Laurence Diehl - Posted - 05/30/2026:  13:17:52

I’ve been a member here for 20 years and there was a time when people listened to music and there was vibrant banter back and forth. Now (with the possible exception of the clawhammer TOTW posts) it’s all about how to fix a broken neck or install spikes. That seems rather one-dimensional and makes me sad. I guess that’s just the way it is.

If everything runs true to form, I shouldn’t expect much response to this post either.

STUD figmo Al - Posted - 05/30/2026:  13:50:40

Posting has dropped off a lot...

Texasbanjo - Posted - 05/30/2026:  14:15:15

There's still some activity in the Sound Off forum but not a lot of back and forth, maybe a few compliments. Guess folks just don't talk on forums as much as they used to.

Edited to add:  I presume most folks just use the "like" button if they like the tune rather than make comments.    I prefer to post comments and leave the like button alone.

Edited by - Texasbanjo on 05/30/2026 14:17:09

Tractor1 - Posted - 05/30/2026:  14:22:05

store bought and camaraderie ( likes and subscriptions) that are obtained by joining groups engineered for that (sign up fee --of course



They might show on the vid page with 10 likes and one view --or show up with 10 or 15 strangers that never show elsewhere



Facebook with it's ease of making a page --then offering it's promotion for a fee --but there are some good things about facebook



I still post on sound off and get some views --even though the viewers scroll on by without bothering me--but real views not enticed

Yep I miss the postathons and guys like Jim Reed ,Don Borchelt and many more--of course winter time might help a bit--



I think the subscription/ like wars might be --getting wore thin for it's self pleasure value--along the line of-- paid mourners at a funeral--



footnote I was wondering when you might be throwing on some

Edited by - Tractor1 on 05/30/2026 14:23:01

chuckv97 - Posted - 05/30/2026:  14:24:25

Maybe the bloom is off the rose, what with so much bluegrass & banjo all over the internet. Some of the bluegrass Facebook groups have over 100,000 members, although I don’t see too many comments or posts from BHO members.

Tractor1 - Posted - 05/30/2026:  14:31:25

The facebook atmosphere is very shallow and non human in comparison to the hangout--It would be cool if they would drift back in -to the real world

Owen - Posted - 05/30/2026:  17:19:49

Engage in vibrant banter?? 

I would if I could.  

martyjoe - Posted - 05/30/2026:  17:21:07

quote:

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Originally posted by Texasbanjo

There's still some activity in the Sound Off forum but not a lot of back and forth, maybe a few compliments. Guess folks just don't talk on forums as much as they used to.

Edited to add:  I presume most folks just use the "like" button if they like the tune rather than make comments.    I prefer to post comments and leave the like button alone.

 

 

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Like 

STUD figmo Al - Posted - 05/30/2026:  18:24:16

quote:

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Originally posted by martyjoe

quote:

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Originally posted by Texasbanjo

There's still some activity in the Sound Off forum but not a lot of back and forth, maybe a few compliments. Guess folks just don't talk on forums as much as they used to.

Edited to add:  I presume most folks just use the "like" button if they like the tune rather than make comments.    I prefer to post comments and leave the like button alone.

 

 

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Like 

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I do like the drive by humor..

Thanks Martyjoe.... :0)

donc - Posted - 05/30/2026:  20:01:58

When I first got into the banjo universe one fact was repeated more than once. That was around 2006. People would repeat that most people who take up the banjo are older on average. For me I was already 59. In 2 weeks I will turn 79. Most people my age are phasing out of something. I still consider myself fortunate to be here . I would be more eager to go to Bluegrass jams during the winter if my night driving ability wasn't a mobile crap shoot.

Bill Rogers - Posted - 05/31/2026:  00:48:58

My posting dropped off significantly after my first few years. There were simply fewer posts that seemed to call for the thoughts and ideas I had about old-time banjo. Many of my generation, who tended to read actual books and communicate in writing, are no longer with us. Younger folks don’t seem to write as much. ,,, But fewer are playing the banjo, it seems. All that makes for fewer posts in general, and fewer members’ posting their playing.

GS - Posted - 05/31/2026:  00:54:56

When I get really good - probably in 20 years or so - I'll post a clip of my playing. Until then, folks...

Enjoy your Sunday

Nopix - Posted - 05/31/2026:  05:37:20

Once upon a time, (maybee during covid)there was this 'post one, comment on three or four.' Or however many posted since your one post. Always positive encouraging comments. I guess eventually this wears thin.



I have a habit of recording my practices. Pretty much daily. It's gonna happen either way. Developing something in public, seems silly, now. It's almost like forcing folks to be nice, by posting. That's not nice. Things aren't always nice. Things don't always have to be posted.



There's some really talented folks here. Their posts (vids) are impressive. Head and shoulders above anything I could do.

Edited by - Nopix on 05/31/2026 05:38:50

Bart Veerman - Posted - 05/31/2026:  06:47:23

The title "Sound off" should be self-explanatory. Maybe change it to "Sound on?"

In a world where DJs are becoming more famous than the musicians who music they play, waddaya expect...

Only one person in the whole world can save the banjo: Taylor Swift. If she starts playing one then we'll be OK again.

Nopix - Posted - 05/31/2026:  07:13:03

Taylor plays a thing with six tuners on the headstock. So does Keith Urban.

I would not. I'd take a weekend and learn banjer.  This shows how wrong I am, financially speaking. 

Laurence Diehl - Posted - 05/31/2026:  09:35:40

quote:

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Originally posted by Bill Rogers

My posting dropped off significantly after my first few years. There were simply fewer posts that seemed to call for the thoughts and ideas I had about old-time banjo. Many of my generation, who tended to read actual books and communicate in writing, are no longer with us. Younger folks don’t seem to write as much. ,,, But fewer are playing the banjo, it seems. All that makes for fewer posts in general, and fewer members’ posting their playing.

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These are all factors I'm sure. The newness of seeing folks posting music online has worn off. I'm grateful for the nice comments I've received over the years, including from you. 

I don't play in bands anymore, or attend open mics or large jam sessions, so BHO has come to be my audience, and lately it feels like playing to an empty room.  But I accept this is just the online reality. 

nostalgia ain't what it used to be. 

chuckv97 - Posted - 05/31/2026:  09:49:11

follow-up quote: “ The future ain't what it used to be.” - Yogi Berra

Large jams can be tough to navigate or tolerate re solid rhythm , but I go anyway … busking keeps me in touch with “live” people, rather than cyber.

banjo bill-e - Posted - 05/31/2026:  10:45:07

Laurence, I can only say that I have always enjoyed your contributions here. I agree that when someone bothers to post music then more of us should comment and be supportive. I've been guilty of that and I'll try to remedy that.

Texasbanjo - Posted - 05/31/2026:  14:07:00

Maybe this thead will get us started thanking people for posting their music for us to enjoy.

Tractor1 - Posted - 05/31/2026:  15:07:37

I don't need anyone to like mine that has been viewing and not liking all along-- but I appreciate their views -whatever brings tranquility --a postathon would be fun

Edited by - Tractor1 on 05/31/2026 15:12:08

Laurence Diehl - Posted - 05/31/2026:  15:28:40

quote:

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Originally posted by Texasbanjo

Maybe this thead will get us started thanking people for posting their music for us to enjoy.

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I appreciate all you do Sherry.