Beginner Banjo | 3 Essential Rolls For Bluegrass Banjo

Demonstrating the forward, backward, and alternating rolls on the banjo.
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[@JohnMooreVlogs]

ANNOUNCEMENT: 1-on-1 virtual banjo lessons are now available! Great for those who want a more guided learning experience, or those who just want help with a single song, lick, or technique. If you want personal instruction, you can sign up here: calendly.com/johnmoorebanjo/banjolesson

[@chicksgrowtoo]

What banjo are you using? I’m so jealous that it was signed by Earl Scruggs! ❤❤❤

[@DoodlyDoo59210]

that banjo seen some things

[@bradsparks6008]

Well its seen earl scruggs the rest im not so sure about

[@zackperkins6107]

Meth is a hell of a drug

[@jonandrewfeltner513]

🤣🤣🤣

[@yungbfresh1]

its seen racial segregation

[@simonvanderheijden432]

@@yungbfresh1 Bet it's seen it's fair share of woke bullshit too..

[@mattthetrucker85]

I taught myself to play acoustic guitar more than once. 2 reasons I wanted to play banjo. 1 cripple creek, 2 foggy mountain breakdown..... I can't even play banjo with lessons.

[@Denver_]

Wow is that an Earl Scruggs signature! thats amazing

[@robbiekjones]

Minute 6:14 - 7:14 may be the most concise, useful and essential single minute of banjo instruction I’ve ever seen. The 3 rolls, in 1 musical phrase. It’s an exercise that has immediate, practical, and univerasl application. It’s all well and good to practice those rolls, but it’s a whole different thing going rom one to another. Mastering that phrase just ups anyone’s game for accompaniment and for learning licks in melodies. Thank you, sir. I see lots of metronome work in my immediate future.

[@sammerriman7279]

I agree! can we get a couple more of these three rolls put into one phrase as transition material to practice with!!!

[@georgeallison3629]

Man, when someone busts that out in picking circles, you know you're in for a treat!

[@lioneladams2442]

72 just got my first banjo, love it

[@CakedNinja]

Long time guitar player here. Always wanted to pick up a banjo, but was too afraid, then I came across this video. My banjo arrived just now! Thank you for this lesson.

[@brianrobertson1211]

Me too, and mine should arrive tomorrow.

[@chicksgrowtoo]

Mine is coming some time this week, please let us know which YT videos helped you the most! Thanks! ❤❤❤

[@garyvoigt5090]

What are you afraid of. There are millions of lessons like thus online. Just do it kid...lol

[@lr6884]

Bought my first banjo about 8 months ago and just now getting the chance to sit down and learn it. I've been playing guitar for almost 30 years now, and while I'm still no professional, I believe I can tell a decent instructor when I see one. I watched your "how to tune your banjo" video in this series and became a subscriber at about the 2 minute mark. You are not only a fantastic banjo player, but an excellent teacher. Thank you sir, you rock!

[@peterwalker2377]

I could die happy if I could just play that intro!!!

[@elessary2k1]

Thank you for these videos, John. I was paying for lessons on Udemy, but you give better information. And for free! I'm using that Udemy payment to support you on Patron instead. Thanks again!

[@Tomlinson_Farms]

unlike overpaid music lessons, this was as simple of explanation that anyone could have made. Glad to have watched

[@arthurshat7793]

Been wanting to play the banjo for years now. Found an old kay '67 at a local antique store at a decent price. Watching tutorials while I wait for a few new parts to come in. I couldn't justify waiting to learn how to play any longer. Thank you for these videos!

[@philm9593]

Good to see ya back wearing a banjo John. 🎶👍

[@LegendaryGames420]

I trust this man with learning because that banjo tells how much he plays

[@Kazyman]

Beings I'm broke on accounta these Convid Daze, I'm thankful there's something beneficial & free for me. Boatloads of thx, John.

[@carlstone4702]

Awesome demonstration,, I’m rolling

[@williamedgarmarshburn4633]

THANK YOU MR.MOORE!!!!

[@judwatkins9478]

Great quality instruction here! Thank you!

[@Sunshine-Light]

Howdy John, greetings from the olde country ...... Ireland 🇮🇪

[@TheOukeren]

This was perfect for a beginner like me! Big thanks!

[@DoodlyDoo59210]

you do this at a reasonable pace. many other beginning banjo videos spend like 15 minutes on 10 different exercises to practice one roll

[@1stm879]

The best intro to 5 string that I have come across on youtube. Thanks, can't wait to correct everything I have been doing wrong from my guitar finger picking days!

[@mikebastiat]

That's my problem is trying not to haphazardly pick it like a guitar.

[@stevenboy4996]

This is awesome this is perfect for a good fundamental start

[@Hoss999]

Thank you John

[@kimterry4239]

Great lesson!

