Banjo Hangout - Playing Advice: 4-String (Tenor & Plectrum) Styles Forum Feed

banjo elbow

eric@banjohangout.org — Tue, 15 May 2012 18:04:39 CST

I have been playing plectrum style for about 5 months now, and am just starting to get the hang of it. Playing faster with a good solid strum. But recently (month or so) my elbow and the muscles just below my elbow, has really started to hurt. (on top of the forearm just below the elbow.) Not so much when I am playing, but pretty much all the time when I am not. I have a very heavy banjo and it is starting to get hard even to pick it up. what am I doing wrong? I have tried to relax my right arm as much as possible. Some mornings it hurts to pick up my coffee cup. I practice prob 3 hours a day 5 days a week, but usually for an hour at a time, and then an hour break. I had to quit playing 5 string because of other hand problems, and am really concerned that this is headed in the same direction. HELP!

The Tenor Banjo Story

eric@banjohangout.org — Tue, 15 May 2012 12:52:47 CST

I have been away from this forum for many months and a search did not bring up this topic so I will list the URL for those who have not read it.

John Hoft (beezaboy on the Banjo Hangout) wrote an article for All Frets magazine in the Sep-Oct 2011 issue. The article can be found here:

 http://www.banjomusic.biz/tbs-1.html

Stan

"Play it Like Perry"...great book from Dave Frey

eric@banjohangout.org — Mon, 14 May 2012 15:24:22 CST

Just a few days ago I received my new copy of "Play it Like Perry"...i.e. Perry Bechtel from Dave Frey... This is a superb tenor banjo book with music, copies of Perry's original music sheets, chord diagrams and history on each tune. It is great paper and spiral bound. I don't think I've ever seen a music folio nearly this well done in my decades of playing tenor banjo.. There are numerous tunes...some are fairly straight forward and some are challenging even for a slightly advanced student. I highly recommend it and one can check it out, along with other books from Dave at www.ultimatebanjo.com

Submitted to Reviews section....

Free download "I Love Mento"

eric@banjohangout.org — Mon, 14 May 2012 06:23:10 CST

Hello, fellow four-stringers...

Please check in and download a free copy of "I Love Mento" at my website, just up today:

http://andrewroblin.com/

Plenty tenor banjo, plenty music, plenty video, too. Here's a mento (Jamaican folk) song I love:

http://andrewroblin.com/college-program

Andrew Roblin

Liebestraum solo

eric@banjohangout.org — Sat, 12 May 2012 12:05:09 CST

Just happened to spot this wonderful plectrum banjo solo on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TOi4L5ZbKqU The lady does an amazing demonstration of the "duo-banjo" technique (it sounds like two banjos are playing at the same time). She also has some nice left-hand moves as well, working all the way up to the 15th fret or so at times.

This video encouraged me to work out the melody chords myself, and it is surprisingly easy to play (the left hand, that is). I went for the key of G, but it could also be done in Bb or Ab. It reminds me of "Bye Bye Blues" and "The World is Waiting for the Sunrise," both of which are classic banjo solos and sound very difficult to play. But they are actually fairly easy if you know your basic chord inversions up the neck.

Don VanPalta also does a very nice version of Liebestraum, go to http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nkPqW2V9r6E to view it. SETH

HELP NEEDED!

eric@banjohangout.org — Thu, 10 May 2012 12:13:42 CST

Hi everybody.

I know to be off topic, but I'm needing some help and I'm pretty sure that I'll get it.

I've just replaced the bridge of my archtop guitar. The new one has a very different design of the top as it's not slotted and not straight.

My questions are:

1) Is it necessary to cut 6 notches in, or the bridge must be used as is?

2) Did I place the bridge in a correct position, or have I to rotate it 180°

Thank you very much for helping !

