30 Days of Banjo: Day 7 // Keep on Rolling!

Make sure to download the tablature e-book here: eligilbertbanj...
Bill Keith Playlist: • Bill Keith
Like these free lessons? Support this work here: / eligilbertbanjo
Join my Facebook group: / practicebanjoeveryday
Have questions? Join the banjo Discord and join the community: / discord
Looking for cool banjo merch?
teespring.com/...
Follow me on Instagram:
/ eligilbertbanjo

[@EliGilbertBanjo]

ATTENTION! Don't forget to download the free tablature e-book! eligilbertbanjo.com/absolute-beginner-banjo-lessons/

[@kevinchristenson3189]

Just beginning, thanks for adding the tablature it really helps

[@Kiezkollege]

Started a few days ago. This is the first time I'm having problems. But your videos are very helpful and give me confidence.

[@jaydub5728]

same! haha Cruzed through days 1-6, day 7, brain to fingers, not enough bandwidth! lol Im guessing, practice practice practice will work!

[@john6059]

This is insane! I’m a heavy equipment mechanic. My fingers are way too big, I press three strings at a time when I only want to touch one. Drives me nuts!

[@briennaasher26]

I got a mini banjo and it makes my ukulele feel spacious. 😂

[@birachel477]

I have little girl fingers and it’s still hard! I feel your pain! You’ll get it though. If chris Stapleton can do it you can do it!

[@pcsmith6136]

I got a 5-string for my 70th birthday...if I can only cease noodling and practice what the man is saying. Muscle memory can't be rushed.

[@BMBURTFINEART]

Started playing last year. . . Subscribed on Patreon. You and Jim Pankey have really made it easy for me to progress smoothly. Thanks

[@cynthiastrite6439]

Same story lol

[@richardharwood4796]

Can't thank you enough, I am slow and have trouble fretting cleanly but am so enjoying this, 62 and the first instrument I have tried to learn, its never too late, many thanks.

[@misfitstranger]

Right on, Richard! I'll be 62 this year and just started with the banjo. I play guitar and trumpet and some uke as well, but you're spot on...never too late to learn. That's good because I still wanna learn mandolin, cello, trombone, and bagpipes! Never quit learning!!

[@hunevy]

Love these lessons! Struggled with the middle finger on 3rd string 2nd fret n index finger on the 2nd string 1st fret, until a guitar player friend suggested cutting my nails back completely. It worked. So if you have a hard time with holding them down right, try the no nail technique haha it might be obvious, but I'm a string noob and didn't know 😊

[@mazlinithegreat]

I’ll let ya know if it works for me!! 😂😂

[@cirrusfraliose1482]

Thanks this helped a lot :) with nails my fingers was always pushed on two strings, without its way easier to stay on one string by finger. Need Eli to do a quickie on how treat our fingers ^^

[@birachel477]

IM SO EXCITED TO LEARN DAY 7! WE MADE IT!!!!

[@missvanity6371]

These videos have been the highlight of my life the last month or so, words cannot express how grateful I am to have come across them!

[@banjo_kid71]

I have the harsest time not hitting the 1st string with my index finger when im holding second string down to play back to back notes. You make it look effortless.

[@kennethbarnes2297]

I’m having that trouble also. I’ve tried arching my wrist but to no avail did you manage to fix this

[@manofguitar]

Ok, my Epiphone MB100 arrived yesterday, happy to announce I can play everything so far really bloody slowly! It's really weird being a beginner again after... 20 years of playing guitar! I am rubbish at this but thrilled to be on the banjo train! Thank you internet stranger

[@leimaniax]

Haha, Andrew. Totally with you. Also come from guitar and re-learning so much. These lessons are great for helping the process. PS: If you’re new to banjo and you think this is tough, have you tried Clawhammer??? Wow - That’s got me totally pickled! Sooo difficult to get right! Anyway, loving the learning, and it sounds like you are too. High five.

