Minstrel Banjo

For enthusiasts of early banjo

All Blog Posts (280)

my new sono tube banjo

I just completed a banjo made from a large diameter cardboard tube section.

It cost me very little and sounds good to me. I have it tuned Low to dADF#A

lots of fun to play. I'm posting Pictures if ya want to see.

Ron

Added by Ron on October 8, 2012 at 8:28am — 2 Comments

"a perfect 19th century Moderato tempo".

Mark Weems posted this comment of Ian Bells video. As a new player to this music I get confused what is a proper tempo. Some songs sound great and bring that 19th century feel, or what stimulates that feel to me when listening to a piece in a particular Tempo.  Then some, for me, are too slow, then some are too fast. My question to all you seasoned players of this music; What is the typical tempo, or is that something that is up to the musician him or herself to decide. Some sheet music will…

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Added by Nicholas A Bechtel on October 4, 2012 at 12:39pm — 16 Comments

Dandy Jim

I just was thinking about this one. It was one of the first ones I learned, but I never did this one (vocally at least). Of course it needs sprucing up a bit before I take it out, ha ha.

Anybody have the words to the "Company i" variation?

Added by Tim Twiss on September 30, 2012 at 5:34pm — 1 Comment

Sarcy-word meaning

In "Nebber Do To Gib It Up So", the last verse goes

 

Fella on de woodpile barkin' like a dog

Toad in de millpond sittin' on a log

Possum up a gum tree sarcy fat and dirty

Come kiss me girls or I'll run like turkey

 

What is that word, and how do you pronounce it?

 

 

Added by Tim Twiss on September 29, 2012 at 6:14am — 2 Comments

Buffalo Gals/Lubly fans will you come out tonight.

Can anyone tell me if there is a version written specifically for stroke style somewhere or does everyone just go off the standard notation?

Still don't have the concept of how to take a standard piece and make it apply to the banjo style we are playing.

Thanks!

Added by Nicholas A Bechtel on August 26, 2012 at 2:26pm — 2 Comments

New Converse Book

Anybody else playing this stuff? Here's this great new book, and I feel like I'm the only one at the party....a new Converse Book.....holy cow!!

Added by Tim Twiss on August 24, 2012 at 10:42pm — 4 Comments

Humidity

I did a little playing tonight, going outside with the Bell Banjo. It started at 50% RH, and as it grew darker, reached 68%. At about 65%, I could feel the pitch squirm a little bit, but no big issue. It got a little tubbier sounding then too, but was good. The skeeters came out then, so I came in. Anyway, having great fun watching conditions relative to the instrument and it's behavior. 

Added by Tim Twiss on August 24, 2012 at 7:42pm — 5 Comments

LECTURE/CONCERT/EXHIBITION UNC CHAPEL HILL

ALL CONCERNED--

i JUST FOUND OUT ABOUT THIS UPCOMING EVENT AT THE WILSON LIBRARY AND MEMORIAL HALL ON THE UNC CAMPUS.  THE FIRST PART IS A SEIES OF LECTURES ON THE HISTORY OF THE BANJO BY THE USUAL SUSPECTS WITH AN ACCOMPANYING EXHIBIT IN THE LIBRARY.. THEN THERE IS A A CONCERT WITH TONY TRISHKA, RILEY BAUGUS, KIRK SUTPHIN AND DOM FLEMONS SATURDAY NIGHT.  YOU HAVE TO GET FREE TICKETS FROM THE MEMORIAL HALL BOX OFFICE FOR THE CONCERT.   I KNOW MOST PEOPLE DON'T LIVE HERE LIKE I DO, BUT…

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Added by Rob Morrison on August 20, 2012 at 11:20am — 4 Comments

Converse 1871

Hey, anybody else going to join the party? All this fresh meat.....

Marc is adding tabs gradually. If you guys don't read notation well, this is a chance to build a library on the Ning site.

 

Added by Tim Twiss on August 12, 2012 at 8:57pm — No Comments

EARLY BANJO HIT 'n' RUN

My buddies buddies Sheesham & Lotus and I were all playing at the Millrace Folk Festival in Cambridge, Ontario on the weekend. We agreed to bring funky banjos to the "Whimsical Songs" workshop and foisted Rumsey's Jig on several hundred members of the unsuspecting public - spendidly accompanied by bones and Sousaphone. It was pretty darned whimsical, and clearly one for our side!

Added by Ian Bell on August 6, 2012 at 8:30am — 1 Comment

New Converse

Keeping to my promise that I would not carpet bomb this site with the new Frank Converse Book, I posted Bisbee's favorite Jig. Yes...it is an awesome minor tune. Hope you like it, and then try it.

Added by Tim Twiss on July 27, 2012 at 9:17am — No Comments

Good Days

These  are some good times here. I especially enjoy all the new video posts. For those that are doing some of your first, you have set a benchmark to reflect upon as you watch your playing grow and improve. Good playing all around! Nobody should ever worry that "that tune has been done". Just play and post. Everybody gains.

Added by Tim Twiss on July 26, 2012 at 9:03pm — 4 Comments

HARPERS FERRY?

Hey, Greg, Tim et al.

Is there a Harpers Ferry event being planned for anytime in the future?

I'm feeling definite withdrawl symptoms after missing the June weekend.

Added by Ian Bell on July 23, 2012 at 7:50am — No Comments

Mark..

Hey mark, I saw that you stopped by the shop. I'm sorry I missed you. Did you have business here in souhtern Michigan? We should certainly get together. Hope you enjoy your new Bell.

Added by Tim Twiss on July 15, 2012 at 3:16pm — No Comments

Pupils and Amateurs?

The front of the Buckley New Banjo Method of 1860 states that the book's pieces are arranged "for the use of pupils and amatuers". Holy crap!!! What did the professionals do? That stuff is not all that simple.

Added by Tim Twiss on July 8, 2012 at 9:31pm — 1 Comment

BANJO THRILL-CAM

When do we get the live feed from the Pry Barn in Antietam?

Sure wish I was there!

Added by Ian Bell on June 23, 2012 at 9:38am — 19 Comments

What Is It?

I Know thsi is not the perfect place to ask about this, but a student just brought this in. It has a little door in the bottom. Any clues about it?  

Added by Tim Twiss on June 7, 2012 at 6:05pm — 2 Comments

Period straw hat

 Ive had a Amish, it was a hot bugger, I know you can say , man up ,,, but I hate a hot head :)   what kind of straw would be period 1850 aboutish?   Van Goghs straw looks like it would work,, but he aint selling

 I actually want something I could wear for "costume" and just outdoors,,,, so I could get a natural worn in look

Added by Steve Jeter on June 5, 2012 at 2:33pm — 6 Comments

sharpening cabinet or card scraper

 any yall use a scraper? and if you do, how do you sharpen it?

I got a set from woodcraft,, and when new it was great,  I took a LOT of sanding out , I cant handle much sanding , it hurts my lungs ,, even with a mask,,, i abused them as a younger man

Added by Steve Jeter on June 5, 2012 at 10:16am — 3 Comments

Sebastopol Breakdown

Does anyone know the origin of this song. I really like it and upon playing it for some friends that used to live in the Sonoma Valley, said of the town there named Sebastopol. Some rumers that it got it's name sake from;

" The town was originally called Pinegrove, and how the name change occurred is rumored to have something to do with a bar fight in the late 1850s which was likened to the long British siege of the then-Russian seaport of …

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Added by Nicholas A Bechtel on June 4, 2012 at 5:28pm — 7 Comments

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