Minstrel Banjo

For enthusiasts of early banjo

So, having finished the Buckley 1868, it pretty well covers the material in the tutors up to 1870. I have mixed feelings about the Winner's Books, so I am opening up the Converse 1872 book "The Banjo And How To Play It". I will fill in the ones I have not done yet. This is a great collection, of pieces that are easy to medium difficulty, and clearly demonstrates the integration, and separation of Fingerstyle/Stroke Style, so I guess it was on his mind at this point. It is somewhat liberating to apprach tunes in either direction, with his blessing. This book has been handsomely reprinted and is available for purchase. I still hope to place my hands on the 1871 book by Converse - "The Banjoist". I know that there are many of you don't make comments, and that is understandable, but I hope you enjoy this "journey through the tutors" I am on. They are always there for later reference, which is indeed the main purpose.  

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Man, if you like waltzs, or want to add some to your repertoire, this is a great source. Here come a few.
Okay, here is another batch. These all specifically indicate that they should be done in "Banjo" style as well as fingerstyle. There 3 of them, and I play them both ways in each video. Strongly recommended as beginner material.
"Folks That Put On Airs"
"That Young Girl From New Jersey"
"Rattlesnake Jig".
One waltz, the Ada Waltz, is highly recommended if you want to begin to look up higher on the neck for chords. It gives you solid spots to land on with common shapes that appear throughout the repertoire. Easy, but a medium challenge for high positions.
I know I'm just kind of having a dialogue with myself here, but that's okay...time to finish it up. To me, the highlight of the 1872 book is "Grape Vine Reel". It just comes out of the past and smacks you in the face. I appreciate the book for its careful explanationof "Banjo Style" and "Guitar Style". Much of the material is not really that interesting, but is worthy of study, especially beginners. It is (in my opinion) set for a fretted banjo. The moves that are awkward and clutsy on the fretless are easily executed on a fretted...moves you see over and over (first inversion A chords, B chords with the D# on the first string, and this one with the interval of a M7 between the 1st and 4th strings...). I like some of the Hornpipes. Those are almost always good for either kind of banjo. So, I add 2 more. There is just one left...the Oriole Waltz, which is "just another waltz", so I guess I won't post it here, but it will be on my YouTube site.
Signing off for now.
TT
Hi Tim, ..did try to find the Converse book on the website that you mentioned yesterday, but it dosn't seem to be there. Will keep on looking though. I also appreciate the pointers to the beginners pieces. Thank you.
Sylvia, try the email address and ask him. Perhaps it is just not listed, or maybe he is out of print, and not available. It would be good to know. I also got a Winner's book from him Marc Smith also knows him, so maybe he has some information. Let us know what you find out.

Thank you Tim , Will let you know how I get on.
Tim Twiss said:
Sylvia, try the email address and ask him. Perhaps it is just not listed, or maybe he is out of print, and not available. It would be good to know. I also got a Winner's book from him Marc Smith also knows him, so maybe he has some information. Let us know what you find out.
David still has it listed...just hidden away on another page: http://www.zither-banjo.org/pages/books3.htm

I need to order this from him as well.

Keep up the good work, Tim. I've been enjoying your passage thru all these tunes/tutors. It has become a resource without peer.

Thank you Marc for the link to the Converse Book.
Trapdoor2 said:
David still has it listed...just hidden away on another page: http://www.zither-banjo.org/pages/books3.htm

I need to order this from him as well.

Keep up the good work, Tim. I've been enjoying your passage thru all these tunes/tutors. It has become a resource without peer.

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