Tim Twiss

Male

Highland, MI

United States

8 years

Profile Information:

How did you find out about Ning Minstrel Banjo?: Web
What kind of banjo(s) do you own?: Bell Boucher and Gourd

Comment Wall:

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Jim Dalton

That's strange -- but at least the RSS thing worked for me too.

You new discussion doesn't show up in the "forum" either, I can only get there by clicking on the "Tim started a new discussion" link.

I wonder if Ning is having some function issues...

Nov 22, 2008
John Masciale

Very Strange, if you go to forum and sort by newest discussions it shows up, but not sorting by latest activity. In fact, the number of discussions is different depending on how you sort. This looks like a software bug. I'll notify ning.

Nov 22, 2008
John Masciale

I made a change to the way discussions are listed. Hopefully this will help.

Nov 22, 2008
Zeke D

thanks for the welcome to the forum. i have been playing minstel banjo for about 7 months. and i am looking forward to talking w/ you guys to learn one heck of a lot from the people who really mastered this awesome instrument.

Nov 25, 2008
Ron Carnegie

Hey Tim,

I realize that was probably an automatic response welcome, but thank you none de less

Nov 29, 2008
Michael Randolph

Thanks, Tim. It was getting somewhat lonely at the Google Minstrel Banjo Group. Carl's recent message there got me to sign up here. It's good to be more in the early banjo loop. - Mike

Nov 29, 2008
Aurelia Perry

Hi! Thanks for the welcome. Kinder new to this sort of format, but looking forward to learning what seems to be a fantastic resource! Take care, Aurelia

Nov 29, 2008
Michael Randolph

Tim,

The multimedia experience here reminds me somewhat of your Banjo Clubhouse website, which is a great resource. It'll be interesting to see how this network approach at ning.com will develop.

- Mike

Nov 29, 2008
Ron Carnegie

Yep, I had to recrop the photo for my face to appear! This was taken by James Hartel at the 2nd Early Banjo Gathering

Nov 30, 2008
Peter Emerick

Trying to get a feel for the site, a lot to navigate.

Dec 2, 2008
Chris Via

A buddy of mine has an original Boucher, and I took pictures to build a copy it, and posted them here.

Dec 7, 2008
razyn

Just befriending the guys I know, from AEBG or the old forum -- we haven't actually met, but I heard you play at AEBG1 (I only attended the concert).
Dick Hulan

Dec 19, 2008
Jeff Menzies

Yeah I have been consumed with building my new shop..which is a barn conversion...pheww. Thanks Tim!

Dec 23, 2008
Moschella Banjos

hey tim - its true, here i am. have been totally ploughed under by grad school and now, during winter break, and extended bout with the flu. back to banjos someday!

Jan 12, 2009
Tom Ward

Tim,thanks for your comment on my versions of Harper's Jig and Old King Crow.You commented on my right hand.I actually owe that to you and and Tom briggs's banjo instructer of 1855.I read the technique on your Banjo Clubhouse site and watched your instructional video to learn how to play.I also printed out the movements TAB sheet you have posted there.I still have a ways to go though.Like I said before,you,Carl,and Greg were my inspirations to learning.

May 24, 2009
Chuck Krepley

Thanks, Tim! Great to be here! Thanks for making me aware of the network and inviting me in.

Jun 9, 2009
Brian Welch

Tim,

For a while I have been interested in learning "My Long Tail Blue" and I just noticed that you recorded it for Youtube a while back. What version were you using for that? The only version I have seen for banjo is in the Gumbo Chaff tutor, but since I don't read music all that well, especially in that tuning, I'm having trouble figuring it out. If it weren't for your banjo Rosetta Staff that you put online, I wouldn't be able to figure out anything at all! Perhaps you should update it for the Gumbo Chaff tuning and post it here!

If I get it figured out, I just might have the guts to record it and post it here!

--Brian

Jun 25, 2009
Chuck Krepley

Great seeing you in Gettysburg!

Concerning the Quintuple Musician's Omnibus ... according to Dichter & Shapiro (Early American Sheet Music - Its Lure and Its Lore; R.R. Bowker, NY, 1941), Elias Howe, Jr., published at 88 Court St between 1880 & 1898, thes as the Elias Howe Co. from 1898 - 1914. Based on the fonts I'd put this collection in the 1880s.

Jul 26, 2009
Ron Stanfield

Hey Tim....

Thanks for the feedback. My greatest fear is I just may get all this computer tech figured out and that scares the devil out of me.

My first clawhammer lesson was from a banjo player during intermission at the Bonnie Lou and 'Buster show in Sevierville, TN. He showed me the basics.

Jul 30, 2009
Ron Stanfield

Hello Tim....

I ditched the vidio....I have no idea how this happened.

Jul 31, 2009
Chuck Krepley

Tim - Give me a little technical advice here. How do I go about uploading images of music to share. I ran across a nifty banjo-istic piano setting I'd like to post. We can discuss this off-Ning if you like. My e-mail is crkrepley@yahoo.com.

Aug 4, 2009
Chuck Krepley

Thanks! I didn't know jpegs would work. I thought it wold be more difficult and ... um ... technical than that. BTW, Gettysburg is boring since you, Carl, & company departed for home. That was a good time!

Aug 5, 2009
Clarke Buehling

Tim,
For Skidmore Guards look up Harrigan and Hart.

Oct 13, 2009
Carl Anderton

Here's a drink on me--for all you your hard work ;^}

Dec 2, 2009
Chuck Krepley

Greg & Tim,

Well, it turns out that Volume 7 of the Musician's Omnibus was lurking in my collection of originals. It's the same publisher (Elias Howe, 88 Court Street) and the exact same typographical format inside. The copyright date is 1882. The pagination begins with p. 601, whereas the "Quintuple" I gave you ended with p. 304. The intervening pages must, of course, be in volume 6. I wonder how many volumes of these things there were!? One cool thing about this volume is that the back cover is an advertisement for Ryan's Mammoth Collection.

