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How to Do an Alternating Banjo Roll in Bluegrass

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By eHow Contributing Writer
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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.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging
Instructions

Things You'll Need:

  • Five-string banjo
  • Finger picks, plastic and metal
  1. Step 1

    Place the picks on your fingers. Use a plastic pick on your thumb and metal picks on your first and index fingers.

  2. Step 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. Step 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. Step 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. Step 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. Step 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.

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