Basic Rolling Backup (4/4 and 3/4)! // Bluegrass Banjo Lesson

[@wesleywalker1682]

I have played banjo a little, but I thought it would be good to go back to some basics. Turns out I need to go farther back than I thought. For you beginners, I can tell you that Eli's teaching is gold. You will not go wrong following his methods.

[@rustysimcox1735]

Excellent lesson 👍. I picked up the banjo 6 months ago and back then I new nothing. And I practiced hours a day and now 6 months later every day I learn from you. Thanks for caring enough to share your knowledge to us beginners. Great stuff . I am 60 years old and think your tutorials are just outstanding..

[@kennethwiljanen7624]

Best video i have seen on playing rolling backup! Thanks

[@barrysmith8193]

After thousands of dollars spent with alleged professional “teachers” and months and months of working hard at playing I finally quit going to jam sessions as I felt that I did not fit in. Not one of them taught this very valuable component. I’m getting pretty darn good at these and my confidence is coming back so I’m going to take that bold step again and head out to a jam session. If I can find one that is. Thanks so much for this well presented and taught video.

[@mikehankins9242]

I stumbled across Eli a couple weeks ago. Glad I did. Very impressed. Eli is very easy to follow and his teaching are excellent. His rolling backup teaching seems to be the best I have come across. Can't wait for following backup lessons. THANK YOU ELI !!!!!!!!

[@EliGilbertBanjo]

Thanks Mike!

[@d74g0n]

Bought a banjo today never having touched one; coincidently ended up playing this just playing g c d patterns. Nice to actually understand what I was doing. Now to figure out where to pack the licks in. Having a drummers brain; it's like an epiphany related to paradiddles being the secret of the banjo.

[@rw4170]

What a GREAT breakdown (pun intended) for playing backup. I don't think I've ever heard anyone explain it like this and has totally helped to de-mystify it! Thanks so much, Eli! You're the man!

[@lnhislmage]

Finding this video changed my life! Well I’m pretty sure that it is going to help me become a banjo picking bluegrass bad ass.

[@windsurfertx1]

This is good, I'm really surprised how hard the backward roll is. I been playing a long time but have only practiced the forward backward roll on the the second string but more importantly practicing the roll without giving the extra beat for the first note of the 1st measure. Its gonna be like that old Steve Goodman Talk Backward song, "now practice that about a half a year"

[@taylorsvilleTJ]

This is absolutely the best video I have ever seen. It was like this was a big secret or something. Love it!!!

[@trevorpope1913]

Thank you, absolutely brilliant for the begginer

[@blakejackson4483]

You’re such a legend on thinking, speaking and playing!

[@astro781]

I wish I could give a "Double-Thumbs-Up" on this video. Kinda ties some stuff together for me and helps me reach my goals. Thanks, Eli!

[@EliGilbertBanjo]

Glad to hear it!

[@fergyspoolshots]

It’s incredible how great the banjo can sound when you actually get used to using finger picks and just playing simple rolls up to speed, evenly and with good timing. I realize when I hear you play that a major part of that classic bluegrass drive is in the right hand despite the left hand tab appearing so simple. Not easy, but that’s where it’s at.

[@matthewcottam3040]

Been watching your videos for a week and my banjo playing has improved 10 fold. Amazing teacher. Thank you!

[@sandrasosnoski3338]

Great lesson! It’s THE one that I’ve been waiting for to learn backup! Now, on to practice!

[@jonos138]

This is an excellent tutorial. Backup is not easy even though pro player's make it look simple. This is a great tut for building a good foundation. 👍

[@banjotenor]

You're a great teacher, your videos are well-edited, and you're generous with your skills. Thanks! You rock.

[@EliGilbertBanjo]

Thank you David!

[@davidcarlstedt79]

This is the video I’ve been looking for since I took up banjo about a year ago. Thank you sir from Sweden 🤙🪕🇸🇪

[@stevepearson4160]

Wow! Thank you Eli - that 3/4 section has just set off some lightbulbs in my head😊

[@windsurfertx1]

@@mikebastiat Use Strum Machine

[@brazilhead]

Really wish I could give this another like every time I come back to work on it

[@ianmchugh9220]

Really super helpful and professional video! Thank you so much!

[@mackcollins1618]

Great Job This has helped me smooth out my backup and really understand what rolling backup truly is.

[@brucejohnston6184]

Thanks Eli, I do like the metaphor of learning a language. Oratory is only attainable after having achieved some linguistic facility...even if we use Scruggs et al as speechwriters 😁

[@codychalmers896]

This has been super helpful. Before If I didn’t know individual notes for a song I was kinda out of luck, but now I feel like I can actually start to “jam” with people. Thank you!

[@kirkabner4592]

Great lesson! The foundation I've been looking for for years.

[@Hbm1923]

Thank you so much Eli for this great detailed lesson on backup. I am so grateful to have this resource for free.

