All Discussions Tagged 'banjo' - Minstrel Banjo2024-03-28T17:43:15Zhttps://minstrelbanjo.ning.com/forum/topic/listForTag?tag=banjo&feed=yes&xn_auth=noOn Picayune Butler, T. A. Brown, George Nichols, T. D, Rice and “Jim Crow”tag:minstrelbanjo.ning.com,2020-01-24:2477478:Topic:1824552020-01-24T22:45:27.158ZTony Thomashttps://minstrelbanjo.ning.com/profile/TonyThomas
<p>About 7 years ago, prodded by a contract from Oxford University Press and Harvard's African American biography database, I set out to write up what i thought was the simple easy to get information about Picayune Butler, who I assumed was a historic Black Banjoist who played some role in minstrelsy, and had something to do with the song "Jim Crow". The research I did led me to understand that most things written to that point were simply and completely wrong, as well as how the world of…</p>
<p>About 7 years ago, prodded by a contract from Oxford University Press and Harvard's African American biography database, I set out to write up what i thought was the simple easy to get information about Picayune Butler, who I assumed was a historic Black Banjoist who played some role in minstrelsy, and had something to do with the song "Jim Crow". The research I did led me to understand that most things written to that point were simply and completely wrong, as well as how the world of 1830s through 1850s was fascinating and interesting and richer than what I had read about it. Fortunately, newspaper databases that go back through that era are now available easily, and important records can be obtained from databases like Ancestry.com., Mid 19th century Americans were deeply interested in the most minor figures in show business including people who organized and promoted shows and and circuses so much that a series of memoirs were written by 19th century show people that can give one an almost weekly picture of where figures like TD Rice were on a week to week basis. After I finished my article for OUP and Harvard and did a presentation on these issues at the then Banjo Collectors Gathering and at the Early Banjo Gathering in Baltimore, I have kept sharpening up the materials I developed. I have attached "On Picayune Butler, T. A. Brown, George Nichols, T. D, Rice and 'Jim Crow'" which is summary of what I came up with, written rather pointedly originally intended for my direct colleagues in banjo history, It is attached.</p> Davy Crocketttag:minstrelbanjo.ning.com,2018-01-18:2477478:Topic:1701142018-01-18T02:08:35.124ZStrumeliahttps://minstrelbanjo.ning.com/profile/Strumelia
<p>saw this:</p>
<p><a href="https://www.greenevillesun.com/news/local_news/state-park-plays-notes-from-the-past/article_a3d117b4-a8ce-5f19-a107-aeb72fef860b.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">https://www.greenevillesun.com/news/local_news/state-park-plays-notes-from-the-past/article_a3d117b4-a8ce-5f19-a107-aeb72fef860b.html</a></p>
<p>saw this:</p>
<p><a href="https://www.greenevillesun.com/news/local_news/state-park-plays-notes-from-the-past/article_a3d117b4-a8ce-5f19-a107-aeb72fef860b.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">https://www.greenevillesun.com/news/local_news/state-park-plays-notes-from-the-past/article_a3d117b4-a8ce-5f19-a107-aeb72fef860b.html</a></p> John Smith and Picaninny Colemantag:minstrelbanjo.ning.com,2017-10-03:2477478:Topic:1661192017-10-03T11:52:02.212ZMargaret Kirbyhttps://minstrelbanjo.ning.com/profile/MargaretKirby
I am researching this early minstrel duo as far as I can tell Thomas Coleman was a banjo player. They were performing together from late in the 1830s. Coleman was Smiths apprentice. They went to England and performed at the Surrey as well as other places returning to New York in early 1841. They subsequently performed together at the Bowery and then performed at various Circus's they oerformed with the Welches and Mann and for Spaulding and with Stone and McCollum on the Mississippi and Ohio…
I am researching this early minstrel duo as far as I can tell Thomas Coleman was a banjo player. They were performing together from late in the 1830s. Coleman was Smiths apprentice. They went to England and performed at the Surrey as well as other places returning to New York in early 1841. They subsequently performed together at the Bowery and then performed at various Circus's they oerformed with the Welches and Mann and for Spaulding and with Stone and McCollum on the Mississippi and Ohio Rivers.<br />
I am very interested in hearing from any one who has knowledge about these two in particular, but also about early blackface performance between 1836 and 1853.<br />
<br />
Thanks for your support,<br />
