JanetB - Posted - 01/27/2013:  13:55:34

After hearing Paul Robert's last night on his beloved cello banjo, I'm inspired to try and get a clean, resonant recording.  This tune, as played by Dwight Diller after having recording fellow West Virginian Lee Hammons on banjo, is a peaceful one, hence the alternate name "Dead Man's Peace" I found on Dwight's "Harvest" CD.

Recording cello banjo has been challenging due to its deep resonance and wound strings.  I can't play a brush without getting too much sound, so it's all single notes on the cello banjo.  Comparing it to my first recording with Whyte Laydie openback, for both I had a towel stuffed in back and used my fingernail.  For the cello banjo I placed the recorder a bit behind me.  I'm hoping that both of them have clarity.  I'm sure open to suggestions for recording tips.

Edited by - JanetB on 01/27/2013 13:58:00

Dead Man's Piece--cello banjo

Dead Man's Peace

Dead Man's Peace tab

Paul Roberts - Posted - 01/27/2013:  14:13:29

To me, the cello banjo recording sounds fabulous. The Laydie, a bit thin - probably because of the muting. I'm surprised the cello banjo sounds as resonant as it does with the towel.

rgoad - Posted - 01/27/2013:  18:44:02

I like the Whyte Laydie best. Just personal taste, I like the higher pitch and the decay of the notes. The cello banjo sounds pretty but the low notes seemed to come off their pitch before the tone ended. I saw one of the cello banjos once and those strings look like they would be brutal on your nails.

SCclawman - Posted - 01/28/2013:  12:27:50

Janet,

Nothing you do is going to sound bad!

I definitely like the normal banjo a lot more than cello banjo. I like the higher notes.  It feels and sounds more joyful to me.

BanjoNikopolis - Posted - 01/28/2013:  13:17:48

Both recordings can be summed up in one word - Beautiful! I love your playing Janet. It's always inspiring to listen!

JanetB - Posted - 01/28/2013:  18:25:16

Thanks kindly for the honest feedback and the nice words.  Paul explained more to me regarding professional recording practices and the artistry involved.  I merely use a Zoom recorder and may look into possible adjustments I can easily make for experimentation.  In the meantime I shouldn't expect to get the same tone I hear from the pros nor the same quality of recording where, for example, fingernail noise is eliminated. 

In this thread the attraction to a regular banjo outweighs the lower-pitched cello banjo thus far.  I like both banjos.  One is mellow and soft.  One is low and calming.   I bet I'd like Dead Man's Piece on my Gold Tone mini banjo, too, with its clear, ringing high pitch or the earthy tone of the gourd banjo.  For me each banjo has its satisfying flavor.   

Janna - Posted - 01/29/2013:  01:27:54

How nice when people inspiring each other and plays the music they really like! JanetB, your style is so nice and gentle, so I can hear that lady's fingers plays that banjo

JanetB - Posted - 01/29/2013:  06:17:42

Thanks, Janna.  It's so nice to hear you say that!  We all have our strengths in playing.  Mine is indeed on the quiet side.  I admire Paul's pure tone and clarity, and even more his ability to musically express delightful ideas--a skill developed from a natural gift. 

Paul Roberts - Posted - 01/29/2013:  14:42:47

quote:

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Originally posted by JanetB

Thanks, Janna.  It's so nice to hear you say that!  We all have our strengths in playing.  Mine is indeed on the quiet side.  I admire Paul's pure tone and clarity, and even more his ability to musically express delightful ideas--a skill developed from a natural gift. 

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Them's some mighty sweet words! Thank you, Janet! (makes up for some of the mean and nasty things you've said about me: )

Banjo Crazy PauL

Paul Roberts - Posted - 01/30/2013:  16:16:09

You know, I just had to pop back in and say, Janet, I'm listening to your cello banjo recording with a good set of phones and, frankly, it sounds great - huge, resonant bass, clarity, tone... In fact, I'm a little irritated you're getting that kind of sound out of a Zoom compared to what I have to go through. You might not get a better sound in a big studio. You're not using some kind of black magic are you? 

I'm not hearing any problem with the sound of you nail, either. The nail sound is not distracting; it's a part of the clawhammer sound. I wouldn't want to see it leave. 

Banjo Crazy PauL

bd - Posted - 01/30/2013:  17:54:45

Both are very good. If I had to choose I'd probably pick the WL, but its a close call. Tune is interesting too, sounds like it's in the Last Chance "family".

JanetB - Posted - 01/30/2013:  17:56:51

Well, it's a relief when someone with a track record of outstanding recordings such as Paul assures me that the tone is good.  (BHO folks probably know he  recorded and produced Adam Hurt's CD "Earth Tones" whose gourd banjo tone is unspeakably rich.) 

I'm astounded at my cello banjo's live, beautiful sound.  Possibly I don't have the best speaker system to reproduce it when I listen to the Zoom recordings.  I've thought about trying nylon or nylgut for recording purposes to compare it to the steel strings, but nowhere have I found information with the correct nylon string gage. 

It's lucky Paul's so positive about this.  I'm very thin-skinned except for the callouses on the ends of my fingers.  I'll just keep trying to improve my playing and recording and hope for the best.  I have to admit that I could play all day, but not listen to myself all day!