alubin - Posted - 06/20/2011:  22:42:06

I'm not trying to be negative, and maybe it's because I've had a couple of beers, but I was just thinking of a couple of things I've heard over and over again over the past few years that I don't need to hear, especially when you're in situations with people who aren't up on old-time music. The two questions in particular I'm thinking of are "Why aren't you playing with picks?" and "Your banjo is missing that big wooden thing on the back, I think it's called a resonator?" Any other banjo things you've been hearing that you wished you didn't have to hear again?

manomusic - Posted - 06/20/2011:  23:24:22

Yeh

"Can you play duelling banjos?"

wgoehrin - Posted - 06/21/2011:  00:49:00

I second the "not to be negative" impulse. 

My favorites:

While busking: "Is that a banjo?" (surprisingly often)

From many young bar flies: "can I play it?" (No, sorry, you can't, you're drunk, it's expensive). 

-willi

R.D. Lunceford - Posted - 06/21/2011:  02:37:23

I've had people walk by me so many times acting as if I were an inanimate object that even the "dumb" questions are welcome.

manomusic - Posted - 06/21/2011:  02:54:31

They're just too stunned by your playin R.D. 

tbfnyc - Posted - 06/21/2011:  03:01:37

quote:

---

Originally posted by manomusic

Yeh

"Can you play duelling banjos?"

---

And  "Can you play that Bonnie & Clyde song"

Grey Dog - Posted - 06/21/2011:  03:26:31

quote:

---

Originally posted by wgoehrin

While busking: "Is that a banjo?" (surprisingly often)

-willi

---

Or worse: I have relatives that insist on calling it a 'guitar'. And I have a few 'guitar' shirts to boot, though I've never held one in my life.

Paul R - Posted - 06/21/2011:  04:36:23

quote:

---

Originally posted by wgoehrin

My favorites:

While busking: "Is that a banjo?" (surprisingly often)

-willi

---

 It could be worse. Every time I take the dulcimer out in public, people say, "What is that?"

Originally posted by manomusic

 

"Can you play duelling banjos?"

 Or, worse, when they don't even know the name of the tune, and call it "Deliverance"!

I don't usually get asked annoying questions (although I feel like running away fast when someone asks the Dueling Banjos/Deliverance thing), but, I've come to expect people to refer to my clawhammer playing as Bluegrass.

BDCA - Posted - 06/21/2011:  05:26:44

Yesterday at the airport in Phoenix the TSA guy asked me, as I pushed my 1925 Paramount tenor through the x-ray machine: "Is that one of those 1920s Irish tenor banjos?" I was floored and asked how he knew?

He said he remembered me from the last time I went through a few weeks ago.

Cya!

Bob

bublnsqueak - Posted - 06/21/2011:  05:30:43

"Paul, can you put the rubbish out / mow the lawn / walk the dog / put the banjo away please?

Sundy - Posted - 06/21/2011:  05:56:28

From my 3 year old: "Don't play banjo! I have toys".  At least he offers an alternative, my wife only makes the first statement.

rudy - Posted - 06/21/2011:  06:00:59

"Can that be used as a chamber pot?"

fuzzyacg - Posted - 06/21/2011:  06:08:24

When people ask me if its a banjo I tell them its a lute. I banjo played on the streets of New Orleans last March. I got the deliverance question so many times I was getting ready to smack somebody. 

Regina SK Canada - Posted - 06/21/2011:  06:31:44

quote:

---

Originally posted by bublnsqueak

"Paul, can you put the rubbish out / mow the lawn / walk the dog / put the banjo away please?

---

 Wow, I think we are married to the same woman.......

Ryan_Gray70 - Posted - 06/21/2011:  09:29:07

I been asked a few times "why do you have dirty spots on your banjo?"

alubin - Posted - 06/21/2011:  10:17:08

Paul, I don't even get a "please" anymore when I'm told to put the banjo away.

minstrelmike - Posted - 06/21/2011:  11:13:38

Most people aren't up on Old-Time music.

Don't work yourself up over it.

I'll bet you aren't up-to-date on rock, grunge, punk, rap, country, classic country, jazz, smooth jazz, pop, blues, classical and the latest symphonic composers. (And that's the popular stuff. There's also bluegrass, klezmer, polka, cajun, ....)

If people show some sort of interest in your banjo, try to be civil at least when you tell them you play in the old slave-style or just say there's a lot of ways to play music on the banjo.

And I've discovered that it is faster to frail a very short version of Dueling Banjos, FMB, or the Beverly Hillbillies than it is to try to explain that the way the song 'really' goes is using fingerpicks. They 'yee-haw' and move on and leave you alone to play songs you prefer.

carlb - Posted - 06/21/2011:  13:36:34

Tired of hearing banjo players say "Where can I get a tab for that tune?". Would rather hear them say "Where can I get a recording of that tune?".

