Basic Rolls for the 5 String Banjo

Basic rolls for the 5 string banjo, bluegrass style.

[@josephstewart5201]

Brilliant! You've shared some real 'gems' here in terms of subtle fundamentals, like "any eight notes". This little morsel alone can and should quickly lead most observers or beginning students of banjo to the proverbial "promised land" of picking. Thanks, Jimbo!

[@philm9593]

I've only been practicing rolls for a little while so it's good to have them explained in a way that makes sense. Thanks for taking the mystery out of it. Great lesson.

[@seamusreid2102]

Phil M alan jackson

[@wendytatton7518]

That's so much. Every beginner needs to know this

[@jpmacc94]

Wow ...this tutorial was incredibly helpful in a straightforward no nonsense way ...cheers

[@geofo60]

At last I find someone who takes 'time' to explain in such simple terms how to approach the banjo to beginners. Real pleasure to watch & much appreciated sir. Regards........ Geof Harris (UK) Yes I have subscribed.

[@banjoist123]

Thanks!

[@banjiegirl2001]

Once you get some firm basic rolls down it really is the basis of your playing so it really is important to get these right! Thanks Jim, this has been a refresher course for me, I've been playing off and on since I was 13 but the off part makes me rusty.

[@StGeorgeCross21]

I have just bough my 1st Banjo,why do you have a plastic pick on your thumb and metal ones on your fingers ?

[@gplunky]

It's all about the cadence that is the magic. The timing explained so well. How to turn two 3 note rolls into 8 notes really helped me.

[@TheTechnicolorRobot]

Wow!! I had just told a friend of mine that I had given up on even using fingerpicks (never liked em with guitar when I tried), but this video was SO helpful. Rolls make so much sense now and, as a complete and utter beginner at banjo, I’m very excited to learn and practice more! Thanks so much for such a helpful video, my good sir!

[@matthewlawton9241]

As a guitarist and a bassist, banjo finger picks are super alien. It feels wrong. Even on guitar, there's some touching of the strings, and almost subconsciously we're using those touches as, among other things, points of orientation...a map to where we are and where we're going. You don't have that on a banjo and it takes some serious rewiring to get it smooth. Just hard, unhappy drills.

[@beeallen-hine1421]

Excellent explanation, I have just started literally 2 days ago and was getting the one note one note sound, all of a sudden today I noticed it was rolling together instead of sounding as a single string. I loved it that it was coming together, problem is is that when I notice I’m getting that cadence as you put it I lose the rhythm and it goes back to the single string sound lol.

[@banjoist123]

Thank you, and welcome to the dark side!

[@PermanentRecStudio]

Hello, I'm a guitarist for the past 30 years, and on my third banjo. Now it's starting to sound like a banjo player, and not a guitarist playing a banjo. Thanks!

[@raleighthomas3079]

I’ve been a drummer for 45 years, many genres, but fell in love with bluegrass a few years ago. Totally mesmerized by banjos, Dueling Banjos, Flatt and Scruggs, etc. Starting at 60 yrs old! I’m about to buy one, been ‘plinking’ on one my daughter owns, but I’m committed enough to buy a nice one to start with. I want to learn Three Finger, and your videos are truly a Godsend! Solid gold to learn the basics; I can’t thank you enough! Subscribed! 😊👍

[@timothymason809]

I got a Deering GoodTime open back. I am from southern Appalachia is it sounds perfect. You can quieten it down by putting a tshirt in the back if you are plucking at night

[@steveturner5519]

How's the playing going?

[@kayford9912]

What an excellent lesson, easy to understand and repeat :)

[@stansmith4054]

Such a simple looking instrument but quit difficult to play well.

[@Phoenix-np1iu]

I've loved banjos for years and I am now seriously considering buying one. I've been playing piano for a few years

[@rainerrain9689]

I notice in all the roll videos for beginners,I never see anyone use the 4th string in a roll,why is that? Thanks

[@tanthiennguyen9133]

Banjo & Mantarin geeignet für Kinder.....Ein Gitarre ist Breit für die Kinder armen zu Spielen.....

[@corettajohnson5638]

I would like to buy my dad a banjo though He's never played one before but he does play guitar piano and harmonica; all self taught by ear. I believe this would be a good challenge for him is this instrument easy to pick up if one already plays guitar? Should I even invest in this idea at all?

[@schwarzesonne6529]

Probably too late but he should enjoy it itll be familiar enough to pick up but alien in nature to guitar so it will give him a new mountain to climb in terms of growing as a musician

[@hammerfaced420]

I have play guitar for 20 years and studied music theory for 8 years and this is the best banjo video I've seen yet I just started playing banjo about a month ago and this is the best video I've seen yet

[@banjoist123]

hammerfaced420 thanks!

