Banjo Hangout - Sound Off! (MP3/Video Posts) Forum Feed

You're Love is like a Flower

eric@banjohangout.org — Sat, 25 May 2013 05:47:29 CST

Howdy guys.

This tune is one of my favourite and so i'd liked to post there. In this record i played my Iberica Ea 100 CW Guitar and my Goodtime 2 the crow Banjo

I recorded two version: 1° version haven't tenor voice, 2° version have tenor voice. i think is better the version without tenor voice :)

I Hope you like them!

High Up on Tug, on fiddle and banjo

eric@banjohangout.org — Sat, 25 May 2013 01:54:17 CST

This is a tune I got from an Edden Hammons recording. I first worked it out on the fiddle where it thoroughly kicked my butt. Then when I combined it with the banjo, well the banjo part was surprisingly easy. There are some hammer-ons, but really it's quite simple.

Still working out recording nuances - having trouble getting it to sound good. Though no doubt better playing would help for sure!

Careless Love (Standard Tuning)

eric@banjohangout.org — Fri, 24 May 2013 19:00:04 CST

My band was playing a show last week, and my grandpa said something along the lines of "We've got a request for James Stiltner to play "Careless Love", so let her rip!"......he forgot that I normally tune my 4th D string down to C to get some low notes, but he caught me off-guard and I winged it, and it turns out it sounds pretty good just keeping it natural......here's my version:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J1kQmOdNXVA

Roni Stonemen & HOuse of the Rising Sun

eric@banjohangout.org — Fri, 24 May 2013 16:49:47 CST

He she is with her Gibson: House of the Rising Sun

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SLstIHoSKII

ken

Quince Dillon's High D ~ The Soundbird by Gold Tone

eric@banjohangout.org — Fri, 24 May 2013 16:46:12 CST

I designed the Soundbird in collaboration with Gold Tone, a musical instrument company renowned for its superb quality at a great price point Gold Tone is a groundbreaker in introducing innovative musical instruments, often collaborating in design with banjo players such as Béla Fleck, Bob Carlin and Marcy Marxer. Rather than fulfilling expectations for how banjos have sounded in the past, the Soundbird spreads its wings and sings with a different voice. Irish tenor banjo players often tune GDAE an octave below standard violin and mandolin tuning. In this video I'm tuned 4 semi-tones below that, Eb Bb F C. When playing in standard keys I tune GDAE. The instrument is played like a mandolin.

The Soundbird by Gold Tone is a timbre-rich tenor-style banjo that uncovers a hidden treasure of radiant, jewel-like tones. Dramatically expanding the banjo's tonal spectrum, the Soundbird's innovative *neck-lift* engineering raises the fingerboard 3/8" above the head and aligns them on a parallel plain with the head.

* Optimized for nylon strings for deep, rich, mellow and varied tone.

* Well-built, lightweight and balanced.

* 12-inch rim expands frequency response.

* Tensiator tailpiece improves tone by equalizing string tension.

* Zero Glide Nut improves playability, tuning stability and tonal consistency.

* Renaissance head enhances nylon string timbre.

* 19-fret hearts and flowers neck and fiddle peghead convey classic elegance.

* Neck-Lift engineering unleashes a wealth of sound in the variable tonal continuum, between bridge and rim.

[options and prices are on my current BHO blog on my homepage]

The Soundbird is available through http://www.banjocrazy.com/

Ga'an Up The Ratty

eric@banjohangout.org — Fri, 24 May 2013 15:12:27 CST

Had this tune in my head for a while, and it developed into this with the help of my Zoom MRS and Terry on the harmonica.

The Ratty is a miniature steam railway in West Cumbria, England which runs from Ravenglass upto the hills of Eskdale.

I was raised in West Cumbria, England and have lots of memories of this railway...and it all fits together.

Hope you enjoy this.

Stu

http ://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LxILw_gsDM4

Fiddle and Banjer Tune - Old Dangerfield

eric@banjohangout.org — Fri, 24 May 2013 13:23:44 CST

Here is another fiddle and banjer tune . Hope you all enjoy it .

Cumberland Gap

eric@banjohangout.org — Fri, 24 May 2013 12:45:12 CST

I have been working on the basic version of this for a while. Any tips?

