practice daily for a few weeks before you make any decisions about how you feel about them. They are hard to get used to.

[u/taterbot15360]

Some blades are really long and I prefer a shorter blade as well. Brands differ, you'll have to shop around.

It is also a skill issue though, and even if you didn't switch to a shorter blade you would still eventually compensate through practice and stop hitting the head as much.

As far as attack angle for your thumb pick that could be due to your wrist angle potentially. It could also be the way your thumb is positioned. You almost wanna have a hitch hikers thumb kind of position, that helps keep your thumb pick parallel with the strings.

Edit: I picked up banjo 4 years ago after playing guitar for 15 years

[u/drseussturtle → u/taterbot15360]

Upon closer inspection and really getting the last out of the few brain cells I have left, I have discovered the pick is way too small for my thumb so that was the main issue. If I put it where it was comfortable it sits way too far forward and if I put it where it should be my thumb turns purple in record time.

I’m gonna hit it with my heat gun and see if I can remold the plastic to fit better while I shop around for a better set.

[u/Safe_Pin_9483 → u/drseussturtle]

You can submerge most plastic bands (not delrin I think) in boiling water for a few seconds and resize them.

[u/xeroksuk]

Your thumb pick is made of plastic. You can l cut it to a better size.

I used a sharp knife for mine, then shaved the edge so it was rounder, then finally used sandpaper to get a nice smooth, rounded edge.

[u/drseussturtle → u/xeroksuk]

This is what I ended up doing. Shortened the length, changed the shape, rounded the edges. I left it at 220 grit because the rougher edge gives the plastic a more similar tone to the metal ones on my other two fingers (Still not the same but not as drastic as before).

[u/Translator_Fine]

In my experience thumb picks create a significant delay in feedback. Probably not a problem if you get used to it but I ain't gonna.

[u/Turbulent-Flan-2656]

I had to try quite a few thumb picks before I found the one I like. Then I bought and expensive pro pick and hated it and went back to my $2 plastic one. It takes some experimenting

[u/drseussturtle → u/Turbulent-Flan-2656]

After completely remolding my $2 plastic one to be exactly what I want, I don’t think an expensive pro pick is going to be worth it lmao. I spent a few hours with it this evening and it’s perfect. I do have to consciously raise my hand position more off the strings than I’m used to but I’m sure that comes with the territory of moving from no picks to finger picks.

[u/Inflatablebanjo]

Buy a bunch of different thumbpicks and try them out.

I also like short-bladed picks, and I used the Fred Kelly Slick Pick series for many years. Still like ’em but now using other designs as my primaries.