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Adding a melody to your your banjo rolls...

Scruggs' Style Melody
Be sure that you're completely comfortable with the previous lessons that established all of your basic rolls. We're now entering the realm of adding a melody to rolls. This is one of the biggest steps you will take as a beginner banjo player. The patterns will be altered to fit whatever melody you're playing. Our first melody is an old Carter Family favorite: "Wildwood Flower"&emdash;

First Finger (Index) = I
Second Finger (middle) = M
Thumb = T

Study Notes:
In the following tune, you will be applying some of the rolls we have gone over in previous introductory lessons.

This tune utilizes the following rolls:
1. Forward Roll (Measures 2-5)
2. Forward Reverse Roll (Measures 7-10)
3. Thumb In and Out (Measures 11-12)

Notes: Notice the slide reference for measures 11 & 12:
This is referenced as "2slideto4"
The 2 represents the 2nd fret; the 4 represents the 4th fret.
The line, of course, represents which string to play...on the 3rd line from the top, this would be the 3rd string (G string).
You would place your 2nd finger on the 3rd string, and after picking the note, with your thumb, the 2nd finger would slide up to the 4th fret..after sliding to the 4th fret, you'll let the note sustain...you would not pick the note a second time. You only need to pick the note once, while on the 2nd fret...then slide up letting the note carry itself from then on.

Wildwood Flower (A.P. Carter)

Be sure to write if you have any questions regarding these lessons: info@folkofthewood.com

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