Jim Yates - Posted - 06/21/2011:  13:43:25

quote:

---

Originally posted by manomusic

Yeh

"Can you play duelling banjos?"

---

"We don't do that one, but here's one with a lot of the same notes that we think you might like."

alubin - Posted - 06/21/2011:  14:42:38

I've always thought that asking a banjo player for dueling banjos is kinda like yelling out "Free Bird!!!!!" at a rock concert. Not cool, man.

BDCA - Posted - 06/21/2011:  16:11:32

quote:

---

Originally posted by Jim Yates

"We don't do that one, but here's one with a lot of the same notes that we think you might like."

---

Great!!!! I going to remember that one!

J-Walk - Posted - 06/21/2011:  17:30:47

This is the kind of stuff I hear constantly:

"How did such a young guy like you get so good?"

"You're much too attractive to be playing the banjo."

"I'm in room 315."

Stuff like that.

paulaschumm - Posted - 06/22/2011:  04:52:58

Yesterday when I sang for the folks at the inner city soup kitchen, I had a girl ask me to play "anything by Justin Bieber". There were three teeny-bopper girls there, and I asked them to sing for me. They were tickled to share their music with me.

Paula

Edited by - paulaschumm on 06/22/2011 04:54:03

Paul R - Posted - 06/22/2011:  04:53:28

quote:

---

Originally posted by J-Walk

This is the kind of stuff I hear constantly:

"How did such a young guy like you get so good?"

"You're much too attractive to be playing the banjo."

"I'm in room 315."

Stuff like that.

---

 What meds are you on? I want some of those.

SHREEKO - Posted - 06/22/2011:  05:31:54

"If I fill your gas tank will you take that thing and go home?"

rudy - Posted - 06/22/2011:  05:59:44

quote:

---

Originally posted by paulaschumm



Yesterday when I sang for the folks at the inner city soup kitchen, I had a girl ask me to play "anything by Justin Bieber". There were three teeny-bopper girls there, and I asked them to sing for me. They were tickled to share their music with me.



Paula

---

 Now THAT'S the spirit of community in music!

Nymphadora - Posted - 06/22/2011:  08:10:48

   What I'm tired of hearing...? No matter what instrument I play, banjo, uke, mandolin, drums, bass, but mostly on guitar, some guy will always say "You play really good, for a girl..."  I have actually answered to a few guys "And you have quite a bit of hair left, for a guy...you know... your age." (I love bald guys, by the way...) I guess I have gotten a very irritated spot over the years in the "female guitarist" label/department, or a female drummer, or female recording engineer. I'm not a libber at all, but no one ever says male guitarist, male sales manager, or male race car driver. I wonder how things are for Danica Patrick? Sorry for the rant... someone said it again a few days ago....

     Once, in Central Park, I was busking with a tiny Werco aluminum and blue sparkle banjo-uke and a drunk had me play "Gilligan's Island" about five times, and he sang. That was fun.... Anyway, since I'm usually asked about "Bonny and Clyde" first when I have a banjo, if someone says "Can you play... Oh, you mean this...?" , interrupt them and play it.  "Wowww, that's it!!!...you must be a mind reader, are you really psycho...!?"  "Yup, and a little bit more each day..."  Hugs.....  

BDCA - Posted - 06/22/2011:  08:49:48

Well, we may say male flower arranger or male hair dresser or male make up artist. It's just generations of traditional role models we are getting over.

Can you play the theme song from Ozzie and Harriet? Heh heh... BTW that's not Ozzie Osborne...

Cya!

Bob

maryzcox - Posted - 06/22/2011:  10:03:25

quote: LOL:)  This is why you should always charge for your performances--people don't think you are real unless you charge admission.

---

Originally posted by R.D. Lunceford

I've had people walk by me so many times acting as if I were an inanimate object that even the "dumb" questions are welcome.

---

maryzcox - Posted - 06/22/2011:  10:10:20

quote:

---

Originally posted by paulaschumm



Yesterday when I sang for the folks at the inner city soup kitchen, I had a girl ask me to play "anything by Justin Bieber". There were three teeny-bopper girls there, and I asked them to sing for me. They were tickled to share their music with me.



