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Beginner dobro lesson

Dobro Rolls for Beginners: Forward, Backward and Mixed

In this lesson Mark teaches the forward roll and the backward roll on the open G chord using the third, second and first strings. He also shows a mixed roll that starts with the index and goes forward and backward, and stresses taking things slowly.

What you'll learn

• The forward roll: thumb, index, middle
• The backward roll: middle, index, thumb
• How to play both rolls on the third, second and first strings (G, B and D in open G tuning)
• A basic two-measure forward roll pattern
• A mixed roll that starts on the index and goes forward then backward across the first three strings
• Why you should learn rolls slowly before you play them fast

Step by step

1. Forward roll: thumb on the third string (G), index on the second string (B), middle on the first string (D). Repeat thumb, index, middle.
2. Backward roll: middle on the first string, index on the second string, thumb on the third string. Repeat.
3. Mixed roll: starting with the index, play the second string (B), first string (D), second string (B), third string (G), second string (B), and repeat.

In Mark's words

“Forward roll starts with your thumb and then it goes to your index finger and then it goes to your middle finger.”

“A backward roll is going to be starting with your middle finger and then your first finger and then your thumb.”

“It's imperative that you take things slowly, friends.”

“Even Flux himself, before he played as fast as Flux plays, had to play slowly.”

Coming from lap steel or new to lap-style slide? See what carries over to the dobro.

Questions

What is a forward roll on dobro?

A forward roll starts with your thumb, then goes to your index finger, then your middle finger. Mark plays it on the G chord on the third, second and first strings, which are G, B and D in open G tuning.

What is a backward roll on dobro?

A backward roll starts with your middle finger, then your index (first) finger, then your thumb. On the same strings, that's the first string, second string, then third string.

What is a mixed roll on dobro?

Mark's mixed roll starts with the index and goes forward and then backward. It moves from the second string to the first, back to the second, to the third, back to the second, and repeats.

Should I practice dobro rolls slowly?

Yes. Mark says it's imperative to take things slowly, because even Flux had to play slowly before he could play as fast as he does.

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