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Steve Harrison posted a discussion

A Night On the Levee (An original Louisiana dance in ragtime rhythm)..Theodore Havermeyer Northrup

My arrangement of this tune doesn't follow the the usual  ragtime structure. I've removed most of the chords leaving the majority of it played with single notes. It has a staccato syncopation achieved by  using semiquaver (1/16th) rests and in parts is played behind the beat. It's tricky to play but sounds OK when you get it right. I'd recommend that use is made of the MP3 before attempting to play it.…See More
Friday
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Steve Harrison posted a discussion

Two happy Coons..Schottische..Theodore Havermeyer Northrup.

This early composition is one of those tunes that could have been written for the banjo. The structure of the tune is such that Northrup could well have been influenced by banjo players that he'd heard at the time. It's not too challenging and is worth a try...Steve.See More
Thursday
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Steve Harrison posted discussions
Tuesday
Steve Harrison replied to Malcolm's discussion Notation question
"Hi Malcolm, My system of notation is non standard but there is a method to it.. I'm not a great lover of tab and my annotation is a compromise if you will. The numbers that are written above the notes are the frets on which the note is played.…"
Apr 6
Steve Harrison posted a discussion

Who's That Knockin'..1922..Roy Stapleton

I couldn't find any info about the composer of this fun piece of music, described as a two step. The music was published in London so I presume Stapleton to be British. At various points on the piano score there are instructions to 'knock' (on the piano?), I've tried  tapping the banjo velum but it didn't work very well so I've omitted them on my arrangement. It took some thinking about to get it to work on the banjo but I'm pleased with the result and it's well worth a listen/play...Steve.…See More
Mar 30
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Steve Harrison posted a discussion

The Weird Rag..1911..Phil Schwartz

A good medium paced rag that suits the banjo. The piano score was written in C/F however I've arranged it in F/Bb as it fits the banjo more easily. I've been a bit inventive with the way I've annotated the intro but it works...Steve. See More
Mar 27
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Steve Harrison posted discussions
Mar 25
Steve Harrison posted a discussion

Cry baby..Jazz Fox Trot..1918..Tom Brown & Ernie Erdman

This is an early jazz tune and one of the composers, Tom Brown, was a Canadian saxophonist and leader of a six saxophone group called the Six Brown Brothers who used to perform regularly in Vaudeville and on Broadway. It's another arrangements of music not usually associated with Classic Banjo. Some of my suggested fingering leans towards the melodic style....Steve. See More
Mar 23
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Steve Harrison posted a discussion

Down In Old Arkansas (1911)..Percy Wenrich

This is another well written and tuneful two step from Wenrich. The piano score is written in G/C but my arrangement in C/F fits the banjo much better. In bars 23,25,31 and 33 I've added a second 'echo' triplet which works well. My suggested fingering has some elements of melodic style...Steve.See More
Mar 17
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Joel Hooks replied to Steve Harrison's discussion Montana Girl (1911)..Percy Wenrich.
"So was I."
Mar 17
Jody Stecher replied to Steve Harrison's discussion Montana Girl (1911)..Percy Wenrich.
"To be clear, I'm talking about Le Banjo, not Montana Girl."
Mar 17
Jody Stecher replied to Steve Harrison's discussion Montana Girl (1911)..Percy Wenrich.
"The composer called it a fantaisie grotesque.  It's just a bunch of ripples set in the apparantly bizarre key of six sharps. That's F sharp. When tried on a piano it quickly becomes apparent that the mostly pentatonic score can be…"
Mar 17
Joel Hooks replied to Steve Harrison's discussion Montana Girl (1911)..Percy Wenrich.
"For some reason this seems to be the pièce de résistance idea… but it is not a great piano piece and even less interesting arranged for banjo (which many people have done already).  Yeah, yeah, I know all the theories…"
Mar 16
Austin replied to Steve Harrison's discussion Montana Girl (1911)..Percy Wenrich.
"You should try to arrange Le Banjo by Gottschalk. I was going to attempt it and I kind of succeeded somewhat, but I have to figure out the variations because on Banjo they'd be very different from piano"
Mar 16
Steve Harrison posted a discussion

Montana Girl (1911)..Percy Wenrich.