Marco

Arizona Banjo Blast Begins Thursday, May 17

eric@banjohangout.org — Thu, 10 May 2012 08:42:37 CST

The Blast is May 17, 18, and 19^th at a world class golf and tennis resort The Tucson Omni. The cost is $25 for the weekend and that includes all the workshops, jamming, and shows and well as a vendor room complete with a professional luthier, Vinnie Mondello. Anyone who wants to perform just has to send in their registration and let Rob know.

There are shows every night and pool parties in the afternoons. They have a special room rate of $129 a night at the Omni, which is less than half the normal price. I’m going - already filled out my registration, and I hope some of you will look into it as well. The website is http://www.4stringbanjos.com/AZBANJOBLAST2012.html please check it out.

Participants include Cynthia Sayer, Nathan Hanna, Dave Frey, Steve Caddick, Johnny Baier and a whole lot more. Check out the above link and see for yourself. I stumbled upon this while looking through, of all places, Craig's List! The hotel accomdations are fantastic - I'm talking golf course and FOUR stars! All the amenities and at a great rate.

Let me know if you are going - we can meet up. I'll be wearing my "banjojudy" name tag, hauling my little banjo uke in tow.

UPDATE - I actually did try on a bathing suit last night - maybe will bring it along. Pool party in the afternoon might be interesting and fun - but how many banjos can be played in a pool?

New Ultimate Banjo website online now!

eric@banjohangout.org — Wed, 9 May 2012 17:40:39 CST

Today, the brand new www.UltimateBanjo.com website goes online! Please check it out! A number of new items included in this site for future use are: "Ultimate Plus" for video lessons, Ultimate Guide e-books access, and an Ultimate Banjo Facebook page. All these items will be available soon. The website itself is available now! Please let me know if you have any questions. Thanks very much for your continuing support of UltimateBanjo.com and the four-string banjo!

5 string to 4 string

eric@banjohangout.org — Tue, 8 May 2012 14:44:45 CST

I've been interested in playing some jazzier stuff than I know how to on my 5 string. Is there any reason that I can't just remove the 5th string and tune it like a plectrum?

Thanks,

Phil

Augusta Irish/Celtic Week - Elkins, WV

eric@banjohangout.org — Tue, 8 May 2012 11:08:41 CST

Anyone been? How is it? Pauline Conneely is teaching the tenor banjo course at Augusta this summer. Not that familiar with her, but it seems that she's taught at a lot of the Irish weeks.

learning motivation

eric@banjohangout.org — Mon, 7 May 2012 03:33:07 CST

I just posted the "Bye Bye Blues" played by the Benyei Trio in the MP3/Vid forum. My way to get motivated whenever I struggle during my practising.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rslpnL1j9X8&feature=relmfu

Collection of classic banjo recordings

eric@banjohangout.org — Sat, 5 May 2012 10:22:28 CST

I just came across a new CD, which includes classic recordings by Harry Reser, Eddie Peabody and more. Go to http://www.worldsrecords.com/cgi-bin/storeR.cgi?specific=itemcode&phrase=73355 for more info.

Sounds and looks like it would be of interest to us four-string folks! SETH

Plectrum length

eric@banjohangout.org — Thu, 3 May 2012 12:51:12 CST

Just curious, I saw a four string banjo in a pawn shop recently. it had 22 frets but the neck was considerably shorter than the neck on my paramount plectrum. There was a tenor banjo in the shop as well which had a slightly shorter neck than this banjo. is it common for a some plectrums to have a shorter neck?

Eddy Davis music supplier

eric@banjohangout.org — Thu, 3 May 2012 08:59:33 CST

Hi All

I'm desperately trying to order some of Eddy's music on cd (I would use iTunes/amazon/cd baby etc but already have the Conal Fowkes cd and 'blind man on the corner' and there are no others available on there).

I have tried to order directly from his website 'new York jazz records' site but it won't accept my PayPal payment:-(
I have emailed them about this (and Eddy) with no response back from the last few weeks.
I don't know if Eddy is touring but I havnt heard from him either :-((

So......my question. Does anyone have a music store etc that they use that stocks his music?

