DVD review: Get Rolling! An ultra easy, no-fail introduction to bluegrass banjo!

Taught by Pete Wernick

ASIN: B000297NMM

Pete Wernick has become famous for his banjo work with his band Hot Rize. He is a regular at bluegrass and folk festivals hosting banjo and bluegrass workshops. It is truly amazing to watch Pete “Dr. Banjo” Wernick conduct a lessons for thousands of people in the audience, each holding their instrument and learning.

This DVD is the first step in learning to play the banjo. Pete starts off teaching the learner two chords; G and D7. He then presents ten popular bluegrass songs that are based on these two chords. He teaches these songs and has the learner just strum the rhythm.

Next Pete adds one more chord; C chord. By adding the C chord to the already learned G and D7 chords, the player can then learn thousands of bluegrass songs. Pete introduces the learner to approximately twenty songs that are very easy to play.

Next Pete introduces the learners to rolling patterns. This starts with the popular alternating banjo roll, then to the forward and backwards roll. Pete has the learner go back in the DVD to where he taught the strumming of the chords and has the learner perform the roll patterns over the strumming rhythm. This is extremely beneficial. This is the start of bluegrass jamming.

Lastly Pete is assisted by two of his learners to accompany him in a three banjo jam. This shows the learner how to use the rolling patterns over strum patterns and how to quickly change from background to rolling, to lead.

Songs learned on this DVD include:

Shady Grove

Tom Dooley

Rolling in my sweet baby’s arms

When the saints come marching in

Long journey home

And many more….

This DVD contains a booklet to aid in the learning.

This is a great DVD for the learner wanting to start banjo playing. It is distributed by HOMESPUN which produces many instrument lessons. Homespun is focused on teaching bluegrass, blues, folk and acoustic lesson.

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