Are you a beginner banjo player who is struggling with banjo rolls? Here’s a quick pop up lesson from our master banjo player, Tony Trischka, as he breaks down the banjo roll technique for the famous Earl Scrugg's classic Foggy Mountain Breakdown. To begin, tony starts you out slow using your primary hand to play, with a two to three hammer-on on the second string. First hitting with the index and next the thumb, Tony takes you through the beginning stages of the roll as you alternate back and forth. After you perfect clean and well timed hits using a metronome, Tony guides you to the next level by adding in the first string. When you reach this point in your practice, a basic warm up with only using your index and middle finger is suggested. This technique helps develop dexterity as you become familiar with this particular banjo roll prior to playing. Once you feel comfortable with this technique, add the thumb across on every other one (i.e index/middle, thumb/middle, index/middle, thumb/middle, etc.)

Again, it’s all about practice and technique as he highly urges that you continue to use that metronome (2 notes per click) to help perfect your playing. This is such an important, basic roll that you should nail down before continuing to learn the remainder of the song. Once you feel comfortable, and your timing is perfect, feel free to incorporate the rest of the banjo roll lesson by implementing the middle/index, middle/hammer-on.

Experience banjo playing excellence with online banjo lessons taught by world-renowned musician and Grammy® artist, Tony Trischka. Want to try our service before you become a member? Sign up for Free Sample Lessons and experience first hand what Tony can do for your banjo technique and playing! Each lesson is pulled directly from Tony’s first-class banjo lesson library where hundreds of online video lessons, for all levels of players, are available on our industry-unique Video Exchange Learning® platform. Get exclusive insight on banjo rolls, picking techniques, banjo chords, banjo tabs, and soloing framework. Try these free lessons to improve your banjo picking artistry while learning essential skills from one of the best banjo players of our time. Click HERE to sign-up today.

Want to win a trip to the ArtistWorks headquarters to meet, learn, and jam with legendary bluegrass icons: Mike Marshall (mandolin), Tony Trischka (banjo), and Michael Daves (guitar, vocals)? Sign-up for our ArtistWorks Big Bluegrass Giveaway to win air and ground transportation (up to $500) to our studio in Napa, CA, hotel accommodations, full studio tour, in-person masterclass focused on your playing, jams with teachers and fellow students, intimate performances from Mike, Tony and Michael, ArtistWorks SWAG Bag including signed CD's, shirt, and other goodies! Click HERE to learn more and to sign up today!

Relevant Content

The ArtistWorks Big Bluegrass Giveaway

Tony Trischka: 70 Years of Music in the Making

7 Reasons Why You Should Learn to Play an Instrument Online

How to Tune a Banjo by Ear

Banjo Tuning Notes