Left Hand Pressure

A big factor in fretting pressure depends on the position and stability of the instrument. If it's in place, you need a lot less pressure.

As an exercise, you should be able to fret a chord and strum it cleanly, without using the left thumb at all. Stick that thumb out in the air, and if the banjo moves when you fret, or you can't fret at all, there's a potential problem. Note: you wouldn't play that way, it's just to check your stability.

Now once you have that, you won't need the left hand to hold the instrument. The thumb does not wrap around the neck -- it lays along the back, so you can move it when you change chords.

In short, the left hand is for fretting, not holding, IMO.

Garry in Stone Mtn.

Angie's Banjo.com