"PS: The Dance of the Hours is just amazing and hilarious at the same time. I've been having a look at the sheet music and I will probably give it a shot. I've got a couple of questions:
- There seem to be a couple of unplayable notes in…"
Classic Banjo
A site dedicated to all enthusiasts of Classic Style Banjo
Mike Moss's Discussions
Thoughts on fretted instrument movements from a worldwide perspective
9 Replies
I got the idea for this discussion after it was asked whether or not the balalaika was relevant in the realm of Classic Banjo. This is a thought-provoking observation as, for some reason, I had…Continue
Started this discussion. Last reply by Joel Hooks Mar 24.
And now, for something completely different...
2 Replies
I've produced an arrangement of a Russian solo, "Ах ты, берёза" (Ah you, birch tree) arranged (or composed) by Pavel Necheporenko. Stylistically, it follows the Russian BMG tradition of producing…Continue
Started this discussion. Last reply by Mike Moss Mar 21.
Classic Banjo syllabus
19 Replies
I just got the Classic Banjo syllabus from the VCM... I just might try my luck with the examinations! I think it's a great idea to breathe new life into CB and it's surprising this hasn't been done…Continue
Started this discussion. Last reply by Mike Moss Feb 2.
Swinging the beat in Lazy Rhythm?
1 Reply
I had a go at lazy rhythm after Julian Egan mentioned it. Strangely, when I play it, I get the urge to play it with a dotted rhythm, so that rather than playing two quavers and a crotchet I'm playing…Continue
Started this discussion. Last reply by julian egan Jan 19.
Gifts Received (3)
Mike Moss's Page
Latest Activity
Mike Moss replied to thereallyniceman's discussion 5 string Banjo America’s National Instrument."Reading sleeve notes is always fun, if only for the entertainment value. I've learned a lot about the five (but actually four)-stringed "classical" banjo with its hum string, named after Dave Hum. Also, apparently, Bradbury…"
Mike Moss replied to thereallyniceman's discussion Welcome Michael Hughes, suggestions please?"I'm extremely satisfied with the Weaver. It's really hard to beat such quality for the price, and, like the old Clifford Essex banjos, it is optimally suited to classic fingerstyle, and they have added a few modern features which I feel…"
Mike Moss commented on marc dalmasso's video
Calliope rag James Scott_NBO ver 2.0
"Insanely catchy, I love the punchy bass and the crystal-clear melody carried by the banjeaurine. This rag just seems meant for the banjo!"
Mike Moss replied to thereallyniceman's discussion Welcome Michael Hughes, suggestions please?"Welcome aboard, Michael! What is it with us Michaels and Classic Banjo?
If you like high tension strings you will probably prefer Chris Sands heavy gauge nylons or Clifford Essex heavy nylons. I usually use heavies, but I've strung my…"
Mike Moss commented on thereallyniceman's photo
CERegal_Morton
"I don't mind the size of a reso (I find that a 12" banjo sits better on my thigh than an 11") but I ended up removing mine as it was slippery and the banjo was at a constant risk of slipping off my thigh and smashing into the floor.…"
Mike Moss commented on thereallyniceman's photoCERegal_Morton
"Well Richard, I've played a c. 1890s banjo with a large, shallow clad rim and a long scale length with the bridge very close to the tailpiece, and I didn't care for it. My favourite banjo right now is a wood hoop banjo with a thick, deep…"
thereallyniceman commented on Mike Moss's video
The Sunflower Dance (Backup)
"Thanks for spotting my mistake Marc.
The file was named: Skeleton D_2nd_éric S.mp3 in was an "Eric Stefanelli" folder on my computer, but when I heard the count in I assumed that Pat was playing it.
Backing tracks…"
marc dalmasso commented on Mike Moss's videoThe Sunflower Dance (Backup)
"Ian made a mistake ; if my remembers are correct ; she plays 1st Bj : Skeleton dance ,Queen of the ball , Gipsy dance , Kansas Jig and some others , too ;
So , the Mp3 "Skeleton dance_2nd banjo " is played by éric even if the…"
Mike Moss commented on thereallyniceman's photoCERegal_Morton
"That's a great story. Grimshaw did a lot to keep the banjo popular in the 20's amd 30's and there are plenty for us to rediscover. Thanks to Andrew for sharing!"
Mike Moss commented on Mike Moss's videoThe Sunflower Dance (Backup)
"Hi Alan,
well I can hardly hope to top Pat Stefanelli, can I? I'll give it a shot though, I might try adding a cello banjo track or such. Thanks for posting the 2nd part to SD Ian, I've got her recording of the 2nd part for Whistlin'…"
thereallyniceman commented on Mike Moss's videoThe Sunflower Dance (Backup)
"Hi Alan,
I am sure that Mike could do a great job with his cyber orchestra!! But to keep you going, there is already a second banjo accompaniment available. Pat Stefanelli produced this for us some time ago. It is a great and effective banjo…"
Alan Sims commented on Mike Moss's videoThe Sunflower Dance (Backup)
"Sounds really nice , I think it wold sound good on acoustic guitar . Any instrument in fact . Just agreat little tune . I would all so like to request backing track for skeleton dance , when you have time .Regards Alan."