With thanks

Richard

A girl band with a banjo player!

eric@banjohangout.org — Thu, 3 May 2012 03:16:44 CST

Katzenjammer a Norweigan girl band with a banjo.
Does it get any better than that!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O4vopB5BaUM&feature=youtube_gdata_player

Don Vappie 1989

eric@banjohangout.org — Tue, 1 May 2012 17:25:34 CST

I was going through some old photos & came across this:

Don Vappie playing with Preservation Hall JB at a festival in Philly 1989.

Accompanying vocal

eric@banjohangout.org — Tue, 1 May 2012 16:18:30 CST

We don't see many vocalists accompanied by four string banjo on this site.

This clip made me want to jump and shout, and laugh and cry with joy. Just wonderful!

There's also a you tube video of a Harry Reser band playing the same tune in a totally different style.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ib1DxxtPM0k

John

Tenor banjo rhythm: A string or no A string?

eric@banjohangout.org — Mon, 30 Apr 2012 17:25:39 CST

For jazz tenor banjo players-

When giving rhythm to a band, what are you supposed to do- use the A string in the chords or mute it and just play the last 3 strings? I am starting a swing/ dixieland combo with some friends and I would like to know the proper rhythm for banjo. I know the high E string is muted for guitar, so it could be the same with banjo.

Thanks-

Zane

BLUES ON FRETLESS BANJO

eric@banjohangout.org — Mon, 30 Apr 2012 10:17:56 CST

Just found this splendid example of a "deep south" blues played & sung by our friend Rob on his fretless banjo:

http://youtu.be/CpGn57F3naA

Marco

Barney McKenna, what now ?

eric@banjohangout.org — Mon, 30 Apr 2012 07:16:55 CST

Anybody heard what plans The Dubliners have for their up coming concert tour since the death of Barney ? I guess cancelling is not an option but, what should they do in this, their 50th anniversary year ?

Hot jazz - to solo or not to solo?

eric@banjohangout.org — Mon, 30 Apr 2012 05:32:51 CST

I've been attempting to put together a Hot/Early/New Orleans/Dixieland/whatever Jazz act, and find myself pondering the place of the banjo player-

All the bands I see in town (mainly old guys who started during the 60s UK trad revival) will contain a banjo (usually plectrum) or guitar player, who gets a solo during the inevitable round of solos for each tune.

However, listening to King Oliver, Louis Armstrong's Hot Fives, etc. I can't help but notice that the banjo might get a four-bar break every now and again, but never takes a full solo.

SO the question is - did they cut the banjo solos for recording arrangements, on the grounds that taking up a chunk of your 78RPM two and a half minute recording with a banjo solo wasn't commercially sensible, or did the idea of the banjo solo simply not exist in the music at that time, even in a live environment?

If anyone has any knowledge or leads on that, I'd be most obliged.

Tuba Skinny

eric@banjohangout.org — Sun, 29 Apr 2012 03:30:37 CST

Found this band on YT - hope you like them:)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UQKt4fb6KvE&feature=g-all-f

Linda

banjo lesson

eric@banjohangout.org — Sun, 29 Apr 2012 02:22:23 CST

4 string banjo lesson by Don Lewers on you tube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_YmZsrwn1dk hope it helps

A CLIP COMPARISON

eric@banjohangout.org — Sat, 28 Apr 2012 13:57:15 CST

I've just found this nice and pleasant video on YouTube:

http://youtu.be/NEquBDrqjKc

I tried to do the same thing 2 years before:

http://youtu.be/_FiVkRKUgS8

That's a good occasion to do some self-criticism. I sometimes read questions here around about how to play jazz on a four string. There are many ways to do it for sure. In this case I find that this german guy did a clear relaxed and relaxing version, while my one is not so good...too quick, not relaxed and quite hysterical in a way. I think that I'll remake my version when I will get better ideas...

