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
![image0.jpg](https://www.dummies.com/wp-content/uploads/407384.image0.jpg)
Double-Thumbing Technique
![image1.jpg](https://www.dummies.com/wp-content/uploads/407385.image1.jpg)
Bluegrass patterns
Alternating Thumb Roll
![image2.jpg](https://www.dummies.com/wp-content/uploads/407386.image2.jpg)
Forward-Reverse Roll
![image3.jpg](https://www.dummies.com/wp-content/uploads/407387.image3.jpg)
Forward Roll
![image4.jpg](https://www.dummies.com/wp-content/uploads/407388.image4.jpg)
Credit: Tablature courtesy of Bill Evans