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.
Don Lewers |
Don Lewers replied to topic 'Cotton Tail' 12 hrs
Don Lewers replied to topic 'The ''Boom Chic'' style ...... do you have another name for it?.' 11 days
Don Lewers replied to topic 'The ''Boom Chic'' style ...... do you have another name for it?.' 11 days
Don Lewers replied to topic 'By The Way...' 11 days
Don Lewers replied to topic 'The ''Boom Chic'' style ...... do you have another name for it?.' 12 days
Don Lewers replied to topic '''Baubles Bangles and Beads''' 12 days
Don Lewers posted a forum topic 'The ''Boom Chic'' style ...... do you have another name for it?.' 13 days
Don Lewers replied to topic '''Baubles Bangles and Beads''' 15 days
Don Lewers posted a forum topic '''Baubles Bangles and Beads''' 16 days
Don Lewers replied to topic 'Steve Caddick has passed.' 24 days
My Dad ,'Jack', started teaching my elder brother 'John' and 'I' the banjo in the mid 50's.' John' learnt Plectrum,and"I "Tenor banjo,and we seemed to pick it up in no time flat. We'd all have heaps of fun rattlin' off all those great tunes, around back then, sometimes we'd have to sort a chord or two out, fix it, and carry on regardless. " The Old Man," as we affectionately referred to him , in a quiet moment, as fathers would do , after a few rums, would say "Boys playing music on your banjos may never come to much in making money and fame, but it will be a great walking stick for you both, in the years down the track in your lives. " How true it turned out. In 1962 my Dad started a "Sunday Morning Session ," at our home. Musicians would roll up for a bash, the pubs couldn't open on a Sunday back then, so as well as bringing an instrument of some sort, you had to knock on our door with your elbows- so you would'nt drop the booze! they were great days.
Banjo records were very rare back then in Aust. if you were lucky, you could pick up a " Freddy Morgan or an Eddie Peabody" L.P. and learn a bit from those blokes. We'd never heard of a 5 string Banjo- it wasn't until 1962 we heard "Buck Trent " on a L.P. record, for the first time, and were gob smacked. I learnt all the songs on that record playing mainly under the top string, duo style, and keeping the rhythm going at the same time.
In the early 60's, I first heard " Chet Atkins " and he was a huge influence on my playing style direction. Just 3 years ago, I decided to actually try and use my last 3 fingers, of the right hand, and interact with a plectrum." Chet," used a thumb pick and 3 fingers. "Chet " had 6 strings - I've got 4 on the plectrum banjo. Does this mean I could get 4/6 ths. as good. I wish it was that simple.
" Louis Armstrong " tops the charts with "Hello Dolly, " in the 60s. From that moment I was hooked. Jazz and Country Music, are my bag and are so similar in a lot of ways. I've learnt so much from both " Louis " and " Chet " and god bless "m.
The, " Walking Stick " my Dad talked about has no boundaries---- A fiddle player from The Netherlands--- A Trombone Player from Memphis--- A Didgirydoo Player from Darwin, or a Trumpet Player from New Orleans-- A 5 string player Germany. It'll always be with you forever and a day .- Good Luck, Don.
12 commentsDon Lewers has 52 friends. View entire friends list.
![]() Andyincov |
![]() James Stiltner |
![]() zai |
![]() clawhammerjazz |
![]() Kevin McCabe |
![]() waterloo paul |
![]() AR50MACHINEST |
![]() block_or_lam |
bubbalouie replied to topic 'Pretendians' 1 day
Laurence Diehl commented on a video 'Hard Light (Banjo Original)' 1 day
bubbalouie replied to topic 'Pot Roast....' 1 day
bubbalouie posted a forum topic 'Pretendians' 1 day
Laurence Diehl replied to topic 'TailGator' 1 day
bubbalouie replied to topic 'Never seen the like' 1 day
Laurence Diehl replied to topic 'TailGator' 2 days
Laurence Diehl commented on a video 'TailGator' 2 days
Laurence Diehl replied to topic 'TailGator' 2 days
Laurence Diehl replied to topic 'TailGator' 2 days
Laurence Diehl replied to topic 'TailGator' 2 days
Laurence Diehl replied to topic 'TailGator' 2 days
Laurence Diehl posted a forum topic 'TailGator' 2 days
Laurence Diehl uploaded a video 'TailGator' 2 days
Andrew Roblin replied to topic 'Home movie of Earl Scruggs meeting John McEuen' 2 days
|
|
Genre: Popular
Playing Style: 4-String (Tenor/Plectrum)
Genre: Country
Playing Style: 4-String (Tenor/Plectrum)
Genre: Popular
Playing Style: 4-String (Tenor/Plectrum)
Genre: Popular
Playing Style: 4-String (Tenor/Plectrum)
Playing Since: 1958
Experience Level: Purty Good
Don Lewers has made 17 recent additions to Banjo Hangout
Interests:
[Teaching] [Jamming] [Socializing] [Helping]
Occupation: Retired
Gender: Male
Age: 78
My Instruments:
plectrum banjo pedal steel guitar
Favorite Bands/Musicians:
louis armstrong, chet atkins, red allen trumpet, jack teegarden, eddy davis, cynthia sayer, freddy morgan, tommy and phil emmanuel, slim dusty, willie nelson, hank williams, merle travis,- - the list goes on ----.
Classified Rating: not rated
Rate this Member
Profile Info:
Visible to: Public
Created 2/24/2012
Last Visit 12/1/2023
country trad jazz
Terms of Use | Privacy Policy | Copyright 2023 Banjo Hangout. All Rights Reserved.
Newest Posts
'Good Saturday Morning' 4 hrs
'‘Wavey Arm’ Banjo' 9 hrs
'Stelling whitestar' 11 hrs
'Cauliflower ' 12 hrs
'What Child Is This' 12 hrs