In the other thread, I tried to put up a table illustrating how the basic clawhammer index/thumb playing technique could be reversed so that the thumb would play on the downbeat. This is an old-time playing technique that the Minstrels used. But somehow Mudcat wouldn't allow the use of certain unidentified HTML codes.

Anyhow reversing the lead finger rather makes it sound like the banjo player is fingerpicking. I found this technique in Tom Briggs' 1858 banjo instruction book. I think the book is still available from Elderly Instruments as a reprint.
Jim