When you practice your banjo, do you wear a strap? I think that a strap should be worn whenever you play the banjo, whether it is at home or on the stage. A strap keeps the banjo in the same position - standing or sitting. If your banjo is in the same position it will be easier to keep your hands in the right spot, making it easier to play consistently.
Banjos are heavy and a good strap can really make a big difference - no more aching back. If you have your strap set up properly you shouldn’t have to support the neck with your left hand and the neck will be at about a 45 degree angle. Adjust the banjo until it feels comfortable for you, everybody is different, so experiment and find what works best. Earl Scruggs said to setup your strap so you are comfortable when you are standing, and he knows a thing or two about playing the banjo.
There are a lot of different straps out there, some have metal hooks, some have plastic hooks, some cradle the banjo and some straps are held on by something called a Chicago screw. A Chicago screw sounds much more interesting than it is; it’s basically a rivet that screws together. The main thing is to find a strap that you like, that is comfortable, and use it. Well, I gotta go, I think if I adjust my strap just right I’ll play like J.D. Crowe….
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