Converse Green Book...that's it! On to Buckley 1868.

[Tim Twiss]

Okay, thanks for putting up with the constant posting of those Converse tunes, but I am making a concerted effort to play 'em all. With the addition of "Daisey Polka" today, that completes the Green Book "New And Complete Method for the Banjo With Or Without A Master" by Frank Converse. At this point, I have done all the instrumental tunes in Briggs', Rice, Buckley 1860, Converse Yellow 1865 and Converse Green 1865. I thought I had most of them in the Green book, and was surprised to find 36 I had not done...jeez. I sure am learning a lot by experiencing these, and I will get them better organized in the Banjo Clubhouse soon, so each tutor is easily navigated. Okay...on to my favorite book, Buckley's Banjo Guide of 1868. Although Tuckahoe never published it, I consider it to be part of the Minstrel Canon. Man oh man, the good songs that are in there. I'm certain I will be shocked at the ones I haven't tried yet. Stay tuned!!

 

For more Minstrel Banjo tunes not on the Ning site, this is my YouTube site. There are more here.

http://www.youtube.com/user/giggletoot?feature=mhum 

[Rob MacKillop]

Just picked up on this one. It sounds weird whichever way you play it. Interesting piece! Is the G in the tuning chart meant to be G#? I think there is a fairly normal piece in there, but the guy got confused when writing it out.

[Sylvia]

Hi Tim , Thank you for pointing out Picayune Butler, have been trying it , not quite up to speed yet though.

Tim Twiss said:

Okay, I guess we're all still stuck on Lon Morris. Something with surface with thought and experimentation. Today, the diamond I found was "Sally Come Up". Really nice, and ever so slightly different. 4 sections keeps it rolling along. For beginners, I recommend trying "Picayune Butler". Solid, tastey, and easy. Give it a try.

[Tim Twiss]

Okay, I took a shot at this. Perhaps it has something to do with that monster banjo G. Swaine is seen holding in that photo. Most likely not, but this has been something to ponder. I'm not goin to put anymore time into it, but if somebody has a stroke of insight, I'm all ears. Even at its best, it is a weak tune with an okay theme, but you know, I felt it had to be looked at. I am bulldozing my through it all, no matter how weird.

[Ian Bell]

The other amazing instrument seen in the hands of G. Swain Buckley is the one with two thumbstrings in a photo in Bob Carlin's "Birth of the Banjo" book. Still, it seems odd to publish music that nobody else would have the equipment to play.

Tim Twiss said:

Okay, I took a shot at this. Perhaps it has something to do with that monster banjo G. Swaine is seen holding in that photo. Most likely not, but this has been something to ponder. I'm not goin to put anymore time into it, but if somebody has a stroke of insight, I'm all ears. Even at its best, it is a weak tune with an okay theme, but you know, I felt it had to be looked at. I am bulldozing my through it all, no matter how weird.

[Tim Twiss]

That's the one I was talking about. You're right...I think it's just a screwed up tune.

Ian Bell said:

The other amazing instrument seen in the hands of G. Swain Buckley is the one with two thumbstrings in a photo in Bob Carlin's "Birth of the Banjo" book. Still, it seems odd to publish music that nobody else would have the equipment to play.

Tim Twiss said:

Okay, I took a shot at this. Perhaps it has something to do with that monster banjo G. Swaine is seen holding in that photo. Most likely not, but this has been something to ponder. I'm not goin to put anymore time into it, but if somebody has a stroke of insight, I'm all ears. Even at its best, it is a weak tune with an okay theme, but you know, I felt it had to be looked at. I am bulldozing my through it all, no matter how weird.

[Tim Twiss]

Okay, well that's it. With the addition of "Wrecker's Daughter", the Buckley Banjo Guide is compete (less vocal tunes). The next goal is to organize all the material into something that is useable and useful. Over on the Banjo Clubhouse site, I want to organize all the videos by book, and also make the music available online. Hopefully, people are making their own tabs now, so all the music is wide open for everybody.

Cheers
tt