I really enjoyed that. Thanks for sharing.
Ashley Campbell
Enjoyed this. Gotta love a Campbell
Here’s Ashley in a video by my friends Rascal Flatts: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i9RRBGFO1nI
Interesting how the banjo laid-down a repeating ‘motif’ that really added color and feel to that song. Leave it to a Campbell
Well, I just watched this one of her playing a song that I’ve recently fallen in love with, gentle on my mind
Great classic bluegrass song written by the legendary Banjo and Fiddle player John Hartford RIP John
This popped up in my YouTube recommended viewings this morning Enjoy
Thanks @Archie. It always amazes me how effective a simple rolling banjo can be. This is a great example. Certainly nothing advanced technique-wise here, but yet very effective if one can achieve a nice even roll…
Hi Neil, This goes to the root of what I have been trying to understand about playing rolling backup. I have listened to this stuff pretty much since I took up the banjo but try as I might I can’t find anything remotely like this in any of the backup lessons I have studied. Perhaps @BanjoBen can persuade Ashley to pop by the cabin next time she visits Nashville. Boy wouldn’t that be great having Ashley make a guest appearance.
I could be wrong, but it sounds like most of it is just a series of square rolls with some specific key notes walking (mostly down) to lead the listeners ear to chord changes.
I will say, though, she may be making it look easier than it really is.
Hey Mark,
If you get some time, can you give us a vid on rolling backup? Watching her play has led me to listening to GC’s version on Pandora repeatedly these last several days.
For me, it’s quite difficult to pick out the rolling banjo, because the acoustic guitars are playing in a very similar fashion.
That was the first time I ever heard Ashley Campbell play, and she played that spectacularly. It just flowed like nobody’s business. The old guy was phenomenal too. Still has a very clean voice with little graveliness.
No offense to the bluegrass purists, but a rolling banjo in a popular type song, (though not written with that intent), is just indescribable.
Was she playing melodic style on that solo?
Excellent analysis!
OK, so it sounds like John is doing 8 beats per measure, with a slight accent on beats 2 and 4??? when he’s not singing, but what does he do while he’s singing? Can’t quite tell.
Man, I want to learn this one.
He’s doing the same thing only with less volume so the bajo doesn’t interfere with the vocals…dynamics
Me 2 Jack
OK, I was playing around with this a bit.
I’m pretty sure the progression is C, D7, G, and back to C. On the D7 chord, he is walking the C, C# and D notes.
I think from here it’s just a matter of cracking how he does the rolls. Hope that helps Archie.
Thanks Dave. Not nearly where I’m at, but working on it right at this moment.