Marco

Tenor Fingerboard Widths…

eric@banjohangout.org — Fri, 27 Apr 2012 17:35:13 CST

Has anyone made a chart or measured the fingerboards of vintage tenor banjos? When I look at Gibson tenor banjos, for example, the fingerboards look wider than Paramount, but that's just guesswork. How do the B&D and Vegas stack up? I'm mainly asking about vintage tenor banjos because with modern banjos we can just ask the manufacturer.

(In the guitar world, people usually measure the f.b. at the nut and the 12th fret since taper can be different.)

WILD MAN BLUES

eric@banjohangout.org — Wed, 25 Apr 2012 05:54:10 CST

Hi fourstringers!

Somebody liked my previous post of a jazz trio with me on banjo.

Here's another track

http://youtu.be/vwnYOtQ1uyU

I hope you like this trio again !

Marco

Purcell bridge.

eric@banjohangout.org — Tue, 24 Apr 2012 07:03:46 CST

Though quite happy with my tenor sound, I sometimes felt it could be better and even thought about looking for another instrument.. I play Irish trad on a Bob Rock. Through BHO I heard of several bridge makers so I thought I'd take a chance and contact one for a tenor bridge. I selected Tim Purcell, having read several glowing reports of his work. Wow, did I hit the jackpot! What a fabulous sound his bridge delivered. As I said, I was quite happy with the sound before,but now I am absolutely delighted and will probably never let the Bob Rock go. And Tim was so nice to deal with, As he said, he just wants you to get the best bridge for your banjo and is very happy to work on whatever modifications you might require. Hope my experience is helpful to someone else.

Lead sheet for every where you go?

eric@banjohangout.org — Mon, 23 Apr 2012 09:54:40 CST

Does any have a lead sheet for Everywhere You Go?

Thanks

Jay

El Banjo Caribe

eric@banjohangout.org — Sun, 22 Apr 2012 22:37:38 CST

Hi Folks!

I post a link to something latin i did with my banjo(s)

http://youtu.be/nINaTSwXuB0

I hope you enjoy it.

Marco (el banjoista tropicàl)

Jazz for a beginner?

eric@banjohangout.org — Sun, 22 Apr 2012 09:34:26 CST

Sorry to ask this question but with all the information on this site it is just to overwhelming for me to try and understand. Is there anywhere online that I can go to (or on here) to learn the basic of jazz playing and perhaps learn a song or two? I have played guitar for years so fairly happy with strumming etc and fingerboard work, just itching to try the tenor but apart from playing some scales I can't seem to find anywhere that has lessons or sound clips etc. Thanks for your patience for another newbie.

Emerald or Clareen ?

eric@banjohangout.org — Fri, 20 Apr 2012 11:20:46 CST

Well perhaps its bas but, I have felt the urge to buy a second tenor for ITM, trouble is I do not know either brand, one is Emerald, the other is Clareen, both similar price, both available now ! which is it to be ? should this be on the shopping advice forum ?

End of Mel Bay Banjosessions

eric@banjohangout.org — Thu, 19 Apr 2012 09:56:23 CST

I was just informed by Gerald Jones that Mel Bay will no longer be hosting the series of Banjosessions articles. For a number of years this has been a wonderful venue for anyone willing to teach to post lessons in a variety of instruments. Mirek and I have been able to use the Banjosessions for our endeavors (along with a number of very well known five string players), but now we will have to find a new venue. Apparently all of the Mel Bay Sessions (guitar, mandolin, uke, banjo, fiddle, resonator, did I miss one?) are gone except for the archives.

I've been writing about my experiences in workshops with some of the greatest Irish tenor banjo players in the world for the past seven years and am much the better for it and hope that the videos and lessons have helped others. I don't intend to stop but would like some input as to where I can go. I have my own web site, but frankly have not been able to access it since Google changed a lot of things and have had no success in changing that.

