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daytripper - Posted - 06/17/2013: 10:55:50
Hi there
I've been picking away for nearly 5-years and loved every minute of it. Lately, however, I've fallen in with an old-time jam and find myself yearning for something softer than bluegrass, in particular something more 'tuneful'. I've been learning Blackberry Blossom and some fantastic tunes I found on YouTube (see here and here). I also *love* the sound of clawhammer.
Can anyone suggest where to go from here..? I'm thinking of turning more melodic, or maybe [gasp!] turning my hand to clawhammer (but don't like the thought of 'giving up' on 3-finger after all the effort!)
thanks
marc
Stiv_MacRae - Posted - 06/17/2013: 11:22:46
Check out Nick Hornbuckle, who has a new book of OT standards rendered for fingerstyle banjo. Tom Adams reviewed this book in the latest issue of Banjo Newsletter. It's a nice crossover between bluegrass and OT without delving into melodic technique. You can find Nick on YouTube; he's also a BHO member.
SoundsGoodToMe - Posted - 06/17/2013: 11:30:17
Stop on by the Clawhammer and Old-Time Styles boards! There are folks there who have some excellent instructional books and songbooks in print and online, BH members oldwoodchuck and clawdan. "Giving up" on Scruggs style is not a requirement 
Also, love the Pietasters patch 
Hoping to catch one of their shows in August.
daytripper - Posted - 06/17/2013: 12:36:46
thanks gents
That OT/3-finger book sound ideal, but i can't seem to find it listed. Can you point me in the right direction..? Maybe it'll keep me from the clawhammer for a while...
As for the Pietasters - they don't come to Europe much these days but I've been a fan since '97 and have partied with them a few times - they are superb live. These days I get my live ska fix from the ever-touring Slackers and the (country/folk) stylings of their superb frontman, Vic Ruggiero
Edited by - daytripper on 06/17/2013 12:37:24
archtop717 - Posted - 06/17/2013: 12:40:54
Why not do both. I don't see a problem with that.
ColdFingers-alaska - Posted - 06/17/2013: 12:58:52
Sooner or later most banjo players will grow weary of breakneck breakdowns and start looking for something more varied. I would suggest you familiarize yourself with Alison Brown’s music. She can make a banjo thunder or whisper. She has written so many exquisitely beautiful tunes that are played at slow tempos, in unusual (for Bluegrass) keys, using interesting chords, and unusual meters. She plays with a sensitivity that no other banjo player is capable of. When I listen to Alison’s music slowed down I do not hear much that is familiar to me. She does not use clichés, or other player’s licks. Every one of her creations offers something fresh, exciting and unique. Be prepared to be challenged!!!
hobogal - Posted - 06/17/2013: 13:08:12
Have you heard Tony Ellis's banjo playing? He plays some really lovely mellow tunes and uses double C tuning a lot - there is tab book of his tunes available. My favourite is his cd 'Farewell my Home.' Some other players you might like to hear are Bob Shank (who plays both 3-finger and clawhammer) and Thom Moore who is here on the Hangout.
Some individual tunes that are 'softer' are: Hartford by Tony Furtado, Waterfall by Todd Taylor and Box Elder Beetles by Tom Adams.
Also, Nick Hornbuckle is here on the Hangout so I'm sure you can buy his book direct from him.
Happy exploring....
stanleytone - Posted - 06/17/2013: 13:45:41
playing melodic three finger style will open lots of doors to those softer sounds you are looking for.nice melodic fiddle tunes can be slowed down to your liking and the melody will carry its own weight.st. annes reel is a perfect example of that.
larry214 - Posted - 06/17/2013: 14:07:55
quote:
Originally posted by archtop717
Why not do both. I don't see a problem with that.
ala Steve Martin, or John McEuen, these guys both do a solid job with both (I wish I had that much ambition right now 3 finger is plenty to chase for me)
davidppp - Posted - 06/17/2013: 14:15:37
another vote for Tony Ellis
bhniko - Posted - 06/17/2013: 14:30:11
You picked Dave Hum...one of if not the favorite of mine. We lost a great musician and human being when he left us for greener pastures.
Listen to that sweet, mellow sound coming from his tuning of his banjos.
MrManners - Posted - 06/17/2013: 15:41:24
can you explain more tuneful further i don't understand that part --Tom
archtop717 - Posted - 06/17/2013: 16:19:57
It kills me when people put Steve Martin in the same class as John McEuen. Although Steve is an ok player and of course a star, John is a pro player..my opinion.
Edited by - archtop717 on 06/17/2013 16:21:05
Cornflake - Posted - 06/17/2013: 18:02:50
Have you listened to Tony Ellis' work? It's 3-finger style with picks, but evocative of old-time banjo. Typically not fast, he often uses clawhammer tunings. Steve Martin has a somewhat similar style.
Paul R - Posted - 06/17/2013: 19:21:20
Check out the videos and sound files of Don Borchelt, BHO member and three-finger OT picker. His duets with fellow BHO mamber Ed Britt are exquisite - three-finger and clawhammer blending perfectly.
BTW - Some time ago I came across a photo of John McKuen, Steve Martin, and Jeryy Garcia jamming, before Steve Martin got famous.
stetix01 - Posted - 06/17/2013: 19:44:46
quote:
Originally posted by Paul R
BTW - Some time ago I came across a photo of John McKuen, Steve Martin, and Jeryy Garcia jamming, before Steve Martin got famous.
