Cynthia Sayer - Banjo Lesson Nugget #5: Playing Lead + Rhythm

I am playing both the lead and the rhythm at similar volumes so that what you are hearing is the lead with all strings, and the rhythm with just the lower strings. However, in reality I will usually create additional separation between the lead and the rhythm using dynamics: playing the rhythm a bit softer behind the strong lead. This results in a nice light, swinging groove behind a clearly defined lead. Visit for more.