Bluegrass banjo is characterized by a hard-driving, forceful picking-hand approach. Developing good timing is essential to great playing, and you'll want to practice these rolls slowly at first, keeping a steady rhythm. As you encounter new songs, take note of the many ways that roll patterns are used to capture melodies.
Forward-reverse roll
![image0.jpg](https://www.dummies.com/wp-content/uploads/472964.image0.jpg)
Alternating thumb roll
![image1.jpg](https://www.dummies.com/wp-content/uploads/472965.image1.jpg)
Forward roll
![image2.jpg](https://www.dummies.com/wp-content/uploads/472966.image2.jpg)
Lick roll
![image3.jpg](https://www.dummies.com/wp-content/uploads/472967.image3.jpg)
Foggy Mountain roll
![image4.jpg](https://www.dummies.com/wp-content/uploads/472968.image4.jpg)
Backward roll
![image5.jpg](https://www.dummies.com/wp-content/uploads/472969.image5.jpg)
Middle leading/Osborne roll
![image6.jpg](https://www.dummies.com/wp-content/uploads/472970.image6.jpg)
Index leading roll
![image7.jpg](https://www.dummies.com/wp-content/uploads/472971.image7.jpg)