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5. The waiting game

Posted by Rob MacKillop on Friday, September 12, 2008

Spent the entire day waiting for my Enoch Tradesman Fretless to arrive, but the delivery guy never appeared. Will have to wait until Monday now, which means my poor instrument will be spending the weekend cooped up in a warehouse in some industrial estate. It also means I go slightly crazier than normal...

So, what banjo-related things have I learned in the past few days? Well, my stupid first video has now notched up over 800 plays!!! Don't you guys have anything better to do than watch me ham-fist my way through a clasic song? Well, there must me something good about it. Can't see it myself, but happy to oblige. I intend to make regular short videos, not for showing off (ha) but to keep a record of my playing, and it's always nice to get encouragement and advice from others. I watch other people play, and very often get just as much a kick out of listening to beginners as I do to seasoned pros - which is probably why I got so many hits on that video, my first attempt.

Started to learn Briggs' Breakdown, and immediately noticed differences in right-hand fingering between the two editions I have: Bob Flesher's and Joe Weidlich's. Must get a copy of the original and try to work out for myself what Briggs might have intended. However, I still have respect for Bob's and Joe's fingerings. I'm sure they are within the period style. I imagine Briggs wasn't clear enough, and these guys just put in their interpretation. I always like to work from an original, though, so will have to seek it out. A trip to Elderley is called for, but I'm a bit skint after paying for the Tradesman.

So, in the meantime I'm still playing my daughter's banjourine, which I do like very much. Last week I had a false nail on my middle finger, while this week I prefer to use my index. I don't have a false nail on because I've had to make a baroque archguitar recording [check my YouTube page under BalcarresGuy ]. Instead I used a reversed bluegrass pick - far from ideal, but still better than flesh and very short nail, at least for me.

Waiting for Monday...



6 comments on “5. The waiting game”

joemac Says:
Friday, September 12, 2008 @9:44:52 AM

hey rob, check out Angies banjos, shes on here, her name on here is Meister..she has a shop in the states that sell clawhammer picks, exelent service etc. let me know if you need the link....Joe

Kester Says:
Friday, September 12, 2008 @10:34:37 AM

Your first video was a real delight.  I wish I could play like you.  It had a beautiful old time sound.  You are really talented.

Rob MacKillop Says:
Friday, September 12, 2008 @12:37:16 PM

Thanks for the tip, Joe, but they seem very expensive, especially with shipping and taxes to Scotland added on.

Thanks Kester. Much appreciated!

Rob

FiddlerFaddler Says:
Friday, September 12, 2008 @6:31:30 PM

Rob, your baroque archtop guitar, baroque guitar and lute videos are a real pleasure to see and hear.  You are majorly causing my string instrument acquisitionitis condition to flare up.

You will appreciate the Tradesman.  A fellow in our All Volunteer String Band has one, and it has a great sound.  That model is on my to-acquire list.

Rob MacKillop Says:
Friday, September 12, 2008 @10:48:34 PM

Well, I can't afford all the instruments I would like. The archguitar was jut on loan for 4 days. I sold my lute recently to pay off debts. The banjo will make me rich and famous! I can now reveal that is my Master Plan. World domination through the banjo! Or maybe not...

;-)

Rob

Rob MacKillop Says:
Saturday, September 13, 2008 @1:26:29 AM

UPDATE

My Tradesman just arrived - on a Saturday! - just after I had uploaded a new video on the old banjourine. More later...

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