Minstrel Banjo

For enthusiasts of early banjo

From the Buckley Banjo Guide of 1868, and arranged by James Buckley himself. I think this is a good example of the Early Banjo Style reaching "stretching". Unless the average player was bitchin' good back then, I'm not sure how they kept up with this stuff. I'm sure a Galop is much quicker, but I can't imagine this stuff (and several others) being played at tempo by the average musician. It seems the banjo, under the guide of Mr. Buckley and others, was really experimenting into other areas besides straight Stroke Style Minstrel Banjo. I don't think all the material was entirely successful, but it is really worth examining and trying. Perhaps the bar was set pretty high back then?? Who knows.

Views: 100

Comment by Greg Adams on December 2, 2009 at 12:35pm
I do declare, "Tim Twiss is an early banjo GOD!!"
Comment by Tim Twiss on December 2, 2009 at 1:06pm
Aw Greg...an hour with this and you'd be knockin' it down.
Comment by Carl Anderton on December 2, 2009 at 5:19pm
Buncha rubato in there.
Comment by Tim Twiss on December 2, 2009 at 7:29pm
Yea...rooobato. Look at the bottom of that and tell me what you make of it. See the
Rall. Rall. Pull.
I ended up pulling the "B" notes in both phrases. At the suggestion of my wife, interpreted the end in 3 sections...starting slow, and each one getting a little quicker...very Mozart. It may be what he (Buckley) intended. I'm open for other interpretations.
Comment by John Masciale on December 2, 2009 at 8:46pm
Tim,
You are right about the tempo. The gallop is the fastest of dance tempos. I can't imagine your playing this faster, I was holding my breath while you were playing.
Comment by Trapdoor2 on December 3, 2009 at 9:45pm
Indeed, a cool tune. As far as I can find out, a "Galop" was typically played at 144bpm (damn fast if you ask me). Want to hear this tune at 144bpm? Here's the MIDI: Storm Galop.mid

TAB? Why not...my fingering solutions are a bit different than Tim's. Storm Galop.pdf

Like I said, cool tune...well played. I would keep the whole thing in "guitar style", of course. Those 4-note chord stacks would then be played with the thumb (dragged across the strings) as was common 'in the style'...or they could be played with the fingers (including the ring finger), another common technique.

I don't think the speed would be an issue for a well-practiced intermediate player. Just takes some work!

If you listen to the MIDI, you'll hear my 'take' on the ending(s). I interpreted the "rallentendo" to indicate a slowing of the ending (to give the dancers a breather) but took the final ending out with a whip.
Comment by Tim Twiss on December 3, 2009 at 10:25pm
Careful there you Tabby Cat. Check M 55+. I think your copy and paste got stuck.
Comment by Trapdoor2 on December 4, 2009 at 8:59am
Which is why I'll always need an editor to keep me straight. Thanks!

Hmmm...I can't edit the original post w/o deleting it...which will screw up the thread.

Here's the updated file: Storm Galop.pdf

And the MIDI: Storm Galop.mid
Comment by Trapdoor2 on December 4, 2009 at 9:03am
Say...is the MIDI working for y'all? I can't get it to work (from here) for some reason...
Comment by Tim Twiss on December 4, 2009 at 11:52am
Yes...it's working.

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