Joe’s question (banjo strings)

Tina: Here’s the scoop. The banjo is easy. Pickin’ like Bela is not so easy but getting off the ground? That’s easy. One of those books you bought has a forward roll in it and probably an easy version of Bile ‘Em Cabbage Down in the key of G. Regardless of what picking version of Bile ‘Em is there, note that it has the chords shown above the measures. Probably the first measure takes a G chord (open strings if your banjo is tuned to G). Pick the forward roll starting on the second string with the index finger (21521521) (imtimtim). For the second measure hold a C chord (look in the book for how to do that at the first and second frets) and play the same forward roll. For the third measure go back to open G and pick the very same roll. For the next measure hold D7 (your book will show you that too) but pick 31531531 (still starting with the index finger on that 3rd string). If you emphasize the first stroke of each roll you will hear melody notes of the tune (not all of them but the most important ones). Now do the same thing again for the second half of the tune except look in the book and learn the second to last measure and last measure the way they show it (the 2nd to last measure is split between G and D7) and the last measure hits a G note (3rd string open) to end the tune). Now, see? It is not difficult. Where do you go from there? You build. Do the same thing using other rolls (like maybe the alternating thumb roll (21512151) (tmtmtmtm). You’ll hear melody notes pretty clearly that way. Then switch the rolls around – do some forward and some alternating thumb (first one then the other). Doall of this slowly. You are on your way.