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Basic Frailing
If we were face to face I could show you how to get this down in less than half and hour. But we're not- and while text is a poor substitute for an in-person workshop this is the Internet and it's free.
Let's boogie.
Sit down with your banjo in a straight-backed chair that doesn't have any arms. (I know, the sofa or the recliner is much more comfortable but for now go along with me on this).
Sit up straight.
I said sit up straight.
I know, it's our natural inclination to slouch- it's more comfortable and it looks cooler- but until you can do this in your sleep you want to add a dash of ritual and discipline into your practice time.
So like I said, sit up straight.
Hold your banjo in your lap with the pot (or resonator) is flat against your belly. Not off to the side, not on your knee. I'd also suggest using a strap while you do this so your hands are not
supporting the banjo.
Bring your banjo neck up so that the fifth peg is up by your ear. If you were facing a clock you'd want the neck up by 10 or 11.
With me so far?
For right now you left hand isn't going to have too much to do. Support your banjo neck if you want, or feed yourself pizza while you practice your frailing stroke with the left. Chords come later, and then your left hand is going to hoping around all over the place. So for right now send that puppy off to Club Med or something.
Let's put your right hand to work.
Stick your right arm our and make a fist.
Now stick out your index finger and thumb- just like when you were a kid playing cops and robbers you want that sort of 'gun' shape. Don't clench your remaining three fingers to your palm but rather try to relax and keep everything kind of loosey-goosey. Tension just slows things down.
The middle finger should be a hair extended.
Look at your hand. You've got your thumb up, your index finger straight out, your middle finger loosely curled and the last two fingers lightly touching your palm.
I know- it looks kind of goofy.
You should see yourself with that banjo.
Now that you've got your hand into a rough frailing shape that that whole arrangement of fingers down to your banjo.