Banjo Hangout - Playing Advice: 4-String (Tenor & Plectrum) Styles Forum Feed

Bluechip Picks on the banjo

eric@banjohangout.org — Thu, 9 Feb 2012 07:09:47 CST

I am quite new on the plectrum banjo. As a confirmed mandolin player, I use 3 rounded corners Bluechip picks on my mandolin. On the Bluechip site, I remarked that Cynthia Sayer uses them. As those picks are quite expensive, is it also nice for plectrum or tenor, and what type of pick do you recommend ?

Maybe what other type of pick do you recommend as a starting point ? By advance, Thanks

Incidental music for theatrical production

eric@banjohangout.org — Thu, 9 Feb 2012 07:01:47 CST

Hi folks,

I just uploaded 9 pieces I'm doing for a theatrical production of Yasmina Reza's play ART. This is music that I'll be performing (solo) in the background at various points in the play. Very challenging because you have to keep track of the script and your music (score) at the same time, plus take the volume up/down behind the dialogue, etc. But fun! Played on either a Deering 17-fret Little Wonder or a Deering Basic plectrum, both tuned plectrum CGBD. Recorded direct into a Zoom H1 in my living room, a tiny bit of Gverb added in Audacity but no other EQ, effects, etc. No edits generally, except a couple of pieces have one edit (inaudible thanks to Audacity) because I forgot where I was! Comments and criticism gratefully accepted

In other news, there was a thread some time ago about plectrum method books. I came back to banjo (from guitar) 2-3 years ago and have been pretty serious about plectrum since about last summer. I worked through Wm. C. Stahl's "New Method for Plectrum Banjo" (1920) twice, and found it useful, but then I started Arthur W. Black's "A Practical Plectrum Method for the Standard Banjo" (1919), and that's a whole other ball game. I'm 1/2-way through it now. It (Black) is much denser, and I think generally more advanced, than Stahl. By sheer luck the order I used -- Stahl-then-Black -- is what I would recommend to others. Also I think the music in Black is better and more sophisticated generally. Not that there's anything wrong with Stahl! They're both good, and both can be downloaded from Internet sources (I believe they are out of print, with no known rights holders).

Thanks again to everyone for all of the useful information I continue to glean from BHO!

Maintenance of my first Tenor?

eric@banjohangout.org — Tue, 7 Feb 2012 12:27:51 CST

I'm new to tenor and have only had my 1930's May Bell 19 fret tenor for a few days. I'm needing to know the correct maintenance of it and especially how to know when the head is at the correct tightness. Do I need to have some special gage or a torque wrench to know how tight the nuts on the bracket hooks should be. Or do I just learn to do it by the feel of the tightness on the bracket wrench. Right now they are hand tight and I can still turn them without a lot of effort. Will the head need to be tightened or loosened every once in a while sort of like adjusting the strings??

Also one last thing...After playing it for a few days I think I'm going to keep it tuned to standard tuning and use standard tenor strings. I think I may stick to learning Old Time, Standards, and Jazz more than ITM because I seem now to enjoy playing both chords and melody. What are some of the best beginner Books/ DVD's for learning right hand techniques and melody chords for Old Time, Standards, and Jazz? I came to the tenor from playing mandolin for a number of years and right now I'm trying to get some right hand skills and learning to transpose the scales and chords to CGDA tuning from mandolin tuning.

Thanks in advance for any help,

Bob

ATONAL BANJO

eric@banjohangout.org — Tue, 7 Feb 2012 10:49:57 CST

Here is on BHO a banjoist who composed some interesting tunes in atonal style. His name is John Mumma (user name "John M.")

What do you think about this music? I love it...I believe that you will appreciate if you will listen to it 2 or 3 times at least .

Marco

Gold tone CC tenor on the way!

eric@banjohangout.org — Sun, 5 Feb 2012 19:51:14 CST

I can hardly stand it. Waiting on a new instrument is stressfull. PLaying old time tunes and such on my bouzouki just wasnt cutting it. I will be tuning my tenor to CGDG that way I can just take right off playing. Now I can start adding some jug band tunes to my song list as well.