[@manofguitar]

@@leimaniax yes! I have watched a bunch of clawhammer videos and that has me even more foxed, however can recommend a series by Deering on their channel, the chap presenting those made it click a little as he did it nice and slow etc. I'll be an old man before I can do it at any recognisable pace! Well, back to it, this banjo ain't gonna pick itself..

[@jasonclark8013]

@@manofguitar @L White I found clawhammer to be strange at first, but it really only took me a little while to get it down. Now, I'm quite adept and can play up to speed, learn new tunes, etc. This rolling finger stuff is what has me flummoxed. Like you said, going ever so slowly... plodding along... making progress but much slower than with clawhammer.

[@karimdrumsfc3387]

I’m this far right now and feel a little bit emotional. I really like to thank you for your videos, I can’t wait to learn from all of them. Thanks!!

[@Kyermemehtar]

Thanks so much! I've played banjo since I was a kid but always with the clawhammer style. It's alternating between the roll patterns that trips me up whenever I try bluegrass. This way of building the patterns slowly seems to be sticking in my fingers and the tablature helps too!

[@joeganzy9816]

One of the easiest to comprehend and most concise instructional video I’ve come across. These are great, thank you for making them.

[@JamesMM96]

Rarely comment on anything, but have to say hats off to you Eli - every video starts and I think, there's no way I can play that. And you then frame it in the context of what I know from the previous lesson and 10 minutes later I'm getting there with it. Thanks man, Bluegrassing my way through Swansea in Wales!

[@alpineike]

First off really enjoying this series, awesome stuff! Definitely the hardest one yet and the third measure is kickin my butt

[@slugfeet27]

About ~12 days in after taking a couple days to practice extra on some lessons. It actually sounds like music now...very excited!

[@christophereskridge9580]

Dude, Firstly thank you. You have made learning so easy. I've been play guitar for over 20 years and never saw this type of progression that I'm seeing playing the banjo. Keep up the great work.

[@BeardedSmith]

I've never progressed on an instrument as fast as I have following these videos. You're an amazing teacher!

[@DG-sh3qv]

Getting more and more challenging...just what I needed, thank you!! I've been trying to teach myself banjo for a couple years and I've made more progress so far on your lessons up to day 7 than all the previous years on my own !

[@alexb119]

Thanks for this series! I’m a guitar player, and I picked up a banjo for the first time this past weekend and already on day 7, because you’re explaining and building the concepts so well. Appreciate all the work you put into this!

[@jacobsears5174]

Phew. I'm sweating a bit after this one. I think I'm going to have to spend a day or three in practice on this bit. I was getting the rolls down for the last couple days to the point I could mostly do it with my eyes closed (just to get the feel). Fretting smoothly/accurately is definitely a weak point for me, but I'm determined. Thanks, Eli! Been watching your content and starting out since two weeks ago.

[@romulorocha8704]

Same here. Ive been muting near strings and I cant find a good position yet. That drives me crazy but I wont give up. I was reading it can take months to master. Im 38, very patient, lets see.

[@jacobsears5174]

@@romulorocha8704 Would you believe a silly revelation I had? I had to *trim my nails* to stop muting the one string on one of my chords. I didn't even think about that. It's not like they were long, but they were just...long...enough. Long enough to prevent firm contact at the fret.

[@romulorocha8704]

@@jacobsears5174 hehehehe...great for you! my nails are trimmed at the limit already. I might need some more practice. Tks mate and keep playing!

[@lindokuhlemsibi3914]

Started a couple of days a go...i'm on day 7 tonight..(been struggling making time the past days). Dang! I'm enjoying your lessons. I ain't in no hurry

[@andrewmurphy1547]

Subscribed! Ive been playing about 2 weeks, and I really appreciate the time and dedication you have put into these videos. Between you and Pankey, I feel I have the guidance I need to succeed in getting started in this wonderful instrument. I have probably picked up and played maybe a dozen instruments, and this is the first "long term" relationship with an instrument I've felt. Keep up the awesome work, and I wish you only the best of success!

