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 Playing Advice: Bluegrass (Scruggs) Styles
 ARCHIVED TOPIC: Shelton roll?


Please note this is an archived topic, so it is locked and unable to be replied to. You may, however, start a new topic and refer to this topic with a link: http://www.banjohangout.org/archive/185219

Mirek Patek - Posted - 08/19/2010:  11:46:25

What is your right hand fingering of Shelton roll?

Alternating index ITIM:

-0-----0-0-----0|0-----0-0-----0|-
-----0-------0--|----0-------0--|-
---0-------0----|--0-------0----|-
----------------|---------------|-
----------------|---------------|-
 |_|_|_| |_|_|_| |_|_|_| |_|_|_|
   T I M I T I M I T I M I T I M
or alternating thumb MTIT:
-0-----0-0-----0|0-----0-0-----0|-
-----0-------0--|----0-------0--|-
---0-------0----|--0-------0----|-
----------------|---------------|-
----------------|---------------|-
 |_|_|_| |_|_|_| |_|_|_| |_|_|_|
 M T I T M T I T M T I T M T I
Thanks,
Mirek
banjosessions.com/?p=60

tomrice - Posted - 08/19/2010:  15:42:24

the first way

Deaf David - Posted - 08/19/2010:  15:56:32

Please explain to a dense brain: after the first note, what difference is there?

Mirek Patek - Posted - 08/20/2010:  01:22:16

quote:
Originally posted by Deaf David

Please explain to a dense brain: after the first note, what difference is there?
David, these two picking patterns (ITIM and MTIT) for the Shelton roll with the repeated stroke on the first string differ in the first note and in the last note.

The first pattern (ITIM) with the index finger alternating between 1st and 2nd string is mentioned in Tony Trischka's book The Complete 5-String Banjo Player. For me is more convenient the second pattern MTIT with the thumb jumping back and forth between 3rd and 1st string, so that is why I have asked here for the experience of other players.

Mirek
banjosessions.com/?p=60

tomrice - Posted - 08/20/2010:  06:33:34

Mirek, I've never seen the second pattern and it looks to me that it would be more awkward than the first. Did the second pattern come from the same book your working on?

Mirek Patek - Posted - 08/20/2010:  07:01:37

quote:
Originally posted by tomrice

Mirek, I've never seen the second pattern and it looks to me that it would be more awkward than the first. Did the second pattern come from the same book your working on?
No, this is my initiative. It seems that my thumb is much more capable than my index - maybe it is because I play also Travis picking ( banjosessions.com/?p=30 ) and in bluegrass I play mainly thumb lead (not index lead) rolls due to my banjo setting.

I should train my index finger.

Mirek

steve davis - Posted - 08/20/2010:  07:36:05

I can't get a good smooth roll the second way.
The first way falls off my picks more readily.

Deaf David - Posted - 08/20/2010:  19:31:25

Thanks for the explanation, Mirek. I was thinking both would sound the same and that would leave it to personal preference as to which to play.

I tried switching back and forth between the two and about got a cramp in my hand!

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