Soddy, Interesting, I would discribe the thumb note as happening as the hand pulls away from the drum head on(or getting ready for) the upstroke. Is'nt bum chitty bum chitty one way of discribing it or 1,2,& 3,4,& (The & being the pull away on the fith string). 1,2,3,4 being on the waking beat and the &'s being on the off beats...I love frailing!! Thank you Clarence Tom Ashley!!Has everyone heard Dwight Diller's cd something like "1999 all banjo" sorry I'm awfull with names.. All the best Guy