Michael Ananian

Male

Greensboro, NC

United States

I started playing on June 17, 2014.

Profile Information:

How did you find out about Ning Minstrel Banjo?
When I attended the 2015 AEBG, Elaine and John Masciale told me about this website.
What kind of banjo(s) do you own?
One bluegrass banjo, one Saga OK2 I made from a kit, and one Banjo Factory gourd banjo I made from a kit

Comment Wall:

  • Michael Ananian

    Dear Minstrel Banjo Members,

    I am a novice clawhammer banjoist, learning old time tunes by ear--the time-honored way of learning old time music. I also love antebellum banjo, especially the tunes and the "downstroking" style, which I read derive from the African American slaves. I am also told that clawhammer and many old time tunes originate from this African American "downstroking" style and antebellum period and are intimately related, structurally and aesthetically. While I love old time music, I also love antebellum music. Because both styles are related, I hope knowing clawhammer will make it easier to learn antebellum music and the downstroking style.

    Sincerely,

    Mike Ananian

    Jul 3, 2015

  • Al Smitley

    Wow. Michael, you actually cite an exact date that you started playing!

    I don't know that the rest of us could come up with such a historical marker!

    Jul 3, 2015