Once a Day

eric@banjohangout.org — Fri, 24 May 2013 12:14:18 CST

It's dark. It's in a pub. It's the Motorcity Stringband rehearsing for the Tamworth Bluegrass festival! This is not a bluegrass song. Hopefully none of the audience will faint;-)

cheers

andy

Squirrel Hunters (Clawhammer)

eric@banjohangout.org — Fri, 24 May 2013 08:22:58 CST

Hey everyone, here's today's piece - "Squirrel Hunters." Its in gEADE, what I call 'Cumberland Gap Tuning' and it came from Lyle Konigsberg's tab vault, just like my last tune....Anyways it was a lot of fun to play, I learned it pretty quickly in terms of my own time scheme, and I hope you all enjoy it as much as I did...

Daniyel
[this too shall pass]

Fiddle and Banjo Tune - Make a Little Boat

eric@banjohangout.org — Fri, 24 May 2013 08:03:50 CST

Hey yall back again with something a little different . I decided to post a fiddle and banjo tune this time since the banjo and the fiddle goes so well together and stick like glue .Hope you all enjoy .

Just for kicks we are thinking of making just a fiddle banjo CD of ole time fiddle and banjo music what do you all think would it go over would you all like to have one ?

Tim

Rowan County Rap

eric@banjohangout.org — Fri, 24 May 2013 06:12:34 CST

Rowan County Rap (3 mins, 25 secs)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lyr9BXl0lCk

Lyrics are freestyle.

Terry

Kid on the Mountain - Soundbird Video

eric@banjohangout.org — Thu, 23 May 2013 20:38:29 CST

2-finger picking on the 4-string, nylon-strung Soundbird by Gold Tone, the specifications of which are on my BHO blog (and, soon, on my Banjo Crazy website where I offer the Gold Tone line. Thanks for listening.

PauL

Green Green Grass of Home

eric@banjohangout.org — Thu, 23 May 2013 16:50:15 CST

Always liked this melody. Short & sweet :)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LW7S9ynOtNk

Cheers,

Boog

Panhandle Rag

eric@banjohangout.org — Thu, 23 May 2013 10:37:28 CST

Hi folks. I tried this tune a while back and thought I'd take another stab at it. I think it's gotten slightly better.

In G tuning, Key of D, yours truly on guitar and keyboard bass.

Terry

The Rights of Man (Clawhammer)

eric@banjohangout.org — Thu, 23 May 2013 10:24:48 CST

Here is a great old tune called "The Rights of Man" which I got from Lyle Konigsberg's amazing tab collection... Its in gEADE, what I call Cumberland Gap Tuning, and is fun to play, but honestly I found it to be quite tricky at times...definitely worth learning, however... I am intersted in the story/history of this tune, so if anyone knows it, please share! :) Thats it, hope you enjoy it...

Daniyel
[this too shall pass]

Snowdrop, Railroading through the Rockies, Forked Deer

eric@banjohangout.org — Thu, 23 May 2013 09:33:48 CST

Haven't put up anything in quite a while. It's mildly interesting (for me anyway) to hear the change in my playing. Comments of all types welcome.

sammy shelor

eric@banjohangout.org — Thu, 23 May 2013 07:33:40 CST

playing cuberland gap the same way i plyed on my cd

Charlotte's Garden

eric@banjohangout.org — Thu, 23 May 2013 06:35:15 CST

The beginning notes of this tune came out by accident when trying to learn another piece. They sounded too pretty to leave behind, so I tried writing them into a tune. It's dedicated to my lovely daughter and her amazing garden. Played on a Mac Traynham Whyte Laydie, the tuning is double C with a lowered 5th string to an F. Both parts have nine measures and I think Stephen Wade would call this "listening" kind of tune "lyrical."

Mussing About

eric@banjohangout.org — Wed, 22 May 2013 22:35:55 CST

Hello all! I didn't see an introductions topic anywhere, if there is one I apologize for not getting in there, so I decided to say hello with a video post. This is from this morning when I was tooling around with a clawhammer melody to see if I could squeeze a tune out.

I've been lurking for a long time but just now signed up and I look forward to being a part of this great community of players!

