Accompaniment with the Forward Reverse Roll, Part 2: “Little Maggie”

This lesson is part of the course Beginning Banjo with Bill Evans.

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The driving sound of the banjo is at the heart of many styles of roots music. Get started with basic chords, strums, and fingerings, along with simple bluegrass rolls, accompaniment patterns, clawhammer style, and more.

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How to Play “Wagon Wheel”

In this lesson you’ll learn to play the jam-session favorite “Wagon Wheel,” using two different roll patterns, the alternating thumb roll and the forward reverse roll. Bill gives you advice on changing chords and keeping the roll going even if your fingers haven’t quite managed to finger the complete chord yet.

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Accompaniment with the Forward-Reverse Roll

Accompaniment with the Forward Reverse Roll, Part 1: “Nine Pound Hammer”

“Nine Pound Hammer” Play-Along Track

Accompaniment with the Forward Reverse Roll, Part 2: “Little Maggie”

“Little Maggie” Play-Along Track

Accompaniment with the Forward Reverse Roll, Part 2: “Little Maggie”

You can use the same roll patterns you learned in the previous lesson to play the bluegrass standard “Little Maggie,” which also has a similar chord progression to “Nine Pound Hammer.” The only difference is that “Little Maggie” uses an F chord where “Nine Pound Hammer” uses a C chord. Bill shows you how to play a movable F chord (which you might have learned to play in the “Vamping” lesson) with the forward reverse roll variations, and then runs through the full “Little Maggie” chord progression with the accompaniment rolls. He finishes by playing “Little Maggie” at a medium tempo with guitarist Scott Nygaard.

Forward Reverse Roll Accompaniment with "Nine Pound Hammer" and "Little Maggie" (Available to subscribers)

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Previous Lesson

← “Nine Pound Hammer” Play-Along Track

Next Lesson

“Little Maggie” Play-Along Track →

Previous Lesson

← “Nine Pound Hammer” Play-Along Track

Next Lesson

“Little Maggie” Play-Along Track →

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