Forum - Banjo Ben Clark

Discuss the Banjo lesson: Soloing Over the Chords with Kristin Benson

It is one sustained note on the 5th string (ideally played pretty punchy), then a backwards roll- strings 1, 2, and ending with a 3-2 pull-off on string 3.

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Archie - I agree with these other replies. No reason to play the first bit (2121 or 3131) IMTM except that Earl did and it emphasizes the 3rd note. I’ve heard lots if players get the same effect with IMIM, so as long as it sounds good, proceed!

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I could never do a waypoint lesson because my son would argue that’s for fishing, not banjo!

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Hi @edneb1949 Ed, If your fingers are bleeding it means you are pressing too hard on the strings. Soak your fingers in a salt water solution of speed the healing process.

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No argument from me on that score Kirstin, just offering up some sort of guidance to the OP’s question. I do use both these IMTM, IMIM. That said when I was a beginner learning from Janet Davis TAB books she seemed to prefer IMIM whilst other TOP LEVEL teachers such as Tony Trischka were advocating IMTM and at the time, for me at least that was confusing. Back then the FMB Roll was a HOT TOPIC on the Banjo Hangout adding further confusion since no one seemed to want to agree on how it should be played. My preference is to use the thumb where possible and it is in line with @BanjoBen 's teaching. But if it feels right I do use the Index now and again.

When I started playing banjo, I was self taught and didn’t even think about what fingers I was using for the FMB roll. I found out later that I was using IMIM, and that was considered ā€œwrongā€. By then I was playing a lot of songs that use that roll at a decent speed. Due to life, I put the banjo away for a few years. Last year I started back up and started from scratch. I’ve been working hard on playing IMTM, and finally can do it at moderate speed without thinking about it. It feels good to me to play it that way. However, if I pick up speed, I’m right back to IMIM. Old habits are hard to break. Especially later in life. I’m certainly not an advanced player and would not offer advice to anyone, this is just my experience.
By the way, this was an outstanding lesson! Thank you!!

I’m so glad I’m a Gold pick member and get to see lessons like this thank you…!
Ps Thanks for the sticker and pick you sent with my order from your store. That sticker went right on my Gold tone case first thing.

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No bleeding yet and one of my goals is to play with very little string pressure. I think I’m on the right track,

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Really enjoyed the lesson. Thanks so much. A good follow up lesson might be using these skills and adding simple licks, transitions etc… Thanks!

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I took the concepts from this lesson and just spent a few days picking random songs that I didn’t know from the Jamtrainer App, an and then trying the chord shapes and rolls over the chord progressions. It seems like a great way to start getting this under your fingers.

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I have been working on moving from 5th fret 1 shape (f-shape) to the 9th fret 2 shape (d-shape) and that’s going well (soar pinky for a bit) now I am trying to get from the 12 fret barr to the 15th fret 1 shape smoothly. Any suggestions? Thanks in advance

Fret the 12th barre with your pinky on 1, ring finger on 2, and middle finger on 3. That way, when you slide to the F shaped G at the 15th, your pinky and middle fingers are already on the correct strings and you just lift the ring finger and add your index finger.

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Are you guys using the backwards roll first like she suggested?

I’m using mainly the forward-backward roll. I get a little thrown off using the FMB roll so far. I’ve also played around a little, mixing rolls. Still very awkward for me but coming along a little every day.

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Im thinking with FMB roll you can cheat and only use a 2 finger chord

Yes, that’s exactly what you should do. Also using the backward roll sets you up for the diatonic triad pairs in the bonus video.

My two cents, learn the rolls Kristin teaches in the lesson before you start to modify / improvise guys. That’s how you build knowledge / skills

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thank you!

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Great lesson very helpful. Thanks. I’d be interested on Kristin’s thoughts on other connectors … G to C etc. Thanks

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Awesome lesson and super helpful. A lot of fun taking the differing roll variations and applying them up and down the neck with Strum Machine providing backer tracks!

Great lesson! Really enjoyed it.

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