Vegaphone Artist

eric@banjohangout.org — Sun, 5 Feb 2012 17:38:49 CST

So, you may remember my Vegaphone vs Silver Bell discussion, wherein I said I'd probably be getting a B&D. WELL, as it happens I somehow came across a pretty great deal on a this Vegaphone Artist model. First off I'll want to set this up with a new head and bridge - I believe its a 10-15/16" head, can someone tell me what the crown height would be? I spent a while doing research on B&Ds, but don't really know that much about these Vega banjos. SO - is there any collected wealth of resources available for this model? History, setup, maintenance tips and whatnot specific to this model. Also, I'm interested in maybe a set of gold engraved flange plates, if anyone knows a source of a complete set for these, as well as an elusive Artist stamped gold Oettinger tailpiece.

Thanks!

MY FIRST ATTEMPT TO PLAY A PLECTRUM

eric@banjohangout.org — Sun, 5 Feb 2012 15:36:52 CST

Hello 4 stringers,

I purchased my first american banjo many years ago. It's a plectrum and I never played it as its frets are very unconfortable. Yesterday I decided to try a session with it, but a peg began sliding and precluding every kind of tuning. This morning I fixed it by adding a little washer...it works!

That's my first attempt to play a plectrum:

http://youtu.be/Uobx99qyzPk

Marco

Thomastik-Infeld strings

eric@banjohangout.org — Sat, 4 Feb 2012 05:14:31 CST

Guys,

I´ve today written the manufacturer of the without any doubt best strings like this:

Dear Infelds,

I´m Polle Flaunoe from Denmark – jazz tenor banjo master and worldwide regarded as a leading banjo wizard. Many many 4-string banjo players ´round the world are following my advices and recommendations via various fora – plus I do supply many of them with parts and pieces.

I started playing tenor banjo 50 years ago – for the first 25 years or so I used only your strings – but I had to give up these, as the availability decreased – plus your strings were and still are a little to short in length – for the 23” modern scale tenors.

6-7 months ago I decided to try them again – I was at time and further ongoing conducting some scientific tests of standard versus cryogenic treated strings – I wanted to compare these with your very special and costly strings.

My present soloist banjos – via their Oettinger tailpieces - can cope with the short length of your strings – and Oh Dear, they can for sure benefit from them. There´s no doubt, that your strings do have a musicality/playability way way over all other brands/types at the market. Plus they last almost forever.

But – only ONE tenor set is available at the market – nicely picked gauges for pro-tenor playing – I do however want more possibilities! Plus strings for other tunings and banjo styles/scales.

I´ve been told, that Irish Style banjo master Barney McKenna from The Dubliners is using strings from your company – can you confirm this – and if so, why aren´t these strings available in public?

I have a request for you. If you´re manufacturing strings – like the plain and wound types used in your tenor banjo set – in other gauges and maybe also for a 27” scale - will it be possible for me to purchase some test sets – directly from you or via my usual supplier SchneiderMusik in Germany? If possible I want to put together suited gauges and lengths for tenor CGDA, DGBE and GDAE plus plectrum CGBD and DGBE tunings.

Regarding a possible later marketing of sets suited for these scales and tunings – well, I´ll leave that to you and your dealers. My personal goal is only to make the worlds best strings available for all sort 4-string banjo players.

I hope for a positive response – kind regards

Polle Flaunoe

Hoejvaenget 238

DK-8300 Odder

Denmark

Well - it will be interesting to hear/see, what the company has to say!

English & Scottish Tunes for ITB

eric@banjohangout.org — Fri, 3 Feb 2012 15:20:33 CST

I just received this songbook today - I got it on clearance. A wonderful book by Sully Sullivan of tunes written for tenor banjo in Irish tuning. has tab on some songs,standard notation on others, (thankfully I can read music for it) been noodling with it this afternoon. $12 well spent!

Thanks Polle

eric@banjohangout.org — Thu, 2 Feb 2012 09:31:48 CST

Polle,

I set up my Silver Bell with a DrumDial to your specs and it sounds beautiful. I had to tighten the head quite a bit. I had it tigntened pretty evenly but just not tight enough.

Thanks again for the great advice.