[@MasonCroneMusic]

Eli and Jim are my favorites!

[@rosscottrell8202]

So I'm just starting out and after two and a half weeks I'm up to lesson seven. The brain knows what to do but the fingers are about three days behind. Really enjoying the lessons and maybe one day what I'm playing will sound like Elis'. Greetings from Lake Macquarie, New South Wales.

[@voidheir9793]

this is the first lession where i cannot go to the next day :D i prolly need to pratice this one some more days.

[@crystalraeproductions1505]

Thank you for creating a process that makes it easy to learn!

[@tinkerdink25]

I love the banjo!! Thank you so much for these videos. It's amazing how easy it is to play. I'm falling more and more in love with this instrument.

[@griff326]

Been following this for a month, i only get a few days a week to practice so I'm only on day 7 but you make it pretty easy to learn. Looking forward to day 8 and moving slowly forward to day 30.

[@brokenst33l]

Thanks for the guides, specifically what not to do. I messed around with bass 10 years ago, but this is the first instrument I've owned and tried to learn of my own volition.

[@audrybella6405]

Great lesson Eli. Thank you. I am moving slowly but steadily ahead taking my time and returning to previous lessons routinely. This video format is wonderful along with the e-tab it makes it fun and easy to progress comfortably. Nicely done indeed!!

[@myindigoblues5796]

Oh man, this is a tough one 😮‍💨

[@EliGilbertBanjo]

You'll get it!

[@tescarlow9468]

Getting that D7 bit with index and middle finger driving me mad 😁, it plunks rather than plucks, angle of banjo maybe? Am I pressing the wrong way? More practising for me

[@olia7916]

Last week I found a banjo- I’d never seen one in real life before! I’m happy I found your course, I’ve been practicing every day and really enjoying it. I forgot what it feels to be a complete beginner at something! Everything else is going smoothly but the D chord is a bit challenging to me. It’s getting there though. Thank you!

[@samhelland]

I've had issue with the D7 chord as well. Mainly that my fingers are touching strings not meant to be touched; including a part of my finger near the palm touching the first string. If you look at the position of his left wrist and try to emulate that, it has helped a bit. I might be wrong on this part, but I find that curling the wrist so that more of the back of the hand is facing the "audience" helps. And lifting the fingers so that only the tips are touching the strings rather than the pads. Please correct me if I'm wrong as I've only been at for a couple weeks.

[@sarahmetcalf2131]

I was having trouble until I decided to clip my nails, and just doing that has fixed my issue. 🤣 And my nails weren’t that long, I’m a low maintenance gal who has never had fancy painted nails😅

[@billyoung3192]

Just received very much of a surprise Christmas present and these videos are brilliant to get me hooked and started. Thanks Eli, your teaching style is great.

[@ButteCreekBanjo]

Dude! Your lessons are phenomenal! I just picked up a banjo for the first time, and coming from the bass I was very intimidated (I'm not used to any attention lol). Your lessons are thorough and easy to understand, and concise enough not to be overwhelming. Thanks again!

[@stevengavagna4342]

Really well structured lessons so far. Thanks!

[@rowbirdprod.4235]

up until here I was quite fast, but now .. time to get those two hands working together :D thank you for the course!

[@kennethharbin6098]

Loving your material so far, Eli. Thanks. My finger picks came in on this day. I am finding that it's taking a bit more work to do this while also getting used to the picks. Though you did warn me! Ha

[@jaydub5728]

same here, picks showed up and now im trying to get used to them! lol

[@lenniereagan2362]

Thanks, Eli! I appreciate your teaching!

[@philipsouster2093]

you are doing great things here brilliant

[@pigfinder]

Really great set of videos. Very helpful. Thanks for sharing them.

[@zenchiefengineer]

So hard not to mute the last string with that D7. Seems that my fret board is more narrow than yours. I finally got it though. Had to trim my index finger nail and work at it. So far, this one lesson has been the biggest challenge. I had to practice this more as it isn't just repetition.

