banjoboyone - Posted - 02/04/2007:  16:12:18

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Here's the article:
http://www.cybergrass.com//modules....cle&sid=2828

Here's the video:
http://www.toddtaylorbanjoman.com/G...dTaylor.html

Dueling Banjos at 210 bpm!!! Unbelieveable!!
Before anybody questions his choice of material, you should know that it wasn't his choice. He was assigned the tune by Guinness. So...who here is going to tackle the job of breaking his record?

Shane


"I pick with the (kids most every) night, so I live a simple life..."

BANJ58 - Posted - 02/04/2007:  16:22:24

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UNBELIEVABLE. NOW I KNOW I WILL BE SATISFIED WITH SLOWER AND CLEAN

ITS ALL GOOD IF YOU MAKE IT THAT WAY

STEVE@WVRVPARK.COM
http://WWW.WVRVPARK.COM

ALL PICKERS WELCOME, LETS JAM !!

joebiker - Posted - 02/04/2007:  16:36:31

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Sort of impressive I guess...Really, the familiarity with a banjo and the song is impressive, the music, of course, is not..I recently picked up his CD and while listening to it decided that I liked some of his stuff, but not all of it..Some seems to be played at speed simply because he can, and the song and melody depreciated because of it.
The rest I liked, and am in awe of his clean playing...but like motorcycles I suppose, speed for the sake of speed is not what impresses me..Guess I'm just gettin' older eh?



Somethings never change with time..there's nothing better than a lick...

Joebiker

fitch5string - Posted - 02/04/2007:  17:21:44

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Congratulations Todd! Man...I hope you get well soon. You need to go to the hospital now. Dont mess around ! By the way, I just beat your record at 235 BPM. The only problem is that Dueling Banjos was unrecognizable !

Cliff Fitch
Azle, Texas
2007 Fitch "Master's Five"

Fitch Banjos......"ask the man that picks one "

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Edited by - fitch5string on 02/04/2007 17:22:55

8thpol - Posted - 02/04/2007:  17:31:06

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Well done ...feel better get your rest all the Gun slingers will be coming after the fastest gun like the old Wild West days

BanjoBil - Posted - 02/04/2007:  17:34:40

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That Recording King was smoking! Good job Todd get well soon.

Bill


1927 TB-3 Archtop
2000 RB-18
Recording King #60

brokenstrings - Posted - 02/04/2007:  18:03:13

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Actually, the melody sorta got lost when Tod was playing it too. Not his fault, it's just too fast. Nevertheless, quite an accomplishment!

Jessy

Frailaway, ladies, frailaway!

jdmatthew - Posted - 02/04/2007:  18:35:23

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Watch that video and concentrate on the right hand--unbelievably quick. I got the idea Todd could have gone quicker if he'd wanted to. That was quite a feat.

Todd--hope you're feeling better.

Jadie Matthew
Lampasas, Texas

Felix - Posted - 02/04/2007:  19:04:43

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Does this record really mean anything besides an ego boost?

"Doctor, if you knew what instrument my roomate plays, you'd rule out insomnia too."

j2buttonsw - Posted - 02/04/2007:  19:56:29

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Fantastic achievement, well done. Todd Taylor vs Jens Kruger is the speed banjo competition I'd like to see. All the best.



We've heard that a million monkeys at a million keyboards could produce the complete works of Shakespeare; now, thanks to the Internet, we know that is not true. —Robert Wilensky

savzac - Posted - 02/04/2007:  20:48:26

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Unreal Todd! Man I can not imagine that kind of speed, and to think that I was happy when I finally could play along with the record at regular speed!

«SávZåç»

dtuner5 - Posted - 02/04/2007:  21:03:48

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quote:

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Originally posted by Felix

Does this record really mean anything besides an ego boost?

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Banjo players don't have egos. If we did we would be singers, or guitar players. We don't crave attention, we get it naturally because of the instrument we play. Todd's an incredible player at any speed, but then again so am I.