<br />
Margaret in Australia (SOLD) $400: Menzies gourd banjer for saletag:minstrelbanjo.ning.com,2016-04-14:2477478:Topic:1430232016-04-14T23:59:42.750ZStrumeliahttps://minstrelbanjo.ning.com/profile/Strumelia
<p><strong>This is Jeff Menzies gourd banjo, #67 made in 2005:</strong></p>
<p><a href="http://jeffreymenzies.com/instruments/instruments-gourd-banjo-67/" target="_blank">http://jeffreymenzies.com/instruments/instruments-gourd-banjo-67/</a></p>
<p><a href="http://jeffreymenzies.com/wp-content/uploads/files/instruments/Gourd67-front.jpg" target="_blank">http://jeffreymenzies.com/wp-content/uploads/files/instruments/Gourd67-front.jpg…</a></p>
<p></p>
<p><strong>This is Jeff Menzies gourd banjo, #67 made in 2005:</strong></p>
<p><a href="http://jeffreymenzies.com/instruments/instruments-gourd-banjo-67/" target="_blank">http://jeffreymenzies.com/instruments/instruments-gourd-banjo-67/</a></p>
<p><a href="http://jeffreymenzies.com/wp-content/uploads/files/instruments/Gourd67-front.jpg" target="_blank">http://jeffreymenzies.com/wp-content/uploads/files/instruments/Gourd67-front.jpg</a></p>
<p><a width="550" href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3037123946?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024" target="_self"><img width="350" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3037123946?profile=RESIZE_480x480" width="350" class="align-full"/></a></p>
<p>Over length approx 41" (including long endpin)</p>
<p>The gourd is about 8" diameter/width, and 6" deep. <span style="font-size: 13px;">Walnut neck, skin head, bone tailpiece, Nygut strings, tacks. As per Jeff's instructions, I carefully added a sound hole to the gourd which gave the volume a nice extra boost- see photo with the sound hole.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 13px;">Scale length is 26" from nut to center of skinhead.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 13px;">Grey formica fretboard/peghead overlay- which makes for nice buttery smooth slides (but obviously wouldn't be period-correct for CW reenactments).</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 13px;">This banjo belonged to oldtime Round Peak player and field recorder Ray Alden until when he passed away in 2009... I bought it from Ray's widow. This is a quality Menzies banjo that is in the same perfect condition as when it was made in 2005. Most new Menzies gourds are priced for six or seven hundred dollars nowadays (and well worth it, I might add!)</span></p>
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<p><span style="font-size: 13px;">This is a nice banjo for either traveling or for playing at home alone or with a friend as duet. Though is has a lovely tone and volume, smaller gourds are naturally not as loud as large 10-11" gourds, so this wouldn't be the banjo to grab for playing in group jams. But since the neck length is full sized so you can play in the usual gourd banjo or minstrel tunings. (If you didn't already know, gourd banjos should not be tuned up to typical high 'oldtime' tunings...minstrel tunings are perfect) The smaller gourd is sturdier- more worry free to bring along whenever you want to sit down and play a few gourdish tunes.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 13px;">It's a sweet banjer! But I have two Menzies gourd banjos, and I need to raise enough money to buy a custom epinette/zitter I've been wanting for a long while. </span><span style="font-size: 13px;">I'll be putting this for sale on BanjoHangout soon, but i wanted to offer it here first to Minstrelbanjo friends in case someone is interested.</span></p>
<p><strong><span style="font-size: 13px;"><span style="color: #ff0000;">REDUCED: Price: <span style="text-decoration: line-through;">$450</span> $400 plus shipping and insurance.</span> Shipped from New York state to mainland US only. </span><span style="font-size: 13px;">Paypal or cash(in person) only. Sorry, no returns.</span></strong></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 13px;">No case, but will be carefully packaged and insured. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 13px;">See some photos in Jeff's links at top of this post. Also here are some additional photos. (Note also the 1st photo below, <em>showing the round sound hole I added after speaking to Jeff.)</em></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 13px;">Thanks! :)</span></p>
<p></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 13px;"><a href="http://www.hangoutstorage.com/banjohangout.org/storage/photos/medium/68/68744-1245081152012.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.hangoutstorage.com/banjohangout.org/storage/photos/medium/68/68744-1245081152012.jpg" class="align-full" width="370" height="534"/></a></span></p>
