Other-Than Old-Time Music
Friends,The conversations on the list seem often to focus on Old-Time music and on playing with groups or jams, so I thought I'd speak up for those of us who who don't do as much of either.I cut my...
View ArticleSuggestions for songs to try index-lead
I've been playing clawhammer and thumb-lead for a while but recently decided to try some index-lead. I recently uploaded my first song in that style to my music page( attached below). I've been working...
View ArticleThe Swimming Song (McGarrigle Sisters)
For a wonderful frailing and vocal duet of Loudin Wainwright III's "The Swimming Song" click on: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r4ZrBxJHxo0 (I think Kate was married to LW-III at the time.) It's a...
View ArticleFrailing with a thumbpick and fingerpick
Howdy. I have recently started playing with a thumbpick (frailing), I've had a fingerpick on for a while and like that, no problems, the thumbpick though, hits the head and is loud, I'd like to avoid...
View ArticleTOTW 4/17/15 "Jake Gillie"
Hi Gang,Well, it has been quite a while since I did a TOTW, might as well dive on in again!While researching tunes for this week, I was reading the list of previous TOTW submissions and I was struck by...
View ArticleCumberland Gap (in E)?
Hi all, I just purchased Jake Book's new album and Im really digging it. He was one of the first solo players I saw live and the first tune he did was Cumberland Gap and I was instantly in love with...
View ArticleThoughts on a first banjo
So I'm slowly gearing up to take the plunge, and I'll need a banjo.I know it's kind of a no-brainer to buy a Goodtime with a scoop to get started--reliable, sound good, there's one for sale brand new...
View ArticleWhat makes a good Clawhammer or "Old Time" banjo?
What makes a good Clawhammer or "Old Time" banjo? The question is rhetorical. And compared to what? Well, a typical bluegrass banjo I guess. Full disclosure - I play both.Now, I have my answers . ....
View ArticleKeeping it Civil
Friends,There is never any excuse on a site such as this for sarcasm, personal attacks or demeaning remarks--no matter who we are, how long we've been playing, or how long we've been members here....
View ArticleGreetings from Oregon! Clawhammer vids
Hey folks, I’ve recorded a bunch of Clawhammer video-lessons. These lessons feature American musical traditions, from songs and performances, which I love! These are the first video lessons that I’ve...
View Articleneat story on the Hammons family of West Virginia
sorry if this has been posted before, i studied under Dwight Diller a few years back and saw a lot of the pictures he had and interesting stories he told.neat article, and i've listed a link following...
View ArticleWade Ward's Sally Ann Question
It's time for me to go to work on Wade Ward's Sally Ann and I have a couple of quick questions that I haven't been able to puzzle out.Is he using the first string for all the melody notes or is he...
View ArticleDoes anyone use light strings?
Bought a buttload of strings from a place going out of business. Strung up some light strings and they feel really loose and .... anyway, could be my setup but I usually use mediums. Just wondering if...
View ArticleStrategies for beating the doldrums. Please add your own favs.
We all hit the doldrums--road block, plateau, the wall—whatever you want to call it--and more than once over the course of our banjo career if we stick with it. So what's the magic solution? There is...
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TOTW 4/24/15 "The Cuckoo Bird"
I have chosen The Cuckoo Bird as this week’s tune/song. It is also called "The Coo Coo Bird" or just "The Cuckoo" or "The Coo Coo". It seems to be a popular tune/song and there are a lot of versions...
View Articleplug for Hilary Dirlam/Mary Gordon Old-Time Jam books
Hi All,Thought I'd try to make positive contribution here instead of just using BHO for the classifieds :-)So thought I'd share what a great time I'm having with these 2 books, 'All in One Old Time Jam...
View ArticleWorkshop, 7/18/15, Townsend, TN
I will be teaching the following three workshops on Saturday, July 18th, at the Wood-N-Strings Dulcimer Shop in Townsend, TN. This is an all-instrument workshop and will include Clawhammer Banjo. Each...
View ArticleUpdating Clawhammer Banjo From Scratch
Hello All. You folks have been so supportive and kind over the years in using and promoting my book, Clawhammer Banjo From Scratch - A Guide for the Claw-less which came out way back in 2003. Thank...
View ArticleBeyond AABB tunes -- what's next?
If I'm getting bored with the AABB tunes that make up the standard clawhammer repertoire, what are some options for branching out a bit? I do know a couple of tunes in waltz time, and I've played...
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