When your playing a chord with the root on the fifth string (like C or A) you can start the roll on that string, so you're actually playing five notes (the high three are always played with the fingers...so the thumb only rolls over two strings). You lose the "feel" of the roll on a chord where the root is on the fourth string (D) so it's good to use your thumb on the sixth string second fret) and go back to a full six note roll.

A good way to hear how it sounds with added melody notes would be to play a G chord (have to use the middle, ring and pinky here). Do the roll and articulate (play it a bit louder) the G note on the first string. Let it sustain. Now lift off the pinky (keep the two others on) and squeeze your index finger onto the first string second fret. (articulate the note when you roll). The sound will be a G Maj7. Roll again, and put the index on the first string first fret (you'll have a G7th of course) Now lift the index off the first string altogether and roll again. You'll hear a G6.

OK, here's where it breaks from what I described earlier. (not harder, just different) Do the roll with Five strings (thumb still plays three bass notes but fingers (index and middle) play third and second, only. Put your left hand pinky on the second string third fret (where the roll stops) and don't forget to sustain it. You're hearing a regular G with an articulated D note. Now put the index on the second string first fret (remember the two fingers on the bass strings haven't moved) Do the five note roll. You'll hear a G suspended. Do one more (for now) five note roll ending on an open B string (with sustain). The chords back to G.

It's sort of "harp-like" but you've played seven melody notes over the same chord. Once you can do this, you can re-arrange those notes to suit your accompaniement.

One thing I should have said in the first post was that the roll doesn't always involve six strings. It can stop after four, five or six,(always with the sustain..and as often as possible with three bass notes to get that "rolling feel".

Marion I truly understand how confusing this can seem. If you want to give me a call. I'm at 416 690 8697. I'll try and play it for you over the speaker phone, so at least you can hear what it sounds like.

Rick