The Right Hand, Banjo Style

[Tim Twiss]

There are but two really fundamental principals or movements governing
the action of the right hand in this style, and exceptions or
deviations that may occur in the course of execution are not deemed of
sufficient importance to now require a special description, as, in the
majority of cases, they will be found, reducible to one or the other
of the two movements.
To execute the first (or “COMBINATION”) movement, close the hand as
directed, and, carrying it quickly to the strings, strike, with the
first finger, the string required, at the same time placing the thumb
in anticipation, on the string that is to produce the following tone;
then, while raising the hand, vibrate, with the thumb, the string
upon which it was placed, accompanying the action with a slight
turning-outward and upward-of the hand in restoring it to its original
position.
In executing the second (or “HAMMER”) movement, the first finger
only, is required to strike the strings, the thumb acting as a support
or brace.*

Frank B. Converse

*Page 14 of the Analytical Banjo Method

[Carl Anderton]

So, how do you use the "hammer" movement for anything other that brief
passages, since only the finger is being used?

[Tim Twiss]

On Jun 17, 9:26 pm, Carl Anderton <andert...@yahoo.com> wrote:
> So, how do you use the "hammer" movement for anything other that brief
> passages, since only the finger is being used?

Try all those General Exercises, Banjo Style on page 93 and 94. Use
hammers every spot where indicated. Then, all those tunes that follow
in the Banjo Style are carefully fingered.They seem like overkill, but
are masterful in thought. After that, anything you play seems to fall
into that style of play...all the way back to Briggs..actually,
especially Briggs. You have to give it a really fair shake to feel it.
It is almost like it was always there (in the previous Tutors), but
finally defined in this publication.

[Carl Anderton]

Yeah, actually I copied those two pages and keep them in my case for
quick warm-ups when necessary.

Pardon my question that is answered somewhere in the Analytical I'm
sure, but what's the symbol for a hammer?

[Tim Twiss]

The "Hammer" Movement is indicated by a dot placed below the
right hand finger mark. Practice in the manner suggested for the
Combination movement.
When the finger sign is unaccompanied by the dot, the string is
still to be struck with the finger, - held rigidly and without the
support of the thumb*.

Frank B. Converse

*Page 92 of the Analytical Banjo Method