Paula

---

 Hahaha--last fall I played with an old friend at a church bazaar--as a favor--live old time music around the vending tables (arts and crafts). Although folks danced and clapped--no one came over to buy a cd-----UNTil---I picked up my guitar and started singing Prince's "When Doves Cry."  Then--the other venders started singing too--and a few came over and bought cds. :)  Maybe I need to learn a Jason Beiber tune too. :)

Best wishes,

Mary Z. Cox

maryzcox.com

banjomikey - Posted - 06/22/2011:  17:46:44

I usually make out better than my former bass player. He's actually a really nice guy, but if you don't know him, or approach him the wrong way, he just comes off as a grumpy grumpy man. One time on the subway after a long day of busking in the park, and not making much money, someone said something to him about the bass, and I thought old Joe was gonna loose his marbles. It didn't help that we were in the middle of a pretty serious conversation, and this guy interrupts us to say " What is that a harmonica in there?" The look on his face said "I will stab you!" He then launched into a short speech about how witty the guy was and how he had never heard such a thing before. There were many "F" words in there. All I could say was "serenity now Joe!" Sometimes I ask Joe if he's carrying a harmonica just so I can see that face again.

Another former bandmate of mine always did this great "drunk guy" impression of some of the people that walk into the middle of this local jam intoxicated, demanding to hear certain songs. This impression was so funny to me because he was a pretty dry person as far as humor goes. He's a pretty serious guy, very nice, but serious. Everytime he does this impression, I'm in stitches. He would do this great drunken stumble and slur his words and scream "Play Rocky Top!" Just hilarious because it was so dead on.

One day we're in Union Square Park in NYC doing a little busking, and we see this guy doing his best to walk over to us. Totally plastered to say the least. I'm thinking "here we go." After seriously 6 or 7 minutes, the guy finally makes it over to us. The first thing out of his mouth in a loud drunkin slurring voice is "Play Rocky Top!!!" I looked at my bandmate and just lost it! I'm talking laughing so hard that you cannot control yourself! My abs and the muscles in my face literally hurt by the time I stopped laughing. I still laugh out loud when I think about it. Normally I don't like to blatantly laugh in someone's face, but I couldn't control myself!

Jim Yates - Posted - 06/22/2011:  17:53:50

quote:

---

Originally posted by BDCA

Well, we may say male flower arranger or male hair dresser or male make up artist. It's just generations of traditional role models we are getting over.

Can you play the theme song from Ozzie and Harriet? Heh heh... BTW that's not Ozzie Osborne...

Cya!

Bob

I've also heard "male nurse".  I agree with Nymphadora, that if the sex of the person is irrelevant, then it shouldn't be mentioned.  Many of the banjo players I admire most happen to be "female banjo players", but it's their musicality, and not the fact that they are females that attracts me to their playing.

rendesvous1840 - Posted - 06/22/2011:  19:38:49

Playing dulcimer I've heard "Is that a mandolin?" several times. I usually explain a little about dulcimer history, if they seem actually interested. Most often, they aren't that interested. I suspect mando players get questions, too. With some of the odd requests, I always want to answer "I hear voices-AND THEY DON"T LIKE YOU!" But that would be rude.

Paul

alubin - Posted - 06/22/2011:  20:27:57

I haven't done this yet, but I've thought about it. When I'm playing out and someone calls for "Dueling Banjos" I want to bring out a guitar and tell them I'll play it, but only if they take the guitar and play the guitar part. Best case scenario, you get to play with an awesome guitar player. More likely scenario, they don't get on stage, and you look like a jerk. Anyone tried this? BTW, I don't know how to play Dueling Banjos.

Yellowhouseroad - Posted - 06/23/2011:  07:06:48

Yup!  Just like everyone ells, I get asked to play Dueling Banjos, or the Beverly Hillbillies.  Most people don't get that those aren't the only songs a banjo can play.  And a lot of people can not except that bluegrass is not the only music a banjo can play!  It drives me insane!

jbell - Posted - 06/23/2011:  07:51:22

Hmmm, I've never played in public, I'm barely good enough to play in private (though playing might be too strong a verb for what I do to banjo music) but aren't these people really saying, "I like banjo music but this is the only song I know to ask for by name"?  The pestering drunks; I have worked in bars and know what a PIA they are but they go with the territory when you work in bars or lounges.  I loooove bagpipes but only know the names of a few of the "hit songs" to ask for when at a fair or festival with pipers in attendance.  I'm not trying to get down on anyone, it just seems like we're losing sight of our first interests in the banjo. Peace out, brothers and sisters..........Jack.

LyleK - Posted - 06/23/2011:  08:09:28

As a result of living in Knoxville, TN for 17 years I acquiesced to playing "Rocky Top" ("Go Vols!"), but that's where I drew the line.  No "Orange Blossom Special."  Besides, the Klezmer band "Tennessee Schmaltz" (tennesseeschmaltz.info/) did a bang-up job on their "Reconstituted Orange Blossom Special" (tennesseeschmaltz.info/cd/Oran...ssom.html)

But I have to admit that there are certain questions that reccur with such amazing frequency in the OT parts of BHO that I start getting a nervous tick whenever I see them... again.