[@shanbarrett2931]

You have really helped a beginner like me out 🙏

[@claudineibernardes3017]

Thank you very much for this great lesson. If possible, whenever you can you could post another roll lesson covering other types of roll. That would be very helpful. I am 69 and just started learning the banjo. Be safe. Cheers from Brazil!

[@larryhunt9180]

Thank you made it easy to teach it like this over and over

[@chicksgrowtoo]

Subbed at your accurate lesson!! Thank you so much from all the people who can’t afford lessons. 🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼 You’re awesome. ❤

[@mrosenberg8231]

Exceedingly helpful

[@sherylcordrey9576]

Great lesson

[@larryfarkas]

Came across one of your videos and it made me want to try and pick it up. Banjo should be here next week. Thanks in advance for all your help.

[@user-nu5ef2ii9r]

Very helpful! Thanks

[@shawndobson5713]

Thank you for the Great videos. They really help!

[@luissaints7082]

Hi here Brazil, thanks for lesson ! God Bless !

[@FatSynthDude]

Thanks for this vid. It's really helping me understand just how much I bit off compared to how much I can chew.

[@myname7914]

Thank you very much... I appreciate the tutorial. Happy New Year to you and your family. May you be blessed beyond reason.

[@paulmurray7525]

Thank you so much.

[@danhodkinson2615]

Thank you John. Very informative. I personally thank you. Dan

[@bofo4396]

THANKS JOHN

[@monsterja7028]

This helped me alot!! thank you so much!

[@jagervolant7871]

Love it. Still looking for a banjo

[@jameschristiansson3137]

Did you get a banjo?

[@mikefinley4367]

I like to give recognition where it is due. This wasn't some crap instruction which would have instructed students in the rolls merely one way but by getting them to use the patterns of the rolls on various strings which is important to gain better hand technique. Including left hand and getting both to work in cordination flat out requires practice and many quit. Endure and you'll be happy you did. Instant gratification is looking at a new banjo gifted or bought but getting good requires effort. Buy a mute with a banjo and it may save your life from spouses. significant others or neighbors.

[@chicksgrowtoo]

I live on a farm by myself, the cows and horses won’t mind… 😂

[@jasonslayton2970]

Dude thank you!! I’ve been playing guitar and bass my whole life, but now at 39 I’ve just acquired a banjo. I have always loved banjo picking. With the help of your break down of the rolls I feel like I’m well on my way! How long does it generally take to get used to wearing these picks? Lol. Thanks again!!

[@zaccrogers]

Great stuff thank you

[@linobrenzverca58]

Bravissimo! Esplicito e molto bravo. Grazie!

[@ckinyon5094]

I can’t believe I found this ! Just starting and was wondering how to figure out rolls in an intuitive simple instruction. You nailed it and I am happy practicing! Thank you!

[@paulalawrenz9596]

Love your lessons! so helpfull in this pandemic times... where is hard to go live and see some coach

[@bobfife9071]

Just bought a 5 string after I sold my last one 37yrs ago, so watching your videos gives me a bit of hope to get back to as good or bad as I was all those years ago.🥴🥴🥴🤪

[@patrickbly4170]

Easy musical cookies .. just enough though to fill my plate 😊

[@Beehutman]

Very interesting to see this because i am a long year Guitar an Bass Player an have the Banjo a while. But tried to play it like a guitar with picking with more fingers! So here I see I must miss some fingers and pick only with three! OK, thx try it now and it works! So cool!

[@aaroncasavant4677]

good job

[@tmo7734]

Very nice, very helpful, John. Best wishes. -Tim

[@griffinsmith9809]

Thank you!!!

[@Genetherapy3232]

Thank you. Great videos:)

[@davidwalters8847]

Number #120 Here: Again thank you for your videos. Extremely helpful.

[@ra7238]

Raaaght haaend

[@jystdog]

Thanks for the video. What kind or gage of strings do you use?

[@scottbradford960]

Nice helpful video. Would you mind telling me what brand of banjo strap you have? I have been searching for one like yours for a while. Thanks!

[@R-gl5im]

Dankeschön Gut gemacht Viele Grüße aus Berlin von Reimund.

[@ATLTraveler]

John MOLE

[@jerryhand4145]

John, any tips on how to do the pulloff? just learning and having difficulty coordinating activities with both hands...

[@theeaskey]

Hi john.love your playing, I've been trying to play for over a year, I seem to do ok with two fingers ,but with three ,not so much.. is there anyplace I can go to Get my playing critiqued, I'm not sure if I'm doing it ok ..tks

[@dg5240]

Rad! Is that cripple creek at the end?

[@doctorstrainlove6318]

PLEASE cover "Dust in a Baggie" by Billy Strings (since im reading a lot of comments about Krank...)

[@charliewalls3264]

It has just clicked

[@jamiedyercville]

Hi John - I'm a 60 year old musician and I've made various attempts at the banjo over the past 40 years. This is the best intro to bluegrass picking I've seen. Do you have a way to send you some bucks so we can tip you?

