How To Play: Finger Rolls

Alright, let us talk for a second about finger rolls. Now, we had a finger roll earlier on the “Baby Needs Shoes” blues and I described how it was kind of almost Pianistic. And here is what I mean. What we are going to do is that we are going to use some simple finger rolls in kind of a Robert Johnson A7 chord like this which is really (Music playing) Pitching sound and chord if you will allow me to use a Californianism. And it sounds like. (Music playing) So once again, our thumb is the rhythm section. It is going back and forth between the 5th and third string on the A7 chord. And then, you are literally rolling with your fingers. You are going like that except you are doing it more quickly instead of, (Music playing) So, that is what takes the practice to get it nice and smooth because it seems and it almost sounds like one seamless movement. Here it is, a little slowed down. (Music playing) Same thing when you go to the D7. And, this is the D7 with the F# in the root that we have done before on several songs. It goes, (Music playing) The same relative finger movement. In other words, your thumb is skipping a string. And then, the higher the two strings, you are using it in tandem with your fingers. (Music playing) like that. The same thing when you go up to the E7. This is the same E7 that we have used earlier on the Baby needs shoes blues and you are just lifting up your fourth and getting this. (Music playing) Again, slow it down, (Music playing) Like that. And that is your basic roll.