When arranging hymns on the banjo isn’t it true that too many rolls can obscure the melody? What are some good ways to highlight the melody yet still include rolls to make it interesting banjowise?
Need help arranging
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I am no expert but working my way through @BanjoBen 's gospel tunes i would say, where possible emphasise the melody notes with the thumb. Don’t pick the fill notes too hard. stay away from flashy licks. Don’t be afraid to have spaces between the notes. Use quarter notes and pinches to allow the melody to breathe.
I should add many gospel tunes are in 3/4 and 6/8 timing and played at a more slower tempo than bluegrass.
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As a Beginner, here’s my expert advice:
Check out Ben’s “Build-a Break” lessons. You can start with Beginners “Amazing Grace” or jump to the Intermediate “Glory Land.”
https://banjobenclark.com/lessons/over-in-the-glory-land-build-a-break-banjo-intermediate
Either way, you will start with a simple melody, then add “ornaments” to give it that banjo sound without crushing the melody.
The emphasis is not so much on “play the song this way,” but more on “here’s a few tips & techniques you can use, depending on what you want to achieve.”
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I’m in a similar situation as I am now playing with the worship team at my church. You will need to learn how to play backup and get used to playing a lot slower. Also, a lot of hymns are not in “G or A” so you will need to learn to play in other keys. There are some awesome “church” banjo songs like “I’ve Got Peace Like a River” where you can take the lead or hymns like “Just as I Am” where a banjo only break fits in well. I’ve also found that I need to sit out at times and maybe only come in during the chorus. Basically, you need to be open-minded and creative, but I’ve had a lot of fun with it.
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Howdy @davidsonpaul78!
In my opinion, my build-a-break lessons are the best answers to your 2nd question. To be clear, not that you are necessarily learning them to learn the ACTUAL song I’m teaching. Rather, you’re gleaning the process of taking a basic melody and keeping it in the forefront while adding rolls/licks.
To answer your first question, yes and no. It depends on how you play and how you put the melody notes on a pedestal.
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