Phil

Lead sheet wanted

eric@banjohangout.org — Thu, 2 Feb 2012 05:42:10 CST

Does anyone have a lead sheet for the song I'm your Garbage Man?

Jay

String Gages and Capo

eric@banjohangout.org — Wed, 1 Feb 2012 16:20:50 CST

Hi,

I am totally new to Tenor Banjo and will be receiving a May Bell Slingerland 19 fret tenor tomorrow. I have made one previous post here when I first put my Tenor in lay-a-way at a shop a few months ago. I'm really exited about getting it and I'm looking for the FedEx guy. As I had put in my one other previous post I have been playing Mandolin for quite some time and I've decided that I want to learn tenor banjo to play mainly Irish Traditional music.

I have read other posts that discuss using heavier gage strings when tuning the 19 fret banjo (and 17 fret) to GDAE tuning. I have already purchased two sets of stings, one set of stainless wound 80/20 .014, .024w, .032w, .042w, and a set of John Pearse 80/20 bronze wound .013, .020w, .030w, .040w.

What I'm now considering doing is to tune to FCGD and then use a Capo at the second fret to still give me the GDAE and have less of a stretch for my old fingers.
My question is this. Will I still need to use the heavier gage strings if I tune to FCGD and use the Capo or will standard gage tenor stings be ok? Also, will the sound be as good using the Capo method over the GDAE tuning at the nut with heavy strings?

Thanks in advance for your help,

Bob

Flogging Molly - Banjo tuning?

eric@banjohangout.org — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 13:40:12 CST

Hi 4 String Folks

I have been listening to a bit of Flogging Molly lately and I was wondering about the tuning the fellow from that band uses. I think he has an interesting style, but it is clearly not typical Irish trad style.

Can any of you folks venture to guess what type of tuning (see below) he is using? - seems to be a plectrum banjo using (perhaps) some form of guitar (Chicago) tuning?

-http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=76im3Bau7Ak

Steve

Perry Bechtel Records

eric@banjohangout.org — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 09:46:20 CST

see my ad

http://www.banjohangout.org/classified/26522

BHO SHUFFLE

eric@banjohangout.org — Sun, 29 Jan 2012 14:39:43 CST

Hello everybody

I dedicate this tune to you, BHO people !

I apologize for the rough raspy sound of my music...I found it funny and swingin', anyway

http://youtu.be/AkFLlJC5sb4

Marco

Tenor Chord-Melody, Melody and Chording in one tuning?

eric@banjohangout.org — Sun, 29 Jan 2012 04:27:57 CST

Please recommend me the best possible 19-fret tenor tuning for everything. When I look at the standard tenor C-G-R-A in fifths I don't quite understand how it's possible to easily play melodies without shifting positions. Looks like too much of a stretch otherwise for short-fingered people.

Is Chicago tuning the way to go for me especially for Chord-Melody and Melody playing? I'm less interested in Dixie rhythm if no compromise is available.

Good book on ebay for newer players...

eric@banjohangout.org — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 17:29:24 CST

Out of print for a very long time but it occasionally shows up on flea bay. Worth every dime of this buy now price

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-Harry-Resers-Solos-Tenor-Banjo-1962-/250983960766?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3a6fcf50be#ht_500wt_1048

Backup harmony question

eric@banjohangout.org — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 10:00:42 CST

I play both lead and harmony in a small group (me on plectrum banjo, with another tenor banjo, a violin, a guitar and a piano).

When playing harmony, I have tried to use chords that follow the melody to a fair degree, without actually playing total chord melody. Now I'm wondering if that is really the best way to do this, since I'm really just following (and somewhat duplicating) the lead or the vocalist, and I don't want to "step on their toes," so to speak.

For example, would it be better to play chords lower on the neck (near the nut) when the melody is high, and to play chords higher on the neck when the melody is low? If not, what else can anyone suggest? SETH

Another Newbie

eric@banjohangout.org — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 19:17:44 CST

Ok, so here's my story. My Mother inherited a mid sixties (maybe?) Framus 19-fret tenor from her grandfather, which has been stored in her closet for the past 20-ish years. She's now unable to play it, and so it was passed down to me upon my request. I took it to a local string shop and had them do a complete reset on it including new strings and tune. I am playing around with different styles of learning, just having fun, nothing serious yet. I have no experience, but I have an appointment scheduled with a real instructor tomorrow evening. In the meantime I'm unhappy with most of the training materials I've come across so far so I've started creating my own such as this-

Cynthia and Charlie Giordano

eric@banjohangout.org — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 16:05:25 CST

From Sunday night...

