Lesson 3 Banjo: Right Hand Exercises Alternating Roll Patterns

by Mickey Cochran

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Notes on Alternating Roll Studies: The Alternating roll patterns, in the 4 studies below, are similar to the alternating bass patterns found in fingerstyle guitar. These rolls are still used extensively within bluegrass settings yet, they work especially well for ragtime style banjo...or playing solo banjo unaccompanied.

These roll patterns can be applied within most any 4/4 context...after learning the rolls below, we will then apply these very same patterns to chord progressions in our next lessons...The following exercises involve only the right hand, your picking hand, and does not require any fretting whatsoever (notice there are only "0"s indicated on the tablature). This is to ensure that we're focusing on the banjo right-hand roll pattern only (or if you're left-handed, on the picking hand not the fretting hand)...once we're comfortable with this pattern, we will then be moving on to applying this very same pattern to chordal studies.

Notice the string names to the left of each line in the tablature stave of the Forward Roll Study #1 below. Picture these lines as the strings on your banjo. The very top line is the bottom string of your banjo (the first string D). The bottom line is the top string of your banjo (the 5th string high G). The numbers on each line represent where the string is to be played. For instance, a "0" on the top line means to play the D string open. A "2" on the top line means to play the D string at the 2nd fret. In the following exercises, all strings are played open...notice that the only number on the tablature is the numeral "0". These studies are all played in the open position, without fretting, so that the focus will be on the picking hand...to ensure that you're not distracted with having to work both hands at the same time.

There are 4 beats to each measure; measures are divided up by vertical lines. Notice that each measure, in the below exercises, consists of eight notes...for each measure count out four beats as if you're keeping the rhythm by clapping your hands or tapping your foot. For a total of eight notes, simply count 1 & 2 & 3 & 4 &...which will then encompass all of the notes...after learning to count out the 4 beats, you will eventually be able to play intuitively and keep an even tempo without counting.

Note: Keep in mind that you're trying to keep these notes played evenly without faltering. There are no pauses between the notes. Start off slowly and keep the timing even.

For proper right-hand picking, follow the "T", "I" and "M" symbols above the tablature of each study...
Thumb = T
First Finger = I
Second Finger = M

Practice these rolls repetitively. Our goal is to first gain a strong right hand before we attempt to add our left hand chords. We will learn a couple of more right hand rolls in the upcoming lessons.

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