[@Hoss999]

Thank you

[@letbetboo]

you are helping me sO mcuh thank you !!! metronome really good tip too !! thank u !!

[@alejandroleyva8364]

Your videos are really helpfull and well recorded, I'm having some problems with the D7 chord because of my huge fingers, but I'll keep on rolling. Thanks for your videos!!!!

[@EliGilbertBanjo]

Try curling the fingers so only the tip is touching the string. Not easy, but worth the effort!

[@Jenna_Joseph]

Loving these!!

[@PIckledeggilkley]

Am loving this. Only thing is my finger picks fall off sometimes and my hand gets sore going fast.

[@thomassciurba5323]

You have to shape them either by hand or with a needle nose pliers, both how oval the pick is and the angle of the sides towards the tip of your finger. It can take some time to get them tight enough but still comfortable. A good quality pick will stand up to forming more than a cheap one and it can also take some time to find the picks you like best. Starter picks are garbage. I like Dunlop .020s andI like to mark mine with different color nail polish so they go back on the same fingers. As far as the thumb pick goes I use a Golden Gate perloid large. You can't really reform them you have to get the right one for you finger size. Here again a lot of it is personal preference so be prepared to try a few until you find what you like.

[@thomassciurba5323]

Also sometimes I lick my thumb before I put the pick on. I know it's gross, but it sticks like glue!

[@insanemedic1917]

I was cruising up till today. Making that D cord, my damn fingers are too damn big. I keep pressing the 1st string on accident and it makes me want to kick the dog.

[@byronjohnson4097]

Love these videos - anyone have suggestions for a similar absolute beginner-level intro to playing clawhammer? I want to try both to see which style I prefer...

[@geeeeeee3]

Stuck on Lesson 7 for a few days now. I'm having a GREAT deal of trouble at 2:10. It's very difficult not to touch the second string with my M finger and the first string with Index. The only way I can play it is by releasing my Index to play the first string. Any suggestions? Thanks

[@bears270]

I'm struggling with the same thing now. I've been trying for several days to work out how to play the D chord. Did you find a technique that moved you past this point?

[@marcsirkin8398]

Does anyone else have trouble accessing the banjo player play lists? All other links work, but not the play lists. Thanks.

[@nateellenwood5168]

For the D7 I'm having a really hard time having my middle finger on the 2nd fret of the 3rd string without it also touching the second string enough to change the sound of that string. Do you have any tips for isolating my fat finger on just that string?

[@bernieschreyer8686]

Me too!

[@nateellenwood5168]

@@bernieschreyer8686 so I never got a response or found any clear help. What I ended up doing was just lifting off the string for the next note. It's definitely not as easy or convenient but I've been able to get fast enough that it works and doesn't seem to change anything.

[@curley501]

@@nateellenwood5168 Maybe you've figured this out by now, but in case... Make sure you are pressing on the string with the very tip of your finger - close to the fingernail. This will cause you to arch your fingers, which will help them be clear of the neighboring strings. Also, cut your fingernails on your left hand as short as you can so the nail doesn't interfere.

[@bradtill9261]

Love the vids and I'm learning a lot. But can't seem to keep my fingers from touching more than one string at a time on the frets!! Really holding me back. UGH!!!

[@karendevault1743]

I’m having difficulty holding the 2nd and 1st frets without my fingers interfering with adjacent strings and ruining the tune. 😕 any suggestions? I’ve adjusted the banjo in my lap but I can’t seem to hit those frets without deadening the notes, if that makes sense. Thank you!

[@jhicks1988]

I got a suggestion on this from a guitarist. Just make sure your thumb is touching the back of the neck of the banjo and so much more power!

[@thomassciurba5323]

I try to hold my fingers perpendicular to the fretboard and fret with the tip near the nail not the flat part that you normally grip with. Like the other poster said fingernails can be an issue but I am not a woman so I don't care! And you don't need a ton of pressure, just enough to get the string down but try to do it near the next fret down the neck.

