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www.cs.dartmouth.edu/~wbc/tom/
Playing Since: 2009
Experience Level: Purty Good
tomberghan has made 617 recent additions to Banjo Hangout 
Interests:
[Socializing] [Helping]
Occupation: Professional Musician until age 37, now I am an Engineer
Gender: Male
Age: 58
My Instruments:
1) Chuck Lee - Vintage Ovilla made in 2008, 12" hardrock maple rim, Kat Eyz bridge - Old Maple and Purpleheart, W.D. Miller Vellum Calfskin head
2) Gold Tone IT-250-G-Custom 4-string with resonator (scale 19.75 inches / 17 frets), tuned GDAE (low tuning)
Favorite Bands/Musicians:
Elmer Snowden is the man! My favorite contemporary clawhammer banjoist is John Balch. Then, in no particular order - Sunnyland Slim, Gus Cannon (Cannons Jug Stompers), Papa Charlie Jackson, Charlie Poole and The North Carolina Ramblers, The Allen Brothers, Carl Perkins, Elvis Presley, Paul O'Dette, Ronn McFarlane, Big Maceo, Tampa Red, Little Johnny Jones, Howlin' Wolf, Smiley Lewis, Professor Longhair, Henry Townsend, Bukka White, The Beatles, Little Hat Jones
Profile Info:
Visible to: Public
Created 6/23/2009
Last Visit 9/2/2010
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Posted
by tomberghan
[download]
20 people like this
Play count: 888
Size: 5,738kb, uploaded 2/15/2010 11:04:29 PM
Genre: Old Time
In topics:
Celtic clawhammer
Tom Berghan, Melodic Clawhammer, Double-C, Chuck Lee Vintage Ovilla, my own arrangement. I have uploaded a PDF of the tablature. LINK: http://www.banjohangout.org/tab/browse.asp?m=bymember&v=40254
5 comments
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Posted
by tomberghan
[download]
46 people like this
Play count: 574
Size: 2,865kb, uploaded 6/4/2010 11:20:13 AM
Genre: Old Time
Tom Berghan Billy in the low land (A&B)
Third part: B-section of Billy in the low ground
4 comments
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Posted
by tomberghan
10 people like this
Play count: 275
Size: 5,766kb, uploaded 7/6/2010 6:45:24 PM
Genre: Old Time
Tom Berghan, Tenor GDAE
5 String gDGCD (Sawmill)
Guitar (also Sawmill)
1 comment
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Posted
by tomberghan
[download]
21 people like this
Play count: 1397
Size: 1,552kb, uploaded 11/23/2009 9:24:06 PM
Genre: Country
Tom Berghan, Based on the song originally by Pee Wee King and his Golden West Cowboys.
Recorded November 23, 2009
Fretless Banjo by luthier Jason Romero
7 comments
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Posted
by tomberghan
[download]
14 people like this
Play count: 828
Size: 2,787kb, uploaded 5/8/2010 8:25:02 AM
Genre: Old Time
Tom Berghan Fretless Banjo with Flat-picked Guitar
Banjo by Jason Romero, tuned gDGBD
Guitar by Martin, DX1, tuned open G (DGDGBD)
5 comments
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Posted
by tomberghan
[download]
5 people like this
Play count: 112
Size: 3,200kb, uploaded 1/4/2010 10:40:53 PM
Genre: Other
Tom Berghan The tiorba is a very old and obscure Italian instrument in the lute family. It has 14 single strings made of gut. It was popular in the 17th century. Like a banjo, the tiorba has a reentrant tuning, and I think it has a sonority somewhat similar to an open back banjo.
The piece is a dance called a Ciaccona. It was composed by a famous tiorba player named Johannes Kapsberger. His name is German but he lived and worked in Italy.
There is a photo of my tiorba on my home page (Also known as theorbe, or theorbo)
8 comments
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Posted
by tomberghan
[download]
24 people like this
Play count: 1280
Size: 5,158kb, uploaded 1/30/2010 11:47:22 PM
Genre: Old Time
Tom Berghan Clawhammer - Banjo: Double C,
Guitar: Open C - -
Joe Coleman, a shoemaker, was accused of stabbing his wife to death near the town of Slate Fork, Adair County, Kentucky, as recorded in the Burkesville Herald Almanac for 1899. Convicted on circumstantial evidence and the testimony of his sister-in-law who was living with them at the time, Coleman was tried in nearby Cumberland County and sentenced to death. While being driven to the place of execution in a two-wheeled ox cart, Coleman sat on his coffin and played a tune that has come down as "Coleman's March." Coleman protested his innocence to the last.
Also attached to the tune is the legend that before Coleman was hanged he offered his fiddle to anyone who could play the tune as well as he, and at least one source identified a Kentucky fiddler named Franz Prewitt as the recipient. Prewitt's descendants remembered him as having been indeed a fine fiddler.
The tune dates back to the 18th century British Isles. It is known by various names, one being “Old Hickory” after President Andrew Jackson.
