Minstrel Banjo

For enthusiasts of early banjo

A resource and gathering site for people interested in playing and constructing early banjos, and the history of minstrel music in America.

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Attention:  Please update your user information!  We will be undergoing some changes in the future and want to be able to stay in touch with you!

Latest Activity

Al Smitley replied to OK-4's discussion Where did people go?
"I hear you!  I have intentions of posting if I ever get around to it.  I do check, daily, to see if anyone else has."
Nov 20
OK-4 posted a discussion

Where did people go?

It seems no one has posted here lately. Where did people go?See More
Nov 20
Trapdoor2 replied to Strumelia's discussion A new Discussion - why
"Funnily, I was contacted by Tim Twiss yesterday. He's finally retired and just completed a new book/compilation of early banjo tunes... For me, the loss of the Antietam Early Banjo Gathering meant steep decline in my early banjo playing. I…"
Jul 4
Vince Abadie replied to Strumelia's discussion A new Discussion - why
"I'm only 4 months behind, but I thought I'd mention that it seems to have worked! ;-}"
Jun 21
Vince Abadie liked Strumelia's video
Jun 21
Vince Abadie liked Jeff Herbster's photo
Jun 21
Charles Edward Lee liked Jeff Herbster's photo
Jun 11
Charles Edward Lee liked Mark Ralston's photo
Jun 11
Charles Edward Lee liked Mark Ralston's photo
Jun 11
Tom Taggart replied to Strumelia's discussion A new Discussion - why
"I still check this site now and then. Been playing mostly 3-finger style and claw-hammer banjo lately but still pick up my early banjo once in a while to keep my hand in. I have run into a couple of young folks (late teens to early 20's) at…"
May 28
Joel Hooks replied to Strumelia's discussion A new Discussion - why
"I believe Facebook groups has diverted much attention away from these old style message boards.  Sadly, Facebook groups are impossible to search for old discussions and info and they glitch out often.  The whole experience is designed to…"
May 24
Paul Draper replied to Strumelia's discussion A new Discussion - why
"“Nulla dies sine nota.” Stop by for a visit if you feel like it.... https://youtube.com/@pauldraperbanjo"
May 21
Al Smitley replied to Strumelia's discussion A new Discussion - why
"It didn't take long.  As soon as a song gained some popularity, song sheets came out using that melody about news events of the day.  The song sheets must've had a very short window of sales opportunities as, when the next news…"
Apr 21
Strumelia replied to Strumelia's discussion A new Discussion - why
"Al, thanks for that!  I had not thought about later musicians applying new non-rascist lyrics to the older melodies. That makes sense. Like Brian, I usually played only the melodies anyway without singing.  Lately I have been into some of…"
Apr 21
Al Smitley replied to Strumelia's discussion A new Discussion - why
"I'll add that even the Hutchinson Family Singers, who felt the minstrel show and songs vulgar and racially distasteful, used minstrel melodies to which they added abolitionist words."
Apr 21
Al Smitley replied to Strumelia's discussion A new Discussion - why
"A lot of topical songs of the era (in the form of song sheets) used minstrel melodies to fashion their words to.  Some of them are not so nice either but that is one way to get around minstrel lyrics if you still enjoy the melodies....and I…"
Apr 21
Strumelia replied to Strumelia's discussion A new Discussion - why
"Brian, yes I still run my mountain dulcimer site at  https://fotmd.com/ - fifteen years now, and it's still quite active and fun.  😀"
Apr 20
Brian Kimerer replied to Strumelia's discussion A new Discussion - why
"Strumelia, It is sad that you have stopped playing music.  Some of those old tunes are nice tunes if you just drop the lyrics. I have been playing Whistling Rufus for a number of years now, but did not even know that it had lyrics. I just…"
Apr 20
Strumelia replied to Strumelia's discussion A new Discussion - why
"I confess I've not been playing music. Life has set me to various new or revisited focuses. Those weird cycles we go through in life! Though this bothers me, it doesn't seem to bother me enough to do something about it right now. 🤷  I…"
Apr 20
Rob Mohr replied to Strumelia's discussion A new Discussion - why
"I've kinda floated over to playing more clawhammer. Admittedly, I've neglected the minstrel. But hey, this gives me reason enough to pick it up again & start posting more videos."
Apr 19

Forum

Where did people go?

Started by OK-4 in Uncategorized. Last reply by Al Smitley Nov 20. 1 Reply

A new Discussion - why

Started by Strumelia in Uncategorized. Last reply by Trapdoor2 Jul 4. 21 Replies

Shopping for a banjo

Started by Mara Eagle in Uncategorized May 15. 0 Replies

Mistake?

Started by Al Smitley in Uncategorized. Last reply by Tom Taggart Feb 14. 6 Replies

 
 
 

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