The Joe Ayers Banjo Method - Minstrel Banjo2024-03-29T08:30:21Zhttps://minstrelbanjo.ning.com/forum/topics/the-joe-ayers-banjo-method?commentId=2477478%3AComment%3A46440&feed=yes&xn_auth=noAgreed with Tim, John, and Jo…tag:minstrelbanjo.ning.com,2011-08-22:2477478:Comment:471452011-08-22T02:00:55.899ZAndy Chasehttps://minstrelbanjo.ning.com/profile/anchase
<p>Agreed with Tim, John, and Joel... and I think the fact that the 'one size fits all' approach doesn't work is the reason that "Is it OK for me to play a minstrel banjo with a synthetic head and/or nylon strings?" questions will continue to be asked, no matter how many times and how many different ways they're asked answered; to me it seems like the early banjo equivalent of the endlessly discussed old clawhammer banjo question, "Index or middle finger?"</p>
<p>Agreed with Tim, John, and Joel... and I think the fact that the 'one size fits all' approach doesn't work is the reason that "Is it OK for me to play a minstrel banjo with a synthetic head and/or nylon strings?" questions will continue to be asked, no matter how many times and how many different ways they're asked answered; to me it seems like the early banjo equivalent of the endlessly discussed old clawhammer banjo question, "Index or middle finger?"</p> So this hobby encompasses a l…tag:minstrelbanjo.ning.com,2011-08-22:2477478:Comment:466072011-08-22T01:47:09.350ZTim Twisshttps://minstrelbanjo.ning.com/profile/TimTwiss
So this hobby encompasses a lot of real estate....I think we have a problem when we try to have a "one size fits all" approach. Different people focus on different aspects of it.
So this hobby encompasses a lot of real estate....I think we have a problem when we try to have a "one size fits all" approach. Different people focus on different aspects of it. I totally agree! Yet I'm ove…tag:minstrelbanjo.ning.com,2011-08-22:2477478:Comment:471432011-08-22T01:37:12.940ZJoel Hookshttps://minstrelbanjo.ning.com/profile/deuceswilde
<p>I totally agree! Yet I'm overwhelmed just with the stuff we have.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>I try to get into Converse's head. I read all the articles I can find on him, everything he wrote, concert reviews, his patents, you name it. I do the same with later century players, many were active in the "early" era. </p>
<p> </p>
<p>I pay special attention to the performance descriptions and set lists.</p>
<p>I totally agree! Yet I'm overwhelmed just with the stuff we have.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>I try to get into Converse's head. I read all the articles I can find on him, everything he wrote, concert reviews, his patents, you name it. I do the same with later century players, many were active in the "early" era. </p>
<p> </p>
<p>I pay special attention to the performance descriptions and set lists.</p> I think it depends on your vi…tag:minstrelbanjo.ning.com,2011-08-22:2477478:Comment:466062011-08-22T01:36:12.692ZJohn Mascialehttps://minstrelbanjo.ning.com/profile/JohnMasciale
<p>I think it depends on your view of the hobby. I reenact, and when I do, I want everything to reflect the time period, my clothes, the instrument, the music. </p>
<p> </p>
<p>However, I also use my instrument in many more places than reenactments. I occasionally have opportunity to play at church, with a contemporary worship band (I also play keyboards). I also attend folk music sing alongs, etc. So the "hobby" to me is playing this 19th century instrument in a variety of settings. This…</p>
<p>I think it depends on your view of the hobby. I reenact, and when I do, I want everything to reflect the time period, my clothes, the instrument, the music. </p>
<p> </p>
<p>However, I also use my instrument in many more places than reenactments. I occasionally have opportunity to play at church, with a contemporary worship band (I also play keyboards). I also attend folk music sing alongs, etc. So the "hobby" to me is playing this 19th century instrument in a variety of settings. This stretches the use of the instrument, and my playing ability. So, is my playing frozen in time? Only when I want it to be. I really think there is a place for these early instruments in a more modern setting. </p> The banjo was constantly chan…tag:minstrelbanjo.ning.com,2011-08-22:2477478:Comment:465272011-08-22T01:19:27.109ZTim Twisshttps://minstrelbanjo.ning.com/profile/TimTwiss
<p><em>The banjo was constantly changing- and still is. But this hobby is frozen in time is it not? </em></p>
<p> </p>
<p>I guess that I don't really feel this way. The components that people feel are frozen in time often cause disagreement and discussion. I feel, and am driven by, the idea that this music is dynamic and alive. Untapped tunes of a similar nature are still out there waiting to be harvested. It is with this music that I want to push the boundries...experimenting with things…</p>
<p><em>The banjo was constantly changing- and still is. But this hobby is frozen in time is it not? </em></p>
<p> </p>