Roger
'62 RB 250
'97 ESS
http://www.nowhereradio.com/pondboss/singles

savzac - Posted - 02/04/2007:  21:20:07

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«SávZåç»

Banjocoltrane - Posted - 02/04/2007:  22:55:29

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kinda lame.

banjo1930 - Posted - 02/04/2007:  23:20:20

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Hey I can do that!

banjo1930 - Posted - 02/04/2007:  23:23:51

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http://www.janetdavismusic.com/audi...Krug-Beg.mp3 listen to the end of this, this is jens playing really fast, I cant tell if Todd is playing faster. But GREAT JOB TODD THAT WAS AWSOME!!!!!

savzac - Posted - 02/04/2007:  23:39:26

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I used tap tempo on Todd and he was at 210 bpm and I used it on the mp3 you posted and I hit 208 there at the rolls at the end, it was close, the thing I liked with Todd's is that he was having to play both guitar and banjo parts. Shoot you get up to that speed you know that Todd and Jens can do it faster than that, I think when you get up to that level there is a fine line separating folks. I have clocked Bela up at that range in a couple of recordings too, I guess the thing is who can do it with the officials right there dictating what you have to play. Well Todd set the bar and now it should be interesting to see who responds!
I know that speed is considered insignificant to a lot of banjo players and I myself try to play as clean as I can and have a feel for the bounce.
That being said I have had a couple of fast vehicles in my life and even though I could go from a dead stop to 60 miles per hour quicker than most of the cars around me at any given time I didn't do it. But boy when I seen a jerk pull out on front of me and I needed to change lanes I could mash the gas pedal down and jump up way in front of the car to the side of me and get on down the road. If I needed to get on to the freeway and I had a little small opening way up ahead, boom I could accelerate and I was there in a blink. I didn't have to use the power but it sure was nice to have whenever it was needed. Rock on Todd!

«SávZåç»

1935tb-11 - Posted - 02/04/2007:  23:52:10

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speed kills, tried it, wrecked my banjo, blew out my hand
lost my picks, best left to the pros i guess.
todd get better man do mess aroud with that pneumonia
that some serious stuff dude.

terry m n.c.

4 longs and 1 short=banjer ring !!!

Bill Rogers - Posted - 02/05/2007:  00:50:52

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I note that Todd and I have something in common -- he plants only his little finger, as I do. But my playing isn't remotely close.

Bill

Banjo - Posted - 02/05/2007:  01:09:56

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HEY TODD

Did that guy from National Geographic ever get a hold of you to to that fast finger picking video?

I can't remember who it was that was here looking for a quick picker.

"I felt sorry for myself because I didn't have a watch until I met a man who had No More Time"

Goldstar - Posted - 02/05/2007:  05:41:18

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Congratulations Todd.... nice clean sound.

Peter

True, Blue and Traditional

TN_Picker - Posted - 02/05/2007:  07:12:47

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CONGRATS TODD!

Now, here's where I have a problem with it...

I tried the "super glue" trick you mentioned and it does not work...AT ALL!

Once I glued my fingers together I could not get the picks on to save my life! Do you glue just the fingers together or do you glue the thumb in there with them??? I DON'T GET IT!!!



http://www.banjohangout.org/myhango...e.asp?id=955

"Shootin at me and Barney is one thing, but shootin at a total stranger, you otta be ashamed of your self."

Kerry - Posted - 02/05/2007:  09:50:33

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Congratulations Todd.

Whats with the armed guards? Were they there to make sure you broke the record?

desert rose - Posted - 02/05/2007:  11:07:07

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Todd

Wow

What can I say, thats some amazing picking!!

Im honored to be a small part of this project! You sure know how to take the banjo thru its paces.

Take care of yourself and get well

Scott

N.E.banjo - Posted - 02/05/2007:  12:07:37

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Todd - nicely done - especially for a guy about to keel over!

I have a question:

If YOU could have chosen the piece, what would it have been?