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<p><span style="font-size: 13px;"><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3037123946?profile=original" target="_self"><img width="550" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3037123946?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024" width="550" class="align-full"/></a></span></p>
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<p><span style="font-size: 13px;"><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3037125437?profile=original" target="_self"><img width="550" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3037125437?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024" width="550" class="align-full"/></a></span></p>
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<p><span style="font-size: 13px;"><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3037129897?profile=original" target="_self"><img width="550" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3037129897?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024" width="550" class="align-full"/></a></span></p>
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<p><span style="font-size: 13px;"><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3037134990?profile=original" target="_self"><img width="550" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3037134990?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024" width="550" class="align-full"/></a></span></p>
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<p><a href="http://jeffreymenzies.com/wp-content/uploads/files/instruments/Gourd67-rear-150x500.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://jeffreymenzies.com/wp-content/uploads/files/instruments/Gourd67-rear-150x500.jpg" class="align-full"/></a></p> reproduction tailpieces and banjo hardwaretag:minstrelbanjo.ning.com,2016-02-26:2477478:Topic:1405582016-02-26T11:57:30.144ZMark Ralstonhttps://minstrelbanjo.ning.com/profile/MarkRalston
<p>In 2015 a jeweler friend referred me to a fabricator who makes small-scale art and jewelry items. I had the fabricator make up some tailpieces out of stainless steel, bronze, hard nylon, and some other materials, and the results have been pretty good. </p>
<p>Presently I have copies of the S.S. Stewart Common Sense tailpiece with the rosette (in ivoroid; $60), without the rosette $40, with and without the lug that projects beneath the rosette. I also have copies of Fairbanks, Stewart,…</p>
<p>In 2015 a jeweler friend referred me to a fabricator who makes small-scale art and jewelry items. I had the fabricator make up some tailpieces out of stainless steel, bronze, hard nylon, and some other materials, and the results have been pretty good. </p>
<p>Presently I have copies of the S.S. Stewart Common Sense tailpiece with the rosette (in ivoroid; $60), without the rosette $40, with and without the lug that projects beneath the rosette. I also have copies of Fairbanks, Stewart, Bruno, Haines, & other sellers tailpieces in hard nylon (originals were ivoroid or ivory), most are $25 ea. I'm also working on tuner "buttons" modeled after vintage tuner pegs which will fit on modern geared tuners.... I should have these debugged & available by mid-March 2016.</p>
<p>I have been getting dimensions for vintage, proprietary hardware, such as the Cole Eclipse dowel yoke and dowel-end neck adjuster, Gatcomb's "Little Gem" neck adjuster, a zither banjo 6-string tailpiece, etc. as instruments come through my shop, and will have these parts made up if anyone needs them.</p>
<p>I can also reproduce small metal parts on-demand. Larger metal parts (such as large or complex tailpieces) are generally fairly expensive for me to reproduce. I also tried to have the fabricator make up some vintage shoes (eagle, shield w/ stars & bars, etc.), but these are also generally more expensive than I think that the market demand will support.</p>
<p>I have been posting more complete info on my Yellowstone Jewelry FB photo album: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.786738851434879.1073741847.642715152503917&type=3">https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.786738851434879.1073741847.642715152503917&type=3</a></p>
<p>Send me an e-mail if you're interested.</p> An opportunity to help the NPS preserve one of most important historical banjo sites!tag:minstrelbanjo.ning.com,2016-02-16:2477478:Topic:1399962016-02-16T14:17:07.947ZD. Wooldridgehttps://minstrelbanjo.ning.com/profile/DWooldridge
