For enthusiasts of early banjo

Solo and Accompaniment

Most written banjo solos also serve as accompaniments.....agree or disagree?

I guess to be specific, look at most any tune in Briggs' that is also a vocal song. Then, stretch it to the crazy Rice stuff.

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Permalink Reply by Ian Bell on January 10, 2013 at 6:31pm

Judging by the books that contain both solos and song arrangements My guess is that the banjo solos of song melodies in Briggs and other tutors were intended to be played as instrumentals. The actual song accompaniments I've played through seem to be generally pretty guitar-like with "boom-chick-chick" chords and arpeggios. That said, I'd be surprised if solos weren't adapted to service as accompaniments in the past just the way we instinctively do with them now.

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Permalink Reply by Carl Anderton on January 10, 2013 at 8:46pm

Don't forget the performance venue that Briggs, Rice, Buckley made their living, the minstrel show, and specifically the banjo solo part...singing, laughing, joking, "stroking," astounding with trick playing,... the banjo was an integral part of that. They didn't just stand up there and pick. We're so far away from that. I love just standing there and picking ;^}