I was doing all the rolls pretty good and stopped doing them when moving through the lessons. After learning “you are my sunshine” I wanted to go back and play them. I’m not as fast as I was nor as good hitting the strings right. I kind of feel like I move a little forward with my progress and then move back some. Hard to move forward if I have to keep going back to old lessons to learn to do them just as good as I used to. So, I was just wondering if this is normal for someone who has only played banjo for 3 months.
Discuss the Banjo lesson: You Are My Sunshine– Slides
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Hi Chad It was normal for me! When I was a beginner I was always pushing myself on, taking on new challenges all the time. But I soon learned that I had to learn the fundamental skills if I wanted to move forward. I learned early on that there are six basic roll patterns you need to learn, not just that, you need to be able to switch between the patterns at will. Rolls are the fundamental framework upon which all licks are based.
For some gifted people three months they can easily master the banjo. I think it took me about five years before I began to see some measured progress. I regularly jump back and forth between lessons. I think it’s normal but others might disagree with my approach.
It’s you membership you can choose how and what you study. I would however encourage you to work through Ben’s beginners section and be sure to record and share your progress with @BanjoBen
Don’t allow yourself to become frustrated, learning to play banjo is very challenging, progress can be slow in the first few years but stick at it and in time you will see improvement.
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Thank you. Yeah, when I first started with the lessons I was looking at my picking hand and I recently started looking at my fretting hand after going back and watching Ben in his early videos saying look at fretting hand. I had totally looked over that the first time I watched the video. So, I got to get used to doing it that way which is getting better. I also went back to the square rolls lesson this morning and I believe after getting this exercise playing down pat again without looking at picking hand, me missing strings or hitting wrong strings will come down to a minimum. I think I do see myself trying to hurry through the beginner lessons and need to slow down. Thank you for your encouraging words. I see myself wanting to learn a new song but I tell myself stick with the lessons. But, I guess it okay to learn some songs on the side.
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I still miss strings sometimes, but I no longer fret about it (pun intended)
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lol. Yeah, takes practice huh?
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I need some suggestions. Ive been playing for awhile but never learn the basics like rn teaches, im glad I found him. But in terms of practice and moving forward, should I learn this tune perfectly before I move on?
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Hi @Richard621 Richard 
to @BanjoBen 's Forum. I always try to encourage newcomers to Ben 's website to work through his beginner learning path since this is all the knowledge and basics skills you’ll need to move forward. I would also encourage you to record yourself and share your video with Ben. He will assess your playing and offer guidance on moving forward.
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Thank you. I’m just navigating this website but have no idea how to post a discussion topic or where to upload a video
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Hi @Richard621 So to create a new discussion click on + New Topic on the Forum Intro Page select a category Banjo, Guitar, General Chat etc Add a Subject and fill in the box. To share a video on the Forum upload the video to YouTube and post the link here. It wont take long to learn how to navigate the site. If you need help just call out and someone will come to your rescue. Everyone here is helpful and want you to get the most from your membership.
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Welcome to the site, @Richard621! No, you don’t have to get it perfectly, but I do want you to be satisfied with it. I’m more concerned about you being able to freely play it, preferably by heart rather than tab, and comfortable with all the song requires you to do. To me, that’s perfect enough to move on.
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Memorizing this one has been a challenge. Esp the variation in the rolls after the slides. Any advice other than using my ear more than memory?
J
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Hi @sideshow JT It might help to share a video of your practice with @BanjoBen give him a chance to see where you are at .
The key to playing slides is timing. Ask yourself is it a long slide or a short slide. In this lesson all the slides are short 16th note slides so LISTENING is how you build timing skills, and this tune is great for teaching those skills.
You mention the rolls after the slides. Well the fact is the slide is actually part of the roll. You could ignore the slide and the underlying roll is still there. Don’t think of them as two separate things.
Here is a practice suggestion to help you connect the two. Look closely at measure 2 see how Ben starts the roll with the 16th note slide. He picks the 3rd string with his thumb makes the slide which gives him a second note, then he picks the 2nd string with his index followed by the middle finger on the first string and finally the 5th string with the thumb. So with this slide and roll pattern he gets five notes in the space of four eighth notes.
Practice that four note roll without the slide over and over until you are comfortable. Be sure to LISTEN to the notes as you practice. Count them if it helps. Once you have it, add the slide and LISTEN for that extra note.
Do the same for measure 4. The roll pattern is different but just apply the same approach, take the slide out practice the roll. Once your comfortable reintroduce the slide.
Don’t let it frustrate you trust me you will soon have it nailed
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I would say don’t worry about it. Seriously, and that may sound shocking. I want you to worry about getting the concepts, then take the song and play it how you want to play it. Record a video, post it, and I’ll correct anything going in the wrong direction. Don’t stress over not memorizing the tab precisely.
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Great pointers…Thank you so much. Great idea on taking the slide out and just rolling. Seems like a fantastic way for me to get my “play it by ear” down faster. Counting them…well yes what a great idea as well. TY SO Much
JT
J
Speed is NOT the solution, your missing the point, take your time, study the lesson.
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What? Hahha, I was not expecting that. 
Sounds like a GREAT plan and makes it less stressful all the way around. I can tell you, in any case Ben, as soon as I do not think so hard about being precise…Being precise will happen easier. LOL TY, so appreciated. Time to get to work on this.
Jeff
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Thanks Archie,
Yea definitely going slow on this one.
Jeff
Good info and thanks Archie. Yes I see how He gets so many notes with the slide and how much more continuity this makes that way. Appreciated always.
Jt
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