Sublime What I Got Banjo Lesson

eric@banjohangout.org — Wed, 22 May 2013 12:39:34 CST

Hey whats up banjo bros! Its been a minute since i posted new material i am busy right now with the excitement and anticipation of my son being born. I am a first time father so this has all been a huge learning process. Anyways i still need to find time for my love of music and each day that my banjo and/or guitar gathers dust i shed a small tear lol. With all that being said this is my interpretation of Sublime's "What I Got" enjoy!

http://banjobro.com/2013/05/22/whatigot/

The Last Thing On My Mind

eric@banjohangout.org — Wed, 22 May 2013 06:25:06 CST

from the 60's folk era had this up a while back but tried some melodics this time

Picking with Barney...

eric@banjohangout.org — Tue, 21 May 2013 18:34:59 CST

It's nice to have some "professional" backup...hides my lack of talent.

Kentucky Rush

eric@banjohangout.org — Tue, 21 May 2013 18:23:54 CST

I learned this tune a long time ago from tab. I've never heard a recorded version so my rendition might be out to lunch, but I thought I'd post it anyway.

Am I close here???

Terry

Beginner Lady Of Spain

eric@banjohangout.org — Tue, 21 May 2013 13:41:10 CST

Well I came close to getting it. Still missed a few notes. Not too bad for me, need a little more time on this song. Been working on it for about 10 days.

soldiers joy

eric@banjohangout.org — Tue, 21 May 2013 13:02:01 CST

here is down the neck part for ones wanting to learn it,have at it

Hard Gig Blues

eric@banjohangout.org — Tue, 21 May 2013 12:44:08 CST

This original is for all those people, including myself, who not only play the easy gigs, but the tough ones too.

Hope you like it

The Famous Ballymote and The Gravel Walks 2-finger 4-string nylon

eric@banjohangout.org — Tue, 21 May 2013 12:25:05 CST

This rendition of The Famous Ballymote and The Gravel Walks is part of a series of demonstration of how I play fingerstyle 4-string banjo; single-string melody picking with thumb and 1st finger, which I call "birdclaw", in which fingers pluck the melody instead of a flatpick. I got the idea for fingerstyle melody picking from Gordon Johnston, a great Irish tenor banjo player. Gordon's style is a little different: he uses thumb, 1st and 2nd and he braces the little finger on the head (and I'm sure he doesn't call it birdclaw). I have an interview with Gordon on my site.

I don't claim to play authentic Irish music. I'm an American for whom Irish tunes are a lot of fun so I hope my playing isn't too off the path for traditionalists. I like to learn tunes from standard notation so I can interpret the melody the way it speaks to me. Irish tunes are most often played in GDAE on tenor banjos. In this video I'm a couple notes lower.

http://www.banjocrazy.com/ is my site offering the lutherie of Gold Tone stringed instruments. My YouTube channel http://www.youtube.com/user/strumsteringhas several videos of this instrument, the Soundbird, which I designed in collaboration with Gold Tone and various other instruments made by Gold Tone, including one from early American history that I'm very fond of, the cello banjo.

Santa Claus

eric@banjohangout.org — Tue, 21 May 2013 08:32:06 CST

There's nothing better, playing Alan Munde tunes when you have got a day to yourself

The Smart Phone Song

eric@banjohangout.org — Tue, 21 May 2013 02:09:59 CST

The Smart Phone Song - 2mins, 06secs

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FPAvC0ePJ9I

This is about the negative impact of smart phones on people's lives.

Original genre.

Cheers,

Terry

Little Bird of Heaven

eric@banjohangout.org — Tue, 21 May 2013 00:56:28 CST

My attempt at this Martha Scanlan tune based on the Reeltime Travelers version with an up-the-neck part that I added for a bit of fun.

Rocky Top

eric@banjohangout.org — Tue, 21 May 2013 00:29:17 CST

The mando player in the band has forced me to learn this on the banjo. I usually play the guitar on this one. Well, here it is, complete with a bit of dodgy chordage towards the end. Normally the band helps a lot with singing the chorus - i have no idea how Bobby Osborne can manage this song in B?!?

Merle Haggard's "Sing Me Back Home"

eric@banjohangout.org — Mon, 20 May 2013 20:22:56 CST

I tried to play this as soulful as Merle Haggard sang/wrote it.....one of the great songs of all time, I'm honored to be able to contribute to the song's history......thanks for checking it out!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cG-fcqpS8hk

Ballad of Jed Clampett

eric@banjohangout.org — Mon, 20 May 2013 10:28:22 CST

Here's "Ballad of Jed Clampett," as play by Mr. Earl Scruggs. Hope you all like it!