10 comments
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Posted
by tomberghan
[download]
12 people like this
Play count: 576
Size: 955kb, uploaded 9/20/2009 12:57:48 PM
Genre: Traditional
Tom Berghan Clawhammer, recorded September 20, 2009. Chuck Lee Vintage Ovilla 2008, Kat Eyz Maple/Purpleheart bridge, Vellum Calfskin head. Pitch @ 415 - I got a gal at the head of the creek
Goin up t' see her 'bout the middle of the week
Kiss her on the mouth, just as sweet as any wine
Wraps herself around me like a sweet potatoe vine
5 comments
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Posted
by tomberghan
[download]
4 people like this
Play count: 45
Size: 3,338kb, uploaded 8/24/2010 3:50:16 PM
Genre: Old Time
In topics:
Lazy John
Tom Berghan Cronin's Hornpipe, Tenor Banjo GDAE, Guitar, Recorded July 19, 2010
1 comment
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Posted
by tomberghan
[download]
5 people like this
Play count: 62
Size: 1,504kb, uploaded 7/10/2010 2:58:47 PM
Genre: Traditional
In topics:
A new way of attaching photos and MP3s?
Tom Berghan Clawhammer, Chuck Lee, Vintage Ovilla
1 comment
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Posted
by tomberghan
[download]
29 people like this
Play count: 729
Size: 4,664kb, uploaded 7/12/2010 11:28:42 PM
Genre: Old Time
Tom Berghan Clawhammer, recorded July 12, 2010. Chuck Lee Vintage Ovilla 2008, Kat Eyz Maple/Purpleheart bridge, Vellum Calfskin head. gDGBD
8 comments
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Posted
by tomberghan
[download]
12 people like this
Play count: 724
Size: 1,887kb, uploaded 1/2/2010 10:15:09 PM
Genre: Old Time
Tom Berghan This dance tune was composed in 1846 as “Jenny Lind’s Lieblings-Polka,” attributed to the composer Anton Wallerstein, commemorating the "Swedish Nightingale," Johanna Maria “Jenny” Lind (1820-1887), an operatic soprano from Sweden.
Jenny was so popular in Europe that P.T. Barnum signed her for 150 performances in the United States at $1,000 per show (approximately $30,000 per show at today’s rate).
This is my own arrangement for 5 string banjo. If anyone is interested in the tablature I have uploaded it to the BHO
Clawhammer, recorded January 2, 2010. Chuck Lee Vintage Ovilla 2008, Kat Eyz Maple/Purpleheart bridge, Vellum Calfskin head. Pitch @415
6 comments
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Posted
by tomberghan, written by Alex Hood & His Railroad Boys
[download]
17 people like this
Play count: 323
Size: 2,970kb, uploaded 8/6/2010 12:54:45 PM
Genre: Old Time
In topics:
Five old time tunes for tenor banjo
L&N Rag
Tom Berghan Tenor Banjo (GDAE) and Guitar, Originally recorded by Alex Hood and His Railroad Boys in the late 1920s on the Vocalion Label. The L&N was the Louisville and Nashville Line.
4 comments
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Posted
by tomberghan
[download]
19 people like this
Play count: 268
Size: 4,547kb, uploaded 8/23/2010 10:49:56 PM
Genre: Old Time
In topics:
Lazy John
Tom Berghan Clawhammer Banjo & Guitar. Chuck Lee - Vintage Ovilla, Martin DX1.
Johnny Lee Wills, Decca Records, 1947
Johnny played banjo and fiddle, Western Swing band leader, Oklahoma & Texas, brother of Bob Wills. Recorded August 23, 2010
4 comments
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Posted
by tomberghan
[download]
13 people like this
Play count: 496
Size: 5,391kb, uploaded 1/5/2010 10:57:33 PM
Genre: Traditional
Tom Berghan In 1749, Bonnie Prince Charles led his supporting Scottish clans against the British on the fields of Culloden. The British won the battle, and the clans were decimated. During the purges of the highlands, thousands were lost, families and clans were destroyed, lands were seized and the people plunged into poverty, and the Scots were stripped of their tartans, music and weapons. Clans from the Loch Lomond area had followed Prince Charles in the rebellion. This folk song reflects the despair of the time.
The legend of this song is that it was written by a young soldier to his sweetheart. Two of Prince Charles’ soldiers were captured in Carlisle. One was condemned to die and he wrote the song. The other was released and took the song back to Scotland to give to his colleague’s sweetheart. The low road refers to the condemned soldier’s impending death and the path of his spirit, whilst the high road is the actual road his friend must travel back to Scotland over the high and rugged hills, hence, the condemned soldier’s spirit would return via the low road and be back in Scotland first.
4 comments
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Posted
by tomberghan
[download]
5 people like this
Play count: 107
Size: 2,798kb, uploaded 6/16/2010 6:03:10 PM
Genre: Old Time
Just aquired a Melody Banjo, Lyon and Healy, circa 1915. This is its mainden voyage after I spent the morning trying differnt string materials and gauges. What you hear is a combination of silk-core wound with nickel silver, KF nylon, and steel. I think it came our pretty even. What do you think?