Mr Giordano moonlights with some rock band from Jersey.

http://youtu.be/oByFlk1JY6Y

http://youtu.be/-Sg_iR4hzHE

Plus a fine jam with

Kenny Kosek- fiddle
Marty Cutler- banjo
Barry Mitterhof- mandolin

http://youtu.be/Zx_Lg1FFSIY

Are you lonesome tonight

eric@banjohangout.org — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 23:58:32 CST

it's may of interest - duo style playing - see my music

let me know what you are thinking about this

Chord Book

eric@banjohangout.org — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 20:20:51 CST

Can anyone recommend a book that shows chords for the tenor banjo? Thanks!

Tenor instructions

eric@banjohangout.org — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 14:35:34 CST

I am looking for "teach yourself tenor banjo" with CD/DVD to help me with playing along with someone else. Anyone with any idea on where to find? I have taken some lessons but need something more for at home. I have Mel Bay beginner tenor banjo book from my lessons but you need to take lessons to use this book.

Thank you for your time in advance,

DaMichMoose

Old Time Tenor Banjo vs. Irish Tenor Banjo

eric@banjohangout.org — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 10:30:55 CST

If you take a tenor banjo, tune it GDAE, and proceed to play a bunch of fiddle tunes like Old Joe Clark, Cripple Creek, Big Scioty, Arkansas Traveler, Stone's Rag, June Apple, Billy in the Lowground, Chinese Breakdown, Old Molly Hare and so on...are you still playing "Irish" tenor banjo or could what you are doing be considered Old Time tenor banjo?

And, further more, if when not playing the lead melody you employ chording and backup techniques that would be perfectly acceptable for a mandolin player but do so on tenor banjo, are you doing it "wrong" (as this sort of backup on tenor banjo in Irish music is perceived), or would that be permissable? Chording on tenor banjo is certainly OK if what you're doing is considered New Orleans Jazz

Minneapolis

eric@banjohangout.org — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 16:37:05 CST

Hello all,

I'm heading to Minneapolis/ St Paul with a couple other 4 string players next month. Does anyone have suggestion about where to go?

4 string banjo shops or venues with 4 string music?

Let me know and thanks in advance!

Deering banjos--quality and tone?

eric@banjohangout.org — Sun, 22 Jan 2012 12:52:20 CST

I'm doing a little research on Deering banjos...do any of you out there own a Deering plectrum or tenor? I don't often hear their name mentioned in the "best of the best" when it comes to jazz four strings, but I happened to play a couple of five-strings in our local folk shop and was pleasantly suprised at the loud, warm, musical tone.

Any comments, suggestions, ideas?

OME 50th Year Model (I want one!)

eric@banjohangout.org — Sat, 21 Jan 2012 13:23:33 CST

Ohhhhhh, I like this :-0 http://www.omebanjos.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/Mogul50Plec_21.jpg I wonder if my lottery numbers will come up tonight. Better not pre-order just yet :-/

New plectrum banjos

eric@banjohangout.org — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 11:37:23 CST

I've been playing plectrum on a 5 string for a while now, but since I am mostly playing trad jazz now I'm thinking about buying my first plectrum. I haven't been able to sit and play any of the newer ones being made, I'm looking mostly at the deering and gold tone ones.

Any thoughts? I intend on replacing the head, tuners, bridge, etc and getting it set up just how I want it. I'm also leaning a little towards one with a tone ring, but if not I might just grab one of those rolled brass ones from strew mac

Thanks in advance!

Joseph

NECK WIDTHS ON MODERN BANJOS

eric@banjohangout.org — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 07:09:21 CST

Guys,

Please help me out!

Normally I´m only dealing with vintage pro-banjos, but from time to time I do also supply buddies of mine with new (and often much cheaper) banjos - both banjukes, banjolins, tenors and plectrums.