Take care


Dan

squirrelynutsacksplace - Posted - 02/05/2007:  12:48:25

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Lots of missed notes , but a good try.Im bottled lightning myself ,but Im camera shy.Ill have music on my site to prove it soon. Come visit me & check out my pictures of my lightning bolt axes. Also, wood like more friends. Thanks !! Squirrely.

frailin - Posted - 02/05/2007:  14:56:52

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That guy with the gun, was he supposed to shoot you if you didn't make it?

Congrats, Todd!

Hey, how 'bout a clawhammer speed record? No guns though, ok?

Craig

"Gospel. The most powerful music in this world... and the next."


www.banjohangout.org/my/frailin
www.frailin.com
www.myspace.com/frailin
www.myspace.com/eelpouts
www.myspace.com/singletonstreet

banjo1930 - Posted - 02/05/2007:  15:14:47

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Frailin' I believe that was the Idea of the gun they wanted to add pressure!

Todd, what kind of picks were you using? That recording king sounds awsome. I thought I saw an OME tailpiece on it though

frailin - Posted - 02/05/2007:  15:32:18

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Sound like Todd was already dyin' (of pneumonia).

He shoulda' coughed at him.

"Gospel. The most powerful music in this world... and the next."


www.banjohangout.org/my/frailin
www.frailin.com
www.myspace.com/frailin
www.myspace.com/eelpouts
www.myspace.com/singletonstreet

Scruggsnut - Posted - 02/05/2007:  16:21:11

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quote:

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And thats a feet in itself to play both parts
at the same time.

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Er, why exactly. Both parts don't overlap in any way, they are just cosecutive bars of music, just like any other instrumental tune.

There is nothing extra involved in playing both parts on one instrument that I can see. Maybe I'm missing something here.

BWA Penrose,Oakville,Ontario,Canada.

thkidd - Posted - 02/05/2007:  17:05:41

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Congratulations Todd! Now Scott and Greg can put "World Record Banjo" on their RK's.

"Measure your wealth not by the things you have, but by the things for which you would not take money."

flange5st - Posted - 02/05/2007:  18:28:12

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........Congrats Todd.......that was laying the thumb to the ol' five........and a piece of history!!!..........Peace

walshb - Posted - 02/05/2007:  19:07:31

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Heck, I can do that backwards. That would be exactly 012 bpm.

Great job and congratulations!

Never stop learning, it doesn't matter 'how'

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Edited by - walshb on 02/05/2007 19:18:06

savzac - Posted - 02/05/2007:  19:24:23

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It's surprising to me how many have already criticized the performance and said they can do better. The proof is in the pudding, call up the officials or at least record us something to hear so that we can start believing in you. As for now I know of one man that has it on paper and I'm amazed, yes I have heard recordings that were close, but not under the pressure with the officials right on top of you.
I'm sure there are going to be some challenges, that's what makes it fun!

«SávZåç»

Banjocoltrane - Posted - 02/05/2007:  19:36:39

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quote:

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Originally posted by Scruggsnut

quote:

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And thats a feet in itself to play both parts
at the same time.

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Er, why exactly. Both parts don't overlap in any way, they are just cosecutive bars of music, just like any other instrumental tune.

There is nothing extra involved in playing both parts on one instrument that I can see. Maybe I'm missing something here.

BWA Penrose,Oakville,Ontario,Canada.

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i dont think you are missing anything

Jaymule - Posted - 02/05/2007:  20:36:02

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I'm with Banjocoltrane...guess we all have differing opinions of 'amazing'. Jens Kruger = amazing

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Edited by - Jaymule on 02/05/2007 20:37:47

banjo1930 - Posted - 02/05/2007:  21:12:54

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Well Jens Kruger is amazing, in his own way, but so is Todd, he can make his own unique sound. he can play fast and cleanly

jdmatthew - Posted - 02/05/2007:  21:18:41

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Here's a suggestion--get yourself a metronome, camera and banjo. Play "Dueling Banjos" at 210 bpm clean, (make sure you get in all those parts where you're going from the third fret to the twelfth over and over) videotape it and post it on YouTube. Give us all the web address so we can watch---and then we'll all sit around and criticize and say negative things about the way you did it and how unimpressed we are.

