Free Banjo Lesson 03
Exercise 3-1: Double Thumb Roll
In the double thumb roll (T I T M), one of the most important right hand techniques for banjo, the thumb plays every other note. Play slowly and carefully because you will find that the double thumb roll conflicts with what you've learned in the first two lessons. At least that may be the case at first. Practice will cure this but be sure to use the correct right hand fingering.
Play it.
Exercise 3-2: Double Thumb Roll With Slide
This time, the slide is shorter. You only need to slide from the 2nd fret to the 3rd. For a smoother sound, keep the finger down behind 3 until the right hand thumb hits the 5th string.
Play it.
Exercise 2-3: Double Thumb Roll With D7 Chord
Same as the first two excercises except the left hand holds a D7 chord.
Play it.
Exercise 2-4: Forward Revers Roll With Short Slide
You've played the Forward Revers Roll With Slide already. But it's not always necessary to slide from 2 to 4. This time, we'll stick with the shorter slide.
Play it.
Exercise 2-5: Forward Reverse Roll From 4th String
This is still a Forward Revers Roll but now there's a new twist... the thumb plays the 4th string. This is the first time we've played the 4th string.
Play it.
When you have mastered all of the exercises, you are ready to play Old Dan Tucker.
Play it slow.
Play it medium.
Play it fast.
© Gary Shepherd -- 2003