Today I´ve f.ex. set up a brand new GOLD TONE PS-250 plectrum for a young player - he will pick it up in 1½ hours. With the help of my magic fingers an indeed fantastic sounding banjo with a tremendous power - LOL! - BUT!

Most new 4-string banjos have a neck width at the nut almost similar to that of vintage examples - BUT - it seems, that some of them have an extremely large width at the neck/rim joint. I´ve noticed this on both tenors and plectrums - and on banjos of various brands - f.ex. GOLD TONE and DEERING.

On top of this comes, that f.ex. GOLD TONE is using bridges with extremely large spacings - 25% larger than on modern pro-bridges.

What a pity - IMHO this makes them non-suited for advanced playing.

I wonder - how do those of you playing modern banjos experience these - with regards to the neck widths and bridge spacings?

If possible - I´ll welcome infos about neck widths at the nut and the rim for your banjo(s) - plus which bridge spacing do you have.

Thanks in advance

Polle

Spirit of New Orleans

eric@banjohangout.org — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 13:37:24 CST

Hi All Just found SONO Spitit of New Orleans and had a look/listen on iTunes. They sound very good. I don't know much about them, but have managed to find some info on the banjo player:- Mal Horne: Banjo and Guitar Mal is one of the most lyrical and versatile of banjo players, having that rare ability to go way beyond merely laying down the rhythm in order to create melodies of great intricacy and beauty, and the same might well be said of his work on the guitar. Having been inspired, like so many, by the Barber and Colyer bands, he began playing in his native Liverpool with an off-shoot of the Panama Band, then with a band led by Ray Hayes, before the opening of the M62 allowed him to become part of the thriving Manchester scene. In the early 1970s, he joined Dave Donohoe's band and is, of course, still with him many years later. In the mid-1980s, he had the distinction of being invited to tour with a King Oliver tribute band, led by Butch Thompson, with many top British musicians, including Cuff Billett and Alan Shipton. Whilst in America they were featured on the Garrison Keillor radio show from New York. Mal has also played regularly with the Tuxedo Band, in Merseyside for the last 15 years, and is the banjo player of choice for many top bands when a dep is required. Has anyone any info on them or been to see them etc? Ta Richard

Something To Aspire To

eric@banjohangout.org — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 16:50:49 CST

http://youtu.be/p-EfgdfbC3g

The whole tenor banjo thing is pretty new to me yet, but I find these to fellows to be simply amazing.

Edit: I tried to embed the video directly into the post, but I couldn't get it to work. I hope the link works.

Wanting to play irish "rock" ...

eric@banjohangout.org — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 18:00:28 CST

Wanting to get into playing some Flogging Molly, Dropkick stuff and wondered if anyone thought this would be a good starter way to go.

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/folk-traditional-instruments/gold-tone-cripple-creek-irish-tenor-banjo-with-resonator/513779000010000?src=3WWRWXGB&ZYXSEM=0

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

Dick Rich and His Melodious Monarchs

eric@banjohangout.org — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 14:07:30 CST

Marco had posted a wonderful capture of an old '20s music show @ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sacnLsxxUlE&feature=colike

What captured my fascination was the banjo in the first song- it looks like a 19 fret tenor? What is it? It looks absolutely nothing like any banjo I have ever seen... it makes me think of a modern electric guitar. Way cool!

HOB [House of Banjo] Tenor

eric@banjohangout.org — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 18:30:53 CST

anyone got any info on House of Banjo {edmonton Alberta] banjos/ I just got one, its amazing quality, every bit as good as my old RB-4. I wonder if they are North American made or from Asia. I think this banjo is about 20 years old, no markings except "HOB" on head stock and "Custom Made" etched on truss rod cover. any info??? I added a few pics tonight. I also found the Bill of sale in the case, it was bought on April 27th 1978. The cost was $550 with an extra set of strings thrown in. any idea what $550 1978 dollars would relate to today, I have no idea but I think its a pretty good instrument.

Mandolin Player interested in learning tenor banjo

eric@banjohangout.org — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 06:10:03 CST

Hi friends,

I have been playing the mandolin for about 2 years and I am very interested in learning to play the tenor banjo, as opposed to a mandolin-banjo.

