The Thumb-Pinch (MP3
TRACK 2)
The thumb-pinch is played by picking the third string with the
right thumb, then playing the first and fifth strings together
using the
thumb and middle fingers of the right hand. Here is what it looks
like in tablature:
The "Thumb In and Out" Roll (MP3
TRACK 3)
Here is our first roll. Most banjo tunes will use rolls with eighth
notes per measure. Notice that in this roll the first four notes are
exactly the same as the second four notes. This will not always be
the case.
Here is a little free video lesson showing the Thumb In and Out roll.
If learning to play using tablature is giving you fits try my Play Banjo By Ear video course:
These 5 video lessons (over 2 hours total) might be just the thing to make it all "click" for you. I have discovered that not everyone's brains operate the same way. For some people, especially in the early stages of learning, printed tab and chord charts just looks like "chicken scratchin'" and TAB just gets in the way of learning. These videos are a "monkey see, monkey do" method and you should try it and see if it works for you.
