Minstrel Banjo

For enthusiasts of early banjo

Dena Lee
  • Female
  • 2 years
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Dena Lee's Friends

  • Adam Zimmerman
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  • Strumelia
  • Rhiannon Giddens
  • Nicholas A Bechtel
  • Jim Richter
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  • Barry Sholder
  • Bart McNeil
  • Sylvia
  • Flint Hill
  • Steve Jeter
  • Vince Abadie
  • Mary Z. Cox
  • Mike Gregory

Dena Lee's Discussions

Tenor banjo tuning

Started this discussion. Last reply by Dena Lee Jun 2, 2011. 3 Replies

Family of Kora I was talking with a member of an other banjo group.  He suggested a tuning for tenor banjo that seems to suit my…Continue

Jeff Menzies Workshop

Started this discussion. Last reply by Dena Lee Aug 10, 2011. 13 Replies

Check out photos from the workshop I am currently attending with Jeff Menzies at his studio in Ontario.  What a thrill.…Continue

Thanks to all my early banjo friends!

Started May 5, 2011 0 Replies

I am happy to announce that my CD is now available online at www.cdbaby.com/cd/denalee.  I have felt welcomed and encouraged by this group. For that I…Continue

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Profile Information

How did you find out about Ning Minstrel Banjo?
Internet web page link
How long have you played banjo?
2 years
What kind of banjo(s) do you own?
Fretless tackhead Jeff Menzies 5 string, 1926 Vega tubaphone tenor, 1930 UKing banjo ukulele

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Comment Wall (28 comments)

At 8:48am on April 7, 2011, Steve Jeter said…

 Welcome!   this is a great site, lots of good people & tons of info, have fun!

At 2:17am on April 8, 2011, Bart McNeil said…

Just caught  the tunes from your recording.... In my opinion they are fabulous!!! It is so delightful to see/hear original composition, lyrics and performance with an early style fretless  banjo. I very much enjoy contemporary narrative song writing and performance. And wow!! What a fine looking banjo!

 

Bart

At 7:58am on April 8, 2011, Bart McNeil said…

Dena:

I think what struck me is the contrast between the antique and the contemporary without viewing the antique as an artifact but rather as a viable instrument. and then combining it with a narative voice speaking of the now. If that makes any sense. I don't think of the banjo as a particularly mellow instruement... Kind of harsh in fact. I viewed the performance as kind of minimalist in that it was sparce and a little raw. I will listen to them again to clarify my feelings but to me your performance was quite unusual both in tone and content. I am always thrilled when I am surprised, and I was surprised.

I play, (tenor banjo and mandolin primarily) but mainly for myself, or maybe, as my wife might say, to irritate her.... (joke!). I am fairly skilled and have a good ear, but tend to clench up when trying to play for others and would never attempt to sing for an audience.... Thus I haven't gotten up the courage to submit anything, but I love the idea of the contemporary narrative as heard in your tunes.

 

Bart

At 8:02am on April 8, 2011, Ian Bell said…

Hi Dena,

Welcome aboard - It's great to have some new members who aren't grey-bearded middle-aged men. (not that there's anything wrong with that!) I enjoyed your tunes on Myspace.

At 3:13am on April 9, 2011, Sylvia said…
Hi Dena,  enjoyed your two songs..and we are not all bearded middle - aged men :)
At 8:36am on April 10, 2011, Vince Abadie said…
Hi Dena, Thanks for the friend request. I haven't had a chance to listen to your music yet, but I will. Glad to have you as a friend!
At 8:51am on April 10, 2011, Mike Gregory said…

I'm not middle-aged. I was born in 1945, so I'm probably considered "old".

 

At 9:31am on April 10, 2011, Sylvia said…

Hi Dena,  No , no recordings I'm afraid,  have been known to strum a guitar and sing along to it, but havn't got my fingers around Banjo accompaniments just yet, I am practicing though  : )

At 9:54am on April 10, 2011, Dena Lee said…

Jimmie Stothers sings and plays Cripple Creek.  Thank you, Mr. Lomax!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tPV0X9fif-g&feature=related

At 10:05am on April 10, 2011, Sylvia said…

His accompaniment sounds quite complicated to me, with the guitar I just strum sometimes and sometimes just arpeggio.

I like the look of  your tackhead banjo. I've just been buying a new "old " Classic banjo and would like to get a gourd banjo in the not too distant future.  I like the sound of the lower tuning for singing.

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