Made my fretless Gourd Banjo 2007-Augusta Heritage

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Fretless Banjo Players

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A group for fretless players to exchange information and ideas.

310 Members, Created 1/28/2011 -

Administrators: Marc Nerenberg (owner)

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From Banjoukegirl on 1/3/2012 3:41:36 PM

Hi, all, I've not been one to stick with a single instrument. Life seems to short, I guess. 2007, I learned mountain dulcimer in West Virginia. Having been a gourd artist, I took a gourd banjo making class from Pete Ross at the Elkins, WV, Augusta Heritage Festival. As I didn't know a thing about banjos, it has sat in a very quiet space in a barn in California all this time.

I took up guitar to back up my fiddle-playing husband (oldtime), and from there took up the fiddle. Having some Morris Dance friends, I got a D/G button melodeon accordion, and can play a few tunes on that.

But, wait, I couldn't stop there, we just returned to N . California, and my husband had an old open back K 5 string banjo he bought in 1968 for $25. Well, you guessed it, I have new strings on it, got a 5th string capo, reg. capo, and I'm in business. Now can play "Cripple Creek," etc.

So, getting back to the gourd banjo, it's in the sunlight (we need rain!!) but isn't too bad for an instrument based on those in the Smithsonian from the 1800's. It has nylon strings. I even made the pegs and the bridge. I made the whole durn thing! Can't believe that i spent a hot and humid week in the sawdust under the stage at the Elkins College making it, but that's the story. Now, if I can only get at it and keep it near my instrument priority list.

Would like to hear from others who have, somehow, fallen into a similar situation where you have one or made one, and now, it's time to play it.

3 Comments
	Strumelia says: 1/3/2012 4:11:05 PM I've never made a banjo but I love my gourd banjo and I really liked your story. Thanks for sharing it!
	C Nyal de Kaye says: 1/8/2012 2:54:11 PM I have made two gourd banjo's and am now making a third. The first was quite successful but the second not so good after trying out a new idea. So that one has to be fixed. It will only take an hour or so and then it should be good. I started playing the first one immediately on completion and, whilst it requires a slightly different technique to a fretted banjo, I found that I enjoyed it. I like the sound that slides make and thus sliding up (or down) to the note is the important technique in playing fretless banjo, I think. I also have an homemade "normal" banjo that is fretless and a few other professionally made fretted ones as well, but I play the fretless most of the time. Have a go, develop the sliding technique, and I am sure that you will enjoy it.
	Banjoukegirl says: 6/22/2012 6:14:08 PM Hi, There, you two. Sorry I never responded to your nice notes to me way back in January. I just saw your msgs. today (June !!). Good luck with your fretless efforts. I sure like slides, too. I find them really fun on the fiddle, too.
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