Minstrel Banjo

For enthusiasts of early banjo

I finally put together a book for Stroke  /  Early banjo. I'm not saying I reinvented the wheel or anything, but it is a tight little book....25 pages, and it includes a CD with demonstrations and tunes. It has complete instructions for setting up, getting started, and playing music. It has a new improved Rosetta conversion page. The tunes are playable in tab AND notation, and it opens the door for further exploration by looking at Briggs', Rice, Buckley, and Converse.

I will send, at no charge, a book and a CD pack to the first 2 folks that contact me that would like it....hopefully a beginner, or near beginner.

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Hello Tim

I am new to your site and appreciate being able to join in and share the groups interest in Minstrel Banjo.

I found this article on line and thought it would be of interest. http://http://www.nugrape.net/banjo.htm

I don't know of any Minstrel Banjo players here in Sydney however I am sure there must be some around.

Tim, is the new book you refer above to Early Banjo Vol 1 or is this one not yet available for download. This may sound like a silly question however I do not know if the latest is only in CD form.

What are your recommendations for a newbie,  I have not yet purchased a fretless model and was thinking of restringing a Washburn Resonator 5 string with Aquila Nylgut Strings. 

regards

Oh well no reply. No point in being here then.

Peter, don't be so quick to judge us here.  This is a real friendly and helpful place....maybe folks were just a bit busy at the moment or didn't really understand your question.  I know I've been real busy planting my veggie garden and splitting beehives this past week in the beautiful Spring weather- I'm more likley to be outside on my porch playing my banjer than typing at my screen.   ;)

Tim described the learning package above as being his new book plus accompanying CD.  It's a great package, very reasonably priced, I bought it myself.  It can be confusing to learn minstrel/stroke style if you are used to other banjo styles, but TONS of great free videos and tabs and inexpensive learning materials are available here on this site.

I went to the link you posted but looks like a page of random ads...?  Can you please test your link?

I took one of my normal fretless clawhammer banjos and strung it with light nylgut strings and tuned it somewhat low to use it for stroke style while I was waiting for my 'real' minstrel style banjo.  It's entirely do-able to do that.   I do suggest you go for a fretless as soon as possible, because it gives the 'full experience' in my opinion.  There are other members here who are practicing on their fretted regular banjers while waiting to be able to buy or make their own minstrel banjos.  Once you try that yummy LOW gut/skinhead fretless sound, you will be in love!   :D

Hey Peter,

If you're curious about the materials and a banjo, you can get them both from me, at a good price.

I'll vouch for what BellBanjos says!    :D

Thanks for the reply an d information. Sorry I didn't mean to be judgemental.

Here is the link again http://www.nugrape.net/banjo.htm
It appears that the link added additional information causing the prolem. Probably my fault.

Can you please advise here I may purchase the book. Is it downloadable or it sent by mail.

I am busy also planting winter veges the  brocolli, tomatoes, carrots, onions, leeks, snow peas, bok choi, tatsoi, swede, cauliflower and 90 garlic all doing nicely.  Where do u live.

I cannot find any makers of the fretless here in Aust. Probably not a large following.

I am in love with my relatively new OB can I have three loves, a wife and two banjos?

How is the skin head tensioned?

Thanks again


Strumelia said:

Peter, don't be so quick to judge us here.  This is a real friendly and helpful place....maybe folks were just a bit busy at the moment or didn't really understand your question.  I know I've been real busy planting my veggie garden and splitting beehives this past week in the beautiful Spring weather- I'm more likley to be outside on my porch playing my banjer than typing at my screen.   ;)

Tim described the learning package above as being his new book plus accompanying CD.  It's a great package, very reasonably priced, I bought it myself.  It can be confusing to learn minstrel/stroke style if you are used to other banjo styles, but TONS of great free videos and tabs and inexpensive learning materials are available here on this site.

I went to the link you posted but looks like a page of random ads...?  Can you please test your link?

I took one of my normal fretless clawhammer banjos and strung it with light nylgut strings and tuned it somewhat low to use it for stroke style while I was waiting for my 'real' minstrel style banjo.  It's entirely do-able to do that.   I do suggest you go for a fretless as soon as possible, because it gives the 'full experience' in my opinion.  There are other members here who are practicing on their fretted regular banjers while waiting to be able to buy or make their own minstrel banjos.  Once you try that yummy LOW gut/skinhead fretless sound, you will be in love!   :D

Hi Peter-  oh i see your first link has two "http://" in it- hence it redirects badly.

I suggest you browse through the Photo section of this site- you will find some great pix showing all the different banjos members here have, build, or just play- it will also show the different head tensioning options.  Two main options are tackhead type or bracket type.  Tackheads cannot have the skin tensioning changed except for using heat like setting it near a low campfire, or you can use a higher bridge and a lower bridge.  Tackheads are easier and cheaper to make.  Gourd banjos are great fun too, use tacks for the skin, and can be made fairly cheaply.   Brackets with screws are easier to adjust the skin tension.  BellBanjos sells some great and inexpensive KITS for you to make your own minstrel banjo, and the kit shipping might be a smarter plan to you in Aus as a kit.

Banjos with plastic heads don't need much head tension adjusting.  They resist humidity changes.  But theres; just something awesome about a real skin banjo head...

I'm thinking Tim is maybe away this weekend- he's usually very prompt in answering questions on his posts here- I'm sure he'll give you details on ordering his book/cd as soon as he gets back.  Meanwhile, click on the links at top of page under "resources" and watch the free beginner minstrel playing videos that Tim and site owner John have made available-  they help get you started and are fun!   :)

Thanks, much appreciated. Hope your vege garden goes well.



Strumelia said:

Hi Peter-  oh i see your first link has two "http://" in it- hence it redirects badly.

I suggest you browse through the Photo section of this site- you will find some great pix showing all the different banjos members here have, build, or just play- it will also show the different head tensioning options.  Two main options are tackhead type or bracket type.  Tackheads cannot have the skin tensioning changed except for using heat like setting it near a low campfire, or you can use a higher bridge and a lower bridge.  Tackheads are easier and cheaper to make.  Gourd banjos are great fun too, use tacks for the skin, and can be made fairly cheaply.   Brackets with screws are easier to adjust the skin tension.  BellBanjos sells some great and inexpensive KITS for you to make your own minstrel banjo, and the kit shipping might be a smarter plan to you in Aus as a kit.

Banjos with plastic heads don't need much head tension adjusting.  They resist humidity changes.  But theres; just something awesome about a real skin banjo head...

I'm thinking Tim is maybe away this weekend- he's usually very prompt in answering questions on his posts here- I'm sure he'll give you details on ordering his book/cd as soon as he gets back.  Meanwhile, click on the links at top of page under "resources" and watch the free beginner minstrel playing videos that Tim and site owner John have made available-  they help get you started and are fun!   :)

Thanks I shall check your site and see what goodies you have in store.

Bell Banjos said:

Hey Peter,

If you're curious about the materials and a banjo, you can get them both from me, at a good price.

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