The Ugly Stepchild

[Tim Twiss]

I was thinking of continuing my work with the tutors by recording some of the books by Septimus Winner. They are often overlooked, but certainly supply a good portion of useable early material. Anybody find these useful?

 

[Strumelia]

I have yet to come upon any early material that wasn't useful in some way or another.  My feeling is that if a book has even just three or four gems in it, it's worth getting.  Can you give us a little more info on how much material this consists of, and from what years?  Is it specifically banjo arrangements, or is it general sheet music melodies?  Lyrics at all?

[Tim Twiss]

I have 2 of the books up on my site. There are several, but not a lot of variation. Many tunes are repeated with different titles, but there are several that have no appearance elsewhere.

www.timtwiss.com

Strumelia said:

I have yet to come upon any early material that wasn't useful in some way or another.  My feeling is that if a book has even just three or four gems in it, it's worth getting.  Can you give us a little more info on how much material this consists of, and from what years?  Is it specifically banjo arrangements, or is it general sheet music melodies?  Lyrics at all?

[Ian Bell]

I've had fun reading through the Winner books. I learned their version of "Spanish Fandango" and the "Jolly Dogs" Polka (these are in both the 1872 and 1883 books) and "Gwine In The Valley" by Sam Lucas. I was slightly surprised to see "The Rogues' March" which I think of as a Rev War/1812-era fife & drum tune. I guess it might have hung on till the Civil War - I sure someone in the gang would know for sure. There are also song great titles like "A Horrible Tale", but I can'r remember if that one's any good.