Tom Adams' two-finger style

[old5string]

Great to see Tom playaing again. He is an inspiration to us all.

p.s. the song is an old Stanley Brothers number "Lonesome Without You"

[owsleyforkmusic]

What is the song that they are playing?

[musicat69]

I have focal dystonia. I gave away my 5 string out of frustration. I almost sold my guitar it got so bad. I think I'm going to get it back. I might be able to accomplish this! Thank you Tom.....!

[banjoscott]

I can hardly tell the difference...it sounds good to me

[ComradeMorshu]

PS: Didn't Jerry Garcia also play with two fingers, back when he was in Old & In the way?

[ComradeMorshu]

Two-finger sounds really cool. You can really see how Scruggs developped his style of three-finger from this; two-finger seems to carry a bit more rhythm, and three-finger seems to carry a bit more melodic complexity. Both are awesome.

[HillbillyWayne88]

Thats how i play my banjo.Is the two finger picking...

[godawgs0205]

2 Fingers is a Joke

[DeanHoff]

No, he's really playing with just his index and thumb. Google Tom Adams and focal dystonia.

[fiddleplayer9]

Ralph Stanley sometimes played with only two fingers....

[BanjoBoyMatteo]

Yes, it was the first style he learned after clawhammer. The early 1947 recordings of the Stanley Brothers clearly show that style. It's nothing similar to the way Tom plays it...Stanley's 2-finger style is a more archaic style reminiscent of Wade Mainer, Tom's style is sort of adapting Scruggs style licks with two fingers. Both are fabulous, in different ways.

[HillbillyJ]

Tom is awesome. I just got his "Adams County Banjo" and the qaulity of his playing is just awesome! Is so sad about his condition, but hes still an great musician!

[vatican2refuter]

nice little ditty

[soundsfromnothing]

Two finger style is amazing! Is he striking the strings w/ the back of his index finger?

[DeanHoff]

He just uses two fingers with picks - his thumb and index finger - instead of three. He plays so cleanly and quickly, it is hard to see how he does it. He wears a third pick on his middle finger, but doesn't use it in a typical roll.

[soundsfromnothing]

That's just awesome! What talent!

[cwknig2]

We have lost a great banjo player to Tom's illness. I hope he able to continue music, even if he can't play scruggs style any longer.

[DeanHoff]

Tom still plays- he writes banjo tab for BNL and records the samples. He decided to turn his attention more fully to guitar, and is a brilliant musician, whatever instrument he chooses.

[pfcbeetlebailey2]

God Bless Tom Adams in all that he does!

[oldbanjoman]

Tom's new two-finger approach is REALLY unique... and I LOVE IT. Keep pickin' it, Tom. Sounds great!!!

[NOS454V8]

Go on Bluegrass Blog, Tom Adams is laying the banjo down. He is focusing on playing guitar. He said, because of having dystonia, he feels like he lets the band and audience down. I dont know, I thought with him doing this two-finger style, he was still a professional player, playing with the same professional expertise. But we should continue to hear great music coming from Tom, because he is a good guitar player!

[DeanHoff]

I too thought he played especially well with two fingers. Thanks for the comment!

[whipsnade13]

Best of luck to Tom. He's always been one of the most solid and tasteful musicians to ever pick up a banjo. Good picking!

[UncleCaptainMidnight]

From Tom's website: "...Tom began to experience difficulty controlling the movement of the middle finger of his right hand. Tom was diagnosed in 2003 with focal hand dystonia - a disorder for which there is no known cure....currently working to perfect a two-finger style of playing..."

Can you imagine being a musician and losing the use of one of your digits?

[DeanHoff]

I think Tom is a marvel.