Love to see that! Can you share?
MOUNTAIN GOAT - Posted - 06/17/2013: 19:45:13
Try Blackberry Blossom ( you are ), Devils Dream, Peaches and Cream, Sunday Morning on the Lake
MrManners - Posted - 06/17/2013: 19:55:14
your real world quest seems to be to fit in with the jam,seems like you would work on their tunes
Stiv_MacRae - Posted - 06/18/2013: 05:25:49
quote:
Originally posted by daytripper
thanks gents
That OT/3-finger book sound ideal, but i can't seem to find it listed. Can you point me in the right direction..? Maybe it'll keep me from the clawhammer for a while...
As for the Pietasters - they don't come to Europe much these days but I've been a fan since '97 and have partied with them a few times - they are superb live. These days I get my live ska fix from the ever-touring Slackers and the (country/folk) stylings of their superb frontman, Vic Ruggiero
Contact Nick Hornbuckle at nickhornbuckle@gmail.com. He sells the book directly.
SoundsGoodToMe - Posted - 06/18/2013: 07:42:54
quote:
Originally posted by daytripper
As for the Pietasters - they don't come to Europe much these days but I've been a fan since '97 and have partied with them a few times - they are superb live. These days I get my live ska fix from the ever-touring Slackers and the (country/folk) stylings of their superb frontman, Vic Ruggiero
Sadly, they don't even play often near DC either any more, but I catch a show at least once a year.
Paul R - Posted - 06/18/2013: 11:00:27
quote:
Originally posted by stetix01
quote:
Originally posted by Paul R
BTW - Some time ago I came across a photo of John McKuen, Steve Martin, and Jeryy Garcia jamming, before Steve Martin got famous.
Love to see that! Can you share?
Glad to oblige. Here you go. (Click on thumbnail to enlarge.)
daytripper - Posted - 06/18/2013: 12:38:30
Hi folks
thanks for the great the replies. I like that banjr.com site very much, this is indeed what I had in mind. I'll also get in touch with Nick and look into his book. I also liked Tony Ellis and Alison Brown.
What do I mean by 'more tuneful'..? Good question. I guess I could say 'less frantic' - something where my g'friend doesn't say they all sound so similar... As for wanting to fit in with the jam - yes, that's partly true, but I've always tried to play more unconventional songs when I can, and the ole-timey stylings appeal.
Of course it's ironic my droning on about 'songs sounding the same' in bluegrass when a sub-discussion on this post talks about ska music
marc
MrManners - Posted - 06/18/2013: 13:39:48
i would say if you like clawhammer go for that,also if your there are songs your g'friend likes , learn a chord melody(scruggs)version of some of those,play the song without any cliche licks 2-3 hammer and 3-2 pull-offs.i enjoy banjo arrangements of old and new popular music,if it was a good song to start with and is banjo friendly ,you can get them to sing along and forget it is banjo. ---Tom
Fishrrman - Posted - 06/24/2013: 15:14:35
Here's one more recommendation that you listen to Tony Ellis...
steve davis - Posted - 06/24/2013: 15:31:12
You might enjoy the wooden tonering banjo.
SWCooper - Posted - 06/24/2013: 16:05:43
I play bluegrass slow and quietly most of the time. When you do that, it isn't really bluegrass as we understand it, but it sounds just fine.
Border Collie Man - Posted - 06/30/2013: 01:36:31
For free, you might check out Janet Burton on the Top 100 clawhammer tune list, on the site jukebox. You'd probably also really like Dan Levenson's playing. If you haven't heard it already, you might see if you like the recording for his Festival Tunes book.
5 finger ninja - Posted - 06/30/2013: 07:47:28
Have you ever tried guitar, which is a much more mellow instrument. It can also be very melodic with flatpicking bluegrass style. When I feel mellow I grab the 6 string off the wall hanger.
daytripper - Posted - 06/30/2013: 14:53:41
Well I've been away for the the last week and never expected this topic to still have legs... Some thoughts:
I bought the complete set of Dave Hum tabs well hidden on his site - the more I looked at his videos, the more I liked the style.
I would consider learning guitar and clawhammer as a similar thing - starting afresh at something new. Frankly, I don't think my 3-finger is good enough yet to warrant learning something new. I actually own a nice guitar and am mulling over getting lessons because I think it will help me at jams. But I always think I'll go back to the 'jo, simply because I have moderate skill on it (and it's such fun).
Getting more mellow also poses a new problem - what high-end banjo should I buy myself when I hit 40 in a few years..? Some kind of mellow resonated 'jo..?
Problems, problems...
banjerman - Posted - 07/03/2013: 07:18:18
Two BHO players come immediately to mind when talking OT 3 finger pickers. Jim Reed and Don Borchelt. Both these fellows have inspired me to add another music style to my picking. Don tabs his stuff out for the most part and has a website of his own.Its almost all fiddle tunes and is played as a fiddle would for the most part. Jim doesnt do tab but there are a few songs of his tabbed out. Jim has a way of adding the ditty of the bum-ditty to 3 finger style thats amazing. This he adds melodic and a few scruggs style licks to make a completely unique style. Fortunately both guys are regular pickers in the chat room here on BHO.
Wally
