***

Don used a forward roll more than any other roll.  He would sometimes keep the forward roll going non-stop and force the melody in by “flirting” with the timing using the left hand.  Usually he led the melody with his first finger as described above when doing this continuous roll.  It is very tough to do.  "Cumberland Gap", "John Hardy", and "Goodbye Liza Jane" are both good examples of this.  Also he would use his famous “double roll” like on “Double Banjo Blues” in which he actually triples the amount of forward rolls that would normally fit into the timing.  But Don would also use what ever roll he had to, to get the sound that he wanted.  Sometimes his rolls would be erratic and very hard to figure out.  I am still trying to figure out a lot of it!  Again Don played for the moment and many of the tunes he recorded he never played them as good or the exact same way.  “Banjo Riff” comes to mind here.  But, some songs he played better after he recorded them the first time as with “Clear Skies”.

Another important roll is the "Dixie Breakdown" Roll.  This roll is very difficult to some.  I put the banjo down for a few years and when I got back into picking again, I quickly realized I couldn’t do this roll anymore.  This is one of the main rolls in Reno style.  It is not only used in "Dixie Breakdown" but Don uses this roll where Earl would normally use the “alternating thumb roll”.  The “alternating thumb roll” is used by Scruggs a lot and is essential in his versions of “Rueben”, “Cripple Creek”, and “Doing My Time”.  Don’s version of this roll can be used in these tunes as well.  Listen to the difference.

Earl’s version

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Don’s version

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Another lick that stands out is a tag lick or “fill” lick that Don uses a lot.  Most people don’t pick up on this lick but, it is essential to Reno’s sound.  If you have studied Earl’s instruction book you probably have learned Scruggs version of this lick.  It is usually done at the end of a solo or break.  But Don also used it a lot in his tunes as well.

Earl’s version

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Don’s version

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One final tag lick we’ll discuss is one every banjo player uses.  Scruggs’ version is most commonly used but you can spice things up with Don’s version.  Don did this one several different ways.  Sometimes he would hit the first string on the second fret and sometimes he would pull off on the second fret.  But then sometimes he would pull off from the third to the second fret to the open string.  Later on during the Bill Harrell years Don started doing another variation.  Check them all out below.

Earl’s version

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Don’s version

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Note: The 3-2 pull-off (or push-off) above is upward

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Here’s what some of these licks sound like together

This should give you something to get started rolling like Don.  Remember you can combine these licks together.  Listen to Don’s records for the endless combinations.