Crooked:redundant is my middle name. And my first name… As far as 5th string spikes go, I do a lot of fretting on the 5th string, playing melodic style, and I wonder if ther spikes might get in my way. Anyone have any experience with this? On another subject altogether today I had a kind of breakthrough-I started up-and-down picking individual strings with the thumbpick. I started doing this in order to execute triplets on the 5th string without having to shift several fingers rapidly, and while it will take a little while to integrate into my technique I can already use it for the desired purpose. This is related to a flamenco guitar technique called, I think, alzapua. Has anyone else tried this on the banjo? If so. how’s it working? Anyway for me it is exciting and enough inspirationto keep me going through the new year . Lastly and of course it should have been first: a very Happy Safe and Prosperous New Year to all, filled with the joy of making music.
Hey, Fool. You should not have a problem fingering around a RR spike. I only install them at the seventh fret for the A note. It’s uncommon to use in other positions. Players who need more go with a fifth string sliding capo. RR spike on steel strings is barely a millimeter high. You can install them back near the sixth fret so its out of your way… Bob
Been taking 5-string lessons for just over a year now - love it!! We covered the full range of styles. Up-picking (i.e., 2-finger and 3-finger) works best for me. I found clawhammer really difficult.