DVD-quality lessons (including tabs/sheet music) available for immediate viewing on any device.
Take your playing to the next level with the help of a local or online banjo teacher.
Weekly newsletter includes free lessons, favorite member content, banjo news and more.
Premier Sponsors
|
Please note this is an archived topic, so it is locked and unable to be replied to. You may, however, start a new topic and refer to this topic with a link: http://www.banjohangout.org/archive/76529
Loner154 - Posted - 03/02/2007: 11:16:43
I have been wondering for some time about a couple different styles of banjo and was looking for some help. One is Tony Ellis….I really like a lot of what he does (in particular “Farewell My Home”) but don’t know how to categorize his music. I have heard he uses a “C” tuning…I am wondering if it is even worth pursuing trying to learn some of his tunes with a standard tuning – (I have attempted it with very limited success).
The other question is……over at folkofthewood.com, I frequently listen to the samples Mickey Cochran does for the various banjo manufacturers. I really like his demos but I wouldn’t call them Bluegrass….he has a page on the site where he talks about “Melodic” style …is that what he is doing and is there any instructional material to help learn it? Sorry if these are dumb “newbie” questions…just trying to get some direction. I am still mainly trying to learn the “Scruggs” style but these others interest me.
Loner154
banjonz - Posted - 03/02/2007: 14:42:22
Loner, there are no dumb questions...only dumb answers.
I saw Tony play a year or so ago. He had his banjo tuned to double C tuning ( G C G C D ) which is a clawhammer banjo tuning. He picks normaly but within the confines of the tuning. I wouldn't call it traditional bluegrass but there you go. He plays the way he plays.
Melodic style playing is where you play every note in the melody, like a fiddle. Scruggs style picking plays only about every 3 or 4 notes in the melody in each measure. Both styles compliment each other. I would suggest you master Scruggs style first as it instills a good sense of timing. Melodic is VERY precise and if your timing gets out, the tune becomes almost unrecognisable.
Wayne
New Zealand
Excellence is not a singular act...but a habit.
Loner154 - Posted - 03/02/2007: 15:13:16
Thanks Wayne, your reply helps! this is the kind of info I am looking for!
Loner154
Terms of Use | Privacy Policy | Privacy Consent (EU/GDPR Only)
Copyright 2026 Banjo Hangout. All Rights Reserved.
