All Discussions Tagged 'gourd' - Minstrel Banjo2024-03-29T08:00:28Zhttps://minstrelbanjo.ning.com/forum/topic/listForTag?tag=gourd&feed=yes&xn_auth=noDavy 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> Earliest known music from Jamaicatag:minstrelbanjo.ning.com,2016-10-21:2477478:Topic:1562502016-10-21T15:55:34.239ZStrumeliahttps://minstrelbanjo.ning.com/profile/Strumelia
<p>This stuff is pretty beautiful and wonderful.</p>
<p>Try some of it out on our banjers maybe? Especially appropriate for gourd banjers or akontings etc.</p>
<p>With some sound clips:</p>
<p><a href="http://www.musicalpassage.org/#explore" target="_blank">http://www.musicalpassage.org/#explore…</a></p>
<p></p>
<p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3037121240?profile=original" target="_self"><img class="align-full" height="437" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3037121240?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024" width="552"></img></a></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p>This stuff is pretty beautiful and wonderful.</p>
<p>Try some of it out on our banjers maybe? Especially appropriate for gourd banjers or akontings etc.</p>
<p>With some sound clips:</p>
<p><a href="http://www.musicalpassage.org/#explore" target="_blank">http://www.musicalpassage.org/#explore</a></p>
<p></p>
<p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3037121240?profile=original" target="_self"><img width="500" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3037121240?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024" width="552" class="align-full" height="437"/></a></p>
<p></p>
<p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3037121378?profile=original" target="_self"><img width="498" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3037121378?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024" width="550" class="align-full" height="285"/></a></p>
<p></p> (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>
<p></p>
<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> Busking and Play-for-Pay - Our Experience; What about yours?tag:minstrelbanjo.ning.com,2015-04-02:2477478:Topic:1254312015-04-02T18:45:46.996ZCharles Edward Leehttps://minstrelbanjo.ning.com/profile/CharlesEdwardLee
<p>I'm part of a trio, and we do mid-19th century music at events and historic sites in Louisiana, east Texas, Arkansas, Tennessee, Mississippi, and Alabama. We charge for our services; and we do not only music, but a number of other period entertainments. The list is long: poetry recitations, Temperance meetings or rallies, preaching (comedic sermons on Saturday, serious on Sunday), medicine show pitches of products we've 'developed', Phrenology readings, and we're working on several others.…</p>
<p>I'm part of a trio, and we do mid-19th century music at events and historic sites in Louisiana, east Texas, Arkansas, Tennessee, Mississippi, and Alabama. We charge for our services; and we do not only music, but a number of other period entertainments. The list is long: poetry recitations, Temperance meetings or rallies, preaching (comedic sermons on Saturday, serious on Sunday), medicine show pitches of products we've 'developed', Phrenology readings, and we're working on several others. We don't make Beyonce money; or ZZ Top money; but we do get paid enough to continue to make it worth our while.</p>
<p></p>
<p>Events aren't all that plentiful within our travel range; and many events and sites hire bluegrass groups for $50 or $100 - these are antebellum and Civil War venues, mind you - where $100 won't cover our gas there and back - sometimes not even "there" for the more far-flung events. So we sometimes create our own mini-event by busking.</p>
<p></p>
<p>If you're not familiar with the term, "busking" is a slang term from 1851. Its several meanings include selling articles or obscene ballads in public houses; playing music on the streets; or performing as a sort of informal comedian in pubs. Playing music on the streets (of New Orleans) is what we do sometimes, between playing contracted performances.</p>
<p></p>
<p>There are lots of rules about busking in some places; less so in New Orleans, from what I understand, than most. Though no one owns a "spot," it's funny how fast you find out that lots of folks own "spots" on the streets. If I played one corner for 22 years, I'd be a bit proprietary, too. There are lots of folks playing modern music - they're the ones who get the occasional $1 tip in their instrument cases. They play for their own enjoyment - they play to be seen. </p>
<p></p>