"The Pigeon on the Gate" 2-finger birdclaw

eric@banjohangout.org — Mon, 20 May 2013 09:42:37 CST

http://www.banjocrazy.com/ is my site for Gold Tone instruments.

http://www.youtube.com/user/strumstering is my YouTube channel.

This rendition of The Pigeon on the Gate is a demonstration of fingerstyle, in which fingers pluck the melody instead of a flatpick. I got the idea for fingerstyle melody picking from Gordon Johnston, a superlative Irish tenor banjo player. Gordon uses thumb, 1st and 2nd and he braces the little finger on the head (read my interview with Gordon Johnston at http://www.banjocrazy.com/articles/argordon1.shtml

I play with thumb and 1st, with a floating hand not braced. I call my way of single-string melody picking "Birdclaw". After seeing my hand in this video, I swear the thumb and 1st finger look like a chicken although I wasn't quite thinking of a chicken when the name birdclaw came to me. I like to play all kinds of melodies this way. I go through the tune three times - the second time slowing it down.

I certainly don't claim to play 'authentic' Irish music. I'm an American for whom Irish tunes are a lot of fun, so I hope my playing isn't too off the path for traditionalists . My preferred source for tunes is standard notation, so I can interpret the essence of a melody the way it rings true for me.

The Soundbird by Gold Tone is timbre-rich 4-string banjo introducing state-of-the-art lutherie that uncovers a hidden treasure of radiant, jewel-like tones. Innovative Neck-Lift engineering raises the fingerboard 3/8" above the head and aligns the strings on a parallel plain with the head, dramatically expanding the banjo's tonal spectrum.

Irish tunes are most often played in GDAE on tenor banjos. In this video I'm a couple notes lower.

The Soundbird, a 4-string tenor-style banjo I designed in collaboration with Gold Tone, a musical instrument company renowned for innovation. Rather than fulfilling expectations for how banjos have sounded in the past and how they've been played, the Soundbird just spreads its wings in creative self-expression. You can really sing with this bird; it's a true imagination companion. The Soundbird soars on the winds of sound in a tonal spectrum banjos have only dreamt of. Unveiling a new range of pleasingly deep rich tones, the Soundbird opens a colorful sonic palette that plays well for any musical genre. The Soundbird is available through http://www.banjocrazy.com/

* Optimized for nylon strings for deep, rich, mellow and varied tone.

* Well-built, lightweight and balanced.

* 12-inch rim expands frequency response.

* Tensiator tailpiece improves tone by equalizing string tension.

* Zero Glide Nut improves playability, tuning stability and tonal consistency.

* Renaissance head enhances nylon string timbre.

* 19-fret hearts and flowers neck and fiddle peghead convey classic elegance.

* Neck-Lift engineering unleashes a wealth of sound in the variable tonal continuum, between bridge and rim.

Check out the blog on my homepage for more info.

By the Mark

eric@banjohangout.org — Sun, 19 May 2013 20:27:32 CST

This is a great Gillian Welch song. I played all the parts on this one. Hope you like it.

New videos by the Foggy Hogtown Boys-featuring Chris Coole and Chris Quinn

eric@banjohangout.org — Sun, 19 May 2013 19:13:44 CST

Hi folks,

The Foggy Hogtown Boys have made two new videos. They're on YouTube and in BH's video library. I am featured playing bluegrass style on "I've Always Been A Rambler". And,

Chris Coole is featured playing old-time claw hammer for "Little Sadie".

Hope you enjoy them.

Chris Quinn

Banjo Comparison Test - Sound Files

eric@banjohangout.org — Sat, 18 May 2013 17:31:43 CST

Ok, so what I've done here is a basic sound comparison test between my Huber VRB75 Truetone and a new Gold Plated parts banjo with a Don Bryant neck that was finished recently. I've attached 3 songs and tried to keep the breaks very similar and recording all of these on the same TASCAM DR100 recorder all within the same 15 minutes. I like the sound of both but thought it would be fun to get other folks inputs/opinions. I'll also upload some pics and info of the new banjo later. It is a beauty and Don did an awesome job on the neck and resonator.

