May 2012 Blog Posts (8)

I did and / do not mean to belittle musicians.

I enjoy learning a musical style on appropriate instruments !

But  I realized long ago that I have a lot of fun trying inappropriate things too!

I have instruments that I have built that have no name or appripriate musical family 

or music just for that instrument.  I enjoy learning and doodling around musically.

One of my outlandish approaches is to play old time music on a Tenor Recorder.

Wildwood…

Continue

The old line about baseball players adapted to me !!

 

Don't know how much skill i'll end up with but I'm havin a great time

My Rules:

1.   Don't take it so seriously

2.   If I'm not having fun don't do it

3.   It was in tune when I bought it !!

 

Needed a coffin Case for  my new sweet Banjo from Jay Moschella. it sounds sooo sweet. I have a reenactment event this weekend at Ft Tejon, Lebec CA.

 http://www.pinemountainclubrealestate.com/Local-Area/FORT-TEJON/fort-tejon-california.html

 Figured I could make my own. Took me 4 days, made a couple measurement errors...nothing that the belt Sander could not fix. This was…

Continue

Putting a call out to anyone out here in Southern California that is particularly into this style of Banjo Playing.

I live in Santa Barbara, and have not seen anyone so far on the website that is out here. I read on with envy at all of you that get to get to get together. A lot of cool stuff going on out there.

standing by...

I have returned to This site , I'm glad to be here. Now

that personal Issues are resolved and I have Time to

 learn and enjoy this instrument. I would like to explain

my banjo , It was built with the"use what ya got" approach.

 I didn't have much money or special shop at my disposal

so I just kinda went for it.  The Pot is made from a piece

of that aqua bluesewer pipe that ya often see at

construction sites. The neck and dowel are from…

Continue

As a banjo builder, I can't help but feel like an expectant parent when I am getting close to finishing a new banjo. All that excitement springs to the surface as I get that new set of strings out and start tying the knots to hold them on the shiny new tailpiece. Then, as I tighten them up for the first time, nerves on edge , POP! One of the knots lets go and I carefully tie it back on with an extra twist to make sure it stays. Now I am feeling a bit jumpy. I cringe as I tighten those last few… Continue