I have read that a tenor banjo can be tuned GDAE (like a mandolin), so I am hoping that I can learn to play the tunes I have learned already on my mando on a tenor banjo.

I am looking for some advice here as to how to best proceed. If anyone would be willing to offer advice, recommendations for a good beginner tenor banjo, strings, and any additional info going from mandolin to tenor banjo, I would really appreciate it. I am very excited to pick up a tenor and get started! I'm actually hoping to treat myself to a good starter tenor banjo as a birthday present this month!

Any and all advice, feedback, and help will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks so much.

Cheers,

Chris

Looking For Wide Neck Tenor Banjo?

eric@banjohangout.org — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 16:35:30 CST

Hi,

does any company do a wide neck tenor banjo. For my bluegrass I have just ordered the Goldtone 250FW wide but also like the sound of celtic music.

Thanks

Ian

st james infirmary

eric@banjohangout.org — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 15:33:37 CST

another version of this celebrated standard....

Another newbie

eric@banjohangout.org — Mon, 9 Jan 2012 09:57:06 CST

Hi all, been away for a looooooooong time. Used to play an RB4,. Now after not playing anything for 5 years I have come across a really nice looking tenor? [19fret 4 string, gibson style banjo, really well made its a custom job, looks very nice and I'm in the process of fixing her up, new tailpiece and a new head, other than that, beautiful. She has a traditional tonering, 11 inch low crown head. I was wondering if there are any online resources for getting into Irish style playing with this instrument? Videos, clips would be great, thanks guys, it feels nice to be back. Why dont I play my RB4 you might ask? I developed a "thing" in my right hand, cant roll anymore, picking and strumming is okay so I sold my Gibson to guy who plays for a living in disneyland, its in the hands of someone who can give it the playing it needs. I miss it but I think this tenor might get me lovin again.

Newbie looking for advise

eric@banjohangout.org — Sun, 8 Jan 2012 04:45:26 CST

Hi everyone newbie here but have been reading this forum for a while and really love it

I live in Ireland I am playing ITM for about 2 years on a short scale tenor banjo a cheap starter I now feel I am ready to upgrade and really like the idea of getting a 19 fret silver bell mainly i have to say from listening to Polles great thoughts about this banjo

Can anyone please give an opinion of these for ITM is the sound bright enough etc I dont see too many Irish players playing them

Anyway great to be here and a very happy new year to everyone

all the best

Tipp

Too many options!

eric@banjohangout.org — Fri, 6 Jan 2012 01:54:34 CST

I recently bought a plectrum banjo for chord melody and jazz. That lasted three weeks. My friend Alan took that banjo away this morning, leaving behind a Vega Pro tenor, which I once owned a year or so ago. We came to a deal regarding a swap plus some lessons. So, I now have a few choices - get someone to put a plectrum neck on the Vega tubaphone pot, or tune to plectrum tuning on the tenor neck, or play it as a tenor....but I've just spent half an hour playing in guitar tuning, Chicago tuning. Too many choices. I just need to to choose one, and stick with it! I must admit Chicago tuning is easiest for me to 'see'...so, we shall see... - Just keeping you all up to date!

B&D Silver Bell #1 vs Vegaphone Professional

eric@banjohangout.org — Thu, 5 Jan 2012 19:10:35 CST

OK - I'd like some advice that's unbiased as possible about these two banjo models:

Vega Pro 19 Fret / 28pc flange plate http://bernunzio.com/products/1116875
Silver Bell 19 Fret #1http ://bernunzio.com/products/1117102

So, not necessarily those exact ones, but those are good examples of what I'm looking at. I'd like to hear from someone that's owned both and can tell me how they thought they stacked up against each other, if one had the advantage of the other in whatever respect. Please, if there's any advantages of one over the other, I'd like to hear a good explanation of those advantages.

Personally, I like the B&D a lot, but everyone I listen to, all of my so-called 'banjo heroes' were Vega guys. In addition to the comparison, I'm just wondering if there was a particular reason or whether it was just happenstance. I know the history and connection between the companies, but not a ton about why the banjoists that I listen to (Marrero, Guesnon, Dick Griffith, Sayles) went with Vega.

