All Videos Tagged Strumelia (Minstrel Banjo) - Minstrel Banjo

Jim Along Jocie (Hammons) gourd banjo, fiddle

2017-11-02T00:28:13.579Z

Figured I'd post this older video again, because of the gourd banjer. :)
Lisa on gourd banjo, Brian on fiddle.
Not your great great grandfather's minstrel version. lol.
I learned this banjo tune from listening to a recording of Burl Hammons of West Virginia (1908-1993). This version bears almost no resemblance to the more familiar versions of "Jim Along Josie". I like it because it is spare but has a lot going on under the surface.
I'm playing in F, 'sawmill tuning', on my pig-head gourd banjo. Brian plays fiddle tuned down.
The tune starts out a bit rough, but warms up nicely by the hearth. Sorry about the dark fireside lighting. A little home made music

Silver Lake Waltz at the Sweeney cabin, Appomattox VA

2017-09-24T16:41:33.969Z

Saturday night in the Sweeney cabin, Appomattox VA Courthouse national park Sept 2017. During the Joel Sweeney early banjo gathering. Jacalyn and I playing Silver Lake Waltz. To my right is Joe Ayers on his gourd banjer. Mark Weems providing a lovely fingerpicked chord accompaniment on 1800s guitar. What a great evening it was!

Carve That Possum

2017-09-22T21:14:16.746Z

The great Dave Kirchner singing and playing a banjo he made. I accompanied him on bones, ankle rattle, and chorus.
This fun old song from the 1800s "Carve That Possum".
This was at the public concert at Appomattox Courthouse National Park during the Joel Sweeney History of the Banjo weekend in Sept 2017. A bunch of us early banjo enthusiasts attended from various states. A fun gathering for sure!

Beginner Tune of the Month - (May2016) Old Joe

2016-05-01T22:32:05.474Z

I'd like to post this as the Beginner Tune of the Month for May 2016...
Old Joe, a banjo tune from Thomas Briggs' banjo tutor book of 1855. Here played in minstrel 'high bass tuning' in the key of D...tune your minstrel banjo to d-ADF#A. (You can also play this in regular Briggs 'low bass' tuning if you simply avoid hitting the bass string, since the tune as written does not utilize the bass string)
This is one of the easiest tunes to learn in stroke style/minstrel style banjo, and most of the moves will be familiar to clawhammer players already. But it's a satisfying tune or song for any level of minstrel banjo player.

The Holly and the Ivy/The Friendly Beasts-fiddle & epinette

2015-12-21T04:09:13.840Z

A Winter medley of two old carols:
The Holly and Ivy (English broadside c.1710),
and... The Friendly Beasts...also known as The Donkey Carol (originating from Latin, France, 12th century). The song is associated with the Feast of Fools, and is also said to have been part of the 13th century Fete de l’Ane (The Donkey’s Festival).
Here my husband and I play on fiddle and epinette... a traditional French small fretted box zitter.

This sweet six stringed epinette was constructed in 2010 from the mahogany door of a demolished 1850s bank building. It was made by John Henry Crocker of Bristol, England...a talented builder, inspired musician, and beloved friend to many dulcimer players.