Which roll to use for the melody?

Which roll works best for playing the melody?

The forward roll and the backward roll are the most useful in playing the melody. Using the thumb to play the melody and filling the spaces where the banjo is unable to sustain the melody note with the forward roll is an effective and simple way to play the melody so it can be heard. This is the TIMTIM. This is the way Earl Scruggs preferred playing the melody with the thumb.

The backward roll works in the same way as the forward roll in your approach to playing the melody. The following roll is the backward equivalent of the forward roll above - TMITMI. The backward roll works particularly well when playing the melody on the first string.

Pick up your Free copy of the Banjo Internet Banjo Magazines at Angie's Banjo.com

Keep on pickin'

Angie
www.goldtone-banjo.com
www.Bluegrass.cc
www.clawhammer-banjos.com
http://www.tenor-banjo.com/
Banjo FAQs and more!