Found a banjo teacher!

eric@banjohangout.org — Tue, 3 Jan 2012 15:39:03 CST

After months of searching for a tenor or plectrum banjo teacher, I finally came across one. He is the great... Doug Mattocks! I am very excited and cannot wait to start taking lessons with him. He was recommended to me by Pat Cloud. Just thought I would share it with you guys.

-Zane

The history timeline of jazz iPad app

eric@banjohangout.org — Tue, 3 Jan 2012 13:46:05 CST

Hi All I know we have a few members here who have an iPad. I have treated myself to an iPad app called 'a timeline history of jazz'. I am no expert on the history of Jazz, but I have to say that as a relative newbie to Jazz I think the way the app is written and put together is fabulous. It is ever so interesting. I don't want to put my IPad app down. It has some great video and music clips and sections on essential listening. Very well done. Ta Richard

Hand Cramps

eric@banjohangout.org — Mon, 2 Jan 2012 08:22:13 CST

I have noticed that when I play in plectrum tuning/C tuning (CGBD), I tend to get a pain in my left hand sort of at the base of my thumb, and it makes it kind of painful to play. It mostly happens with the major and minor bar chord form. I was wondering besides using a different tuning or not using the bar chord forms in C tuning, what can I do to avoid this pain.

Mummers Parade Live Streaming 1/1/12

eric@banjohangout.org — Sat, 31 Dec 2011 16:43:29 CST

For anyone interested in one of the most bizarre & fanciful parades in the nation, you might want to check out the live stream on myphl17.com (10AM - 5PM EST, Philadelphia channel 17 on the internet). 1/1 /12. This parade showcases 100's of banjoist marching in club string bands. The parade is very long, w/ sections of performing clowns, political skits, & costumed dancers. This banjo extravaganza is unparalleled in the world, both visually & sonically.

Happy New Year 4 String section!

eric@banjohangout.org — Sat, 31 Dec 2011 03:27:40 CST

A Happy New Year to all my 4 String Banjo friends!
All the best for 2012!
Thanks for all your help over the last year!
Ta
Richard

New tune I just found.... listen up !

eric@banjohangout.org — Wed, 28 Dec 2011 18:41:29 CST

I can't really tell you how I found this but it's a pretty cool Cakewalk/Rag called 'Colored Aristocricy'. Not exactly PC these days but I don't much care. This is done on tenor guitar and done very well. If someone else could make this link 'hot' it would be easier for all. I can't do this on a Mac....hmmm...maybe this worked ???

Check it out. www.youtube.com/watch?v=7xO2jFLU5VQ

Finger Stretching--

eric@banjohangout.org — Mon, 26 Dec 2011 17:38:45 CST

I am a relatively new but earnest tenor banjo player. Some of the chords require spacing that my fingers cannot accommodate. Any suggestions? Thanks!

Thoughts About Tenor vs. Plectrum Banjo Popularity.

eric@banjohangout.org — Mon, 26 Dec 2011 07:30:27 CST

Some conclusions (and some generalizations). What do you think? Bear with me - brevity is not my long suit. I'll get to the point eventually.

This discussion is about popular music of the U.S. (call it "popular music", "ragtime", "jazz" or "swing", etc. if you want) and does not include a discussion about Irish Traditional Music. It would be interesting to see how the tenor banjo is percieved in the ITM community today and the extent of its popularity. Perhaps in a separate thread.

1. In the beginning (about 1908-1915) the tenor banjo was concieved and supplanted the mandolin banjo and 5-string banjo in the dance bands that were proliferating due to the burgeoning popularity of social dancing. The tenor banjo, with its "orchestra" tuning in fifths (CGDA) was principally employed as a melody instrument by many of the initial players who began their careers as violin and mandolin players.

2. In the dance band the mandolin banjo failed primarily because it was pitched too high to give that familiar banjoey tone.

3. In the dance band the 5-string banjo failed because it's tuning was not compatable with piano music published at the time; the player had to read and "skate" all over the neck to play the melody; and the vast majority of 5-stringers (fingerstylists) could not tremolo to sustain notes. The 5-string fraternity largely deplored playing the 5-string banjo with a mandolin pick although some did, of course.

