deso - Posted - 02/10/2007:  11:26:51

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Cathy, I was just discussing the topic of iTunes vs CD's with my wife the other night, wondering if my iTunes purchases are really benefiting the artist. I really like being able to download music because it is immediate and because the local music store in my town is small and not likely to have what I want (they'll get it though). I am usually disappointed when something is not available through iTunes. But the real question is, "What's best for the artist?" And, if CD's are best, what distribution route? Is it better to purchase direct from the musician when possible or does it make any difference? As far as cost goes, I like the lower prices of downloads but honestly it's not a factor. What I'd like if paying more on iTunes are liner notes and the option to download full quality sound files, etc.

I know this probably sounds naive, but why can't a record lable or independent setup their own download site? Especially independents. It could be something like an artist cooperative to help with operational costs.

Deke

arnie - Posted - 02/10/2007:  11:40:23

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Alan Jabbour and Ken Perlman did a good job on Southern Summits. Lots of good Henry Reed tunes there too -some of my favorites including "Blilly In The Lowland" - beautiful! Ken is also the only banjo clawhammerer I know of to tackle Canadian P.E.I. fiddle tunes (on another cd of his)
My highlight of last year's Midwest banjo camp was playing "Ducks On The Pond" with Alan Jabbour in concert (we had never played together before)

Arnie Naiman
http://www.merriweather.ca/Records.aspx?ID=2

Clawhammer Clint - Posted - 02/10/2007:  13:09:12

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The discussion on copying CDs aside, this is an absolutely great thread for a newbie like myself. It will likely cost me alot of money. Thanks to those who contributed.

C.C.

stanger - Posted - 02/11/2007:  00:59:28

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A personal favorite of mine is 'The Twisted Laurel' by the Red Clay Ramblers. I don't know if it has been released as a CD, though.
regards,
Stanger

Emiel - Posted - 02/11/2007:  06:08:42

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I don't think this has been mentioned:

Clarence Ashley And Doc Watson: The Original Folkways Recordings, 1960-1962 [2-CD Set]

And don't forget the McGee Brothers. The old Folkways LP's can be ordered as custom CD from Smithsonian Folkways.

Has anybody mentioned Uncle Dave Macon? Art Rosenbaum?

And of course Mike Seeger: Southern Banjo Sounds (most important).

Emiel


http://www.nowhereradio.com/emiel
http://www.bluerounders.com

Copo - Posted - 02/11/2007:  07:25:05

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Bill Whelan is a top player in Ireland and his recordings with the rough deal stringband are well worth a listen

BanjoBillyBoy - Posted - 02/12/2007:  10:15:43

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Paul Brown (he did an album with Mike Seeger, and he jsut put out a new one ..Red Clay County)
Ron Mullenex (Gandydancer and Cross Ties)
Tim BIng (The Bing Brothers)
The Rockenhams (CD same title)
Kyle Creed ( The Camp Creek Boys, June Apple, there is a cassete I used to have, if I can find it I will pass on the title, super banjo playing on it.)

These all have some great banjo playing.





Bill Boyer,
Curmudgeon, O.F., D.O.M.

Jim Treganza - Posted - 02/12/2007:  14:17:23

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I'm brand new at this and want to take a few lessons. I've been unable to find anybody who gives clawhammer lessons less than 45 miles away from Stockton, CA. I work for a local theatre and we were even unable to find a picker to play with the orchestra in a recent show! For money! Does anybody know somebody who plays old-time banjo in this neck of the woods? I really don't want to drive to Berkeley or Sacramento. Thanks.

Clawdan - Posted - 01/08/2007:  14:06:12

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Hi Folks,
Bob Carlin and I are planning a workshop weekend in Austin in late March this year. Wanted to start by giving you a heads up and see who is interested. I'll be glad to keep you up to date of details as they develop.

Play nice,
Dan "Ain't no bum-diddy" Levenson
Old Time Music and Dance
www.ClawhammerBanjo.us
Author of Clawhammer Banjo From Scratch, A guide for the claw-less - a MelBay Publication
and Old Time Festival Tunes for Clawhammer Banjo (MelBay 20313) - 117 tunes tabbed for clawhammer banjo with standard notation and suggested chords.
Tune list at http://www.folknet.org/dan/FestTunesBJBook.htm

ukjonathan - Posted - 02/13/2007:  13:42:16

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hi I thought the striking of the strings with the claw hand would be the hardest bit, but no I'm wrong! I can hit the strings in various configurations but can I hell get the bum ditty bit. It just sounds like ting, ting ting. I strike my 1st bottom string then strum down following on by thumb off the drone string. But still no bum ditty. Anyone help? I guess this is the hard bit?

Frode B - Posted - 02/13/2007:  18:09:53

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What would you call this fingering technique? http://youtube.com/watch?v=Ct0PbWwY5g8
It's me, and I have been fooling around with the banjo for a couple of years without any guiding. I'm a guitar/pedal steel player so I guess I am mixing it all up on the banjo.

The banjo is a Bart Reiter special ( thanks mr.Balch!)