<p><a href="http://www.newsadvance.com/news/local/appomattox-foundation-carries-a-fundraising-tune-for-historic-cabin-linked/article_b384e82e-7fb5-5bf3-b89c-f188634fc7d8.html#.VsJ04VfDNeQ.facebook" target="_blank">http://www.newsadvance.com/news/local/appomattox-foundation-carries-a-fundraising-tune-for-historic-cabin-linked/article_b384e82e-7fb5-5bf3-b89c-f188634fc7d8.html#.VsJ04VfDNeQ.facebook…</a></p>
<p><a href="http://www.newsadvance.com/news/local/appomattox-foundation-carries-a-fundraising-tune-for-historic-cabin-linked/article_b384e82e-7fb5-5bf3-b89c-f188634fc7d8.html#.VsJ04VfDNeQ.facebook" target="_blank">http://www.newsadvance.com/news/local/appomattox-foundation-carries-a-fundraising-tune-for-historic-cabin-linked/article_b384e82e-7fb5-5bf3-b89c-f188634fc7d8.html#.VsJ04VfDNeQ.facebook</a><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3037120145?profile=original" target="_self"><img width="750" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3037120145?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024" width="750" class="align-full"/></a></p> CarolinaChocolateDrops Interview- Bones and minstrel banjotag:minstrelbanjo.ning.com,2015-08-17:2477478:Topic:1320182015-08-17T18:55:24.188ZStrumeliahttps://minstrelbanjo.ning.com/profile/Strumelia
<p>I thought this was an interesting vid to watch...hadn't seen it before.</p>
<p>Especially the first part about the bones, and the later talk about racism in minstrel era music.</p>
<p><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/qor2ib8iXtg?wmode=opaque" frameborder="0"></iframe>
</p>
<p>I thought this was an interesting vid to watch...hadn't seen it before.</p>
<p>Especially the first part about the bones, and the later talk about racism in minstrel era music.</p>
<p><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/qor2ib8iXtg?wmode=opaque" frameborder="0"></iframe>
</p> October is GOURD BANJO MONTH ! Show the love!tag:minstrelbanjo.ning.com,2014-09-22:2477478:Topic:1183392014-09-22T14:23:31.355ZStrumeliahttps://minstrelbanjo.ning.com/profile/Strumelia
<p>I just decided.</p>
<p>Because October is the month of Halloween and pumpkins and squash and old hollow/hallow things, even the O in October is round like a gourd...so...</p>
<p></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><span class="font-size-3">I declare October to be</span> <span class="font-size-4" style="color: #ff9900;"><strong>Gourd Banjer Month</strong></span> <span class="font-size-4"><strong><span style="color: #ff9900;">!…</span></strong></span></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"></p>
<p>I just decided.</p>
<p>Because October is the month of Halloween and pumpkins and squash and old hollow/hallow things, even the O in October is round like a gourd...so...</p>
<p></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><span class="font-size-3">I declare October to be</span> <span style="color: #ff9900;" class="font-size-4"><strong>Gourd Banjer Month</strong></span> <span class="font-size-4"><strong><span style="color: #ff9900;">!</span></strong></span></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #993300;" class="font-size-3">Let's use this thread to share our enthusiasm for our gourd banjos...</span></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #993300;" class="font-size-3">Post your <strong>gourdelicious</strong> videos, pictures, your love/hate gourd relationship stories, and random factoids about <span style="text-decoration: underline;">your</span> gourd banjo here!</span></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #000000;" class="font-size-3">Anything goes...bring it on! :D</span></p>
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<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #000000;" class="font-size-3"><a target="_self" href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3037119612?profile=original"><img width="300" class="align-center" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3037119612?profile=RESIZE_320x320" width="300"/></a></span></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><a target="_self" href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3037123884?profile=original"><img width="300" class="align-center" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3037123884?profile=RESIZE_320x320" width="300"/></a></p>
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<p></p> Guitars shortly after the CW, Mike Seegertag:minstrelbanjo.ning.com,2014-08-07:2477478:Topic:1167072014-08-07T14:24:36.159ZStrumeliahttps://minstrelbanjo.ning.com/profile/Strumelia
<p>I thought this was good reading, but it's just an excerpt from Mike Seeger's liner notes...I don't have the cd, but it sounds awesome (early southern guitar styles):</p>
