Minstrel Banjo

For enthusiasts of early banjo

Tim Twiss's Blog (111)

Converse Analytical and Stroke / Banjo Style Studies

As I mentioned, I combed back through my playlists on youtube to see what I left out. I found about 5 or 6 from the Converse Analytical (banjo style section) that I forgot. One of them is the about the first one after the introduction of the Combination Exercises. "Rattlesanke Jig". As I look closely at it, it is obviously close to the Buckley Version (1860). It is very specifically fingered, using the Combinations. It seems to be awkward at first, but it transforms itself into something…

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Added by Tim Twiss on January 7, 2012 at 2:00pm — 9 Comments

giggletoot youtube

As you all might know by now, I have taken down the Banjo Clubhouse for now. Fortunately, most of those resources are widely available now. Tuckahoe is back in biz, so we can support Joe Ayers with the availability of Briggs, Rice, Buckley 1860, and the Green and Yellow Converse. The Buckley 1868, which I obtained form Brown University, will pop up on my revamped site when I get it going. Joel may also have it up on his. I think Joe has plans to add this to Tuckahoe...and I hope he does. It…

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Added by Tim Twiss on January 6, 2012 at 9:08am — 1 Comment

Sweeney Set

I'm going to try and put together my "Joe Sweeney" set of tunes for my bi monthly gig at an assisted living facility. In it will be the known tunes he did (according to Bob Carlin) segued to some of the early stuff, mostly from Briggs. It should be a fun set. I have never really done a "theme" show, so it will fun to take it out and see how they lay together. I'd like to lean on a "sawbuck" like he did...but may end up standing.

Here's da lineup:

Whar Did You Come…

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Added by Tim Twiss on December 30, 2011 at 8:40am — 8 Comments

Will somebody come out and play with me?

Hey, anybody want to explore Picayunne Butler this week. I am geeked on the idea of following the new sheet music. Instrumental or vocal, this is one of our gems....in the top 5 of Maher's playbill frequency.

Added by Tim Twiss on December 19, 2011 at 8:45am — 5 Comments

First Chord of "A Hard Days Night"

This has been beat to death on the internet, but so very cool to share. Do we have an "Off Topic" category here...? No, but here it is anyway. Enjoy the enthusiasm of Randy Bachman describing this magic moment.

Added by Tim Twiss on December 17, 2011 at 10:43pm — No Comments

Hey Al, how's your flower?

Did you "plant" your bulb  from the Arts and Greens?

Added by Tim Twiss on December 16, 2011 at 7:57am — No Comments

Tunes

Hey John, want to do this again? So many to pick from...especially with the Glee Book available. It does not have to be a vocal tune. I know Clarke has done "Clare De Kitchen" a lot...this is a good candidate, and another one of those very early ones. The lyrics are classic. It would also make a really good Stroke instrumental. 

Added by Tim Twiss on December 11, 2011 at 12:31pm — 14 Comments

Leadley

Okay, hang in there with me. I am trying one from each of the different sections in the Lawrence Leadley fiddle collection. As was indicated by our early masters, adapting fiddle repertoire is fair game for adding banjo material-so stay on the lookout. The well is deep. 

Added by Tim Twiss on December 3, 2011 at 4:32pm — 1 Comment

Mahar

I just added an appendix from the William Mahar Book "Behind the Burnt Cork Mask" showing the frequency of appearance in early minstrel songsters. It is especially interesting with the availability of the Christy Glee Book.  

Added by Tim Twiss on November 25, 2011 at 5:33pm — 8 Comments

Hurrah for the turkey banjo

Happy Holidays everybody.

Nice logo John.

Added by Tim Twiss on November 22, 2011 at 8:00pm — No Comments

blah blah blur blur

Playing through "Far South"....it had a pretty good feel and the banjo was growling along rather nicely....shoulda checked the light on the camera first. Oh well, I'll leave it up for a day or so, and then scrap it. Just listen..watching gets you dizzy.

Added by Tim Twiss on November 3, 2011 at 9:53pm — 3 Comments

Winner's Banjo Books

Often overlooked, but there are several of them. Not great, but they are worth playing through...occasional gems will pop up. You can discover many re-titled tunes.

Added by Tim Twiss on October 27, 2011 at 10:18pm — No Comments

Off To California

Opened up the Green Converse to get a little Stroke break from the Fingerstyle, and here was another take on that familiar melody...Barley Reel  

Added by Tim Twiss on October 24, 2011 at 9:08am — No Comments

Visit

Hey, I just got back from the Classic site. I thought that with my fingerstyle tune they would let me in, but I had to go change. Ian runs a really tight ship there.

Added by Tim Twiss on October 20, 2011 at 9:21am — 3 Comments

Motor City

Hey Terry...got your call. Call that number again when you are really close...I'll be watching the door...its after hours and will be locked.

Thanks,

tt 

Added by Tim Twiss on October 14, 2011 at 2:04pm — 1 Comment

Try again

Checked the bridge first...here we go again. Added "Fairy Dance". It comes right after "Jim Crow Jig" in the book.

Added by Tim Twiss on October 13, 2011 at 8:11am — No Comments

Tigers

Yea!

Added by Tim Twiss on October 6, 2011 at 10:44pm — 11 Comments

Dayton area

Anybody from Dayton...or nearby? I am going there for a living history event Saturday...one of those where you stay most of the day. Sure would like to spark it up with a percussionist or fiddle player.

Added by Tim Twiss on October 6, 2011 at 8:25pm — No Comments

Neil Grey's Banjo Method

Courtesy of member Nicholas Bechtel, there is yet another book to examine. I am posting one piece from it this morning and let him tell you a bit more about it, if you are curious. I have only seen a few pages of it. It is geared toward fingerstyle, but as usual...much adapts to rappin it. 

Added by Tim Twiss on October 6, 2011 at 8:01am — 4 Comments

Blue Tail Fly

I was talking to Mr. Bechtel last week about this tune. No tab, but this is the version of the tune we were discussing. It is Emmett's 1st version (c. 1844) of Blue Tail Fly...the minor one.  

Added by Tim Twiss on September 6, 2011 at 9:48am — 1 Comment

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