Accompaniment with the Forward Reverse Roll, Part 1: “Nine Pound Hammer”

This lesson is part of the course Beginning Banjo with Bill Evans.

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The driving sound of the banjo is at the heart of many styles of roots music. Get started with basic chords, strums, and fingerings, along with simple bluegrass rolls, accompaniment patterns, clawhammer style, and more.

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How to Play “Wagon Wheel”

In this lesson you’ll learn to play the jam-session favorite “Wagon Wheel,” using two different roll patterns, the alternating thumb roll and the forward reverse roll. Bill gives you advice on changing chords and keeping the roll going even if your fingers haven’t quite managed to finger the complete chord yet.

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Accompaniment with the Forward-Reverse Roll

Accompaniment with the Forward Reverse Roll, Part 1: “Nine Pound Hammer”

“Nine Pound Hammer” Play-Along Track

Accompaniment with the Forward Reverse Roll, Part 2: “Little Maggie”

“Little Maggie” Play-Along Track

Accompaniment with the Forward Reverse Roll, Part 1: “Nine Pound Hammer”

The forward reverse roll is a great roll to use when playing backup on songs like “Nine Pound Hammer,” “Little Maggie,” and many others. Bill begins by reminding you of the forward reverse roll and then shows you some variations than involve using the thumb on different strings while keeping the rest of the basic roll the same. Then he shows you how put some of those rolls together to play the chord progression to “Nine Pound Hammer” and shows you a “fill-in” lick to end the progression. He finishes this video by playing the “Nine Pound Hammer” accompaniment at a medium tempo with guitarist Scott Nygaard.

Forward Reverse Roll Accompaniment with "Nine Pound Hammer" and "Little Maggie" (Available to subscribers)

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