Pentecost, Henderson, Weems

Comment by Strumelia on November 3, 2013 at 5:22pm

A fine looking group of musicians!

Comment by Mark Weems on November 3, 2013 at 8:52pm

Paul, it is a Maggini model made by E. Reinhold Schmidt in Saxony, circa 1905. I got it off former Bluegrass Boy Tony Ellis, whom I used to do some gigs with. He and John Hartford used to play it during some of their riverboat gigs together. Yes, I mostly play down on the shoulder.

Comment by Mark Weems on November 4, 2013 at 1:03pm

I don't know much about the West African bowed lute tradition, but Scottish fiddle music is full of short bowing technique.

Comment by Mark Weems on November 4, 2013 at 8:14pm

I'd guess the minstrel fiddling was like minstrel banjo playing - there was probably a huge variety of sound. I'd like to explore the violin tutors of the period. 

Comment by Wes Merchant on November 4, 2013 at 8:59pm

www.youtube.com/watch?v=fAKCki2uShA here's Uncle Am Stewart from Tenn. b. 1853

www.youtube.com/watch?v=TbPleeXEoBs and Jasper Bisbee from Michigan b. 1843

archives.irishfest.com/dunn-family-collection/Music/Cylinders4.htm Edward Cronin b. 1838 in Ireland and moved to Chicago as a boy,

Comment by Tim Twiss on November 4, 2013 at 11:27pm

Nice links Wes...thanks.

Comment by Joel Hooks on November 5, 2013 at 7:19am

Hey Mark, we need to get you a proper thimble!!!

Comment by Wes Merchant on November 5, 2013 at 7:46am

I recently got a proper thimble from Joel and noticed my tone is more even,my rolls more precise and I feel a renewed vigor in my everyday life.

Comment by Mark Weems on November 5, 2013 at 8:59am

That's not a thimble, it's my bionic finger.

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