Minstrel Banjo

For enthusiasts of early banjo

We speak a  lot of creating the authentic sound that was heard in the 19th Century. I know I have often defended the strength of the performance over the limitations of the instrument, but this weekend I took another look ...and listen.

I heard the Dodworth Saxhorn Band this weekend. They play all authentic period instruments (so they claim) and the effect was quite positive. What sold me was the drum. A particular timbre from that drum...unlike what is a modern sound. Had the same music been performed on modern instruments with equal precision, my experience may have been different. The mellow sound of the conical bore...may be more difficult to execute. The result of playing those instuments within their limitations was striking.

I guess I needed to experience this on something besides a banjo. I will be thinking differently about how I present my music.

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I tried playing some minstrel tunes on my metal strung fretted banjo. Nah.

Thin, lifeless and no guts (pun intended).

I very much agree.  Listening to medieval music performed on semi-modern instruments is a pale shadow of hearing it performed on authentically made period reproductions.  I too particularly notice the difference in the sound of the drums. And of course some folks view banjos as simply glorified drums.   ;)

Incidentally, this is a good reason for those who care about such things to buy Terry Bell's wonderful hand crafted tambourines that are faithful to the original minstrel tambourine construction, rather than taking the easy way out with cheap Chinese or South American versions typically found in music stores.  (That said, I confess I have a kid's plastic tambourine hanging here on my wall...insert blushing/embarrassed smiley here) 

I think in general music has evolved in to a shallower/smoother 'recording' sound, with less texture, crispness, and intimacy allowed to hint at the 'naked' materials themselves.

A member on my mountain dulcimer community has produced a new video comparing a faithful replica of an 1800's Kentucky Ed Thomas dulcimer to the most popular and typical dulcimer sold today- a McSpadden.  He shows the differences in size and design, and he plays them both in an identical manner to demonstrate the huge difference in the resultant sound: http://youtu.be/6kgZ2qBVRWE

The video shows clearly how dulcimers have evolved over time to become more guitar-like. This reflects the population's changing taste in popular music, of course, and is a response to the music folks want to play. The same can be said about the evolution of the banjo, of course.

Tim, you hit the nail on the head as far as what brought me around to wanting to try out the minstrel style banjo.  I initially wanted to take my Cooperman rope drum and make it more authentic - hemp or linen rope, calf-skin heads, etc.  However, after reading up on it, the statement by one individual stood out, who basically said - "A Cooperman drum is a great instrument, just not an authentic instrument."  Plain and simple, to make a Cooperman authentic is impossible.  So rather then buy a whole new drum (I don't have the tools or time to make one....YET!) I searched out another means of producing 19th century music and I found it in Minstrel banjos.  I can't wait to start my journey! 

Whoops!  Shoulda been more specific, Will.  I was referring to the multi-ply shells :)  I'd still like to strip and refinish it someday.

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