<p><a href="http://oldtimeparty.wordpress.com/2014/08/07/a-cracked-violin-a-dismal-guitar-and-a-wheezy-bass-viol/" target="_blank">http://oldtimeparty.wordpress.com/2014/08/07/a-cracked-violin-a-dismal-guitar-and-a-wheezy-bass-viol/</a></p>
<p>One sentence from the excerpt jumped out at me in particular: "Evidence of…</p>
<p>I thought this was good reading, but it's just an excerpt from Mike Seeger's liner notes...I don't have the cd, but it sounds awesome (early southern guitar styles):</p>
<p><a href="http://oldtimeparty.wordpress.com/2014/08/07/a-cracked-violin-a-dismal-guitar-and-a-wheezy-bass-viol/" target="_blank">http://oldtimeparty.wordpress.com/2014/08/07/a-cracked-violin-a-dismal-guitar-and-a-wheezy-bass-viol/</a></p>
<p>One sentence from the excerpt jumped out at me in particular: "Evidence of working-class playing of these guitars is sparse during this period." That's true even today, newspapers are chock full of announcements for concerts and performances, but mentions of either street buskers or of average people getting together after work in their backyard to share some tunes are (naturally) seldom encountered.</p>
<p>Mike Seeger was a highly respected musician and music researcher/historian. I first saw him playing live at Lena's Cafe - on a Thornburg gourd banjo. The banjo almost seemed larger than Mike, but what incredible music issued forth. The head had sunk and Mike whipped out a taller bridge from his pocket and put it on, and played/sang a very haunting song about African slaves. Mike's epic cd/dvd and liner notes on early Southern banjo sounds/styles is a <em>must-hear/must-read/must see</em> for anyone interested in early banjo, by the way.</p>
<p>Oh, I just found a video of Mike playing that same large Thornburg gourd...playing Roustabout in old-time style, you can watch him tuning it in the beginning: <a href="http://youtu.be/udSxPjk9EVw" target="_blank">http://youtu.be/udSxPjk9EVw</a> Mike was <em>awesome</em>.</p> New Membertag:minstrelbanjo.ning.com,2013-07-17:2477478:Topic:960942013-07-17T15:56:06.474ZRichard Saathoffhttps://minstrelbanjo.ning.com/profile/RichardSaathoff
<p>New member here. I recently purchased a Terry Bell banjo kit and got it assembled. I've been a student of Antebellum, Civil War, African American History for years. Got my education in that sector years ago. Was a Civil War Reenactor for about 13 years.</p>
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<p>For music I've played guitar for about 5 years. I played banjo for a brief amount of time when I was 6-7. I was instructed in the Scruggs method. So at that age I could not get my right hand dexterity to work real well. So I…</p>
<p>New member here. I recently purchased a Terry Bell banjo kit and got it assembled. I've been a student of Antebellum, Civil War, African American History for years. Got my education in that sector years ago. Was a Civil War Reenactor for about 13 years.</p>
<p></p>
<p>For music I've played guitar for about 5 years. I played banjo for a brief amount of time when I was 6-7. I was instructed in the Scruggs method. So at that age I could not get my right hand dexterity to work real well. So I got frustrated and that was the last of encouragement of playing music by the folks.</p>
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<p>Guitar I seemed to always use some of the techniques of learned in banjo with hammer-ons, pull-offs, slides etc. Getting back to banjo almost 40 years later seems pretty intuitive so far.</p>
<p></p>
<p>Using the Boucher banjo I finally finished I am really enjoying fret-less. I don't read music and have always played by ear so for some reason fret-less it really grabbing me.</p>
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<p>Anyway Hi to all and I am sure I will be asking quesitons as time goes on. Already got my eye on some other Banjos Yikes!</p>
<p>In the mean time here are some pics of my first Minstrel Banjo kit build.</p>
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<p><a target="_self" href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3037134618?profile=original"><img width="750" class="align-left" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3037134618?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024" width="750"/></a></p>
<p><a target="_self" href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3037151663?profile=original"><img width="750" class="align-left" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3037151663?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024" width="750"/></a></p>