Forum - Banjo Ben Clark

Discuss the Banjo lesson: Banjo Forward-Reverse Roll Study

#121

Great Question @Rob_coughlin Robert. Since your just starting out on the banjo I don’t want to overwhelm you but I pick the 5, 4, 3, 2, and 1 strings with my Thumb. My 4, 3, 2, and 1 strings with my Index finger and my 3, 2, and 1 strings with my Middle finger. I hasten to add NOT in that order.

My advice for what it is worth is to follow @BanjoBen 's beginner learning path at your own pace. As you work through Ben 's lessons he will introduce you to all kinds of picking patterns at the time he feels it is right.

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#122

Thanks Archie! That’s very helpful. Especially from one engineer to another. Banjo isn’t my first instrument and I’m very wary about developing any bad habits that I’ll have to Uber-do later.

All the best!

#123

thank_you Robert If you stick with @BanjoBen 's Lesson Plan you won’t pick up any bad habits at least nothing that will harm your pickin, not so sure about his cousin Banjo Billy he gets up to all kinds of mischief. Be sure to post videos of your progress in the Video Swap area so that Ben can monitor and guide you,

#124

Hey @Rob_coughlin! I have the right hand fingerings beneath the notes and will introduce more complex reachings as we go. I’d say that 3rd string is split pretty evenly b/t the thumb and index.

#125

Thanks Ben!

#126

I’m really struggling with this roll …. Should I practice this song with just the rolls and later worry about the neck

#127

That is a great approach, isolating the hands and working on the rolls first. That will help identify which hand is playing the culprit, too, because a lot of times you think it’s your rolling hand that’s the problem, but the fretting hand is actually holding it up.

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#128

Hi @kevbrush Kevin I recall when I started out that I was taught six roll patterns. I was told to practice these patterns every day for an hour. those patterns are the same as @BanjoBen teaches

After a month my teacher then to me told to mix them up.

Next month my teacher taught me the three chord shapes and told me to practice chord changes whilst practicing the roll patterns.

Your goal should be to be able to play any roll pattern on autopilot just like riding a bike don’t think about it just do it.

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