Topics...

[Tim Twiss]

The whole thing about thumb strings developed from a discussion about repertoire and styles of Early Banjo. I hope someone wants to jump back in and discuss music. 

[Strumelia]

So, maybe I've already veered off the topic of this thread.  If so, I apologize, truly.

What is the actual topic of this thread, then? 

or maybe I should just shut up and go peruse the Gumbo Chaff!  Actually, I just ate two bowls of a great vegetable gumbo soup I made yesterday, and I think I WILL take a look at the Gumbo offerings ...right now!  lol...

[Tim Twiss]

There were two topics. One was a discussion of the Gumbo Chaff Tutor, and the other one was about the absence of a thumb string. It all ties into early repertoire and how it was played.

[Strumelia]

Here's how you tune your banjo in C and D (where the 2nd string is given as F and not F#);  now, go play these tunes that aren't necessarily in C or D...

Paul, it does seem confusing, but for what it's worth- this is not the first time I've seen old music books make the assumption that you KNOW it's going to be an F# when they say an F when discussing the keys of D or G for example.  Note that in the Gumbo instruction for tuning to key of D, they even write it as:  The Key of (D.) # #

They just assume you know the F is sharpened in that key.

[Strumelia]

Yes, there were/are two topics, in two threads.  But still then... what's the topic of this one?  (so I can stay on it!)