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Mike Moss's Discussions
What's that effect
9 Replies
What exactly does Derek Lillywhite do at the end of his "Cornish Dance" recording to pull off that neat effect? I've slowed it down and listened closely but for the life of me I can't figure out…Continue
Started this discussion. Last reply by Jody Stecher Oct 7, 2014.
Thalberg connection?
4 Replies
Here's something to ponder. I recall a (probably apocryphal?) story about Sigismond Thalberg and the banjo, which seems to have been taken up by a number of banjoists in the mid-late 19th century,…Continue
Started this discussion. Last reply by Trapdoor2 Jun 30, 2013.
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, 2013.
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, 2013.
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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
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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
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
<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
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.
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.)
Well spotted Richard! ....FIXED
Ian, thereallyniceman
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
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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