Any brits?

[Banjo Hound]

Greetings from the UK

I've just joined this community and wondered if there are any other brits here. Banjo is very much a minority activity in the UK and Minstrel Banjo even more so.

Eric 

[Scott Danneker]

I used to live in Bedfordshire.  Does that count?

[Banjo Hound]

Hi Scott,

It's a start. I'm in Southend, Essex. Pretty much a banjo desert! No teachers so I'm mostly self taught using the Classic Banjo tutors but now looking at the Minstrel ones which use music more to my liking although playing finger style rather than stroke style.

Eric

[Scott Danneker]

Hi Eric,

I live in Elizabeth City, NC yet another banjo desert.  I began  with some rudimentary clawhammer proficiency before trying stroke style.  I strongly recommend Tim Twiss' 'Early Banjo' primer for starters.  It is very comprehensive, yet easily digested.  It is available online here http://www.timtwiss.com/ 

You can get a feel for the material contained therein by watching:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gPD5oZkjgrQ&index=35&list=P...

Tim is a frequent contributor on this site and I am sure he will be happy to to advise and answer any questions you may have.  

Hope this helps and welcome!

-Scott

[Banjo Hound]

Hi Scott,

I never think of the USA having places that don't have banjos but I guess it's such a big place that it is inevitable.. Am I right to assume that NC is North Carolina.

I have ordered Tim Twiss' Early Banjo primer and am waiting for it now. In the meantime, I'm working on the Converse Green Book trying to play it 2 finger style switching between thumb and index lead as required and occasionally using a third finger. I have also looked and played through the Harper Ferry stuff. Thank goodness for You Tube which seems to have a version of pretty much everything so far quite a bit of which is provided by Mr Twiss!

Regards

Eric

[Scott Danneker]

Yep, that's North Carolina.  

I have been working a little on finger style recently but still haven't figured out whether to focus on thumb or index lead yet.  I had the pleasure of camping immediately next to Chip Arnold (check him out on Banjo Hangout if you haven't heard of him) at Clifftop last month but unfortunately had to leave before I could get any tips from him.  

Mr. Twiss is indeed an icon.  It appears as though he has recorded just about everything presented in the old minstrel tutors.

Good luck!

-Scott