Banjo

Picking Faster 

If your picking style is primarily the Scruggs 3215 pattern, you will likely have a hard time picking those really fast songs.  It might make you feel  inadequate when the other pickers hold the song so fast that it throws you out of the loop.   Today, I would like to show you a technique that will allow you to hold your own and make them sweat.  

The forward roll (215)  I am sure that you know about this roll and use it.  The thing is, how much can you over use it?  In this lesson, I would like for you to try playing a song using "no Scruggs roll" if you can help it.  The forward roll is so much faster but it normally lacks in the lead notes.  I want to try putting the lead notes in with your pointer finger.  If you sound like you are going double speed at times that is ok; it is all part of the effect.  

Let's try Salty Dog and see what happens.  Watch my example.

Now there are exercises that you can do that will help you to find a scale in which to find your notes.  If you need to use another roll or pick a note that will not fit with the forward roll, that is fine.  Just try to keep the slower 2315 pattern minimized to none.  Watch my example.

The Forward Reverse Roll

Here is a roll that we don't use very much.  I use it in one of my favorite songs to play; Doug's Tune by Eric Dillard.  The forward reverse roll is 215125.  Look at my example here.  

My main banjo page http://www.projectsandhobbies.com/playingthebanjo.htm has been updated with more short videos so you might want to look at it again.  Here is one of the better examples.  Click Here 

Take a look at the "Practice Anywhere Banjo".  

The Warren Yates Method of Playing Bluegrass Banjo for Beginners

DVD