Minstrel Banjo

For enthusiasts of early banjo

This is a little dry just to watch, but is here for a reference if you have the book and are looking at the exercises themselves, with all the specific fingering combinations. This material created by the great F.B. Converse in 1886 provides so much insight to 19th Century Banjo technique. Do these on a regular basis, and will really help all your Stroke repertoire. This follows the evolution of Briggs' "Movements" and Rice's "Strikes".

Views: 124

Comment by Sylvia on January 16, 2011 at 3:29am
Thank you Tim for the Video and Exercises, I for one will find them useful. I have had a few lessons from Rob on Classic style but would also like to do the Minstrel Style so will practice these as well as Robs Grimshaw Exercises.      Sylvia.
Comment by Bart McNeil on January 16, 2011 at 12:32pm
"A little dry"... yes, but quite to the point. A good batch of learning exercises I think. And even more valuable for those of us who don't read music.
Comment by Tim Twiss on January 16, 2011 at 1:01pm
Thanks. Even for those who don't read, there are so few notes moving here (left hand) that one should pick up on it pretty quick. 
Comment by Jeff on September 20, 2012 at 2:16pm
HOLY DROP THUMB.... BATMAN! That is very helpful Tim. Thanks!
Comment by Tim Twiss on September 20, 2012 at 2:22pm

These things are great.

Comment by Paul Draper on September 20, 2012 at 2:29pm

Indeed.  I've been working them into my usual routine.  The triplets in line 7 and 8 still throw me...

Comment by Strumelia on September 20, 2012 at 6:26pm

Tim this is so great.  It's just what the doctor ordered for those of us struggling as beginners!

It takes the mystery out of the basics and will help people get a foothold in order to get started and build some skills.  It's that initial foothold that is so elusive to new hopeful minstrel players.  I know because I'm still trying to push my way through that slightly open door myself.

Here's what would make it even better for beginners, if you don't mind a wish list from the peanut gallery-  to make a separate video for say every two lines, and play each exercise first a few times at half  the speed you are doing here, and then for another chunk at the speed you show here.  Some of them go by a little too fast to hear the notes distinctly in order to 'catch' them, especially after the first few.  And it's hard to keep finding certain spots in a video when there are so many sequences on it close together.

I know this sounds rather babyish, but breaking things way down makes it easier to work through a few finger moves each day and not feel overwhelmed.   I find triplets to be way too scary to even be in the same room with Juba!   lol!  

What a great thing you are doing to help people.  :)

Comment

You need to be a member of Minstrel Banjo to add comments!

Join Minstrel Banjo

About

John Masciale created this Ning Network.

© 2024   Created by John Masciale.   Powered by

Badges  |  Report an Issue  |  Terms of Service