<p>If you want to make a little money busking, we've had success by dressing as we would for historic sites: in attire of the 1850s - and using instruments reproduced from period instruments. Our instruments include two Boucher banjos, both by Bell & Son (one was a kit, and the other was completely finished, with all the bells & whistles - no pun intended - thanks to the generosity of Mr Bell); plus two gourd banjos I made, using necks I got from Bell & Son; and a reproduction Sweeney banjo that made its way here from somewhere in Nebraska, I think it was. Those, plus limberjacks and two reproductions of an 1856 CF Martin guitar, plus a reproduction of a 1790 violin, round out our principal instruments. We also have tambourine, bones, spoons, harmonica, and jawbone.</p>
<p></p>
<p>The sound of the banjo, and our peculiar costumes, draw the most attention. Folks come for our novel appearance; they stay for the music. They pay for pictures - voluntarily, without our even suggesting it - and of all the things we're asked about, the number one 'puzzler' to so many folks is "What is THAT?!" (as they point to the Boucher). The clothes are eye-catching - three fellows in black frock coats & trousers, black top hats, vests, wearing scarlet secession cockades with a brass 1851 badge in the center of them - but the sound of the banjo carries very well, and the song selection is so alien to so many folks. We p[lay nothing newer than 1864.</p>
<p></p>
<p>(Oh - if you have CDs, you can't sell them on New Orleans streets without a business license. BUT - you CAN accept donations; and you can say "Thank you" (for the right denominations of donations) by giving the generous donor a CD. Donations of $15 gets a CD, for example; we have three titles, and we give deals, too. (A donation of $15 gets your choice of any one of the three; but if you donate $30, you can choose any two; and if you donate $45, you can choose ANY THREE - now THAT'S our kind of deal!...lol). And most of the money you'll make will come from people having their photos taken with you by their family or friends or passersby. Those are the $5 and $10 and $20 tips.)</p>
<p></p>
<p>We donate a few performances, and we do limit the number of times we'll do that per year. </p>
<p></p>
<p>That's our experience. What has yours been?</p>
<p></p>
<p>Chuck Lee<br/>Elder Lee of Roscoe, Lee & Abadie<br/>Denham Springs, Louisiana</p>
<p></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>
<p style="text-align: center;"></p>
<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> gourd banjo buildingtag:minstrelbanjo.ning.com,2012-04-27:2477478:Topic:663242012-04-27T21:55:16.767Zjamie ganshttps://minstrelbanjo.ning.com/profile/jamiegans
I will be building my first gourd banjo soon. I have the gourd and will soon have a neck and goat skin. Does anyone know where you find the tacks for the skin attachment and what size are recommended?<br />
Thanks
I will be building my first gourd banjo soon. I have the gourd and will soon have a neck and goat skin. Does anyone know where you find the tacks for the skin attachment and what size are recommended?<br />
Thanks Did I buy the right cd?tag:minstrelbanjo.ning.com,2011-08-08:2477478:Topic:444452011-08-08T20:36:59.820ZStrumeliahttps://minstrelbanjo.ning.com/profile/Strumelia
<p>I bought this little book with its accompanying CD:</p>
<p><a href="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51nT563A1SL._SL500_AA300_.jpg" target="_blank"><img class="align-left" height="183" src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51nT563A1SL._SL500_AA300_.jpg" width="183"></img></a></p>
<p> </p>
<p><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/097003380X">http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/097003380X</a></p>
<p>I thought the cd would have quite a few gourd banjo tunes on it, played by Bob Thornburg.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Instead, the cd has 45 tracks with examples of various gourd instruments from all over the world,…</p>
<p>I bought this little book with its accompanying CD:</p>
<p><a target="_blank" href="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51nT563A1SL._SL500_AA300_.jpg"><img class="align-left" src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51nT563A1SL._SL500_AA300_.jpg" width="183" height="183"/></a></p>
<p> </p>
<p><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/097003380X">http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/097003380X</a></p>
<p>I thought the cd would have quite a few gourd banjo tunes on it, played by Bob Thornburg.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Instead, the cd has 45 tracks with examples of various gourd instruments from all over the world, and ONE track of Bob playing gourd banjo. It's cool, but wasn't there supposed to be a cd out there somewhere with a bunch of Bob's banjo gourd playing on it? I thought I was buying the right one.</p>
<p>Can someone de-confuse me? Thanks!</p>