[@marilujc]

John has a Patreon: www.patreon.com/JohnMooreVlogs

[@theeaskey]

Is there a roll pill I can take that will make this any easier, I keep rewinding to HI.

[@tomtheslob1305]

I need moore

[@keithclark486]

You remind me of little Roy Lewis.

[@caponero7110]

Great videos, what's the name of the intro little song?

[@tonythatorc971]

I think it is banjo in the hollow

[@ManuelFGraf]

Hey there! I JUST started playing banjo but already played quite a lot guitar. Actually I'm pretty fine playing fast right away, but I'm struggling with index and thumb always colliding when I'm on 3 - 2 - 1 and I tend to play 4-2-1. Any tips on that?

[@bilemhalforce7108]

Heyy ummm any tips?

[@huckenfank6977]

excuse me, is that earls signature on your banjo head? if so, THATS FRICKEN COOL

[@jameschristiansson3137]

I don't know the story on that one but for what it's worth, Earl sold autographed heads on his website for $25. You can still see the page from his site on the Wayback Machine. Wish I had known way back then.

[@huckenfank6977]

i see, that's pretty darn cool

[@Yolo-kb6hu]

I like to play 5-1-3-2-4-1-3-2. But I only use my thumb and middle finger. Will try to incorporate my index finger.

[@MrPaxton3]

What brand of Banjo are you using ?

[@tommy123dyer]

What banjo do you use?

[@Foxrock321]

So what’s the Osborne roll?

[@billmills1296]

On the forward roll (open string 3,2,1), I have been practicing with metronome 250 bpm in 3/4 time. Am I on the right track? How many bpm are you playing in the faster practice set? Thanks so much for the lessons. I have been practicing for 3 weeks now.

[@JohnMooreVlogs]

It sounds like you're playing with each note in the roll synced with a beat. While that can work as a guide, I worry that it could develop some bad habits. Each beat represents a quarter note and banjo is typically played on 8th notes so you're playing at half speed relative to the beat. The good news is if my assumption is correct, your current speed equates to just over 120 beats per minute which is a good goal for a beginner banjo player. For starting off, I would practice in 4/4 timing as that's what most bluegrass is played in. For a beginner, 120 bpm 4/4 timing is a great goal. You should be playing two notes for every beat on the metronome. I know it can be tempting to play in 3/4 timing because the three beats per measure align perfectly with the three note roll, but try to resist it. 4/4 timing on a 3-note roll will feel pretty weird at first, but getting accustomed to 4/4 timing will set you up for success in the beginning. Hope this helps and congratulations on your progress!

[@billmills1296]

John Moore I can't believe you responded! Thank you so much for the clarification.

[@doctorstrainlove6318]

Or some Doc Watson with a buddy you could rangle down that can chicken pick a Martin Dreadnaught like a true backwoods roots boyyyy (or lady)

[@russellmesger4555]

I have my Dad's banjo he got new when he was 13 ( 1949) it only has 4 strings , tell me the difference besides the obvious. I want to try to learn at the young age of 60 , is that possible?

[@HomeMoviesdotCa]

What I believe I need is 3-6 basic rolls and chords, not fancy left hand notes work. I'm 70, if I could achieve that "very simple method", playing Canadian songs, like this one - kzbin.info/www/bejne/b5jJY6WbaNqmsMk - but, not in that hammering style, I'd live and die a happy guy. When I was 14 I took 2 years of lessons from a 90 year old man in downtown Toronto, Canada, who told me at 1st lesson, there's no such thing as blue grass banjo music, and he would teach me to play by reading transposed piano music sheets. He demonstrated that my left hand would do as much work as my right hand picking fingers. I failed, miserably. 30 years later I smashed my banjo against a tree so I didn't have to ever see it again. So, where can I get basic rolls and chords lessons I want ?

[@doctorstrainlove6318]

Earl Scruggs autograph?

[@jameschristiansson3137]

Not sure how he got that, but Earl sold autographed heads online for $25. You can still see the merch page from Earl's website on the Wayback Machine.

[@mamalannightshyaman]

I can’t get over hearing my metal picks scratch the strings. Is that because my hand is at a bad angle?

[@Bascomblodge]

I don't see your patreon address.

[@user-qx9mu1us3s]

I mean, im sure it's been addressed before, but that banjo is signed by Earl Scruggs. It could never steer you wrong. Just sayin

[@c-note-plays]

What is he playing in the first seconds of the video? I'd like to learn that :) EDIT: it's banjo in the hollow kzbin.info/www/bejne/oZ7PfHSwdshjn6c

[@benjaminchoate9321]

You should replace your banjo head

[@wolfpackfanforever8598]

Seriously???? That’s it??

[@yoheff988]

Out of respect clean the filthy head before you shoot the video LOL

[@fozy2349]

Banjo has to be one of the worst insturments to learn. There are literally no songs that anyone in the last 100 years has heard of. Dont make the same mistake i did. Just pick up a guitar.