[@frodobrown]

Eli, thanks so much for this lesson, it’s fantastic! I’m a finger picking guitar player and banjo novice, wanting to produce some banjo backing tracks to play over on the guitar. Your lessons on banjo backup are superb and I’m making rapid progress. In fact I’m worried I’m starting to enjoy the banjo more than the guitar !! Thank you 😀🙋🏼‍♂️

[@pridgenwatkins2867]

Every time I visit Eli's channel I learn something new for banjo. I'm well beyond this back-up, rolling chords, instruction, but this review of back-up is still helpful and a fresh way of thinking about back-up. It takes me beyond my learning by ear, many years ago. Many Thanks, Eli.

[@josephharman326]

Excellent video. Thank you so much for sharing!

[@this_kendra4596]

This lesson was recommended by a friend and it is SO helpful! Thank you so much!

[@karendevault1962]

Loved this!! Thank you for your amazing ability to make this language understandable for my beginner mind. I love your videos.

[@bradenmartin1382]

Thank you so much Eli for giving us the lessons that we need! Good lessons like this are few and far between!

[@EliGilbertBanjo]

Thanks Braden!

[@harvdog5669]

@@EliGilbertBanjo question, to learn how to play banjo do I have to use an understand the tablature and what about reading music.. most if not all my music playing will be front porch picking and sitting around the house picking, maybe occasional small group study at church doing a little worship music what do you think

[@harvdog5669]

@@EliGilbertBanjo also I want to learn two finger, and of course the three finger, and claw hammer, we're starting out with three finger. I imagine two finger three finger or claw hammer is all about the same as far as difficulty goes learning, I'm assuming there's not one that's easier than the other, I figure I could play songs slow with using three finger I don't have to be an Earl scrubs right I mean like who says that I have to pick 4 500 picks per minute all I need to do is pick about 100 to 150 at the most now be completely satisfied, and in time I can go faster I imagine after a while of learning and practicing and I'll be those songs that I that I want to play that go faster. So anyway there you have it thanks for hearing me out have a good afternoon

[@Ezloopz]

Great lesson as usual. I really like the "If you take ONE thing from this lesson" part. That is soooo true :) To me at least, there allways seem to be 1 or 2 "nuggets" like this in your lessons, and that's what sets you apart.. Thanks o/

[@sgmstudios6346]

So glad I found you. Thank you for the breakdown

[@bobbysmith6921]

You are an excellent teacher ELi!

[@RafaelGuerreroThe4th]

Wow this is a great lesson with great examples for application. I've been looking these kind of backup banjo lessons into actual songs. I hope you make some more.

[@Foxrock321]

Thanks Eli,,just what I needed...!!

[@audrybella6405]

What an awesome video and great instruction Eli. Your explanations are clear and thorough and easy to understand for us absolute beginners. The visual cues with the tab are fantastic. Any chance I can convince you to move to southeast Georgia (where we have a serious banjo instructor problem) !?!? PLEASE!!!!!!

[@janfideplat752]

Waouh 😁 magnifique, limpide, simple, enthousiasmant et motivant 👍 je me réjouis d'avance d'entreprendre cet apprentissage ! Merci pour le partage 🤩

[@sepulturas]

Awesome Lesson! Thanks Eli

[@conradbennett3251]

Really liked this lesson, Eli. Very practical and useful information that I can start practicing / using right away. Thankyou!

[@markglore7196]

Thanks Eli! Well done as always!👍

[@gregbowers5133]

Great Stuff!

[@hopleyp]

Great lesson

[@marcdunn7716]

Thanks for posting Eli

[@craigjeans4732]

Thanks for this Eli. Loving it

[@sunnysachdev5039]

Going to my first jam tomorrow, this is a lifesaver! Thank you.

[@banjomark9900]

Where’d you find a jam?!? Around here they’re all Corona Virus closed.

[@sunnysachdev5039]

Mark K I live in Thailand - we are almost COVID-free at the moment.

[@banjomark9900]

Sunny Sachdev Sunny, that’s great for you and your people. We Americans couldn’t keep our noses out of other people’s business if our lives depended on it.....and they do!

[@banjomark9900]

Eli Gilbert is a very good banjo teacher who is not shy about being highly intelligent & well spoken. Another is Jim Pankey who disguises his super smartness with gentle light heartedness . Sometimes they do KZbin broadcasts together. Keep on picking... I’ll see you in banjo heaven!🪕

[@sethlandry9122]

This is a solid exercise. Thanks

[@EliGilbertBanjo]

Glad to help!

[@ilikebanjo]

Right on Eli!

[@seandowning480]

Awesome video!!! Always good to take it back to the basics. Can’t wait to see what you have in store for next week

[@EliGilbertBanjo]

Thanks Sean!

[@2tmahaffey]

Great lesson. Just getting started, glad I ran across your videos. Thanks for the help.

[@severinneukom]

Thanks for that great lesson!

[@EliGilbertBanjo]

Thanks Severin!

[@myname7914]

Nice… just like in Boil that Cabbage down!!

[@charlesdean1542]

Love it

[@EliGilbertBanjo]

Thanks Charles!

[@KG-Punk]

Super good lesson. Thanks

[@EliGilbertBanjo]

Thanks Kelly!

[@paulfoytack5267]

Well presented. Thank you.

[@EliGilbertBanjo]

Glad you liked it, thanks Paul!

