This article explains how to play a finger roll on guitar, bass or mandolin.

A finger roll is a left hand technique that is used when playing two consecutive notes on the same fret but on different strings. For example:

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|--1-----|
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|--------|
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In the above example, you would play an F on the first fret of the first string and then a C on the first fret of the second string.

When you play these two notes you could simply lift up your first finger and move it over to the second string but if you did you would hear a little bit of silence in between the two notes. Sometimes that’s ok but most of the time you want to get a nice flowing sound with no “gaps” of sound between the notes. If you use a finger roll you can play these notes without pauses in between.

To play the example above using a finger roll, you need to finger the first note a little differently than normal. Instead of playing it with the very tip of your finger, move your finger over a little so that it just touches the second string. Then when you play the second note instead of lifting your finger off of the first string you can just “roll” it onto the second string.

After rolling your finger, it ends up in about the normal playing position for the second note. The finger never should never lose contact with the second string when playing this example.

This also works in reverse:

|--1-----|
|-1------|
|--------|
|--------|
|--------|
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If the first note is on the second string and the second note is on the first string then you should start with a nice arched finger on the first note. You should play it with the very tip of your finger as normal. To play the second note just flatten your first finger so that it frets the first string.

You can use this anytime you see two notes on the same fret on adjacent strings. Look for opportunities to use it as you play. Once mastered, the use of the finger roll will help your playing sound more fluid and “professional”.