Why Earl Scruggs Didn't Use Banjo Rolls (And Why I Think You Should) // Bluegrass Banjo Lesson

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[bradleybrooks]

I have been playing banjo a little over a year now

[erlethepearl]

I started in 1965 but gave it up when my teacher switched to guitar. I picked it up 6 months ago & I'm enjoying your videos lessons. Thanks.

[fivestring]

Earl says in his book he was picking one day around the house and his Mother told him " Earl, if you're going to play that thing, play it so I know what song it is " . He said from then on he started making the banjo say the words to the song . Roll patterns don't do that .

Thanks for sharing this video, right on!

[roycepgrimesjr.]

83-year-old starting to play again after playing for 15years in the '80s and '90s.

[josephconrad]

A week ago for my 69th birthday my kids gave me a banjo, so I've been playing for 7 days now. I am up to day 5 of your 30 Days series. Slowly working my way through (as you suggest) and enjoying every minute. Thanks for all the videos, they are really helpful.

[paulbock]

I started playing as a teenager in 1956 and was mostly self-taught for the first 25 years, but later got good instruction and expanded my ability quite a lot. Unfortunately, an accident to my right hand curtailed my playing for a couple of decades and now, at almost 80, I am "re-learning" and loving it! Some right-hand degradation due to the accident makes it tough at times, but it CAN be done! Using a metronome is a huge help because it's really the timing that makes banjo playing "click" (no pun intended, ha-ha!). Really enjoy your lessons and commentary - and your playing! You're quite an inspiration!

[charlesshepherd]

Every time I listen to Flatt & Scruggs, I learn something new. I just got some records, the banjo just comes across so clear and precise, even on a scratchy old vinyl. Earl was the man

[mrjoeyman]

I don't even have my banjo with me because I am at work, but I swear that watching and listening to you seems to be actually helping me learn without it. Like it's in my mind and hands. Can't wait to get home to put it to use. I have never heard such concepts and descriptions as you have. Thanks man.

[TomKnorrisbiker]

Hi Eli, I am 73 years old. I am from Tennessee and listened to bluegrass music at places like Dollywood for over 40 years. I have recently retired and one of my goals for retirement was to learn how to play the banjo to the best of my ability today. I have been searching Youtube for an online teacher and found your channel. This particular video of yours was so informative. I had found no other across Youtube that explained in simple terms why learning these rolls are important. Now I know. I hope to be at the beginning of something rewarding I want to do as a personal achievement. I have never played any instrument so this will be a challenge with my somewhat arthritic hands. But you have given me that inspiration and I am determined. My 30 days, which may turn into a few more, begins here today. Thank you

[dmcmillan]

I've been playing the Banjo for 2 days & have never played any kind of instrument before so I'm finding it very difficult but it's something I've always wanted to try & I've learnt how to play a very basic Boil them Cabbage Down by following the first day of your excellent 30 days of Bango tutorials which will probably be more like 120 days for me, i even understood the basic tablature!

[arnoldiles]

I've been playing for about four months now. I became fascinated by the banjo playing of Bob Shane in the Kingston Trio back in the late 50s. So I bought a banjo, took one lesson and bailed out. Ten years later I tried again, this time with a lesson book, same result, bailed again. Now I'm in my third try with a new banjo and your lessons, Eli, and I'm actually making music and loving it! My mother would be so proud (heh)!! I'm 82 years old.

[johncraven]

I had Scruggs' book back in high school (50 years ago) and seem to remember him talking about forward and backward rolls, that the backward roll was harder, and how he would practice this roll against his leg while sitting in a waiting room, bus or whatever. Anyway, thanks for these videos!

[kennymartin]

Good video commentary, guitar picker for 50 years.banjo for three months., Driving the neighborhood crazy..my neighbor is a bagpipe player.

[LAUptegrove]

I'm a lead guitarist for 58+ years. Started playing the clubs at age 15 and went on the road at age 20. Many times I tried (unsuccessfully) to learn the banjo on my own. My biggest problem was figuring out where and when to use which roll. You're the first person to indicate the info on rolls in the way you have presented them. NOW IT ALL MAKES SENSE. I was getting too bogged down with stuff that didn't really matter. Thanks for sharing your perspective. Now I can't wait to get back at it and see what kind of progress I can make using your advice.

[ThePepperdawg]

Thanks to all the extra time my wife and I are both learning! Going on 4 months now... great fun!

[cathywade]

just started and its complicated but i am learning something and i am bound and determined. My 200.00 (cheap) banjo came new but with 2 strings crossed. So right the the beginning i had to learn to restring and tune. I am 60 and have never played before. thx for the videos.

[Timber]

I have been playing for two months. I played the guitar for 42 years. Love it and your lessons!!

[derricksheppard]

My parents gifted me a banjo when I was in the 9th grade. That was over 40 years ago. I made the mistake of only picking it up a few times each years. I recently purchased a banjola, which is much lighter and softer, so I will be practicing much more now. I own 3 banjos, the favourite being the Deering Sierra! Thanks, Eli, for this video! After 30 years as a K-12 educator I can recognize a great teacher when I see one, and you certainly are one, my friend! Thanks again!!

[kentuckyrex]

32, been playing for 14 years. I love just going back to this kind of stuff and brushing up fundamentals. Like every instrument, the more time you spend with it, the more needlessly complicated you can make playing or practicing in your head.

[calicheyatsar]

Been playing for nine months and found this video to be extremely helpful. Thank you so much.