banjosnapper - Posted - 10/07/2016:  14:55:51

An etude by definition is:   an instrumental musical composition, usually short, of considerable difficulty, and designed to provide practice material for perfecting a particular musical skill.

Here are a series of 10 banjo etudes, composed and arranged in the 19th century style of Stroke banjo. Each one addresses a specific technic found throughout the mid 19th century repertoire from Briggs to Converse. They stand alone as tunes you could use in a performance, either strung together or played separately....or with other tunes. They fall within a beginner to intermediate skill level and each one has a new challenge.  When better experiment than to have Anthony Derycke, our French ambassador of the Minstrel banjo, test drive these and record them I will post the music ( notes and tab ) and link up his videos. He even came up with cool French names for each composition. 

Early Banjo Etudes

 

 

 

banjosnapper - Posted - 10/07/2016:  15:02:49

We'll add the others. I hope you enjoy these, and try them on your own.

VIDEO: Early Banjo Etudes #l 1
(click to view)

 

 

 

JanetB - Posted - 10/07/2016:  16:35:31

You're most generous to post this here, Tim.  Musical exercises are fun and give a purpose to practicing.  The music itself is enjoyable, too, and I commend your innovation!

MikeSaysMoo - Posted - 10/07/2016:  16:46:54

Is there some reason that the Standard Notation versions are mostly in A, while the Tab versions are in C? What tuning are you using? This is going to be great practice for me to learn Standard Notation. Thanks

Edited by - MikeSaysMoo on 10/07/2016 16:50:51

Scott Barnbilly56 - Posted - 10/07/2016:  17:03:46

The video is real good help to get the song and style of playing of a tune in my head . I have the More minstrel banjo book of Frank Converse but learning a lot of this is a winter time music project for me but simple book . A CD to go with it would have been nice . This is nice to get tab and video to interpret how it goes . Thank you for doing this for us forks out here also .

banjosnapper - Posted - 10/07/2016:  17:11:57

TAB is musically androgynous. The key of A/E is the written standard for most of the 19th Century. You may, however, pitch your banjo to any key you choose. Just use Low Bass......i.e. d G D F# A       or    e A E G# B     or       g C G B D.

banjosnapper - Posted - 10/07/2016:  17:29:25

 #3 introduces the dotted rhythm and utilizes the small barre. The climb up the neck continues going as high as the 10th position, and playing a full chord in 5th position. The 3-part form with the parallel minor section makes it a good "sister tune" to #1.

VIDEO: Early Banjo Etudes VOL 1 "Tim Twiss" etude 3 "..oxygène.."
(click to view)

 

 

 

Scott Barnbilly56 - Posted - 10/07/2016:  18:10:50

Hey you got some super good you tube videos for very beginners on up the line . Will be all over these and also your free banjo info. A lot of songs I was looking for sound to go with the tabs I already have you seem to be playing . Good to find out about all this .

banjosnapper - Posted - 10/08/2016:  05:32:58

#4 introduces the Dactyl pattern...the ever famous "bum-ditty" and a section of quick Strikes in a small barre position.

VIDEO: Early Banjo Etudes VOL 1 "Tim Twiss" etude 4 ".. Le mécanisme de la vie.."
(click to view)

 

 

 

anthony derycke - Posted - 10/08/2016:  08:13:55

hello everyone my name is Anthony I am French, I wanted to thank Timothy for the confidence that he gave me, working these 10 studies, I have developed my hand and my understanding the "syncopations" so my work on Frank.b. Converse, Briggs, rice, I am new to "banjo hangout" and I hope to continue learning on your side :)

banjosnapper - Posted - 10/08/2016:  14:11:42

Here is # 5. Notice the anapest meter in the theme, and then the way it twists around a bit in the second section. This style is found in the Phil Rice Book in its accompaniments, as well as parts of solos. It creates a most interesting feel played on the banjo.

VIDEO: Early Banjo Etudes VOL 1 "Tim Twiss" etude 5 "..cassure.."
(click to view)

 

 

 

banjosnapper - Posted - 10/09/2016:  10:56:53

This simple one uses long single lines, as you would find in the music transcribed from the fiddle. Many Early banjo pieces are just exactly that.

VIDEO: Early Banjo Etudes #6
(click to view)

 

 

 

janolov - Posted - 10/09/2016:  11:37:07

I think the #6 is interesting from a clawhammer perspective since there are several "on-beat" notes played by the thumb.

banjosnapper - Posted - 10/09/2016:  12:57:49

#7 is a 6/8 piece in the parallel minor.

VIDEO: Early Banjo Etudes VOL 1 "Tim Twiss" etude 7 " l'automne arrive"
(click to view)

 

 

 

banjosnapper - Posted - 10/12/2016:  20:04:19

Here is a brief summary of the Etudes. I hope they are of some benefit to those investigating early styles. There is no reason not to continue the tradition in the 21st Century.

VIDEO: Early Banjo Etudes
(click to view)