Rolling Banjo Backup

In my first E-book I go over a Basic Rolling Backup Approach.  This book is geared for beginner’s and those new to jamming and playing music with others.  You can find more about the product here:

https://jodyhughesmusic.com/downloads/get-rolling-backup-book/

Let’s discuss a few things concerning the technique of Rolling Backup for Banjo:

1)It doesn’t require many techniques-In my book I give two patterns for each chord, A transition pattern for G to C and one for G to D.

2)The approach can be relatively simple-Only experience with basic roll patterns and techniques such as slides is required

3)It requires a knowledge of the chords you are playing over-You have to understand the form of the song, so you know how many times to play each pattern

4)You have to be able to hear the song in your mind as you play something unrelated to the song.  Rolling Backup is something other than the melody to the song, so you have to be able to hear the melody to the song without playing it.

5)Timing-You have to stay in time, playing along with recordings and backup tracks are great for instilling the correct timing

6)Accents/Dynamics-It is not enough to play the right notes, you have to play with the right Umph or “Drive” as some like to call it.  You don’t want to sound mechanical because if you do then it doesn’t impart the proper “drive” and momentum to the music.