Richard William Ineson commented on Mike Moss's video
Shuffle Along - Joe Morley - New Weaver Banjo
"The banjo sounds wonderful, I haven't played this one for a long time, it is a a genuine showcase for the banjo, I especially like the movement in F minor. Your tempo for this one is perfect."
Mike Moss commented on Mike Moss's videoShuffle Along - Joe Morley - New Weaver Banjo
"Thanks Ian and German. I agree, Bill didn't live up to his name when playing this one in the American recordings, he missed a few notes in the triplets and the performance feels a bit cold. I like the Derek Lillywhite performance, it's…"
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Refurbishing the old Dallas...
So I was having a look at my old Dallas -- with its old, dry head, and its excessively high action -- and decided that something needed to be done.
Thing is, this banjo looks like it might be a bit troublesome. As I mentioned earlier, I had fixed a major crack in the dowel stick, but the dowel stick is poorly set (the heel doesn't make contact with the pot) which means I will probably have to remove the dowel stick, scrap it, and make a new one... so I'll need some advice as…
ContinuePosted on June 6, 2011 at 21:00 — 20 Comments
Just a small discovery...
I just found out a way to get a really neat, cheap and effective banjo mute, which dampens the sound consideraby. Ever since I switched from nylguts to Christ Sands heavies + Ren head, combined with my hard picking, my banjo has become enormously loud -- and I love it! Still, sometimes I need to produce a quieter sound than the ear-piercing roar of my killing machine, so I just put on a cheap Tourte violin mute I had lying around -- and it works! Just pop it between the second and third…
ContinuePosted on April 16, 2011 at 11:44 — 1 Comment
Mike's adventures in Banjoland -- V : My ex-smooth arm banjo
It's been a while since I last posted here, so I might as well post a few updates. There have been a few developments in the past few weeks which have taken time away from my banjo studies, namely that I got a pretty good job (which means... no, not more money to spend on banjos... must... not... spend on banjos!) and that I seem to have come down with the flu for the past few days so banjo playing isn't as pleasant as usual.
Still, I've been having a closer look at my old,…
ContinuePosted on April 4, 2011 at 13:35 — 5 Comments
Comment Wall (17 comments)
- At 7:35 on February 3, 2011,
David Wade said… Mike, if you are UK based then the answer could be to get to one or two of the Rallies and you will find plenty of good quality vintage banjos at sensible prices.
Dave
- At 8:13am on December 14, 2011, thereallyniceman gave Mike Moss a gift…
A big thank you for your had work.. Sit down, chill and have a cold beer on me. Ian
- At 8:52pm on February 02, 2012, thereallyniceman gave Mike Moss a gift…
- At 16:33 on February 11, 2012, Alan Sims said…
hi Mike have i not heard you playing a Chet tune somewhere on video or have i got the wrong person only i have tons of his tabs .regards Alan
- At 17:45 on February 15, 2012,
Richard Yates said… <Welcome! Are you Richard Yates, the classical guitarist?>
Hi Mike, Yes. I am browsing for music that might be well-suited for my Transcribers Art column in Soundboard. Classical banjo seems to have a rich and catchy repertoire that guitarists might enjoy exploring. Any composers or compositions that you can suggest?
Richard Yates
- At 21:05 on February 15, 2012, Richard Yates said…
Thanks for the tips. The aufio files are great. The scores on this site are a bit confusing, though. Some include a single part labeled 'solo,' others have, in addition, '2nd banjo' and/or 'piano accompaniment.' Are the 2nd banjo and piano parts alternative accompaniments? Are some of the pieces with only one part 'available' all true solos or are accompaniment parts just missing? Are any of the pieces clearly true solos? Some banjo 'accompaniments' are as elaborate as the 'solo' part and different from the 'piano accompaniment.' So it's unclear to me what is required, what is optional, and what is missing.
'Down Devon Way' has 'solo for banjos,' '2nd banjo acc., arranged by Sheaff' and 'piano acc. by Cammeyer.'
'Andante and Waltz' has a banjo accompaniment 'As played by Cammeyer' and a piano part apparently written by Cammeyer in addition to the banjo part.
Any clarification you can offer on these questions would be a big help.
- At 0:23 on February 16, 2012, Richard Yates said…
Very useful info, Mike. Thank you. I will browse and try out some things. (By the way, the Cammeyer 'A Christmas Carol' does have a second banjo part but the index says just one part.)
- At 10:40 on February 16, 2012, thereallyniceman said…
Well spotted Richard! ....FIXED
Ian, thereallyniceman
- At 1:49 on February 18, 2012, Richard Yates said…
Hi again Mike,
I have question about notation. In the Library scores I see instances of, for instance, beamed eighth-notes with the stems down, but with an occasional added upward stem and sixteenth note flag. You can see several on the top line of Morley's 'Mixed Grill'. I assume they are something banjo-specific as I have not seen them before.
Richard Yates
- At 8:40 on February 18, 2012, thereallyniceman said…
Hi Richard,
Perhaps I may jump in first? In banjo music the open 5th string (G) is signified by adding the upward tail to the note (as you see in Mixed Grill). This distinguishes the open 5th string from a G fretted at other positions... simples!!
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