Working on a Building - Scruggs Style - Basic

This version of Working on a Building for the banjo features a lot of backwards rolls. There's some other banjo roll patterns being used too. Identify those before starting to play. Analyze a piece of music before you play it. Read through and listen through. Think about what you are seeing and hearing. After you notice patterns, try to develop a warmup and practice plan based on what you discover. For example, if you read or hear backwards rolls being used a lot, then practice that as a warmup! Maybe the same lick is used a lot. Practice that as a warmup. Or there could be a tough chord change. You know the drill. Observe, analyze and devise a plan to make the most of your practice time.

Measures 11 & 12 are one long backwards roll pattern. Use the focus feature to loop both of those measures together. You could just practice the extended banjo roll pattern and leave out the fret hand at first. It will sound different, of course, but this way you will isolate the challenge of the pick hand before adding in the extra challenge of the fret hand. This is a great practice approach.

Did you notice this symbol, ">", that hangs above some of the notes in the banjo tablature? It's an accent symbol. It indicates you can accent, or play that note harder, to create a rhythmic effect and make those notes stand out. In the context of this song you should be able to see it comes in groups of 3. These are "lead-in" notes that literally lead the ear into the first note of the upcoming phrase. This is common in banjo "kickoffs" but can be used to great effect before phrases in the middle of a song.

If you want to add some complexity and more authentic bluegrass banjo vocabulary then check out those licks. Several of the melodic licks are based on the playing of Ben Eldridge of the seldom scene. Many of the two finger and melodic licks can also be found in our single string style arrangement of this song.