[@bobbysmith6921]

Please do a lesson on the intro to Honey you don't know my mind Ben Eldridge style

[@jordantolley32805]

Great video!

[@EliGilbertBanjo]

Thanks!

[@yindaifu]

Hi Mr Gilbert..dont know if you still read these but here goes. I am having a great time learning this. One question...why is the E chord not included? I see E minor but not the E

[@timothystone9379]

I figured out I get more out of a lesson when I take the material and play it along to a song instead of just normal practice like in normal lead banjo

[@jordantolley32805]

How is your pedal steel guitar progress? I’m also wanting to learn how to play it. So I’ll be watching videos, and especially for your videos!! I bet you’re getting the hang of it real fast :)

[@alexcaruso8858]

For some reason I’m having a tough time with the 1st note starting on the 3rd string. I always want to count 1 on the slide to the 5th fret. Been playing with a metronome and it’s messing with me.

[@cb73]

Are you deliberately picking closer to the bridge? For backup, wouldn't you recommend picking closer to the neck?

[@EliGilbertBanjo]

Traditionally, for rolling backup, people will play closer to the bridge, the same as one would to melody a melody or solo. Playing closer to the neck is generally reserved for up the neck backup. (That's if you're following the example of Earl Scruggs and those that emulate his playing. There's no actual rules!)

[@cb73]

@@EliGilbertBanjo thanks 🙏

[@ericengblom6940]

Thanks for this lesson very useful. Is it ok to drop the thumb on the quarter notes including the C.

[@EliGilbertBanjo]

Definitely!

[@ajleonardi]

Hey Eli! What kind of microphone do you use to record your videos? always sounds great!

[@Mando287Banjo]

how cold i apply this to "nothing but the blood" for a church service?

[@windsurfertx1]

Very Interesting that you asked about "nothing but the blood". Are you referring to the version by Amy Grant and Vince Gill? I have suggested that song to our praise music leader just last week. The song does have a different kind of beat. I hope that it has worked out for you and your Church members.

[@Mando287Banjo]

@@windsurfertx1 i eventually figured it out i had only been playing around 4 months when i decided to try this and didn't really understand how to make it fit. mostly because ethe song is normally in 3/4 or 6/8 and i was doing it in 4/4 which i figured out also

[@SleepyWizzo]

When you say up to speed (4:38)... what BPM should be trying to get to for the average song?

[@yullypuspoyudo8483]

Hai Eli.. If I learn banjo, how many years will I be able to play banjo?

[@TutorialCoolcool123456789]

Hi! What song are you playing in the beggining as example of a great backup? Thanks!

[@elisabethemory]

18:00

[@elisabethemory]

18:30

[@elisabethemory]

18:50

[@elisabethemory]

20:20

[@elisabethemory]

20:42

[@debrawright6259]

So how do you know what pattern or roll to use for each chord?

[@peterbates3973]

Hi Eli I am enjoying your lessons but I found something that looks inconsistent when you are demonstrating the D chord pattern in 4/4. The tab is saying the picking is “i”for he first note on the 4th string followed by the thumb. but the video shows you using double thumbing the first two notes. I spent a while trying to do the index first and found it a bit challenging. And then I realised you were doing the double thumbing. Should I learn both?

[@cb73]

What tempo are you playing at when "up to speed"? Is that 80?

[@elisabethemory]

2:18

[@GaryFurash]

How do you know what patterns (specific strings) are applicable to each chord? Is this covered in your patreon somewhere?

[@alexcaruso8858]

How do you count something like this? I can play it but counting it is weird because you’re fitting 15 notes into an 8 bar measure.

[@EliGilbertBanjo]

The first note is a quarter note, which is double the length of an eighth note. So you would count the first measure as "1, 2-and, 3-and, 4-and"

[@phylliserck]

❤You’re out of luck❤

[@yindaifu]

D7 is used in a lot of songs. How would you do it?

[@carolleonard263]

An easy way to do it would be put fingers down on the 2nd string, 1st fret, and 3rd string, 2nd fret, playing all the strings. Hope that helps.

[@yindaifu]

@@carolleonard263 Hi Carol..so sorry for the late reply...family stuff..just picked the banjo back up again. So if I understand you correctly all you do is add 2nd string/1st fret to what Eli taught, is that right?

[@josephobrien991]

I really only play to backing tracks, so my backing skills are definitely weak.

[@midnighttoker8663]

Does anyone have trouble with slow songs? It's hardly ever discussed. I get just vamping but anything beyond that loses me! Tremolo-style seems to be a big technique which must've developed after Earl. That was one thing he never really got into. See "Cry Cry Darling" as an example: kzbin.info/www/bejne/r5KWoaOCaLOJjrc Great detailed lesson by the way. Just wanted to see who else shares my thoughts.

[@jtravis76]

Rob Jackson. Same here, seems to be a mix of vamping simple rolls. I put this lesson against a metronome and average 110 bpm, his fast speed in the 180 range. So it could be used for slower songs. Lacks that bum-ditty I'm used too. BTW, great song example! Gonna give that one a try!

[@theeaskey]

You lost me after. Hi

[@deezknutz42069]

Exactly the lesson I needed, thank you!