Old Cremona - Posted - 05/01/2012:  20:11:24

I'm sure it's been pointed out before, but it bears repeating.  When selecting a style for one's video, one of the choices is "classical."  There may be people who play transcriptions of the great classical masters, but not too many.  There was a style of banjo popular in the 1890's and still played today, now called "Classic" style.  Classical and Classic are not the same.  There is no "Classic" choice when posting a video.  It's sort of dissatisfying to choose "other."  It would be nice to have the marvelous "Classic" style acknowledged.

Also, there is no "Minstrel" choice.  "Minstrel" style is growing in popularity but still microscopic in overall terms of popularity.  Perhaps the term "minstrel" is problematic (understandable).  "Stroke-style" is a recognizable sub-genre of "clawhammer."  It would be swell to be able to label your video "stroke-style" after many hours of hard work with the Briggs or Buckley or Rice or Converse method books.  ;^}

banjosnapper - Posted - 05/02/2012:  11:52:26

I agree....at least for video classification. I had mentioned it earlier for forum topics. This seems like a reasonable extention.

Classic Banjo

and

Stroke Style or Early Stroke Style or Minstrel Banjo (the least best but most widely branded)  

Mike Moss - Posted - 05/04/2012:  01:07:12

I've already ranted about this. Basically, us Classic players are stuck with the "classical" label as the closest fit, which in turn creates a dissonance between the name and what we actually play (I haven't recorded a single piece of classical music to this day). Classic banjo is a living genre with several institutions dedicated to it (the ABF in America, the BMG federation in the UK), a strong, ample printed repertoire and modern tutors and music being published to this day.

What, on the other hand, is "classical" banjo? As far as I know, there isn't a playing style known as "classical banjo", only people playing arrangements of classical music on the banjo (which can be done bluegrass style, clawhammer style, Classic style...). It isn't a playing style per se.

The genre name also creates misleading expectations in the audience. If I'm looking for classical music played on the banjo, the "classical" label fits the bill -- but where does Classic banjo music fall in? Some of it is popular music, ragtime, but there is a very large category of largely original banjo music which doesn't fit into any of the usual categories -- how would you classify "banjo music", Classic banjo solos specifically composed for the banjo, which do not fall into any of the usual categories?

Likewise, if I'm looking for stroke-style banjo, it's a bit tedious to have to sift through all the videos under the "clawhammer" label to find them. There are plenty of brilliant stroke style players nowadays who are constantly posting videos of their work, and it would be nice to make it accessible by giving it its own category; furthermore, how is a new player supposed to know what is frailing/clawhammer and what is stroke style? There is a difference, and the lack of separate categories can lead to confusion.

So, +1 to Carl and Tim.

Rob MacKillop - Posted - 05/04/2012:  06:21:42

I wholeheartedly agree. Ive contributed many videos here at BHO, and have never once felt happy about the terms I've been forced to use to describe the style. Please let us add Classic and Stroke choices...

Old Cremona - Posted - 05/04/2012:  06:55:51

Now, how do we get the attention of a clerk around here? Is there a little bell we can ring?

banjosnapper - Posted - 05/05/2012:  11:21:22

Perhaps numbers will make a difference. I will copy this ove to the Minstrel group here on the Hangout, and ask that they add to this post.

HEAR THAT GUYS?? Please support this ....

Bufo Bill - Posted - 05/05/2012:  14:46:29

Totally agree and support the above proposition whole heartedly. Thanks for linking to the Minstrel Group Tim, I would not have found this thread otherwise.

As for the wording, "Stroke/Minstrel" would be my choice.

All the best from Bill. :D

bd - Posted - 05/05/2012:  15:03:43

Just chiming in in support of the above propositions. I feel more strongly about changing from Classical to Classic. Calling it "classical" is just incorrect and confusing.

As far as having a Minstrel/Stroke category I think that'd be good too, but it doesn't irritate me as much as the "classical" thing.

trapdoor2 - Posted - 05/05/2012:  17:58:18

Amen!

I have been having problems lately with the term "Classic" though...much as I prefer it. It seems that many BG players use "Classic" to describe early BG tunes (1940's-1960's). I had an interesting discussion regarding this with a few students @ Smoky Mt. Banjo Academy this weekend...took me a few minutes to realize that I was talking one thing and they were thinking something entirely different!

I'll still vote for stroke/classic.

thereallyniceman - Posted - 05/06/2012:  00:16:18

Yep I agree with all the above. I am always undecided as to which category to chose when I post my CLASSIC STYLE videos.

Hey Carl, there is an alternative you know!    classic-banjo.ning.com"> classic-banjo.ning.com   

Pop over and see us sometime, it still is your baby ;-)

banjosnapper - Posted - 05/06/2012:  07:15:20

The advantage of naming those here on this site is for folks that may be unfamiliar with the genre. It is a springboard to then go the Minstrel or Classic site. 

thereallyniceman - Posted - 05/06/2012:  07:46:55

I agree Tim, the more exposure for all styles of banjo playing the better and BHO is a great vehicle for this exposure.

I was only joshing about an alternative for  Carl as he was the person who set up Classic Banjo Ning in the first place.  

Many new to the banjo believe that  only one style exists... BLUEGRASS, and only one tune... DUELING BANJOS...  Oh what  a cornucopia of delights  they are missing!!!

Old Cremona - Posted - 05/06/2012:  14:58:40

I wonder why Moderators won't acknowledge this thread? I see other threads in this section where Moderators address the various concerns, sometimes after only one post. If a moderator would say a little something here, it wouldn't seem like we're just spinning our wheels. Something like "Heck no, we're not changing anything for you banjo oddballs" or "We have heard you concerns and are looking into it."

Bupahe - Posted - 05/06/2012:  23:46:29

Hi Carl, I like your suggetion about having a couple more categories added, classic and minstre/stroke. Wonder if it's worth getting in touch with the great man himself as I would think only he could actually add anything else to the site. Could be the Moderators missed it, I did as did Bufo Bill, I only caught it via Classic ning. I suppose you could also re-post with a slightly different heading, something like "help needed " that might get more response. Good Luck.

schlange - Posted - 05/07/2012:  09:17:07

Good sirs,

Your wishes have been granted. Please spread the word to encourage folks to re-classify their MP3's and videos accordingly!

I added "Minstrel (Stroke Style)" and "Classic" to the "Playing Style" list.

banjosnapper - Posted - 05/07/2012:  09:50:56

Beautiful....thank you!!

banjosnapper - Posted - 05/07/2012:  09:55:34

Perhaps some kinks in it yet....I reclassified one and got an error message. I'm sure it will be straightened before long.

Mike Moss - Posted - 05/07/2012:  09:58:23

Thank you! I'm off to reclassify my videos 

Bupahe - Posted - 05/07/2012:  11:05:59

Brilliant, Thank you Mr Schlange.

banjosnapper - Posted - 05/07/2012:  11:42:55

I just did one. It worked. Many thanks.

Old Cremona - Posted - 05/08/2012:  03:29:25

Eric, thank you. I think this will help a little bit to raise awareness of these "other" styles of banjo playing.