Which roll works best for playing backup?

Which roll works best for backup?

When picking behind vocals or behind another instrument you don’t want to interfere. Keep your rolls smooth, rhythmic and try not to play notes that stick out in all the wrong ways or detract from what the listener should be more focused on.

The forward roll is very fluid and the roll TMTIMITM works great on turnarounds.

The reverse roll can be effective and not playing the fifth string every time around is good also.

Tthe most important thing is play them in time and very rhythmically. Probably the most important role of a banjo player is to drive the band, hold it together and provide the fluid motion that really drives people to love Bluegrass music. That is accomplished by a solid rhythmic right hand. Not to be confused with playing a bunch of complicated licks with poor timing. Poor timing is the kind of thing that drives people crazy.

Keep on pickin'

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

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!

The Banjo Roll

A banjo roll is a series of quarter and eighth notes that make up a single four beat measure. The right hand pattern is what defines the name of the roll. For instance, a common forward roll pattern is TIMTIMTM, an alternating thumb roll is TITM.

A common mistake beginners make is believing that the strings they played their first alternate roll on is what defines the roll. You can play any roll pattern on any combination of strings. To illustrate that better, for example,you could play the forward roll pattern above on the first string only, or the third and fourth strings only.

When studying and learning rolls be sure to memorize the patterns and try them on as many combinations of strings as you can create. By doing that you've created a whole vocabulary of right hand patterns that you can use for improvising and making your playing more interesting. Anytime that you spend working on your rolls and other aspects of your right hand is time well spent.

Keep on pickin'

Angie's Banjo.com

Basics of Bluegrass Banjo and a whole lot more...

Basics of Bluegrass Banjo by Eddie Collins is a comprehensive “start from scratch” instruction method, which will have you playing bluegrass banjo without any prior music experience. The useful tips and secrets should prove beneficial to both novice and experienced pickers.

The lessons have been developed through Eddie’s 20 years of teaching and have proven successful with students of all backgrounds. For the average student, this book represents about two years' worth of lessons.

This book is 108 pages and comes with two instructional CDs – one plays every example in the book; the second is 32 songs performed by a bluegrass band with the banjo parts separated on the right channel.

Songs included

Keep on Pickin'

Angie's Banjo.com
Bluegrass Banjos

How to Learn Bluegrass Banjo

How should I learn to play bluegrass banjo? What is bluegrass music style and how do I learn it?

People learn to play bluegrass music in different ways. Some folks are able to pick up a banjo and know their way around the instrument without much help. They seem to be able to learn by "playing by ear." Those minority of people have a great musical gift. But most of us are not that fortunate.

Most of us who want to learn to bluegrass banjo or any other bluegrass instrument need help. Well, fortunately, there is lots of help out there for folks like us. Assuming you've already got your instrument, you're already to go. Where should you start?

First, you might find a teacher. If you can find an affordable teacher, that's great. But don't sign up for bluegrass banjo unless the teacher can play bluegrass music and teach it well. Make sure your teacher demonstrates his or her ability and style of playing before you agree to pay for lessons.

Second, you might use an instruction book. Most bluegrass music instruction books are written with tablature (tab) notation. Tablature (Tab) is a system of symbols telling you where to fret notes to get sounds. Many people find that tablature is the most natural medium for bluegrass music notation, as it is a very effective way of telling you where to put down your left hand fingers and of indicating basic timing. Tab is written for those whose "musical thinking" is in terms of licks and finger positions.

Tab has also become something of an obsession in bluegrass music, as the sources for bluegrass music tablature are endless. And, so Tab books come with CDs that you can listen to so you can actually hear what the music is supposed to sound like. Yet, while some folks love tablature, others find it difficult.

So, third, you might try using instructional bluegrass DVD's, tapes and videos. Since learning from a bluegrass tablature book is difficult for some, bluegrass music lesson DVDs and videotapes are also very popular. Most importantly, since bluegrass DVDs and videotapes let you hear what the music is supposed to sound like as well as see the left hand finger positioning and the right hand technique, it can be a very effective way to learn how to play your banjo. As long as you feel comfortable with the learning process, the only thing standing between you and jamming is practice.

Once you've learned the basics, it doesn't take much to get your skills up to jam-quality caliber. Remember that bluegrass music is meant to played in a band, with several instruments providing rhythm while another instrument takes the solo break. In order to properly jam with others, you should be well-versed in the rhythm and lead fundamentals of your bluegrass instrument.

Lastly, go to bluegrass festivals, concerts, jam sessions and picking parties. Talk to other players. They will usually be very willing to help you. Play with other players whenever you can. People sometimes ask, "How long will it take me to learn?" If you stick with it, the answer is "the rest of your life." Even the best bluegrass musicians are still learning new things. Your own progress will depend on how much natural talent you have and how much time and effort you spend developing that talent. Regular practice is essential. And, if you really want to play, you will find the time to practice.

Keep on pickin'

Angie's Banjo.com
Banjo FAQs and more!
Bluegrass Banjos
Free Banjo E-Book - "Learning to Play by Ear!"

Bridges - Compensated or not compensated?

A compensated bridge has an area cut deeper in the bridge for the third string to be made longer. This helps the string to stay in tune; however, it creates a thin top for that string and a thin top produces less low end. It is like picking the lesser of two evils to decide compensated or not. You will not go wrong either way.

Keep on pickin'

AngieBanjo
FAQs and more!
Gold Tone Banjos
Free Banjo E-Book - "Learning to Play by Ear!"

Bluegrasspass.com

Bluegrasspass.com is an online bluegrass showcase that features streaming online interviews with regional and national bluegrass groups and artist.

The interviews are recorded live at various venues, events and festivals, and hosted by Richard Peoples and Stanley Pinion. The audio is streamed via a Macromedia Flash audio player. Load times should be fairly short even on slower, dial up connections.

The most recent interview to be posted is with the current IBMA Entertainer of the Year, The Cherryholmes. Catch this interview along with many others at Bluegrasspass.com.

Keep on pickn'

Angie
Banjo FAQs and more!
Gold Tone Banjos
Free Banjo E-Book - "Learning to Play by Ear!"