How To Play Banjo Rolls On Guitar

by Simon Candy

In this video, you learn how to play banjo rolls on guitar.

The banjo roll is not just a technique exclusive to the banjo, it can also be adapted for the guitar to great effect.

Such greats as Chet Atkins, Jerry Reed, and Tommy Emmanuel regularly feature the banjo roll in their playing.

In this lesson, you learn both the forward and backward banjo rolls for guitar. I’ll break each roll down in detail so you can not only execute banjo rolls but also understand them allowing you to use them to greater effect in your playing.

In addition, the rhythm component of a banjo roll is very important, and I’ll show you an effective way to get this down so your banjo rolls sound authentic.

Plus, you learn how to apply both the forward banjo roll and backward banjo roll to chord progressions for a very cool sound!

Watch the video below to learn more:

The Banjo Roll

The examples below are covered in the video above. Be sure to watch it to see each demonstrated and broken down in great detail.

• Banjo Roll Example 1

The first example uses the forward banjo roll across a chord progression in G Major: (be sure to watch the video for a detailed breakdown)

• Banjo Roll Example 2

This second example uses the backward banjo roll across the same progression from example 1. However, different chord voicings are used: (be sure to watch the video for a detailed breakdown)

• Banjo Roll Example 3

The last example is a little different, incorporating the top open string across a series of dominant 7 chord fragments: (be sure to watch the video for a detailed breakdown)

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