3 comments
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Posted
by tomberghan
[download]
9 people like this
Play count: 292
Size: 5,225kb, uploaded 1/21/2010 12:26:04 AM
Genre: Old Time
Tom Berghan Clawhammer, Double-D capo second fret, recorded January 20, 2010. Chuck Lee Vintage Ovilla 2008, Kat Eyz Maple/Purpleheart bridge, Vellum Calfskin head. Pitch @ 415 Dedicated to my Niece Molly Bulger
3 comments
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Posted
by tomberghan
[download]
11 people like this
Play count: 174
Size: 2,566kb, uploaded 8/26/2010 9:31:13 PM
Genre: Old Time
In topics:
Three Old Time Fiddle Tunes
Tom Berghan: Over the Waterfall, 4 string banjo, recorded August 26, 2010
3 comments
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Posted
by tomberghan
[download]
18 people like this
Play count: 920
Size: 1,432kb, uploaded 12/28/2009 12:54:00 AM
Genre: Old Time
Tom Berghan, Banjo: Chuck Lee Vintage Ovilla
9 comments
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Posted
by tomberghan
[download]
7 people like this
Play count: 109
Size: 2,772kb, uploaded 8/26/2010 9:27:31 PM
Genre: Old Time
In topics:
Three Old Time Fiddle Tunes
Tom Berghan: Sally Ann, 4 string banjo, recorded August 26, 2010
2 comments
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Posted
by tomberghan
[download]
24 people like this
Play count: 1061
Size: 5,440kb, uploaded 4/1/2010 11:12:28 PM
Genre: Old Time
Tom Berghan Jammin’ on Sandy River Belle. Melodic Clawhammer. G-Standard (gDGBD) Recorded April 1, 2010. Chuck Lee Vintage Ovilla 2008, Kat Eyz Maple/Purpleheart bridge, Vellum Calfskin head.
6 comments
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Posted
by tomberghan
[download]
8 people like this
Play count: 380
Size: 1,346kb, uploaded 8/7/2009 4:01:14 PM
Genre: Traditional
Tom Berghan Shady Grove played as a round. I heard this in a dream while walking alone through the mountains at night. Recorded August 7, 2009. Luthier and model: Chuck Lee - Vintage Ovilla - Went to see my Shady Grove
She was standing in the door
Her shoes and stockin's in her hand
And her pretty bare feet on the floor
6 comments
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Written/Posted
by tomberghan
[download]
3 people like this
Play count: 154
Size: 7,145kb, uploaded 1/28/2010 8:38:07 PM
Genre: Unknown/None Chosen
This little file was in response to a BHO member's question asking how to get "bounce" into their clawhammer playing.
2 comments
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Posted
by tomberghan
[download]
22 people like this
Play count: 710
Size: 4,112kb, uploaded 6/17/2010 11:25:15 AM
Genre: Old Time
Tom Berghan 5-string banjo, Tenor Banjo, Melody Banjo, and Guitar. I played all parts
3 comments
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Posted
by tomberghan
[download]
8 people like this
Play count: 379
Size: 1,810kb, uploaded 12/9/2009 6:18:06 PM
Genre: Old Time
Tom Berghan Melodic Clawhammer - Played on a Chuck Lee Vintage Ovilla Recorded December 09, 2009. Double C tuning, capo 2nd fret, pitch @ A=415,
Thanks to John Balch for teaching me the second variation!
1 comment
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Posted
by tomberghan
[download]
4 people like this
Play count: 386
Size: 1,756kb, uploaded 12/9/2009 9:50:08 PM
Genre: Old Time
Tom Berghan Melodic Clawhammer - Played on a Chuck Lee Vintage Ovilla Recorded December 09, 2009. Double C tuning, pitch @ A=415
1 comment
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Posted
by tomberghan
[download]
6 people like this
Play count: 288
Size: 3,003kb, uploaded 1/19/2010 11:20:18 PM
Genre: Traditional
Clawhammer, Standard-G capo second fret, recorded January 19, 2010. Chuck Lee Vintage Ovilla 2008, Kat Eyz Maple/Purpleheart bridge, Vellum Calfskin head. Pitch @ 415
3 comments
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Posted
by tomberghan
[download]
9 people like this
Play count: 442
Size: 1,238kb, uploaded 11/22/2009 5:22:01 PM
Genre: Old Time
Tom Berghan Clawhammer FRETTED - Played on a Chuck Lee Vintage Ovilla
Recorded Nov 22, 2009
4 comments
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Posted
by tomberghan
[download]
7 people like this
Play count: 495
Size: 1,260kb, uploaded 11/22/2009 5:23:07 PM
Genre: Old Time
Tom Berghan Clawhammer FRETLESS - Played on a Jason Romero Fretless
Recorded Nov 22, 2009
5 comments
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Posted
by tomberghan
[download]
6 people like this
Play count: 82
Size: 3,212kb, uploaded 8/26/2010 9:29:29 PM
Genre: Old Time
In topics:
Three Old Time Fiddle Tunes
Tom Berghan: Waynesboro, 4 string banjo, recorded August 26, 2010
3 comments
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Posted
by tomberghan
[download]
20 people like this
Play count: 777
Size: 1,541kb, uploaded 6/6/2010 8:01:17 PM
Genre: Old Time
Tom Berghan, Tenor Banjo
3 comments
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