[@AdamHoytElectronmage]

This was really hard. The D7 piece especially. How do you get fat fingers on this tiny fretboard?

[@joshestes3320]

Love the video in my opinion the roll should always take priority in practicing followed by the note what's your opinion?

[@CoachJeff-i6u]

since I started it's taken me about 2 weeks to get here and it's been pretty easy to grasp stuff and I'm playing along well. This left hand placement though may take me a long time to get. My fingers are short sausages and I mute the other keys. Anyone got any advice for this

[@banjo_kid71]

What I'm noticing, and it could just be the video but the neck of my dads very old banjo appears super narrow compared to Eli's. The top in the 1st fret is only 1&1/4" across. Any feedback would be greatly appreciated.

[@laurenstewart8517]

Is anyone else having problems holding the shape and playing the forward backward roll and not muting their first string? Can’t seem to get my hand in a position that doesn’t mute the 1st string :(

[@GalacticKush]

Yep. Did you get past it?

[@tradepapers1911]

@@GalacticKushdid you end up getting it? Struggling with muting the string right now as well

[@GalacticKush]

@@tradepapers1911 Yea, shorter nails and angling my finger better solved it. It became so easy I wondered how I struggled with it in the first place lol

[@tradepapers1911]

@@GalacticKush this is the first video where it might take me more than a day to get it. Did you get all the way through the series?

[@GalacticKush]

@tradepapers1911 I've been going at it very slowly, but I reached the end of learning this song (day 10) I believe. I'm trying to just get better at playing it faster before I move on. I've been doing more like a few weeks per lesson, but only because i practice maybe 15 minutes a few times a week.

[@Ritter556]

Struggling not letting my fingers touch other strings on that D7 haha

[@EliGilbertBanjo]

You’ll get it!

[@nosreffejelyk]

@@EliGilbertBanjo Same!

[@strawman5300]

@@EliGilbertBanjo oh som extra tips on this would be appreciated. I also struggle with this. Can't seem to find a position wher this does not happen

[@edkuhn5018]

Yep driving me nuts. Frustrating!

[@edkuhn5018]

Finally starting to get it.

[@tomnelson3362]

Eli, I'm working my way through your book and noticed that usually not all 3 notes are used in picking a tune. How do you know which note or notes to use? Is there a standard method of only playing certain notes in a chord to pick? Thanks

[@susaninidaho]

Is there a close up of the left hand someplace in a later video? I am really unclear about the chords.

[@superpie733]

I watched the tab part of lesson one but i am confused with this tablet doesnt the 1 and 2 mean first fret and second so wouldnt it be first fret third string and 2nd fret second string based on tab

[@superpie733]

I'm certain I'm missing something here but i am confused

[@lauraent8896]

Can you show me the tablature for day seven, please? I’m not understanding the second bar and sixth bar where they show the number two on the first string. Thanks, Laura

[@EliGilbertBanjo]

Check the link in the description for the tab!

[@maylesrachel]

I can’t seem to get the finger positions correct for D7. Any tips? My fingers are brushing up against the other strings and I’ve watched many other videos on proper hand position

[@EndlessGlimpseWorld]

Like your videos, tks so much! But 1 question. At this point, am I supposed to be able to play confortabltly at 120 or i have to practice more until I can move forward to the next lesson?

[@EliGilbertBanjo]

I would just make sure you can play the examples smoothly without stopping, don't worry too much about speed yet!

[@Thoravious]

Im having a really hard time with holding the new shape on the fret board. I am always muting a string. It doesnt seem like I can position my hand/fingers in any way to avoid this. Any tips?

[@greysoldier-qr5ro]

Well I’ve had my banjo for three days and made it this far. I was pretty confident in myself until for whatever reason my middle finger just cant move to the second fret of the third string fast enough. Great lesson but it really pissed me off.

