"Just to be clear, there are compositions that:1) Are titled "etude" and function as a pedagogical exercise2) Are not titled "etude" but function as a pedagogical exercise3) Are titled "etude" but were clearly written to…"
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Ethan Schwartz's Discussions
Fun with fluorocarbons
4 Replies
I've been exploring alternatives to the conventional wound 4th, which I've never been particularly satisfied with. I can now report that the "KF Alliance" fluorocarbon strings offered by Savarez do…Continue
Started this discussion. Last reply by Ethan Schwartz Mar 13.
Music recommendations
14 Replies
I'm in the early stages of planning an informal banjo performance for April/May. At a certain point, I realized I was already working mostly on pieces by British composers, so I decided to stick with…Continue
Started this discussion. Last reply by nick Kelly Mar 8.
Technique: sixteenth-note triplet + eighth
24 Replies
This particular figure seems to pop up everywhere, at least for up-beat tunes. I go back and forth between fingering it T-I-M-I and T-I-M-T depending on the situation and how nimble my fingers are…Continue
Started this discussion. Last reply by Richard William Ineson Feb 21.
New custom banjo
5 Replies
Hi all, I wanted to show off my latest acquisition. This is a custom banjo by Zachary Hoyt (https://hoytbanjos.com/) in upstate…Continue
Started this discussion. Last reply by Trapdoor2 Jan 26.
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"I don't really see the relevance of that kind of question. If someone has no prior musical experience and is a beginning instrumentalist, no, I wouldn't expect them to memorize and perform anything in a week. I don't think…"
"Austin, these videos may be of interest to you:https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL-cheT5Ang1sASDfl9ddIw0pE8JWfkAr7"
"I see it. But I don't see the musical reasoning for doing that. The previous two measures establish D as the focus, and that remains the focus in the main melody (measure 5 onward). Harmonically speaking, the A (the 5th) of the D7 is more…"
"Where can I find that (or you could screenshot the part)? "
"Perhaps I should have said, "I'm struggling to think of an example where an experienced composer/arranger would do that intentionally." Yes it happens in choral/orchestral contexts, but on banjo? There's plenty of melody-on-top…"
"I'm struggling to think of an example where you would actually want to bring out the middle voice in a closed-voiced block chord. "
"No, I was using the LaBella wound 4th. I don't have any recordings yet using the unwound 4th. "
"Hi Ethan, were you using the fluorocarbon 4th on the 'Zarana' performance? "
"More dynamic control, better intonation after a month, don't have to be changed constantly."
"I use unwound fourths. They're just Brown I don't think they're wound in anything anyway. I prefer them to the Labellas"
Zarana by Joe Morley
"What great playing and a superb tone...
Thank you for posting this excellent performance of a very difficult tune."
Fun with fluorocarbons
I've been exploring alternatives to the conventional wound 4th, which I've never been particularly satisfied with. I can now report that the "KF Alliance" fluorocarbon strings offered by Savarez do well in this regard. As singles, they're sold in 1m and 2m lengths, marketed for harp and early instruments. I'm using .0291", although I might try the next higher gauge (.0303") at some point. Very clear/responsive at all dynamic levels, stable, and it seems like they last a long time (fingers…See More
Zarana by Joe Morley
"Ethan, that was a fine performance, at a well choose tempo. I'm really looking forward to hearing the concert recording.
What banjo and strings are you using? It appears to be the same set up as that, in your three other recordings."
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