Forward-Roll Style, Part 3: Forward-Roll Style in Other Keys

from: Contemporary Bluegrass Banjo with Wes Corbett

This lesson is part of the course Contemporary Bluegrass Banjo with Wes Corbett.

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Learn the style of contemporary three-finger banjo used by Béla Fleck, Noam Pikelny, Ron Block, and others. With lessons on single-string and melodic style, fingerboard theory, improvisation, and more. For intermediate to advanced players.

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VARIATIONS ON “CRIPPLE CREEK”

Wes shows you some ways to vary the melody of “Cripple Creek” and introduces the concept of “melodic style” banjo. Melodic-style was invented by banjoist Bill Keith, who devised a way to play linear note-for-note melodies where you never play the same string consecutively. Wes walks you through the variations phrase by phrase, pointing out how each variation relates to the original melody.

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FORWARD-ROLL STYLE

Forward-Roll Style, Part 1: Exercises

Forward-Roll Style, Part 2: “You Are My Sunshine”

Forward-Roll Style, Part 3: Forward-Roll Style in Other Keys

Forward-Roll Style, Part 4: “You Are My Sunshine” Play-Along Track

Forward-Roll Style, Part 3: Forward-Roll Style in Other Keys

The forward-roll style can be used in other keys. The key of D, with the fifth-string capo at A, is particularly nice, and Ron Block often plays out of D in this tuning. In this video, Wes demonstrates how he plays “You Are My Sunshine” forward-roll style in the keys of D and C, and talks about playing in other keys, like E and F. He also shows you how to add other chord tones to the melody when using forward-roll style, and play the melody in different octaves.

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← Forward-Roll Style, Part 2: “You Are My Sunshine”

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Forward-Roll Style, Part 4: “You Are My Sunshine” Play-Along Track →

Previous Lesson

← Forward-Roll Style, Part 2: “You Are My Sunshine”

Next Lesson

Forward-Roll Style, Part 4: “You Are My Sunshine” Play-Along Track →

Previous Lesson

← Forward-Roll Style, Part 2: “You Are My Sunshine”

Next Lesson

Forward-Roll Style, Part 4: “You Are My Sunshine” Play-Along Track →

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Forward-Roll Style, Part 3: Forward-Roll Style in Other Keys

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