[@dickygeemusic]

I seem to be having trouble with my first finger on the B. I keep blocking the D string too. This doesn't happen on my guitar or Uke. What can I do? I think my fingers might be a bit porky lol.

[@amandareffold6673]

Hey Eli you never mentioned the 2nd fret 1st string in the forward roll. Could be confusing to a beginner.

[@EliGilbertBanjo]

I’m not sure what you mean, the tablature for that section is on the screen and I believe I describe it as being the same position from previous lessons. Am I thinking of the wrong section?

[@chrishushak3562]

I can hear the melody easily in Days 1-6. Lost it in the second, fourth and fifth measures where the roll notes don't line up timing wise with the melody notes. Did I miss something?

[@melaniecarroll397]

Me too, Chris. Have you ever figured out what we are missing?

[@johnbook5545]

I'm having a problem with this lesson; wondering if someone can give me advice. I'm a half-decent acoustic guitar player, but maybe something doesn't translate here. My issue is with the D chord. I'm using my index finger on second string, first fret, but no matter how I position it, I'm muting the first string, which makes the roll sound pretty bad. Again, I don't have this issue on my acoustic so I'm confused. The only way I can get it to sound is in a slightly painful position for my index finger that sounds wrong. Ideas?

[@skater763]

i need you too leave the full tabature at the end

[@slugfeet27]

I downloaded the book that has the tab days by day. I know what you mean about the full tab, but the pdf is a good 2nd option.

[@benjaminpearce200]

Having issues with the fourth measure. I must have really fat thumbs cause when I play the notes they are more of a thump than a thummm. Any pointers?

[@Jasales42]

hmm...I can't seem to reach both finger placements for the D cord and the strings go dead with just a thunk. I'll keep trying.

[@Jasales42]

1 month and I still can't get these notes at 1:44. Just thunk.

[@xXdarkestlightXx]

I'm having so much fun with this but my fingertips really hurt and it's getting on my nerves. How long do you think it will take for them to get used to fretting? I think I saw slides for tomorrow on the pdf and I definitely can't do that right now.

[@EliGilbertBanjo]

It can take a week or more, so feel free to take all of this at whatever pace works for you!

[@kennethbarnes2297]

Please someone help me For the love of god I can’t make the d chord. My fingers are short. Input my middle finger on the 3rd string of the second fret but my index can’t fully go down on the second string first fret.

[@jim95437]

O.K., I should introduce myself, I started a week ago and I am playing this at 75 bpm. I see a metronome setting of 120 bpm on the tab sheet, so I have a long way to go. What I am wondering is; should get this up to 120 bpm before moving to lesson 8? Thanks.

[@ronlaspisa450]

Eli, would you please share where I can buy the banjo strap you're using? Thank you

[@EliGilbertBanjo]

It's just a piece of leather, made by the previous owner of one of my banjos. Sorry!

[@umbrellathing]

3:00

[@scottmalinowski4765]

My index finger keeps touching the first string causing that thump twang Help

[@brandoncooper2901]

Are you Brian Bain from Philosophize This podcast?

[@EliGilbertBanjo]

I don't think so...

[@brandoncooper2901]

You sound just like him, check it out. Anyways thanks for the quick response enjoying the banjo vids

[@EliGilbertBanjo]

Will do!

[@blakewoods8970]

What the song called you use at the end of the video?

[@EliGilbertBanjo]

That's an original tune called Knotty Pine, check it out here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/b161YqScmL14b7M

[@pinktoodeep]

I absolutely cannot get that forward backward roll where the middle is on the 2nd fret and index is on 1st fret. My middle rests against the first string then I adjust then my index is resting on the first string and they're all flat notes. My fingers will not bend like that.

[@comefindme13gaming32]

I think by far the Roll patterns are a rough 1. I can’t seem to understand

[@landonrudd2756]

3:12

[@ashleyritchie4948]

Talking about shapes is useless to me, why don't you show and explain the strings and finger positions clearly!

[@EliGilbertBanjo]

Have you downloaded the tablature from the link in the description?