Forum - Banjo Ben Clark

Beginner, 2 questions on the beginning roll

#1

Hi, new gold pick member here. I actually been playing the banjo for about 10 years just copying crap off youtube but never really learned much else besides rolls. I decided to become a gold pick member and at least try to learn to actually become a musician, and am going down the beginners path to learn the real fundamentals which now brings me to 2 questions.

  1. Beginners forward roll: Boil them cabbage down, there is a cord change where 4 beats is played in G and then the other 4 beats to D-7 all in the same measure. I want to know why we are choosing D-7 and not just the cord D? Is it because D-7 is quicker and serves the purpose more efficiently? Or is there some other reason that I am not seeing? If I were self taught I would be trying to use the D shape to accomplish this. Henbce the reason why I am glad I am learning from pros now.

  2. I notice in other songs I am going to have to do similar, cord changes in the same measures quite often. From like C to A and etc. I am finding it difficult to do (right now) but is the goal here to just make it work out with whatever we have to do? Because I am finding it easier to actually work in some backwards rolls here and there so I can avoid picking the same string with the same finger when I do the cord change. I know my rolls both forwards and backwards because I practiced them for years but not much else, so I am wanting to work in my own rolls subconsciously

I was not taught this (on question 2) I am just finding it coming to me naturally, but I do not want to get ingrained with a bad habit. I hope I have not confused everyone lol

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#2

Hi @kevinmodz Kevin welcome to @BanjoBen 's Forum.

Great Question’s I’ll do my best to answer them but I feel sure Ben will jump right in and address these queries himself when he is available.

Question 1. I am guessing you meant to say two beats in G followed by two beats in D7. This is called a split measure. There are only four quarter note beats in these measures. Do not confuse Beats with the number of Notes in a measure. The measures you refer to have eight eighth notes.

Why D7 and not a Full D chord. Well this is a beginners lesson and I guess Ben just wants to ease his new beginners in by teaching the more simplified D7 position. In intermediate and advanced lessons Ben does teach a full D Chord position. However in the much more advanced lessons you’ll learn that there is no need to play a full chord position in fact it may hamper your playing through restriction of motion. Ben does explain this in later lessons.

As you say you are being taught the fundamentals you require to build your skill level.

Question 2. It’s fair to assume you are going to come across split measures often as that’s how tunes are structured. You often hear this referred to as the Chord Progression. In Bluegrass many different tunes follow the same Chord Progression.
There are about six or eight roll patterns that are used in bluegrass banjo. It is advisable that you should work on the rolls set out in these lessons now. As you progress you are going to come across them again and again. The Boil them Cabbage Down exercise is there to help you memorize these roll patterns so you won’t have to THINK about them when you get into the serious stuff. So my advise would be to follow the lesson plan as laid out by Ben, later you will mix up all these roll patterns and combine them with other embellishments to create licks.

In these early lessons Ben is setting out a framework to train your brain to focus on what and how to do the things you need to do that will help you later on in your banjo journey.

My advice for what it is worth is to set aside any negative thought’s you may have about bad habits. We all make mistakes but if you study Ben’s hands listen closely to what he tells you any bad issues you may think you have will soon pass.

#3

Yep, that’s right! Since this is early in the learning track, I’m teaching simpler chord shapes so as not to overwhelm. However, I still often use that D7 when I’m doing down the neck backup rolls because it’s often all that’s needed. I rarely use the full D chord shape unless there’s a specific lick I’m looking to get. I do not use it (hardly EVER) when I’m just playing rolls over a D chord.

On your 2nd point, it would really help if you could record yourself doing this and upload so I know exactly what you’re talking about. But from what I can tell, I think it’s totally fine to do.

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