Posted by ken61 on Wednesday, June 18, 2008
Wow, I posted my first blog entry this morning and already someone left me a comment. I guess folks do read these things.
So, on with the story.
I now owned two banjos and didn't know a thing about the banjo or music--NOTHING! But , I still wanted to learn. So, I bought the Scruggs book and started to read. GREEK_GREEK_GREEK !
But, the last chapter of the Scruggs book is about How to build a banjo. It says banjos are made of wood and some parts are made on a woodlathe. Are you kidding me, I said.
My other hobby is woodworking and I have a shop to die for and wouldn't you know I do know something about woodturning on a woodlathe. This is my speacialty in woodworking and I teach woodturning and have taught woodturning to hundreds of people in the upstste NY area. Again, it seemed the banjo god's were telling me this decision to take up the banjo was a good idea.
Well, i decided to get me a banjo teacher. Good decision.
I started to learn using tab, but quickly realized I also wanted to read music and understand music. So , as luck would have it , my banjo teacher was classically trained in music and could teach me to read music. Wonderful fellow who answered ALL my questions and never complained
I am still learning to play and getting better all the time, but also learned a great deal about music in general. Still learning both and having a ball doing it.
I ruptured several discs in my back about a year ago and that slowed me down , but I am now playing again and having a great time. Even with a numb ring and pinky finger on the pickin hand (from a ruptured disc) I am having fun. Thank goodness Earl didn't use them to pick.
I built three SAGA kits, and then tackled two banjos from scratch --a flattop and an archtop. Made the rims and the resonator, and the necks, and the bridges on both. They are identical sisters except one is a flatop and the other an archtop.
I have another of figured maple underway. What a blast to build and play what you build.
Never bought a CD in my life, but now I have more cds than room to hold them. Can't get to enough music events and festivals. I think some bug has bitten me.
Wish I had started when I was younger. Well, when I am 110 years old, maybe I will be able to say "I'm Purty Good" on this blog.
Enough for now, ken
4 comments on “WOW , people actually read these Blogs.”
clio Says:
Wednesday, June 18, 2008 @1:23:28 PM
I took lessons from Eddie Adcock, best banjo player around, and he asked why, at my age. Told him I intend to be the best player in the nursing home. ha
haiku Says:
Wednesday, June 18, 2008 @3:24:44 PM
Remind of a story, I think Craig "Frailin" Evans wrote here on the BHO, about a old woman who said on her 100th birthday:
"I wish I'd took up the fiddle when I was 60" :-)
Joanchek Says:
Wednesday, June 18, 2008 @5:25:28 PM
Ken, sounds like you've found your passion! Happy to share it with you, friend. I also started later on in my adulthood and it's the best thing I've ever done for myself. Keep blogging--it's a great way to track your banjo journey.
stanger Says:
Wednesday, June 18, 2008 @7:47:00 PM
Hi, Ken... It's all good, and it's far better to take a banjo up at any age than to never experience the joy of playing one at all. Poke around other member's home pages once in a while- I do, and I've found a lot of exceptional stuff in many of the blogs.
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