My choices are to have an occasional lesson posted here in tabs and lessons, a new web site or over at the Irish Tenor banjo site. If I get a new web site, I will welcome others to post too on any aspect of tenor banjo playing (but an obvious bias on my part) and I am leaning in that direction. Any ideas?

Mike Keyes

The Entertainer. Steve Caddick, Jesse Rock and Norbert

eric@banjohangout.org — Thu, 19 Apr 2012 00:47:22 CST

Hi All

Just can't help but share this wonderfully talented bunch playing the Entertainer.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gYzJF1IuAnk&feature=youtube_gdata_player

How clever is the video? WOW!

I'm sooooo jelous ;-)

Ta

Richard

Jazzin' a Blues with friends.

eric@banjohangout.org — Wed, 18 Apr 2012 05:51:04 CST

Another cellar-session with friends.

Vocal by Luciano, who also plays trombone.

http://youtu.be/lZmev3OWp8w

Marco

Plectrum alternate tunings

eric@banjohangout.org — Tue, 17 Apr 2012 17:56:19 CST

Hi All,

I'm sure I'm not the first one to think of this but today I was wondering about tuning a plectrum banjo to "e-a-d-g" like the bottom 4 strings of a guitar...... like a bass. Has anyone done this and what do you think and how did it sound?

Thanks, Eric

Eddy Davis-A couple of my favorites

eric@banjohangout.org — Sun, 15 Apr 2012 20:38:37 CST

Hello all -- long time not around. Here are a couple of my favorite youtubes that I'm on. What do you think? Missing Earl and Barney -- I hope I'm not next. What have I been missing? Eddy Davis

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G_Bwq4Ezmhg&list=UU-71kPn_9N3qux8AyEkZ_dw&index=19&feature=plcp

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p8JcGAVRTqk&feature=related

Jazz Quartet with banjo

eric@banjohangout.org — Sun, 15 Apr 2012 11:47:15 CST

I've just found this recording in a corner of my computer. I played with pleasure with those guys, particularly with Giorgio Alberti, a jazzman and cornet player since 1950 !

Radio Tribute to Barney McKenna

eric@banjohangout.org — Sat, 14 Apr 2012 19:05:25 CST

You might want to listen to this radio show.....a tribute to Barney McKenna.

Some nice tunes and anecdotes (Barneyisms!).

Skip the first four minutes....

http://www.rte.ie/radio/radioplayer/rteradioweb.html#!rii=9%3A3257516%3A20%3A14%2D04%2D2012%3A

irish triplet-where does it go?

eric@banjohangout.org — Sat, 14 Apr 2012 12:10:09 CST

I just recently switched to playing wrist triplets (thanks to Mike's YouTube clips.) and Can play them fairly consistently. My problem now is figuring out where to put them.

I know to put them whenever there is a quarter note or other pause, but listening to players like Gerry O'Connor I don"t know why he puts them where he does!

Any help would be appreciated!

Andrew

JAZZ TRIO WITH BANJO

eric@banjohangout.org — Sat, 14 Apr 2012 07:00:39 CST

I recorded this tune some years ago at Fabio's home. I enjoyed a lot playing this old jazz music with my friends

http://youtu.be/jPVMD5YOtio

I hope you like it !

Marco

Tuning advice please

eric@banjohangout.org — Fri, 13 Apr 2012 10:22:54 CST

Hi, I'm a complete voice so please bear with me. I have taken the 5 th sting off of my Winsdor premier model 3 , 22 fret and want to tune it to be able to attempt Some Itm / folk music. Can you tell me what I can tune the 4 strings too and where to use the capo? Also any online tuners for any suggested key would help, I have spent hours on the net today trying to find the information and most of it is too complex for me to understand. I intend to get a tennor in the oming month but would like to start practicing now if possible. Thank you Jason

Good source for online sheet music

eric@banjohangout.org — Fri, 13 Apr 2012 07:49:39 CST

I had been looking for the sheet music for "I've Got A Feeling I'm Falling," an old Fats Waller tune. My usual sheet music source, www.musicnotes.com , came up dry, which was unusual. So I Googled the name of the song and found another good source for sheet music at www.onlinesheetmusic.com , which did carry that song.

