Two Fretless Banjo Secrets

This is the second part of my introduction to fretless banjo where we learn the dark arts of fretless technique. I share two secrets of the instrument that I stumbled on early: using your nails on your fretting hand to get great slides, and the importance of gesturing toward notes rather than reaching them.

[@tastas3880]

Thank you I been watching these videos for couple years... I still suck at it but you give me hope

[@FretlessFury]

My pleasure, Tas. Keep working, and keep it simple. It'll happen. Best, Tom

[@beacons777]

Most excellent! Thank you!

[@FretlessFury]

My pleasure!

[@curtisshaw6160]

Great instruction Tom. Thank you.

[@FretlessFury]

You're welcome, Curtis! Thanks for commenting!

[@jeremyreagan9085]

I am a self taught frettless banjo player and personally I feel formal musical training in not needed. Just keep trying learn by ear it is more interesting then sheet music.

[@easternkentuckyoutdoors8092]

That’s how everyone did it in days of old

[@HurtMachineCyclery]

Let Friday night begin.

[@FretlessFury]

Ahahaha! A true fellow banjo nerd! Nice, James!

[@jennikomarovsky6826]

Thanks for this! Question - are your nails short? - I can't quite make that out from the video. I need to keep my left hand nails short for playing guitar and other fretted stringed instruments.

[@FretlessFury]

I definitely keep my fretting nails pretty short. Otherwise they'd get in the way of fretting on a fretted banjo. Even with short nails, it's possible to roll up on the nail and use it to fret if you can get a steep angle against the string. Give it a whirl!

[@petrovichluzhin]

Wow that banjo is a beauty. What is it?

[@FretlessFury]

Thats my Enoch 400! It's a treasure!!!

[@nickdavis772]

Is the slide technique same for nylon strings as for steel strings?

[@FretlessFury]

Great question, Nick! I'll be talking about nylon strings in a future video. You can definitely use your nails on nylon strings...just be light and gentle (but that advice holds true no matter what you doing on the instrument). Thanks for the question!

[@MrHacienda1]

Can I use a capo on a nylon string fretless banjo changing from standard G to A?

[@erich1394]

It's funny - I've been playing with my left hand rotated and have been doing slides on fretted guitar and banjo forever, and I get TONS of notching in my nails, go figure!

[@stupendousface]

paul rudd vibes