4. In the teens the tenor banjo style evolved from a single string melody instrument into a chord rhythm instrument and the tenor banjo "moved" to the rhythm section of the band.

5. In the mid-teens the plectrum banjo (CGBD) began being offered by manufacturers.

6. After WWI the U.S. entered a zany period now termed the "Jazz Age". More dancing, more "jazz", more dance bands and on the east coast, more tenor banjos. But, on the west coast the plactrum banjo caught on because bandleaders found its close harmony tuning to be more pleasing. The plectrum banjo close harmony tuning was fine for chording rhythm.

7. In the mid to late 1920's Eddy Peabody introduced the plecrtrum banjo as a melody instrument (and how!). Peabody's long career kept the plectrum banjo in the spotlight (however dim or bright depending on era) both pre and post war.

8. In 1930 the tenor banjo and the plectrum banjos fell out of favor. The public was tired of the banjo. The music changed and slowed. The foxtrot slowed. The acoutic guitar supplanted banjos. The string base replaced the tuba. By the mid 1930's big band swing was underway. The guitar was amplified and the tenor banjo and plecrtrum banjo disappeared from public view.

9. After WWII the jazz scene on the west coast (though largely inconsequential for the vast public at large) featured the plectrum banjo rather than the tenor. Interest in 4-string banjos perked-up in 1955 and perhaps the tenor was somewhat more popular than the plectrum at that time but the plectrum banjo was at least out of hibernation.

10. In the 1960's the "Roaring Twenties" nightclubs appeared. At this point, it seems to me, that the plectrum banjo gained more popularity than the tenor banjo. Eddy Peabody's seemingly unattinable style became attainable. The late 1960's and 1970's pizza restaurant banjos continued the trend.

11. From the 1970's forward the plectrum banjo appears to have gained in substantially more popularity with players than the tenor banjo. In this new century, as far a 4-string banjos playing a traditional U.S. repertoire are concerned, the plectrum banjo appears to the banjo of choice.

12. In sum and looking back, it turns out that the tenor banjo was just a fad. It's "fifteen minutes of fame" was for only ten years and occured 1920-1930. It's national "resurgance" in 1955 provided a public, hungry for nostalgia at that time, with a brief respit from the troubles of those times. It was short lived.

13. The plectrum banjo progressively became the most popular 4-string banjo among players and that trend continues today. If you see a show or hear a band that includes a 4-string banjo, chances are it will be a plectrum banjo.

14. The tenor banjo is again as it was during its "dark days" during the period 1935-1955. A historic instrument and trademark for the Jazz Age Roaring Twenties but ignored and forgotten by the public today. Perhaps "anachronism" is a proper word to describe its place in the 21st century.

A little introduction and a few questions

eric@banjohangout.org — Sun, 25 Dec 2011 17:32:14 CST

Hello, 4-stringers. Merry Christmas. I'm an old-time/clawhammer player that has always had an interest in tenor banjo styles. I wasn't really expecting anything this Christmas, but then out of the blue, my father gifted me with an old tenor banjo that I mentioned I saw at a pawn shop a while back.

It's a Sterling brand 17-fret. I did some research and found that the brand unfortunately went out of business back in the 60s, so the instrument is at least that old. It sounds wonderful, but when I play up the neck, I get a nasty buzz, especially on the third and fourth strings. The buzz is caused by the strings hitting high frets, so I assume it's an issue with the bridge, which I can replace. Do you think the bridge is causing the buzz?

Aside from that technical issue, I have a few other questions. I plan on replacing the current metal strings, which are probably decades old. Should I purchase another set of metal strings, or nylon? Also, I'm a total newbie as far as tenor banjo goes. I have no experience with flatpicks whatsoever and I don't know of any tenor teachers in my area (I've searched for months). Do you have any books, youtube videos, or websites to recommend to a fledgling such as myself?

If you're interested in the banjo itself, I'd gladly upload some pictures or even a quick video of it. Thanks for any help, it's a joy to finally have a reason to be in the 4-string forum.