How to Do an Alternating Banjo Roll in Bluegrass

Mastering finger rolls is the basis of playing the five-string banjo. This alternating roll is a variation on the Scruggs pattern in which the thumb plays three different strings, on every other note. With a little practice, you'll be up to speed and playing like a master.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Things You’ll Need:

• Five-string banjo
• Finger picks, plastic and metal

1. Place the picks on your fingers. Use a plastic pick on your thumb and metal picks on your first and index fingers.
2. Hold the banjo with your left hand open and relaxed. Play this exercise with an open G chord. Concentrate only on playing the roll smoothly.
3. Use your thumb for the fifth (drone), fourth and third strings. Use your index finger for the second string and your middle finger for the first string.
4. Start with the Scruggs pattern of (strings) 3-2-5-1 3-2-5-1, using the fingering of thumb, index, thumb, middle or T-I-T-M T-I-T-M. Practice this roll until your thumb is alternating between the third and fifth strings smoothly.
5. Change the pattern to play the strings 3-2-5-1 4-2-5-1. Play it slowly but evenly, until it merges into one long pattern of 3251425132514251. Notice that you are still using T-I-T-M-T-I-T-M and that your thumb strikes every other note in the roll.
6. Practice this pattern slowly. It may take a week to get up to banjo speed. Work on making it smooth, so that you don't hear any breaks. Play this in one continuous roll.

Tips & Warnings

• Notice that even though the timing is smooth, your thumb naturally picks its notes stronger than the other fingers. This gives a nice emphasis on every other note but keeps it subtle.