I am a fairly new player and I am now starting to learn the banjo from the 5th fret up. I am trying to apply the "F" shape, the "D" shape and the "Barre" shape. To my surprise, I am having more trouble with the Barre than the others. I have some calouse on my finger tips so I can get a clear tone when I get the right fingering. With the Barre I get a deadtone on either string 2 or three (sometimes both) at almost any fret. Some times I have to replace my finger and really mash down on the neck to get a good tone.
Questions: Which finger do you use? I am using the index finger so I'll be able to hammer or pull off other strings.
Is the problem my lack of strength in the finger or should I look at the banjo set up?
The first joint of the index finger seems to cover the 2nd string and that causes a poorly fretted string.
I am now just concentrating on chords in G but if I can't get a decent tone with the Barre position why should I bother?
Thanks,
AZghi