This is a catchy Two Step/Cake Walk, it's not too challenging to play and has a nice bass solo in the trio. It's another of those tunes that could almost have been written for banjo. The sections which I've marked at 5B could be played out of first position as in bars 42 and 43..Steve.See More
Mar 16
5 Comments
Steve Harrison replied to Austin 's discussion Is it possible I could start adding some arrangements?
"Hi Austin, yes, it may seem confusing at first but the addition of fret numbers on the notes and position makers on the score is my compromise to tab (which I've never liked). The scores not only notate the music but with my annotation show my…"
Mar 14

Profile Information

Steve Harrison

Hi all, Just a bit about myself. I live in the beautiful town of Malvern in Worcestershire, England. I have been playing classic and melodic style banjo for more years than I care to recall. I play an Alfred Weaver banjo made around 1903 and a Windsor popular made 1914ish. As well as banjo, my other instrument is piano accordion, not very fashionable these days but great for playing tradtional music, my main passion. I play occasionally for local Morris Dance sides arround Malvern. Having reached the grand old age of 60, I am semi retired which leaves me more time for my music and my other love, my two grandchildren. I'm about to start teaching my 7 year old grandson the Uke as an entry into greater things. If there are any other players in or near my location, please make contact...Steve.

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Comment Wall (15 comments)

At 6:35 on December 29, 2010, Sylvia said…
Hi Steve, I'm a bit nearer to you than Rob, but still a longish way away , I'm on the Isle of Wight.    Was interested to read that you played for Morris. I am a member of the local Oyster Girls Ladies Morris team.  Might just bump into you at one of the Folk Festivals , don't yet know which ones we are doing this year though.   All the Best.  Sylvia.
At 8:57 on December 30, 2010, Sylvia said…
Hi Steve,the oyster girls were at Upton last year. I am only a beginner at Banjo and have found this site very helpful. I have also had a few lessons with Rob over the internet, great stuff this new technology. Will look out for you at any Festivals I go to. I have heard Rochester mentioned for this coming year. All the best. Sylvia
At 17:49 on February 8, 2012, Alan Sims said…

hi Steve ,ive just had my clifford essex frets redressed and set up .it sounds lovely and so much easier to play .ive got medium gauge strings .ive been playing about a year .would i be ready for a heavier set ,and would this change the action .how often sould change them i practice every day' regards Alan

At 17:56 on February 8, 2012, Alan Sims said…

how often should i change strings i practice every day regards Alan

At 20:13 on March 4, 2012, Tim Walsh said…

Hi Steve,

 

I've only recently been made aware of Classic Banjo through meeting another member David Greenwood.

I've only been playing a relatively short while and have been learning bluegrass.

I'm looking to broaden my playing skills in to claw hammer and Classic styles and from what I've seen of the tutorials on this site so far I think I'm in the right place.

 

 

 

 

 

At 7:31 on May 21, 2012, Mike Redman said…

Hi Steve, have you thought about transposing/arranging A Ragtime Dance (Scott Joplin) for the banjo, I was listening to it the other day, now can't get the tune off of my mind!

At 10:35 on June 20, 2012, Alan Sims said…

thanks for the tip Steve, that makes sence.three lines above .E. cheers.

At 11:13am on August 28, 2012, Alan Sims gave Steve Harrison a gift…
Gift
Red Ribbon
Thanks Steve.It sounds great.
From the Gift Store
At 8:59am on September 19, 2012, thereallyniceman gave Steve Harrison a gift…
Gift
Frosty Mug of Beer
I would personally like to thank Steve for all the work he has done on producing new arrangements for Classic Banjo and making them available for us all. Check out all his scores in the MUSIC LIBRARY.
From the Gift Store
At 4:23pm on November 30, 2012, thereallyniceman gave Steve Harrison a gift…
Gift
Birthday Balloons
Thank you to Steve for all the arrangements and contributions. I can't say how old he is as I can't count that high :-) HAPPY BIRTHDAY
From the Gift Store

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