For enthusiasts of early banjo
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Ian Bell
- Male
- Paris, Ontario
- Canada
- off and on (mostly off) for 40 yrs.
- Blog Posts (26)
- Discussions (291)
- Events
- Photos (66)
- Photo Albums (9)
- Videos (35)
Ian Bell's Discussions
Lon Morris's Jig - Scordatura?
Started May 19, 2012 0 Replies 0 Likes
Anybody ever taken a run at Lon Morris's Jig in the 1868 Buckley Book? (p.15)I think he's telling me to retune the banjo to raised bass and with the fifth string tuned flat but then finger the notes…Continue
Converse "G" tuning
Started this discussion. Last reply by Tim Twiss Feb 8, 2012. 4 Replies 0 Likes
Still having fun with my copy of "The Green Book", but I have a question for the Converse aficionados out there — and I know you're out there... In the fingering chart for the key of G, Frank seems…Continue
150 Verses of Jim Crow
Started Dec 28, 2011 0 Replies 0 Likes
Some of you may have come on this already. I stumbled onto it on the Library of Congress website while looking for something else. (totally unrelated) Longest version of a song I've ever seen. It…Continue
Banjo on Ebay
Started this discussion. Last reply by Rob MacKillop Jan 21, 2011. 3 Replies 0 Likes
This is appealing. Any opinions about exactly what it is?…Continue
Ian Bell's Page
Latest Activity
Ian Bell commented on Bell Banjos's photo
string cleaner
Ian Bell commented on Tim Twiss's video
Mony Musk as "Highland Fling" .wmv
Ian Bell commented on Tim Twiss's video
La Louisana
Ian Bell commented on Tim Twiss's videoLa Louisana
Strumelia commented on Ian Bell's video
MONYMUSK
Ian Bell commented on Ian Bell's videoMONYMUSK
Profile Information
- How did you find out about Ning Minstrel Banjo?
- happy accident
- How long have you played banjo?
- off and on (mostly off) for 40 yrs.
- What kind of banjo(s) do you own?
- Three home-made tackheads (one a four-string gourd), A circa 1900 C. Bruno Peerless, nylon strung since about 1975- A Gold Tone open-back since last year
Ian Bell's Photos
Ian Bell's Videos
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MONYMUSK
Added by Ian Bell 7 Comments 8 Likes
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BOATMAN MEDLEY
Added by Ian Bell 9 Comments 0 Likes
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Ian Bell's Blog
IDLE THOUGHTS - TUNE TITLES
Posted on January 23, 2013 at 8:04am 6 Comments 0 Likes
It only took a couple of bars to realize that I already knew it. It was a version of the tune that's also called The Octaroon Jig, and Emancipation Jig in a couple of other books - only a few notes different. (not any of the important ones)
Boston Jig aka Modoc Reel is another tune with multiple titles (there's at least one more for that too) It would be interesting to do a survey… Continue
Tambo on Ebay
Posted on December 18, 2012 at 12:13pm 10 Comments 0 Likes
Neat looking tambourine. Wonder if it's as old as they claim? http://www.ebay.ca/itm/Antique-Tambourine-Brass-Banjo-hardware-All-original-Minstrel-Era-/181046686874?pt=Folk_Art&hash=item2a2739349a
Having the guts to repair a string....
Posted on December 16, 2012 at 10:58pm 10 Comments 0 Likes
Not a suitable gut spare to be found and not enough left on the peg to make up the difference, but I did have a baggie of random string ends. I now have a 1st string with not one, but two splices in it — one above the nut and one below the bridge. Seems to be holding so far. Three cheers for natural materials.
Comment Wall (13 comments)
- At 12:06pm on February 20, 2010,
Carl Anderton said… - That sounds very interesting, Ian, I'd love to take a look at it.
- At 1:44am on April 7, 2010,
Rob MacKillop said… - Many thanks, Ian. Glad you enjoyed your vacation ;-)
- At 11:58am on June 23, 2010,
Trevor stevens said… - Thank you for your welcome, I love riding although I was sixty before my first lesson.
I have ridden in some of our ACW battles here in the UK.
Are there any free tabs out there for minstrel banjo?
I love this site, well done to ya'll
trevor
- At 11:58am on August 26, 2010, Rob MacKillop said…
- Thanks, Ian. A very interesting and moving article. I had never heard of Scott. Seems to have been a good un.
- At 8:17am on October 18, 2010,
Bill Graham said… - Thanks for the greetings. Would have responded but have had computer problems. Darned machines!
- At 8:24am on April 10, 2011,
Dena Lee said… - Thanks for the welcome, Ian. You are right. I am not beareded. Heehee. Are there good banjo gatherings in your area, I am in Ontario often. None here that arent ALL bluegrass
- At 8:43am on April 24, 2011, Dena Lee said…
- I thought your town sounded familiar to me. I've been near there on my way to Barrie from London. In a few weeks I will be in Toronto and then Parry Sound. I'll wave as I pass by. :-)
In Toronto, I will be building a fretless tackhead tenor at Jeff Menzies' workshop. Dena
- At 7:59pm on July 25, 2011, Strumelia said…
- Ian, thank you very much for your welcome greeting.
- At 9:13am on August 11, 2011, Dena Lee said…
- Hi, Ian. Here is a picture of Jeff's latest. I went with him to pick up the gourd at Northern Dipper. It was my first time there. What a neat place. Hope to see you around.
Dena
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