[@CyprusLenny55]

I am from England, and I go to Cyprus a lot, I can play the Greek Bouzouki now. Your lesson on the Banjo is awesome, thank you Jim, I can play the Banjo now thanks to you my friend. I play a couple of tunes on the Bouzouki and then pick up the Banjo and play that now because of you. Thank you Jim.

[@banjoist123]

Thank you, I'm glad to help!

[@paohatch9619]

Mystery solved. My teaching book never explained the 8 notes... just that I had to Memorize the rolls.. as is... great tips!

[@dr.p3637]

Thank you, Mr. Penson! Really appreciate you. I just purchased my first banjo and I'm scouring the Internet for a masters like you to share your wisdom with guitar geeks like me.

[@hunters.5627]

In the book I have the forward roll goes 5th,2nd,lst it's that correct as well?

[@banjomark9900]

Yes that is correct as well. It’s the order in which the fingers of the right hand strike the strings that determines the roll direction not the string number. You can play any string you want and it’s still a forward roll . You can also start with any finger.

[@martyjohnson5861]

i think you deleted 2 of my favorite practice videos...i like your style..and the way you teach... building speed was great..that was you right?

[@banjoist123]

Hmmm.Haven't deleted anything. Don't think I've done anything on building speed.

[@jackvalentine566]

I find my picks go too far and scrape the head of banjo when I try to pick a string please help

[@banjoist123]

We all struggle with this, Jack. Look at old pics of the heads on Scrugg's banjos and you can see the pick marks. About all I can say is that the more proficient and relaxed you become, the less this wll happen. WIth me, anyway, this is a result of "trying to hard".

[@jackvalentine566]

Jim Penson really appreciate the reply my friend thank you for the confidence!!

[@donnawheeler1716]

Stringbean was an awesome banjo picker

[@bobcourtier4674]

RIP Stringbean

[@muzicman47]

Excellent instruction! Thank you! :)

[@davidgouin8420]

Great stuff Jim!!! Thanks!

[@tluns810]

Thanks so much for explaining in detail and the history of the banjo and it's techniques.

[@presanctuary7279]

loving this very helpful video all the way in 2021! you have a great teaching ability, thank you for sharing!

[@99999liquid]

Bicyclists know about Cadence.

[@terryarnold7423]

Great teaching technique. Thank you!

[@simon_patterson]

Thank you! I picked up the banjo tonight for the first time in my life (long time guitar player) and this helped things click straight away! Now I have a lifetime of practice ahead of me!

[@Joecoleman84]

Brilliant! Genuinely felt like we were sat on the front porch with a glass of lemonade and you were showing me the secrets you can't get from book learning! Thanks!

[@jmccormick1490]

I've been playing guitar for 20 years but I want a banjo so bad.

[@paulwatson2961]

Great instructions, I have been trying to get that bounce on 3251, can do it ok, but put I a song like cripple creek and it stills sounds numerical if you follow my meaning.

[@nman48]

relaxed economy of motion

[@banjoist123]

Thanks, and you are spot on. The hardest thing to achieve with any instrument, total relaxation is absolutely necessary. The great Sonny Rollins said you can't think and play music at the same time.

[@bentoncushing8693]

Thanks Jim good stuff

[@snapstring3134]

Thanks for making this video

[@edwinemiller1423]

Good so far I'm left handed

[@lukewarren7857]

It's begun understanding Principle rather then memory of 1000 + rolls Thanks

[@lastofthemohicans1]

Thanks Jim! Very helpful

[@realmatus_eu4053]

t

[@realmatus_eu4053]

t

[@realmatus_eu4053]

t

[@miguelcruzcanal9207]

Show

[@pameladahl8274]

Jim and I have the same birthday. I wanted to meet him while I was living in Dallas...but didn't get to. Now I have a banjo I'm learning. Glad to find his teaching on the Internet!! 😄😄

[@Stray1One]

Cheers man,Stray1 Britain’s best unknown stuntman that never was,

[@pameladahl8274]

Hi Jim!! 👋

[@warriorsgreatness6182]

Professionally explained visually, educational explanations with great words teaching. Very helpful. Mucho Gracias

[@halkrepp6289]

Thanks

[@MrLamontSanford]

Isn't this 5-3-1? You put 5-2-1 but your index finger lands on 3!!

[@banjoist123]

Yes, my bad.