Frode
Oslo, Norway

Rimstick - Posted - 02/11/2007:  23:52:42

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Gang -
Looking for some advice here. I got the "bum tiddy" going pretty good but it still doesn't consistantly sound like music. One of the problems I've identified is that my strum is making music, whereas when I listen closely to recordings, I think the strings should sound more "dead", as if I was muting them by "chiming" at the 7th fret. More of a wash board rasp than musical notes. Hope you can follow that.

I've moved my elbow closer to the rim, which raised my hand position. This in turn put a very flat attack angle on the strings for the lower fingers and helped some.

I fully realize there are some times you need the strum to "chord" as part of the song, but I'm talking about the ability to generally produce a "beat" that gets your toes tapping and sets the beat of the song.

Any ideas?



Regards,
Rimstick


Uncle Dave Macon makes me laugh !!

Ron Ortegel - Posted - 02/01/2007:  11:52:07

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How well does the brass plate to the fifth fret position work on a fretless? Anyone have experience with this?

MarkJohnson - Posted - 02/12/2007:  07:29:17

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I have always felt that the tune, Cold Frosty Morning" was a moody piece of music to say the least and best played in a minor key. We recorded it in the key of "A Model" or "Mountain Minor/Sawmill Tuning".

I just figured out how to post this tune to my Hangout Homepage for anyone who is in the process of learning this piece. It is another perspective on a great old tune. MJ

Madgenius - Posted - 02/14/2007:  12:17:59

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Hi

Can anybody recomend a good place to find a whole bunch of easy to play 2 and 3 chords songs suitable for clawhammer and mandolin (both beginner)

Thanks in Advance

Danny

"Music is a joy to me, sometimes living in it is the only safe place to be" Brian May

Stev187 - Posted - 02/07/2007:  08:06:22

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quote:

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Originally posted by ZEPP
For those who are unfamiliar with Arnie's and Chris's work, they are required listening for all my students! Absolutely great stuff!

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On another thread, Zepp mentioned "required listening" for his CH banjo studnets. What recordings do folks think should be on that list?

I'll start by adding just one: Cathy Fink's Banjo Haiku. There are many others, but I am stark raving mad about this record.

Let's build a "required listening" list on this thread... What would you add to the list?

Steve
Flint, MI
-----------------------------------
Current Old-Time Ohrwurm: "New Money,"Doc Roberts

jojo25 - Posted - 02/08/2007:  14:17:08

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with thanks to Tobias for the link
what is the name of the tune played in this clip?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Utgc...ated&search=

and where can I buy a good recording of it?...a tab?...standard notation

I think this is going to become my next obsession

Banjonically yours

Joe

banjo_brad - Posted - 02/08/2007:  14:33:00

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Looks and sounds like "Cherokee Shuffle" to me.

Dan Levenson's OT Fesitval Tunes book has it.



Banjo Brad
"Banjos and Fiddles and Guitars, Oh My!" (me)
http://ezfolk.com/audio/bands/5
www.PricklyPearMusic.net

jojo25 - Posted - 02/08/2007:  15:59:32

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Brad,

Thanks for the response, but it doesn't sound anything like the Cherokee Shuffle I know

so I'm still a-looking and a-seeking!

Banjonically yours

Joe

bassman - Posted - 02/08/2007:  16:11:20

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Hey Joe, I think that's "Cherokee Trail," an original by John Herrmann. The only recording I have seen of it is on the cd Down From the Mountain, by Tim O'Brien, Dirk Powell and John Herrmann and it says in the notes that John wrote it.

Chris
http://www.nowhereradio.com/ptasnik/discography

banjo_brad - Posted - 02/08/2007:  16:15:57

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Sorry - I kinda jumped to the conclusion because of the name of the video, and it does sound vaguely like CS from what I know of the tune.
I should know better than to jump first!


Banjo Brad
"Banjos and Fiddles and Guitars, Oh My!" (me)
http://ezfolk.com/audio/bands/5
www.PricklyPearMusic.net

jojo25 - Posted - 02/08/2007:  16:59:07

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thanks Bassman!

I assume this tune is in the movie, right?

I'll get it from Netflix and not send it back till I learn that thang!

Banjonically yours

Joe

jojo25 - Posted - 02/08/2007:  17:11:09

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you meant

Songs from the Mountain

from the movie

Cold Mountain

but it was enough for me to find it...much thanks!

all them mountains make a feller cornfused!

Banjonically yours

Joe

bassman - Posted - 02/08/2007:  17:19:23

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Oops, my bad, Joe. You're right, Songs from the Mountain. It's not really from the movie Cold Mountain, though. It was a sort of concept album that was put out well before the movie was made, playing tunes and songs that were mentioned in or inspired by the book, Cold Mountain. Fantastic album, though, if you ask me.

Chris
http://www.nowhereradio.com/ptasnik/discography

bagunhe - Posted - 02/14/2007:  20:31:02

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John Herrmann said that Joe Thrift ( who is the fiddler of the clip) recorded the tune but I don't konw which one. Is it Tim O'brein playing the gutitar on the clip?
Bosco

konnichiwa, arigato, sayonara