Banjo and Christmas

[John Masciale]

I normally play keyboards on Sunday mornings at church, along with a couple of guitarists, a drummer, and a bass player. Elaine has been joining in recently on penny whistle. Much to my surprise, our worship leader asked me to bring the banjo today. We were doing Christmas music and I ended up playing on God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen, the Little Drummer Boy, and Go Tell it on the Mountain.

After some of Tim's comments on drum chords I have been playing around with them. They came in handy on the Little Drummer Boy, that was about all that I used, but they worked out great.

Has anybody else (aside from Jim) have a chance to do some Christmas music this year on banjo?

[Tim Twiss]

Last night I played a show where I was in an ensemble that was sort of like bluegrass playing 2 tunes..."Breakin Up Christmas" and "Christmas Eve". I had to work pretty hard to get the arrangement to fit stroke style (which I was determined to work in) but I ended up with something that was okay, even when doubling the melody with the fiddle. Comping was of course a breeze. Iam determined to have some good stuff for next year, as I could have certainly used it this year.

[Trapdoor2]

Local museum has a "Kris Kringle Christmas" where visitors wander amongst original log cabins (each with some kind of live music). I played in an OT (Clawhammer banjo) group but every time there were kids in the group, we played "Jingle Bells"...trying to get them to sing along. Much fun! It was cold enough to remind me of AEBG I. ;-)

I also host a monthly 'banjo workshop' at a local coffeshop and usually teach a Christmas tune in December. I wanted to do "Bring A Torch Jeanette Isabella" but we did "Away In A Manger"...and had fun working thru it (albeit in BG three-finger).

===Marc