Basic Rolls for the 5 String Banjo

Basic rolls for the 5 string banjo, bluegrass style.

[dr.p]

Thank you, Mr. Penson! Really appreciate you. I just purchased my first banjo and I'm scouring the Internet for a masters like you to share your wisdom with guitar geeks like me.

[josephstewart]

Brilliant! You've shared some real 'gems' here in terms of subtle fundamentals, like "any eight notes". This little morsel alone can and should quickly lead most observers or beginning students of banjo to the proverbial "promised land" of picking. Thanks, Jimbo!

[banjiegirl]

Once you get some firm basic rolls down it really is the basis of your playing so it really is important to get these right! Thanks Jim, this has been a refresher course for me, I've been playing off and on since I was 13 but the off part makes me rusty.

[gplunky]

It's all about the cadence that is the magic. The timing explained so well. How to turn two 3 note rolls into 8 notes really helped me.

[jpmacc]

Wow ...this tutorial was incredibly helpful in a straightforward no nonsense way ...cheers

[raleighthomas]

I’ve been a drummer for 45 years, many genres, but fell in love with bluegrass a few years ago. Totally mesmerized by banjos, Dueling Banjos, Flatt and Scruggs, etc. Starting at 60 yrs old! I’m about to buy one, been ‘plinking’ on one my daughter owns, but I’m committed enough to buy a nice one to start with. I want to learn Three Finger, and your videos are truly a Godsend! Solid gold to learn the basics; I can’t thank you enough! Subscribed! 😊👍

[CyprusLenny]

I am from England, and I go to Cyprus a lot, I can play the Greek Bouzouki now. Your lesson on the Banjo is awesome, thank you Jim, I can play the Banjo now thanks to you my friend.  I play a couple of tunes on the Bouzouki and then pick up the Banjo and play that now because of you. Thank you Jim.

[pameladahl]

Jim and I have the same birthday. I wanted to meet him while I was living in Dallas...but didn't get to. Now I have a banjo I'm learning. Glad to find his teaching on the Internet!! 😄😄

[philm]

I've only been practicing rolls for a little while so it's good to have them explained in a way that makes sense. Thanks for taking the mystery out of it. Great lesson.

[kayford]

What an excellent lesson, easy to understand and repeat :)

[simon_patterson]

Thank you! I picked up the banjo tonight for the first time in my life (long time guitar player) and this helped things click straight away! Now I have a lifetime of practice ahead of me!

[Phoenix-npiu]

I've loved banjos for years and I am now seriously considering buying one. I've been playing piano for a few years

[wendytatton]

That's so much. Every beginner needs to know this

[hammerfaced]

I have play guitar for 20 years and studied music theory for 8 years and this is the best banjo video I've seen yet I just started playing banjo about a month ago and this is the best video I've seen yet

[TheTechnicolorRobot]

Wow!! I had just told a friend of mine that I had given up on even using fingerpicks (never liked em with guitar when I tried), but this video was SO helpful. Rolls make so much sense now and, as a complete and utter beginner at banjo, I’m very excited to learn and practice more! Thanks so much for such a helpful video, my good sir!

[geofo]

At last I find someone who takes 'time' to explain in such simple terms how to approach the banjo to beginners. Real pleasure to watch & much appreciated sir.

Geof Harris (UK)

Yes I have subscribed.

[Joecoleman]

Brilliant! Genuinely felt like we were sat on the front porch with a glass of lemonade and you were showing me the secrets you can't get from book learning!
Thanks!

[picknngrinn]

Excellent lesson for an old guitar geek that just bought a banjo!
Thank you

[tluns]

Thanks so much for explaining in detail and the history of the banjo and it's techniques.

[eperanzaqueen]

Thank you, Mr. Penson just got back to actually practicing on my banjo. I started a few years ago and stopped wish i would have kept going. Now to start all over again. Love it. your lessons are great.