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tdignon - Posted - 03/04/2007: 21:42:12
I'm looking to find a good, interesting book on the history of banjo playing in America... looking to get more in touch with the roots of old-time music, where it came from, who played it, and why.
I'm also looking to understand exactly what the difference is between old-time three finger picking and scruggs? And old-time two finger picking? I searched on google but I've only gotten book descriptions (off-topic at that!)
Please delete if off-topic... it seemed relevent because the question focuses on that old-time banjo playing, and how it relates to that non-old timey banjo picking.
Though relatively speaking the 80s are old times to me so its hard to differentiate ;)
Thanks,
Terry
EggerRidgeBoy - Posted - 03/04/2007: 22:08:05
A few books that cover the general history of the banjo (not necessarily focusing on the difference between two and three-finger picking, etc.) that I would recommend include:
"America's Instrument: The Banjo in the 19th Century", by Gura and Bollman
"Ring the Banjar!," by Robert Webb
"Picturing the Banjo" (a catalog accompanying the recent Corcoran Museum exhibit)
"The Birth of the Banjo" (a catalog accompanying the Katonah Museum exhibit)
"That Half-Barbaric Twang: The Banjo in American Popular Culture", Karen Linn
"African Banjo Echoes in Appalachia: A Study of Folk Traditions", by Cecelia Conway
The focus of the above books varies quite a bit. Some, like Karen Linn's or the Corcoran catalog, are much more interested in placing the banjo in a social, cultural and economic context than in discussing styles of banjo playing, etc., while others, like "America's Instrument", focus on the physical development of the instrument. I'd suggest reading a bit about each one on Elderly.com or Amazon.com and deciding which sounds like one that would fit your interests.
I know you are looking for books, but a good resource for learning the difference between various old-time two and three finger styles is Mike Seeger's "Old-Time Banjo Styles" DVD: http://elderly.com/videos/items/300-DVD152.htm. (although it doesn't really cover Scruggs style and thus wouldn't answer all of your questions).
Edited by - EggerRidgeBoy on 03/04/2007 22:42:16
oldwoodchuckb - Posted - 03/04/2007: 22:42:36
I can't come up with any direct book suggestions but you might try looking for books or articles on minstelry and on the web for reprints from S. S. Stewart's magazine.
On the difference between Scruggs and old time 3 finger picking I think one of the major differences is that in the old time styles many patterns involve each finger (thumb included) playing a given beat throughout the tune. Dock Boggs, for example frequently did a pinch on beats 2 and 4 of the measures, and this sets up a quite steady accompaniment beat to his melodies. The typical bluegrass banjo player alternates between doing rhythmic backup and soloing - where the rhythmic pulse is left to other members of the band.
This is a simplification of a generalization and I'm trying to explain it without using actual played examples - all in all, I would call it a pathetically inadequate description, and I hope someone else can actually do the subject justice.
The Whiskey Before Breakfast variations and a few tunes in "F" tuning are now available on the web at:
http://home.thegrid.net/~fjbrad/id20.html
wormpicker - Posted - 03/04/2007: 23:02:03
Ken Perlman put out a very interesting book--part instruction, part history, part encyclopedia of all things clawhammer--called "Everything you Wanted to Know About Clawhammer Banjo": http://tinyurl.com/39wyxr
It's adapted from a compilation of Ken's old columns from the Banjo Newsletter. The instructional parts are really not for the beginner, but it's worth it just for the two CDs that are included. Even though the instruction is beyond my level, I love browsing the articles. Lots of great history, lore, and even some myth busting. Amazingly, I found a mint condition copy of it in the half-price music rack at my local used book store, along with Dan Levenson's "Buzzard Banjo." I picked up both, even before I started playing clawhammer (I was playing bluegrass)--I figured since I had the books I ought to try out the style, and here I am now. 
Paul
Obsession is a great substitute for talent. -Steve Martin
brokenstrings - Posted - 03/04/2007: 23:28:24
I'd go with EggerRidgeBoy's suggestions--I have three of those books--and also suggest Bob Flesher's Dr. Horsehair site for a brief history of the banjo. There's also a good article about somewhere by George Gibson.
Jessy
Frailaway, ladies, frailaway!
tdignon - Posted - 03/05/2007: 22:35:15
I'm a big fan of Ken Perlman and will be sure to keep an eye on that book, thanks.
That above list looked great and like it encompassed many different takes at studying the banjo. I checked amazon and they all look like they are in the 20something dollar range. Why is it that hanukkah and christmas only fall once a year?
To satisfy my banjo yearnings we need more hallmark holidays, dangit.
wormpicker - Posted - 03/05/2007: 23:20:35
St. Patrick's Day is coming up soon!... 
Paul
Obsession is a great substitute for talent. -Steve Martin
tdignon - Posted - 03/06/2007: 22:19:29
Wormpicker, I'm Irish but for some reason I don't get any gifts on St. Patrick's day. Have I been missing out?? Have I been SHORTCHANGED??
Actually I just found three of the books on Egger's list here at the local library. So excited, gonna get reading tonight.
Terry
wormpicker - Posted - 03/06/2007: 22:42:03
quote:
Originally posted by tdignon
Wormpicker, I'm Irish but for some reason I don't get any gifts on St. Patrick's day. Have I been missing out?? Have I been SHORTCHANGED??
Hey, it's never too late to start a tradition...
Paul
Obsession is a great substitute for talent. -Steve Martin
EggerRidgeBoy - Posted - 03/06/2007: 23:33:40
quote:
Originally posted by tdignon
I'm a big fan of Ken Perlman and will be sure to keep an eye on that book, thanks.
That above list looked great and like it encompassed many different takes at studying the banjo. I checked amazon and they all look like they are in the 20something dollar range. Why is it that hanukkah and christmas only fall once a year?
To satisfy my banjo yearnings we need more hallmark holidays, dangit.
Hey, all you need to do is enter and win the current Hangout giveaway! It looks like they tailored it specifically for you. 
Edited by - EggerRidgeBoy on 03/06/2007 23:34:40
