For enthusiasts of early banjo

Tim Twiss's Blog (111)

Banjo review

I saw Don Gardner, who is am member on this site, last weeked. Some folks have mentioned his banjos as an under $400.00 alternative. I am posting a video of my "test drive"....

Added by Tim Twiss on September 3, 2011 at 7:34am — No Comments

Forgive me, for I have sinned.

I have come back to the fold. Check out the tune on the new axe...

Added by Tim Twiss on August 28, 2011 at 7:49pm — 2 Comments

Vintage Baseball

Okay Al, you take it from here.

Added by Tim Twiss on July 20, 2011 at 3:27pm — No Comments

After being at an event in Dexter Michigan yesterday, it brought to my attention the fact that there are several players right here in lower Michigan...I saw Jeff Kangas and Brian Jankowski there, and there is one talented fellow right down the road from me who doesn't do much internet stuff. We started talking a bit, and it was suggested that perhaps we can organize a small regional gathering for a day in the near future?? Anybody else out there interested?

Added by Tim Twiss on June 12, 2011 at 5:57am — 10 Comments

Tempos

Guilty! Man, sometimes it is hard to not push tempos on this stuff. Sometimes it just starts too quick. Sometimes it creeps up. Sometimes both. It takes discipline to hold them back.

Added by Tim Twiss on May 29, 2011 at 11:30pm — 3 Comments

Vai and Swaine

I put up 2 images. Monsters from different eras.

Added by Tim Twiss on May 25, 2011 at 10:22pm — 7 Comments

Van Bramer

It's a rainy morning here in Michigan, so I thought I'd pull out a couple of snappy minor jigs on my Boucher with the (shhhh) Renaissance head, which makes it unstoppable under any condition. The first one is Van Bramer's Jig, from Dan Emmett's manuscript. I found that Van Bramer was a singer/dancer that Joe Sweeney performed with in Philadelphia in 1842. It segues into Bell's Canadian Minor Jig, my own composition named for the famed musican/ scholar to the north. It's cooking as I write this.

Added by Tim Twiss on May 6, 2011 at 7:22am — No Comments

Storms

I hope we hear from Marc Smith...????

You okay?

Added by Tim Twiss on April 28, 2011 at 5:27pm — 8 Comments

tab

Here is some quick tab for a few tunes we have been talking about. Here is a part of Bryant's Jig (referenced from Buckley 1868...with the "Rice" tuning in "E".)

Also, Coon Hunt Walk Around from Yellow Converse 1865. Disclaimer for any errors...ha!

Added by Tim Twiss on January 20, 2011 at 11:01am — No Comments

Rice Tunes

I hope you enjoy the last batch of Rice tunes I posted. Something felt really good about those tempos I hit. Please feel free to comment on your interpretation of how these go. I am starting to repeat songs, and justly so. I went back to my first YouTube songs, and almost felt like I should start over. Although not horrible, I can feel how much I've changed and developed the last couple of years. Taping is a great catalyst toward improvement. The first tune I ever put up was "Sandy Boy". It… Continue

Added by Tim Twiss on January 16, 2011 at 3:30pm — No Comments

Case

Hey Brian. I hope you find that case suitable to tote that Wunder in. I have been using them for a few years. Not period, but practical. Have a great holiday, and stop back to the shop sometime.

Added by Tim Twiss on December 20, 2010 at 4:45pm — No Comments