How to Make Banjo Picks
Banjos are played either by strumming or picking. When strumming, the fingers brush across the strings to produce sound. Picking is when individual strings are plucked to produce clear notes. The clarity and volume of picked strings are enhanced when the player uses banjo picks, which are sized to fit individual fingers. If you haven't found banjo picks to suit your style, you can craft your own from ping-pong balls.
Other People Are Reading
Things You'll Need
- Ping-pong ball
- X-Acto knife
- Small piece of paper
- Marker
- Scissors
- Clear office tape
- Nail clippers
- Nail file
Instructions
-
-
1
Cut the ping pong ball in half along the seam. You can use an X-Acto knife, although any sharp knife will work. Exercise caution because a knife can easily slip off the curved surface of the ball.
-
2
Turn your finger it on its side and make a dot on the paper at the outside of the finger. Roll the finger onto its other side and make another dot to indicate overall width. Draw the pattern of the pick onto the paper in a shape resembling the arms and head of a gingerbread man. The arms should be raised at a 45 degree angle and the bottom of the pattern should be curved; see the Resource section for a pattern sample.
-
-
3
Cut out the paper pattern. Place the curved bottom along the cut edge of the ping-pong ball. Trace the outline of the pattern onto the ball and use the knife to cut the shape. If you have small fingers, you can get two picks out of each half of the ball.
-
4
Tape the pick to your finger using clear office tape and try it out on the banjo. Use nail clippers to trim the pick until it is a shape and size that feels comfortable. Once the pick is the right shape, use the nail file to smooth any rough edges.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
Once you've perfected your pick shape and size, use it as a stencil to make a pattern for future picks.
Picks can be worn on all fingers except the pinky; the pick for the thumb will be the largest. Use the measuring method in Step 2 to adjust the pattern accordingly.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit Hemera Technologies/PhotoObjects.net/Getty Images
