Banjo For Dummies
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The key to becoming a great banjo player is having solid timing and rhythm in your picking hand. One of the best ways to develop this ability is to practice the most frequently used patterns in clawhammer and bluegrass style, playing them over and over again until you've completely internalized them.

Here are the crucial right-hand moves you'll use just about every time you pick your banjo.

Clawhammer patterns

The Basic Clawhammer Stroke

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Double-Thumbing Technique

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Bluegrass patterns

Alternating Thumb Roll

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Forward-Reverse Roll

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Forward Roll

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Credit: Tablature courtesy of Bill Evans

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Bill Evans has helped thousands of people to play the five-string banjo through his instructional workshops, music camps, DVDs, books, and recordings. He has performed on stages all over the world, his recordings have topped folk and bluegrass charts, and he has mentored many of today's top young professional players. Bill shares the shortcuts and secrets he has developed in more than 35 years of teaching to help all banjo players sound their best.

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