An indication of the age of this printing ov Vol. 7 is that the publisher is shown as Elias Howe Co., 88 Court Street, whereas the photocopy Quintuple I gave you was published by Elias Howe, 88 Court Street. According to Dichter and Shapiro, Elias Howe (Jr.) was at that address from 1880 - 1898, and Elias Howe Co. was there from 1898 - 1914. This volume must have been printed post-1898 despite the 1882 copyright date.

Whenever I get around to making a photocopy of this volume I'll make sure you gents get one.

Regards,
Chuck Krepley

Dec 13, 2009
John Mikenas

Yeah, Tim -- "nice fish", like they say in the outdoor shows -- 22". Keep up the great You Tube postings -- you keep guys like me motivated to improve...

Jan 20, 2010
Lucas Bowman

Yes Tim, the Moschella is here and sounding great. I will try to put some videos up soon, but right now, I am geeked out on the Black Banjo Gathering in Boone. Come on down!!!! ;D

Mar 25, 2010
Tiffany Bowden

Hi Tim thanks for the welcome! I am studying the influence of Minstrels on popular culture and taste. Currently I am looking at minstrels in Japan. Tiffany

Apr 7, 2010
Irving Fisher

tim
thanks for your minstrel videos and instructions - great help
irving fisher

May 20, 2010
Grace Morsberger

Thank, Tim! I really enjoyed the weekend and am looking forward to learning more tunes, especially now that I have the Rosetta staff!

May 25, 2010
Moss Austin

Thanks for the welcome Tim,and thanks for all the inspiring work you are doing on the internet with the Early Banjo stuff!! Im inspired!
Take care,
Moss

Jun 12, 2010
Ian Bell

Congratulations on and thanks for your perseverence - and great interpretations. What ancient tome will you move on to now? Are there any tunes in the Dead Sea Scrolls?

Jun 24, 2010
Wayne Shrubsall

Hi Tim,

It would have helped had I pressed "SAVE" at the bottom of the "add a picture" form.

Modernity and me....

Wayne Shrubsall

Jul 29, 2010
Joe Bianchini

Tim, Sorry about the size of the photo. As for the banjo he was playing, he only said that it was a reproduction, with frets. He didn't mention anything about the maker.

Sep 4, 2010
Joe Bianchini

Tim, I uploaded another photo with Joe playing his banjo. A better one than the group shot. As far as I could tell, he was playing stroke style. The banjo sounded Great!!! and it was loud. It drowned out my banjo.

Sep 5, 2010
Cory Rosenberg

Thanks for the welcome. Your videos and website have been wonderful aids in this musical adventure!

Sep 20, 2010
Stan Werbin

Thanks Tim!

Oct 28, 2010
Steve Jeter

Thanks for your help with tuning , tab and fingering. I ready for a great time
Steve

Jan 21, 2011
Mark Weems

Hi Tim,

enjoyed watching your videos the last few months. coming out of clawhammer style, reducing, then rebuilding, has been a lot of fun work! that thumb lead stuff is great, but my brain needs a little rewiring. still trying to find my own sound. mark

Apr 27, 2011
Will Leuchtenberger

Thank you for your help at AEBG and all your vids. I'm working on the "stroke" and "Green & Yellow". However, my wife thinks I've gone over the edge, and perhaps will name you in the suit to get me committed to the funny farm. Thanks for the fun!

Jun 30, 2011
Bob Thornburg

Hi Tim,

Good to hear from you. Yes, I'm still building gourds and grain measures. In fact I'm working on two right now. One a big, minstrel style banjo with a 15" pot and the other a replica of a smaller grain measure that resides in the Gettysburg battlefield museum.

Hope all is well with you.

Best regards,

Bob

Jun 30, 2011
Joy Hildebrand

Hello Tim, I joined here to thank you for giving me a glimpse into the way an early minstrel might have played and sung. I'm also hoping to understand more of the world of those very early banjo players and singers. I've been studying a particular performer, and early minstrelsy in general, for over 12 years. My man was one of the earliest minstrels of the 19th century. Began performing in 1837.

Thank you again. Cheers, Joy

Jul 15, 2011
Paul Draper

Thanks very much Tim! You have been a constant inspiration for me since I "discovered" you a while back... I only wish I could read music well enough to profit from the primary sources you have made available. As it is I must rely on tablature when I can find it, in conjunction with recordings. Your numerous videos are invaluable...

Oct 24, 2011
Bell Banjos

Hi Tim

Hey, your recent video clips, the little stills, and the stills on the main page under 'videos' are not you, they're a gif of a camera. They play when clicked though. I've got vista.

Terry

Nov 1, 2011
Tim Twiss

Yea, I think it does it when I hit the "embed" function on youtube too quickly after processing. No patience..ha ha.

Nov 1, 2011
Alyssa Hughes

Hey Tim :) thanks! I'm excited to check out the site!

Apr 27, 2012
Jeff Branch

Hey Tim, The guitar sounds GREAT. Can't wait for more!

Jul 24, 2012
Daniel Partner

Tim -- Here's an article that will be of interest to the group. Can you pass it around? http://www.common-place.org/vol-12/no-04/rouleau/ -- DP

Sep 6, 2012
Tim Twiss

Thanks Daniel. That link is visible to the group. I'm sure it will generate some comments. Nice to hear from you.

Sep 6, 2012
Marc Pacchioli

Tim,

OK, thanks for the input. Will check into the Bell banjos.

Marc

Jan 18, 2013