Minstrel Love

[Bell Banjos]

Steve Martin said that talking about music is like dancing to architecture. But here goes.

 

I have 3 reasons to love minstrel banjos and minstrel music.

 

1) Minstrel banjo is a destination. It seems to be the natural place for me to land after digging up older and older songs through the years.

 

2)  Minstrel banjo saved my musical soul. I couldn't live if I couldn't play music. Like a lot of people, I went thru the young rock and roll phase. Starting in '72 with drums and WAY loud amps, I went to amplified banjos and fiddles in the 80's and by the 90's was left with a bad case of tinnitus. I can't even go to most 'folk' concerts or be in the same room with an unamplified fiddle anymore. Gladly, I discovered the minstrel banjo.

 

3) Minstrel banjo = Less is more.  I love having people enjoy my banjo withOUT the help of chords from a guitar.  Bones, Tambourine, or the sounds of nature are the perfect accompaniment for one banjo. Personally, I think this country is chord nuts. Like you can't play unless you learn some chords. How often have you seen 5 guys standing around with guitars banging on chords? If I hear ONE more guitar wanker......  !!    Minstrel music and minstrel banjo tunes imply the chords, or like in Europe, are "linear" in melody and only ask that you listen to the notes tell the story.  Solo or with my boy playing his concertina, whistle, or bones, ..nobody has ever asked "Where's the guitar?" And isn't it a musical marvel that one big fat note from a minstrel banjo DOES sound like a chord?

 

What are YOUR feelings ... ?

 

 

 

 

 

[Arnaud frenchi]

First crowns my lamentable English.
I was always agree with you Terry. the minstrel style is freed, not superlfux, no untile. is the story of an instrument that sings just like you can Whistle in the shower.
  I know recently the minstrel style  but I play the banjo clawhamer for three years and I confess that I hope to play with one of several groups Associtationtraditional Auvergne (the region where I live). very open to players of mixed culture traditional. without denying the identity of musiques.because I believe that music should be shared but to know and claim their origins.

[Tim Twiss]

Same for me on 2 points Terry...the ear thing. Mine are messed up....Minstrel banjo doesn't hurt them.

Less is more...I enjoy the implied harmony of the single line. In most cases, I would assume not have vertical harmony, but there are exceptions, and graduations of style that require, and are well suited to it.