<p>I guess that I don't really feel this way. The components that people feel are frozen in time often cause disagreement and discussion. I feel, and am driven by, the idea that this music is dynamic and alive. Untapped tunes of a similar nature are still out there waiting to be harvested. It is with this music that I want to push the boundries...experimenting with things that the forward thinking progressive 19th Century Musician might have also been intrigued by. What I look for..(and I don't expect anybody else to fall into this camp)..is a certain purity of what made the music speak then, and try to push that envelope appropriately. And I add that it is experimentation. That means looking at banjos and slight variations on those designs, and examining performance practices...including tempos and instrumentation. And I add that it can only be done by completely understanding correct period practice...thus a forum like this and continued dialogue. </p> Sorry Tim, I get excited some…tag:minstrelbanjo.ning.com,2011-08-22:2477478:Comment:466052011-08-22T00:30:38.633ZJoel Hookshttps://minstrelbanjo.ning.com/profile/deuceswilde
<p>Sorry Tim, I get excited sometimes.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>I've always been a advocate of any era on any banjo.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>The banjo was constantly changing- and <i>still</i> is. But this hobby is frozen in time is it not? I play late century on my tub as well and early 20th. I even goof around with modern tunes with my friends sometimes.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>I'd be very interested in recreating period experimentation. This would encourage more fun research.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Does "plain everyday…</p>
<p>Sorry Tim, I get excited sometimes.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>I've always been a advocate of any era on any banjo.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>The banjo was constantly changing- and <i>still</i> is. But this hobby is frozen in time is it not? I play late century on my tub as well and early 20th. I even goof around with modern tunes with my friends sometimes.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>I'd be very interested in recreating period experimentation. This would encourage more fun research.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Does "plain everyday and common" even register in our hobby like it does in other aspects of living history?</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Guitarists still play D-28 Martins, that's modern music no less. Did banjoists toss their old tubs as soon as soon as the silver rim banjo became common?</p>
<p> </p>
<p>When did folks began to replace the earlier Boucher style banjo with the Buckbee type (both "trade banjos")</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Could one coax our common idea of early banjo tone out of a Stewart?</p>
<p> </p>
<p>The Bluegrassers have a saying "Earl on any other banjo would still sound like Earl." Would this hold true if he was playing a early banjo?</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Scott, it was his choice, not sad at all. There is room for someone to step in and fill his (very large) shoes.</p> That is very unfortunate. Geo…tag:minstrelbanjo.ning.com,2011-08-22:2477478:Comment:470422011-08-22T00:04:23.324ZScott Househttps://minstrelbanjo.ning.com/profile/ScottHouse
That is very unfortunate. George is one of the best.
That is very unfortunate. George is one of the best. George Wunderlich announce he…tag:minstrelbanjo.ning.com,2011-08-21:2477478:Comment:465262011-08-21T23:48:35.492ZJohn Mascialehttps://minstrelbanjo.ning.com/profile/JohnMasciale
<p>George Wunderlich announce here on the forum that he would not be accepting new orders. </p>
<p>George Wunderlich announce here on the forum that he would not be accepting new orders. </p> Scott House said:
Bart McNeil…tag:minstrelbanjo.ning.com,2011-08-21:2477478:Comment:470412011-08-21T23:19:02.940ZBart McNeilhttps://minstrelbanjo.ning.com/profile/BartMcNeil
<br/><br/><cite>Scott House said:</cite>
<blockquote><div><br/><br/><cite>Bart McNeil said:</cite><br/><blockquote><div><p> and with a major minstrel builder going out of business the market opens up for competitors.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Who is going out of business? Inquiring minds want to know.</p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
</div>
</blockquote>
</div>
</blockquote>
<br/><br/><cite>Scott House said:</cite>
<blockquote><div><br/><br/><cite>Bart McNeil said:</cite><br/><blockquote><div><p> and with a major minstrel builder going out of business the market opens up for competitors.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Who is going out of business? Inquiring minds want to know.</p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
</div>
</blockquote>
</div>
</blockquote> I think we find topics that k…tag:minstrelbanjo.ning.com,2011-08-21:2477478:Comment:471412011-08-21T23:11:04.062ZTim Twisshttps://minstrelbanjo.ning.com/profile/TimTwiss
I think we find topics that keep coming up...different discussions provide new frameworks. Perhaps somebody was not involved in a previous discussion, or somebody just feels like talking about it in light of a new post. I am here because I like to discuss, listen, and respond. I don't really enjoy being preached to, nor hearing what is considered to be somebody's conclusive opinion that should suffice as an end to a subject's discussion.
I think we find topics that keep coming up...different discussions provide new frameworks. Perhaps somebody was not involved in a previous discussion, or somebody just feels like talking about it in light of a new post. I am here because I like to discuss, listen, and respond. I don't really enjoy being preached to, nor hearing what is considered to be somebody's conclusive opinion that should suffice as an end to a subject's discussion.