Hi Graham,

Yes on both. The banjo is tuned to “standard G” although we play that song in D on the video. And the only way to get that “sharp” a sound on the banjo is to use fingerpicks (as far as I’ve seen). I will say, it took me awhile to get the hang of that song on the banjo, it’s a little unusual… fun though.

Thanks for stopping by!

Luke

I have trouble using any type of pick. i usually use my index finger as the pick. Of course this effects the volume. I have made my own picks out of art paper. it is a little thicker than regular paper and i tape molds of picks together trying to find the right thickness for me. i prefer a thin pick but have not found one i like yet, thus, my experiments. do not get me started on slides. they are all too big for my small fingers. any advice? Will

The Dunlop picks made from cellulosic plastic come in different sizes and can be filed thinner. I sometimes wear a thinned, trimmed and shaped Dunlop backwards on my middle finger for playing clawhammer banjo, just to save grinding my fingernail away.

Luke is playing Scruggs style banjo in that video, and for that style (also called ‘up-picking’ or ‘Bluegrass style’) you really need picks to get any kind of volume. In clawhammer you have the power coming out of your wrist action, and a pick isn’t necessary. But in Scruggs style, you are using only only your fingers. Without picks, you just don’t get nearly enough sound.

If you are playing Scruggs style banjo, my advice is to find fingerpicks that fit and are comfortable, and then just keep on playing with them on, even though it feels weird and your playing is clumsy. Eventually you will adapt, everything will get comfortable, and you will be successful. And audible!

Once you are used to wearing picks, you can experiment with switching to metal for even more volume.

I didn’t understand your comment about slides. Do you also play slide guitar?

The cellulosic Dunlops are the ‘shell’ ones, not the white ones.

I am a new member but also a complete new member to the banjo. I dont play and have wanted to learn since I was all of maybe 8 years old when I was a little kid and saw the little boy in “Delieverence” play that banjo.. For whatever reason it sure stuck with me. That being said I have to say Luke’s Picking and singing on the video of “Working on a Building” was second to none! wow.. His singing sounds so much like Old Crow Medicine show. I live in Santa Cruz and often pass by the corner you all were playing at. I wish I could catch you guys. Perhaps post next time you are going to be there. Its inspired me to perhaps buy myself a banjo and make an attempt to learn how to play.

I also would like to ask you a question. I am a photographer by trade and do it full time for a living. I see that you have a nice website and most other bluegrass singers and bands do great music but it seems no one has much more as in photos than some simple snapshots. I was curious if I could mix my two favorite things to me. Which would be Music and Photography. I would like to extend or offer you and your family a chance for some Professional photos. Feel free to contact me at my member email address and I will give you some samples of my work. I feel it only fair to give justice to such great musicians as all the bands that play this beautiful music of bluegrass. Once again thank you for the great music and plucking and a singing. Luke keep it up maybe we will see you at the “Hardly Blue Grass Festiville” or maybe playing with Gillian Welch or David Rawlings one day.

Thanks Rafael for the message. Will respond via email. Sounds like it’s time to start playing yourself! We’ll be in touch.