Jim Along Jocie on my new Bell Stichter banjo

2013-04-13T11:24:09.188Z

This is the very first tune I played on my brand new minstrel banjo, made especially for me by Terry Bell of Bell Banjos: http://bell.20m.com/banjos.html

To my friends on MinstrelBanjoNing- please forgive me for posting a CLAWHAMMER style tune here, but I wanted to give an idea of how beautiful this banjo sounds rather than my awkward struggling in stroke style. I promise to post some minstrel style tunes next!...beginner level of course because 'that's how I roll'... heh heh. :)

Now I'll be tackling some simple tunes in minstrel/stroke style, I'm just beginning to learn that style of playing.
This clawhammer tune is Jim Along Jocie ...but it's NOT the usual Coon Creek Gals version and not the expected minstrel version. I play it also on my gourd banjo, more tune info here: http://youtu.be/ebVvOi02VxI

This 13" pot, goatskin-headed, fretless, distressed minstrel banjo was styled after an 1848 banjo made by a young Henry Stichter. That original banjo is in the collection of Jim Bollman. I think Terry Bell did a wonderful job in customizing this banjo personally for me in various ways. Thank you Terry, it feels, looks, and sounds ABSOLUTELY TERRIFIC. I can't wait to get to work and dig into some real minstrel tunes now! This beautiful banjer really inspires the imagination.

Jim Along Josie w/Jerron Paxton

2012-06-22T07:21:31.525Z

Old-time jam with Jerron "Blind Boy" Paxton at 2011 Champaign-Urbana Folk Fest. Yours truly playing vintage minstrel style ebony bones.

All Videos Tagged Along (Minstrel Banjo) - Minstrel Banjo

Jim Along Jocie on my new Bell Stichter banjo

Jim Along Josie w/Jerron Paxton