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If you play the melody on the 2nd string it’s easy to incorporate the melody into the forward roll that is commonly played in Scruggs 3-finger bluegrass style playing on the banjo.

The following exercise demonstrates the forward roll using all eighth notes and only open strings. Notice that the thumb always plays the 3rd string (the “thumb” string), the middle finger always plays the 1st string, and the 2nd string can be played by either the thumb or the index finger, depending on the situation. The correct picking finger is written below each note in the tablature (T=Thumb, I=Index, M=Middle).

Try playing the notes evenly (all eighth notes) and be sure to use the correct fingers in the following exercise.

The next exercise walks up the D scale using the forward roll pattern. This is the same way you would incorporate a melody into the forward roll. Practice these two exercises slowly and keep the notes at the same speed, then build up the tempo gradually as you become more comfortable.

The two exercises above include only eighth notes and no variation from the forward roll. In actual practice you would probably vary this to include some quarter notes for emphasis as well as other picking patterns.

I’ve included a couple of Scruggs style arrangements in the tab section. Here are direct links to them:

1. Red River Valley (Scruggs Style)
2. Home Sweet Home (Scruggs Style)

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