If you would I'd be interested in your opinions on the sound of each banjo and less about my the poor picker :)

Thanks,

Chad

When The Saints Go Marching In--Angeline The Baker

eric@banjohangout.org — Fri, 17 May 2013 20:27:41 CST

a d-tune medley

Flight of the Bumblebee :)

eric@banjohangout.org — Fri, 17 May 2013 15:42:33 CST

Rimsky-Korsakov just blew a casket-gasket

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3PAnOQyNPpo

Enjoy :)

Boog

If I Lose

eric@banjohangout.org — Fri, 17 May 2013 13:38:48 CST

A bunch of us recorded this song, If I Lose. I'm not sure who wrote it. Maybe Jimmy Martin? I'm not sure. I hope you like it!

Andy - mandolin, lead vocal

Jennifer - fiddle

Marc - guitar

Don - bass

Doug - banjo

Doug Knecht

Leather Britches

eric@banjohangout.org — Fri, 17 May 2013 13:35:07 CST

Trying out a friends banjo!

"Gonna Settle Down"

eric@banjohangout.org — Fri, 17 May 2013 13:17:16 CST

Just learned Earl's break to "Gotta Settle Down". Hope I didn't butcher it too bad.

Big Spike Hammer

eric@banjohangout.org — Fri, 17 May 2013 07:35:38 CST

I was clening out some computer files and ran across this. It was recorded on a friends Style 11 conversion 'jo and i used it to show him what the newly set-up banjo sounded like. Looks like I never used it,huh. Oh well, I hope that yet another version of this tune wont be boring...

The banjo sounded killer I thought...

Backstep Cindy/Granny Went to Meeting

eric@banjohangout.org — Fri, 17 May 2013 06:04:58 CST

I've been on a good learning curve since becoming active in Banjo Hangout. Lately Adam Hurt has given me some Skype lessons which taught me his arrangements of traditional tunes (a birthday present from my husband). Using the "Galax lick" was new for me and he encouraged me to try applying it when I work on other new tunes. First I went to a book I've had for a while with a CD--Brad Leftwich's Round Peak Style Clawhammer Banjo and learned Backstep Cindy. Then I took a Tune of the Week tune, Granny Went to Meeting and placed the Galax lick in a similar spot. I know that many players won't use that phrase to identify this particular fingering and timing, but it's a handy way of identifying it.

A nice thing about lessons is that it reminds this first grade teachers how difficult learning can be, if not a humbling experience. An effective, kind teacher like Adam is much appreciate. I'll get to see Brad at a music camp next month and know he's another such teacher and gentleman.

Black Rock (Original)

eric@banjohangout.org — Fri, 17 May 2013 05:29:48 CST

Enjoy!

Send The Light - Video

eric@banjohangout.org — Thu, 16 May 2013 19:02:12 CST

This is a very simple simple straight-forward approach to an old hymn. Thought it made for a good banjo tune.

-Jim

Live Recording Of Angeline The Baker

eric@banjohangout.org — Thu, 16 May 2013 17:22:06 CST

For the past couple of years, I have been doing live recordings of a local central Texas Band. Recordings at various venues for purposes of generating a new CD that the band can sell at some of the regional festivals where they play. We just finished the master CD. This will be track 1 of the CD. This cut was recorded at Threadgill's restaurant here in Austin, during one of their weekly Sunday bluegrass brunches. The banjo is a Chuck Lee Custom, fitted with a plywood Pete Seeger, Stu Jamieson designed bridge like tghe one in the attached photo. On the banjo is my good buddy, Chuck Middleton. On mandolin, another good friend, Wes Green. Jim Shaffer on fiddle. Don Clay on a plywood upright Kay bass. Wayne Brooks on rhythm guitar. I love all these guys and have a lot of fun performing with them.

Sorry folks. I just realized that I did not attach the link to the audio......My bad!

Remake of Tune I Recorded with my Band

eric@banjohangout.org — Thu, 16 May 2013 15:07:07 CST

Thought I would share this remake clip of a song my band record a while back..........called Dog Tired

Whiskey Before Breakfast and Fishers Hornpipe

eric@banjohangout.org — Thu, 16 May 2013 10:53:40 CST

I posted this clawhammer medley the other day. I'm still recovering from carpal tunnel/ulnar nerve relocation surgery and a bout with cancer, but I think I still have a feel for it!