Edited by - LyleK on 06/23/2011 08:13:04

hoverflytheo - Posted - 06/23/2011:  14:44:20

In the UK, lots of people seem to confuse the banjo and the ukulele. The fact that George Formby - a cultural touchstone to many here, it seems - played a cross between the two doesn't really aid in the matter.

I actually don't mind when people are completely new to the banjo and it's repertoire, since it saves all the associations with Deliverance and finger picks.

R.D. Lunceford - Posted - 06/23/2011:  19:55:18

quote:

---

Originally posted by maryzcox

quote: LOL:)  This is why you should always charge for your performances--people don't think you are real unless you charge admission.

---

Originally posted by R.D. Lunceford

I've had people walk by me so many times acting as if I were an inanimate object that even the "dumb" questions are welcome.

---

 

---

 That's actually a very good point.

alubin - Posted - 06/23/2011:  21:46:53

I wish I could charge for my performances; here in Chicago you have to buy a busking license if you want to play outside and ask for tips. It's like $100 and I don't think I could make that much in a year!

fatback - Posted - 06/24/2011:  03:23:45

quote:

---

Originally posted by bublnsqueak

"Paul, can you put the rubbish out / mow the lawn / walk the dog / put the banjo away please?

---

 How do you know my wife?

Phil

un5trung - Posted - 06/24/2011:  18:56:31

Yeah, I know there are some tiresome topics, but as an educator I have to say that the official response to a student who prefaces a question with "I'm sorry if this is a stupid question . . . " is: The only stupid question is the one that doesn't get asked --

u k sandra - Posted - 06/26/2011:  14:31:46

I`m with Hoverflytheo on this. I get sick of people asking if I can play `When I`m Cleaning Windows`.

shoover - Posted - 06/28/2011:  20:44:32

"That's really pretty. It almost sounds like a harp." I've only heard it once, but I did actually hear it from my wife while I was tooling around on my fretless wine box banjo (that's really more of a guitar) strung with fishing line.

un5trung - Posted - 06/29/2011:  04:52:25

I dunno, I wouldn't mind hearing that someone enjoys my playing. You send your wife 'round my way some time -- she can say anything nice about my musicianship that she'd like to --

shoover - Posted - 06/29/2011:  05:49:12

Yes, it was somewhat flattering, so it doesn't exactly fit the topic. I had to share since it's the first time I've ever heard a banjo compared favorably with a harp, of all instruments.

minstrelmike - Posted - 06/29/2011:  05:50:49

quote:

---

Originally posted by jbell

...aren't these people really saying, "I like banjo music but this is the only song I know to ask for by name"? ...

---

I think that's dead-on. 

But it is a pita putting up with it, especially for the 15th time that night.

Just smile and offer to do a similar song that uses a lot of the same notes.

un5trung - Posted - 06/29/2011:  07:08:09

quote:

---

Originally posted by minstrelmike

quote:

---

Originally posted by jbell

...aren't these people really saying, "I like banjo music but this is the only song I know to ask for by name"? ...

---

I think that's dead-on. 

But it is a pita putting up with it, especially for the 15th time that night.

Just smile and offer to do a similar song that uses a lot of the same notes.

---

Ach, a pity.  It's a pity some people aren't grateful for the opportunity to do what it is they love!  We should all be so lucky!  I'm in a great profession and clients bring me variations of the same question over and over.  But if they didn't * I * wouldn't * have * a * job* .  My grad students complain about it -- this issue =again=, they'll say.  Yeah, I tell them, this issue again.  You've seen it three times today but it's the first time for each and every client, and they deserve all the respect and professionalism we can muster.  I can't even think of a profession that doesn't deal with repetition -- how many times has your mechanic changed a carburetor?  How many times a day does the reference librarian get questions about tax resources in, say, late March, early April?  How many times do I have to explain to scholars why there are four important metadata schemas for digital images?  If the mechanic, the librarian or the information scientist got flustered with every carburetor, search query or data profile explanation I'd suggest they were in the wrong profession.

You like being a professional -- or semi-professional -- musician?  Good, you're one of the lucky few.  Very few.  If I were you I'd take every performance one at a time with joy in my heart that people have come to see me and know something -- anything -- about me, my instrument or my music.  And the next time a student asks you why there isn't a full step between a B and a C smile, smile, smile, and be glad that  you know the answer and have both the ability and the opportunity to share your expertise with the student.

minstrelmike - Posted - 06/29/2011:  07:11:54

It's actually the reason I am NOT a professional.

When I play only for me or only with friends, I get to do songs we feel like doing.

When I play on stage, I do songs folks feel like hearing whether I want to hear them or not.

It's the same for any hobby.

Turning it into a job turns it into a job.