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three-finger · seeger1954-banjo-instructor

Revision fecf4da2-2f74-47bb-9350-38614e886c88 · 11/1/2026, 10:55:02 PM UTC
Claim ID
three-finger
Assertion
Seeger introduces three-finger picking as a style for driving square-dance rhythm best heard on the records of Earl Scruggs, noting its syncopated brilliance. His basic exercise is an eight-note pattern in which the middle finger, thumb and index finger pluck single strings in turn, with the thumb repeatedly sounding the fifth string.
Quote
And for a driving square dance rhythm it's hard to beat the syncopated brilliance of a style best heard on the records of Earl Scruggs, these days. It involves three fingers of the right hand in picking. Try this: (1) Pluck up on the 1st string with your right middle finger. . . . . (2) Then sound the thumb string. . . . . (3) Then with your right index finger play the third string. . . . . (4) Then with your middle finger the first string. . . . . (5) Thumb the fifth string. . . . . (6) Then with your index finger play the 2nd string. . . . . (7) Middle finger plays the 1st string. . . . . (8) Thumb the 5th string.
Quote language
en
Locator
page: 3 (Side I, Band 7a)
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