economy of motion when picking the banjo

The economy of motion: A word about right-hand(picking) finger patterns: Sometimes banjo tablature does not specify which right-hand finger to use(thumb, index or middle) and the arranger of the tab will assume you know. After your first few days of Scruggs-style picking you will see some logical right-hand picking finger rules emerge. There are exceptions, but for the purposes of learning the basic tunes in the repertoire of the manual, the basic rules are as follows:   

1. The right thumb is used for the fifth, fourth, third and sometimes second strings.
2. The right first finger picks the third and second strings.
3. The right middle finger usually only picks the first string, but very infrequently it is used on the second string.

If you are not sure which right hand finger to use, base your decision on the ease and smoothness of the maneuver. And remember, the same finger never picks two successive eighth notes in a row.

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