Hi Rick,

It's interesting because I think Pete invented this way of playing. Only those of us that have copied his banjo style play this way. The index finger with the pick toward the strings and the middle and ring brushing down with the picks away from the strings. He frails with his middle finger.

Erik Darling adapted this style but occasionally used the Scruggs style index and middle finger for up-picking and the ring finger for frailing and whamming. As far as I know, though, Pete nor Erik ever used a thumbpick.

How did John Hartford do it? I believe he must have used picks at one time because he started out on Shindig as a bluegrass picker with Glen Campbell.

I have been unsuccessful in finding a way to up-pick and frail with a pick on a single finger.

Best,
Frank