[@johncompton1403]

Great. Thank you very much. Total clarity for one returning to the instrument after 33 years - took for 6 months then instructor joined band and went on the road, no notice - left me flat. So, picking up my old, cheap learner (but with badly bowed neck tensioned as much as possible, but with new bridge (however with the original strings (!)) got the thing in tune. Put picks on fingers. Wife sitting next to me. From memory played the first little song (Cripple Creek) taught to me 46 years ago - VERY SLOWLY - as I worked to recall the first shub, pull off, pinch and roll pattern, and finally managed to get it after a few minutes. But moving one's fingers in a familiar, albeit murky, ingrained muscle memory was very satisfying. (Recently began learning guitar - new for me - but thought there were things to play on the banjo derived from the 6 stringer as, my feeling for any particular piece came to mind in this way: considered that it would work nicely if not getter rhythmically and sonically on Banjo. While thinking on this ran onto your videos. Basic Rolls video. Just wonderful on many levels and am grateful for you effort giving this to others. A true gift. Many thanks and much gratitude.

[@picknngrinn]

Excellent lesson for an old guitar geek that just bought a banjo! Thank you

[@SilentAttackTV]

You are a fantastic teacher

[@DCronk-qc6sn]

Splendid instructional technique - master teacher.

[@azendaya]

Im using this to show for my students! Really loved this channel, take a look at mine, i play banjo either!

[@terrybrady1644]

Thank you 🤗

[@AvromCrovax]

That's exactly what I wanted to hear bro. Any combination of 8 notes makes it fun n exciting around a fire

[@pm8278]

the roll begin at 3'06.......LOL

[@paulridgeway7368]

too much chat not enough playing

[@mohamedboucheikha374]

💐 💐 💐 💐 💐 💐 💐 💐 💐

[@eperanzaqueen4400]

Thank you, Mr. Penson just got back to actually practicing on my banjo. I started a few years ago and stopped wish i would have kept going. Now to start all over again. Love it. your lessons are great.

[@Joy-do9vv]

At 3:42 in the video the text says the double forward roll is 52152121, but what you are playing is 53153131.

[@pianimation2257]

Did u put thumb pic for all fingers

[@banjoist123]

No, just the thumb

[@theeaskey]

I'm a fairly accomplished guitar player, been thinking about buying a good 5 string, can you recommend one tks

[@MaxwellCWong]

martin kenny I’m not a millionaire banjo player yet, so the only good banjo I could recommend is a starter Deering Goodtime 5-String Banjo

[@banjiegirl2001]

Yes, I think a Deering Goodtime is an excellent choice, great sound and price range for beginners. Well worth the price.

[@wadeknight9202]

What kind of head is that you use

[@SleepingJoe.]

Nice one..

[@tymospoelman8175]

What banjo do you play?

[@nickcrawford5516]

Thanks Jim!

[@manoelluizteixeira8073]

Bom mesmo, aula exemplar, demais. maneco - RS - Porto Alegre- RS -Brasil.

[@tanthiennguyen9133]

Vielen Dank

[@unibuzzer]

Just got me a banjo, and now I'm Rollin. Totally gonna be on my next album. Y'all click on the chicken to hear my ditties!

[@20alphabet]

Get outta here.

[@merijn9602]

Is this a open or closed back banjo?

[@lukewilson9901]

Merijn closed

[@germcgra6765]

jim whats that banjo make and whats that tailpiece?

[@banjoist123]

That's one of my own, built around a 1994 Gibson Grenada 40 hole tone ring. That's a clamshell tailpiece.

[@banjoist123]

@@stvo2009 Correct. Try www.banjoben.com. He may have some lefties in stock. They are hard to come by.

[@richardmika2136]

all bano sounds sound the same to me

[@Guitaroverkill]

Richard Mika That’s because there are only 4 banjo songs.

[@zonianinexile]

Too much talk

[@royliquor3315]

shut the hell up, this dude goes out of his way to teach us for free. asshole

[@mrmote-xt6oy]

great

[@stevenrask7705]

I wonder if there's a California roll. I might be able to master that!

[@spencermarshall6854]

where is lesson 3?

[@stansmith4054]

Just north of Arkansas.

[@lisa-gayle9939]

Best banjo instructor on KZbin!

[@banjoist123]

Thank you!

[@baboxe]

STOP talking and Play !!!

[@onlybugwit]

For gods sake ,,, just get on with it

[@chekovcall2286]

I had to laugh 'cause I was counting fewer plucks than strings then you made the math problem comment. Banjo's on the way. (:

[@gregorymeads9300]

Just what I was looking for always loved the sounds of bank I

[@gregorymeads9300]

Sorry banjo just a beginner