Putting The Backward Roll To Use

Hopefully the forward roll didn’t prove to be too tough. The next example uses the backward roll to play the same melody. What you’ll find changes, depending on the type of roll or picking pattern that you are using, is the placement of the melody. Keep in mind, when we are using the forward roll the melody is mostly in the lower register, or where we were starting the pattern (low notes to high notes, à la forward roll). When we are using the backward roll the melody will start with the upper register, or from the high notes to the low notes. Take a look:

In this example we are still playing You Are My Sunshine, but we are using the backward roll. I didn’t define pick strokes on this or the previous example because you can use either economy picking, or alternate picking. I would recommend trying both, and seeing which is more comfortable for you. Once you’re feeling comfortable with this then check out What Next?

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Happy Picking!