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I’d focus on counting out loud before you try and play a more advanced roll pattern.
The timing and counting of the forward roll will be the same as the alternating thumb roll. It just doesn’t divide evenly into the measure like the alternating thumb roll does.
So if you do T, I, M, T, I, M, T, M (one common forward roll) the count will be 1 and 2 and 3 and 4 and.
What you can do is practice counting along with the metronome. Start by counting 1, 2, 3, 4 each count on a click. Then see if you can add the “ands” by counting 1, and 2, and, etc…. The ands will be counted between the clicks.
If you’re doing this correctly you should be able to switch back and forth counting just 1, 2, 3, 4 and 1, and 2, and, 3 and 4 and without anything changing on the metronome.
Once you can count it confidently out loud. It will be much easier to play.
Let me know if you still have any other questions. – Mike
Becky,
I can e-mail you a track with just the banjo if that will help you. There’s only one speed of practice track for this lesson because Clint only sang the tune at one speed.
I do walk through the lesson slowly in the video.
Otherwise hopefully the track with just banjo will help you hear the parts better. I think you’ll be able to get it with a little practice!
If you have any more questions along the way just let me know.
Thanks.
-MikeJon,
Glad you enjoyed the lesson. I’ll be doing more of these in the future. Good question.
The main reason I did that was to make the right hand picking pattern easier. To grab all three notes of the triad (thumb, index, middle) after the 8th note rest you’d have to do a quick double-thumb to play the note on beat 4 of measures 18 and 20. You could probably make it work but it wouldn’t sound quite as smooth to my ear. You could try it and see how quickly you’d have to move your thumb to play on the and of beat 3 and on beat 4.
You’ve already played the full triad on beat 2 of those measures as well so that also factored in to my thought process. You’ll probably hear plenty of the chord already and I was really thinking more rhythmically here than harmonically.
If you have any more questions let me know!
-Mike
Yes, sorry I didn’t understand correct.
You could definitely use this exercise to play over some chord progressions.
With backup you have a lot of options (which can make it difficult when you’re starting out) but you can either play chords along with the jam or just play notes or licks on top of the chords.
This would be an example of playing notes on top of chords and you’re correct it might be a good option if you’re struggling to get to the chord shapes at faster tempos.
You could also use this idea as a way to connect two chord shapes together with a series of notes. So maybe you’re playing down the neck and you use this exercise as a way to get higher up the neck to a C or D chord for example.
If you play a note that doesn’t sound correct with the chord they’re playing just move your finger up or down one fret and you should quickly find a correct note that works with the chord.
If you have any more questions let me know.
-Mike
This lesson would be more difficult to transpose through the circle of 5th’s because of all the open strings that are used in the lesson.
This lesson would be better used practicing scales and chord progressions specifically in the key of G.
If you want to practice going through the circle of 5th’s, check out one of the “closed position” lessons I’ve done like Moveable Major Pentatonic Scales or Moveable Melodic Scale Patterns. These lessons focus on using no open strings so they’d be easier to transpose to different keys.
If you have any more questions let me know. Thanks.
-Mike
Mary,
I don’t currently have a version of this song in the key of C.
However, you can capo up on the 5th fret and spike your 5th string to “C” and you could use this tab and that would transpose it to the key of C.
If you have any other questions let me know.
-Mike
Gerry,
It’s a little difficult to say without hearing you play. Can you post a video of yourself playing in the forum?
Are you muting the notes somehow with your left or right hand that would cut the notes off? Does it still sound staccato when you play open strings (which would naturally ring out)?
Let me know and I’ll assist further if I can!
-Mike
Yes, this (Basic) version is the just the first variation to get you started.
If you want to check out the full lesson you can do so here:
If you have any other questions let me know. Thanks.
-Mike
Nice! I’m glad it’s helpful. I had fun writing this lesson up.
Stay tuned I’ll be doing more of these type of technique lessons as time goes on.
– Mike
Good question. If you want a click on each beat, you’d have to double the BPM I have listed on the practice tracks.
I normally set my practice tracks and metronome for 2 clicks per measure (beats 1 and 3).
There’s a few reasons I do this:
1. It mimics a bluegrass bass player playing on the 1 and 3.
2. It helps you build your internal sense of timing by having to fill beats 2 and 4.
3. At high tempos, it’s hard to hear that many clicks
But you can definitely double the BPM and play along to your metronome that way as well.
If you have any more questions let me know.
-Mike
That was a test of course….and you passed!
Just kidding, thanks for catching my typo. Yes you’re right.
I’ve updated the tab and download so it’s correct!
-Mike
Jim,
Thanks for your question.
I think it’s great you’re making time for any daily practice even if it’s a small amount. You can always increase your practice time later on. The most important thing is you keep your practice sessions fun as that’s the biggest predictor of what will keep you playing/improving.
As far as making use of practice time, I’d say the single best thing you could do is play along with the practice tracks I provide.
You could practice doing basic rolls or pinches, licks or backup as you improve. This will help you learn to feel the music and the timing which is important when breaking off of tablature. You could also practice “filling the space” of the spots in the tab you can’t remember. In real life jam sessions, I rarely try to play a tab from memory as that can be difficult. Playing along with the practice tracks is the best way to get comfortable just “jamming.
For me, I try and sing the words in my head which helps me remember the song when I’m playing without tab, but this takes too practice just like other skills.
If you have any other questions let me know!
Best,
MikeI just use only my pinky finger as well. It never felt natural to have my ring finger down so I didn’t force it.
The main reason why people say you should put two fingers down is because that’s what Earl Scruggs did. The issue is everyone hands are different and what works for him won’t necessarily work for everyone else.
I’ve seen people play really well with jut their pinky down, just their ring finger down or using both.
I recommend picking one of the three options that feels most comfortable to you.
– Mike
