When playing the banjo in a backup role, you often use a pinch. A solid rhythm pattern can be played by picking a single note, then a pinch and repeating this pattern.
Here is a simple rhythm pattern that uses an open G pinch. Play nice and steady: count - One… Two… Three… Four… and make sure your chords ring clear. Remember the Banjo Practice Rules and play the best that you can.
Hear the G Pinch Rhythm:
Now that we have this rhythm working with a G chord, let’s add C and D. This next exercise has a measure of C followed by a measure of D and uses the same rhythm as the last exercise. Repeat this exercise slowly and steadily until you can play it without mistakes.
Listen to the exercise above:
The next step is to use this pinch rhythm in some songs, I’ve put links to our three songs at the end of the post for your reference. When you play the songs this time, substitute the pinch rhythm and remember take it slow. On each slash you will pick a single note with your thumb - followed by a pinch. Just follow the chords indicated above the words as you sing along and watch your timing. To get you started here is a version of Oh Susannah:
What you should know.
- How to play a Pinch Rhythm Pattern using the chords G, C and D.
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