Understanding Banjo Rolls

Basic & essential bluegrass banjo rolls with tips on how and where to use them.

[barrysmith]

Eddie….. as a struggling left handed picker I’ve avoiding playing with others due to a lack of learned skills and confidence. Right handed instructors typically only speak “right” so we are excluded due to their singular point of view. I’m pleased to have found your lessons as your narrative is presented such that both left and right handers can interpret and learn equally. Many thanks… please continue your unique lesson style.

[lynnglidewell]

This is an excellent video that not only shows how to make the most often needed rolls but also tells where you would use them and why. Many instructional videos don't do that. I'm new to banjo and 70 years old so I need that information to jump ahead a little bit. I found each of your other videos to have the same eye opening information. I also like that you use a standard length banjo neck. I learned initially to play in the Pete Seeger style. As you know folk players tend to use the long neck banjo capo up to it's second fret to make a standard neck. But it can be confusing when they start trying to show you things. The visual is just confounded. Yours is far more understandable. I look forward to more. Thanks Eddie.

[banjobones]

This was an extraordinary helpful video to show how to incorporate banjo rolls

[andyjprice]

I've searched and searched for someone to explain WHY they are called what they are. Every video I see explains HOW to do them without explaining why they are called that. I have the Scruggs book and even he doesn't really explain (at least clearly that I saw.) Thank you! The way my brain works, having the TIM MIT and alt T was very helpful. I always thought the alternating thumb was named that because it started in a different place!

[ryanhphoto]

Great video. I learned the forward roll a different way, starting with the index. So it goes IMT IMT IM. This causes me to have to pluck index and middle back to back when going from measure to measure. I will def try your patrern as well. Thanks

[oliverstrand]

This is such a helpful and clear explanation!! Thank you!

[herbsbluegrassjamchannel]

Hi Eddie thanks for a great video. I got a Deering Goodtime banjo as a Christmas gift for my self so there is now another banjo player in the world.

[genekinde]

Great refresher Eddie. Hope all is well with you and the family.

[clawhammer]

You’ve explained it the best Iv heard.

[fuzzydunlop]

Just got a banjo - very helpful video!

[johnytuska]

hi eddie, what is the opening roll you started with ?, cheers, love your lessons

[blakejackson]

I love this video. Thank you for posting! Can you make a video on more in depth look at playing fiddle tune melodies while keeping the rolls going? Is it really as simple as just striking the melody note with my thumb every time? I just can’t play the melody while rolling.

[leonardrose-fqme]

Trying my best to figure out what kind of tailpiece u have on whatever kind banjer that is ?

[chrisfuller]

I’m currently learning the bluegrass banjo and came across your video. How long should I be spending on learning each of the rolls

[royplayer]

What is the purpose of the crumpled up hankie behind the bridge?

[liquid]

The word mit is actually spelled mitt.