I often hear people talk about how neat it would be if someone like Earl or JD posted on the Hangout. After reading this thread you can see why most pros stay away. It's easy for some to criticize the accomplishments of others who have no accomplishments of their own open to public critique.

Jadie Matthew
Lampasas, Texas

savzac - Posted - 02/05/2007:  21:30:18

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Amen!
It is very easy to sit back and say I can do this and that, I know it's not true so I don't say it. Some people make it a point in their life to try to irritate and hurt people. Well we know Todd can do it, the proof has been recorded. Who is next?

«SávZåç»

N.E.banjo - Posted - 02/05/2007:  21:41:50

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My thoughts exactly jd. Thank you.



Dan

desert rose - Posted - 02/05/2007:  21:50:02

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Jadie

You said it perfectly

IN ADDITION

Show us your recording history and your recognitions from the music industry peers such as record sales and Grammy nominations

and ill be impressed as well

Scott

royce - Posted - 02/05/2007:  22:17:59

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that was Fast...
I also saw Mimspicker too...

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Edited by - royce on 02/05/2007 22:26:04

maverick - Posted - 02/05/2007:  22:41:19

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I will say it again . no matter what is posted on here. There will be some who would be-atch if Earl Scruggs came to their house and gave them each personal banjo lessons...lol.. I can hear it now.. Dang Earl aint as good as what he is on tv... I showed him a thing or two..

"Huberite"

Git'rdone and do'r again

WWW.TheBANJOMART.COM

Banjocoltrane - Posted - 02/05/2007:  22:44:39

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Ive really got to get to work on impressing people on a banjo forum...its on my list after i master how to get women to throw their panties at me due to my banjo playing alone..Yall please dont throw anymore irons in my fire i already have enough on my list of things to do...

banjoboyone - Posted - 02/05/2007:  23:09:56

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Amen and thank you, Jadie. I was beginning to feel as though I had made a mistake in posting this thread, as there has been criticism from the first page. This is why I don't really like posting recordings of my own playing and why I don't really like publicizing my own accomplishments. I'm not really seeing the reason for all the criticism, either. Nobody would be derogating Jim Mills for the same accomplishment, I don't think, and he's no Fleck or Kruger either.

Todd is not only a great picker, but he's also one HECK of a nice guy. I didn't just happen upon this information somewhere on the Internet. Todd emailed it to me directly. Why? I really don't know. I am a lowly picker, who more masquerades as a banjo player than anything. Todd has absolutely nothing to gain from me and yet he has been sending me a continual string of emails lately, as a real friend would; even when I haven't emailed him anything at all or really given him a reason to notice my humble existence in the world of bluegrass.

Shane


"I pick with the (kids most every) night, so I live a simple life..."

savzac - Posted - 02/05/2007:  23:15:20

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He must be a class act, I would not have been able to keep my mouth shut if it were me.

«SávZåç»

PyrPups - Posted - 02/05/2007:  23:16:58

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Todd...All I can say is WOW! Congratulations and I'm sure you will nail it at 225 BPM when you get healthy again! That is truly impressive picking speed. You've got to write a song to fit the speed...like "Hummingbird's Heart " or something to that effect. It would be a classic instantly! You go boy! Don't ever stop!

Kerry

Jaymule - Posted - 02/05/2007:  23:22:29

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I'm sorry my opinion has offended some of you..to each his own. Pat Cloud=amazing

PyrPups - Posted - 02/05/2007:  23:34:42

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Shane,
I was typing when you posted...I can't believe the cynical attitude of some people either. To me, that is one tremendous accomplishment and I feel extremely proud that Todd cared to share this with us. To keep that speed up for the entire song is beyond belief. A couple of measures, maybe, but the whole song? Whew!

I'll just sit back and wait to see all the new sound clips and record attempts that get posted on the Hangout. Should be interesting!

Alvin and the Chipmunks have been snorting helium balloons again!

Kerry


You'll never see Kerry's Harley parked in front of a Psychiatrist's office!

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Edited by - PyrPups on 02/05/2007 23:40:13