Admittedly, it's a little pricey to buy sheet music this way, but if you only need one number, it's not a bad deal. SETH

(edited to fix link -- RAH)

Moonglow

eric@banjohangout.org — Wed, 11 Apr 2012 10:52:50 CST

uploaded this song :

David

Telematic Session

eric@banjohangout.org — Wed, 11 Apr 2012 09:44:50 CST

Two tenor banjos... Is that too much ?

http://youtu.be/A8GAd7oVtoI

Marco

Really neat video

eric@banjohangout.org — Sat, 7 Apr 2012 17:34:57 CST

I subscribe to this Busk Break site on my Facebook account, and today they posted this video. Now, bear with me here. It is a 5-string the guy is playing, and he's playing it with a thumb-pick, and 2 finger picks. He is using the thumb pick a lot I think, like a flat pick, and hitting a lot of individual strings, but he is doing a bunch of brushes too. I posted it here, because to me it sounds very "tenor-esque" if you will. It is not a style of playing I have ever heard, but I really like it. I don't know what the tuning is, but to me, it seems as though he is not hitting the 5th string much, if at all. Anyhow, just thought folks might enjoy it. Maybe I should have posted this in the "other playing styles" forum, but I put it here because of the tenor-like sound.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=L_KCOiZ39jI

Plectrums?

eric@banjohangout.org — Sat, 7 Apr 2012 06:36:59 CST

When you play a tenor banjo (or similar), do you use normal guitar plectrums, or are there plectrums made especially for banjos?

-regards

Two Reel Selections for Fingerstyle Irish Tenor Banjo

eric@banjohangout.org — Fri, 6 Apr 2012 18:26:59 CST

:Performed these and recorded them today. In honor of Barney:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WaqPmE68xBE&feature=youtu.be

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FRZiqbboHQw&feature=youtu.be

Wayne

RIP Barney Mc Kenna

eric@banjohangout.org — Thu, 5 Apr 2012 07:02:14 CST

In A very short space of time we have lost 2 Great Banjo Players Earl Scruggs and Today Barney Mc Kenna has Died RIP one of the Great Irish Trad Banjo Players

Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam

Mylesm

Some fundamental questions

eric@banjohangout.org — Thu, 5 Apr 2012 04:27:57 CST

Hi all,

I am tenor banjo beginner with some fundamental questions. I've looked all over the Internet and several books, but it's left me more confused than before.

First, though, here are my vital statistics <grin>: I am using a 19-fret, 22.5" tenor banjo (CGDA tuning). My goal to play Dixieland/traditional jazz in a band I'm gonna form, which will have (probably) six musicians: clarinet, cornet, trombone, tuba, banjo and drums. I have a lot of musical knowledge, having played the trumpet professionally for 27 years (had to stop because of a medical problem).

Okay, here are four questions:

(1) Where do I rest the banjo when playing seated: between my legs, balanced on my right thigh or somewhere else? Should I use a shoulder strap even when sitting?

(2) Should I support the right hand someplace (like on the bridge, or on the head with my little finger) or let it swing freely?

(3) Where do I pick? Close to the bridge, where it sounds brassy, or closer to the fingerboard, where it sounds warm?

(4) Do I stroke using the wrist, the forearm or both? Is it different for single-note melody playing than for chords and chord melody?

Thanks a lot for any and all help!

Doug McClure

leaping heads

eric@banjohangout.org — Thu, 5 Apr 2012 00:43:28 CST

new video from my trio, here I'm playing viola, my friend Enrico is on guitar banjo...

hope you enjoy