Gumbo Chaff

[Tim Twiss]

Anyone want to read through the Gumbo Chaff with me? It would be so awesome. Go straight  through it. Mark....do I hear a nibble of interest? We can do "as is" versions, then interpretations.

[Mark Kinan]

If you're talking to me, I just watched you play it and I have no shame in telling you that it would take a whole lot of time, effort and tears for me to get that one down. Not that I'm not willing to work at it, mind you.  I literally know almost zero jigs and reels.  I have a songbook for living history entertainment that has some great old songs from Foster, Sweeney, Emmett, Cool White and the rest, but that's my comfort zone. I'm ready to move on and learn more, though.  

[Mark Weems]

Sure, but it would be my 1 to your 12! I can't keep up with your level of productivity! I've already posted 3 or 4 and there are a few videos of Ayers' playing the Gumbo.

[Mark Kinan]

Haha!  I'm saved!  It wasn't me!  Mark Weems saves the day.  :)

[Tim Twiss]

Let's just go one at a time....no hurry. Leave some room for discussion, links...other versions. Sort of study the tunes as we play them.

I think it is more than just playing the notes. Put some context to it all.....fascinating stuff.

[Mark Weems]

Mark K. - Most of what you are already playing on banjo are Reels. Just means 2/4 or 4/4 time. So you've got those down - now on to Jigs!

[Tim Twiss]

So...want to go for it? We can make each tune a study. First one is O! Susanna. Let's make it more than just playing the tune verbatim. Do that of course, but perhaps explore other versions, link interpretations, fill oin the historical context of a tune. Different people can contribute with what they know.

[Tim Twiss]

PS....I am talking to the whole group. Want to explore the first banjo book ever?

[Paul Draper]

For some odd reason, my copy (from archive.org) is missing the first page with tunes on it (page 4).

[Wes Merchant]

I like the idea, maybe different sources of the same tune, related or even later recorded versions.

[Leonidas (Lee) Jones]

I'd love to get to know this. Exploring is good.

[Tim Twiss]

Dig into that old discussion. There is a link to the book.

[Mark Kinan]

Thanks for the encouragement, Mark.  I'll be practicing!

Mark Weems said:

Mark K. - Most of what you are already playing on banjo are Reels. Just means 2/4 or 4/4 time. So you've got those down - now on to Jigs!