Joel Hooks
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  • Pepperell, MA
  • United States
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Joel Hooks's Discussions

Zarh Bickford's Unplayable Chords?
18 Replies

Started this discussion. Last reply by IAN SALTER 19 minutes ago.

U. S. School Of Music Banjo Course, Lessons 49 To 96
3 Replies

Started this discussion. Last reply by Francky Algoedt on Saturday.

 

Joel Hooks's Page

Latest Activity

IAN SALTER replied to Joel Hooks's discussion Zarh Bickford's Unplayable Chords?
"Hi Joel, I didn't think for one second that you were, but thank you anyway. I've been listening to those recordings too and feeling the same about them. I have a strong fondness for music of that type and regularly listen to the early…"
19 minutes ago
Jody Stecher replied to Joel Hooks's discussion Zarh Bickford's Unplayable Chords?
"Wow. You're right, it can be played in your tuning!  But it still sounds discordant to me. The chord in measure 1 sounds better to me, Better than either might be Bb C D."
1 hour ago
Joel Hooks replied to Joel Hooks's discussion Zarh Bickford's Unplayable Chords?
"Hey Ian, I was not dismissing your contribution, I value any input or thoughts.  Interpreting this on the 7 string is a great concept.  I have no doubt that these are just mistakes in engraving.  The green circled chords should be the…"
1 hour ago
IAN SALTER replied to Joel Hooks's discussion Zarh Bickford's Unplayable Chords?
"Just to be clear, I totally agree that the tune can't be played as written, on a 5 string banjo. As I'm sure you did, I tried it on mine and agreed with Joel's findings. So, purely out of curiosity, I attempted it on my 7 string…"
6 hours ago
Jody Stecher replied to Joel Hooks's discussion Zarh Bickford's Unplayable Chords?
"The screenwriter needed to his homework a little deeper. A broken string makes a sound but it is not loud and not like a gun. HOWEVER : There are two sounds a banjo can make that can easily be mistaken for a pistol shot. One is a vellum breaking.…"
13 hours ago
Jody Stecher replied to Joel Hooks's discussion Zarh Bickford's Unplayable Chords?
"After you've had more time to study the piece I think you will discover that two more strings tuned as you have indicated will not enable you or anyone else to simulataneosly play Bb on the third fret of the third string and A natural one fret…"
14 hours ago
IAN SALTER replied to Joel Hooks's discussion Zarh Bickford's Unplayable Chords?
"Yes, I didn't think it was for a 7 string banjo, but do find it interesting that all of the chords can be played as written.  I do like a spoof western, so thanks for the link."
17 hours ago
Joel Hooks replied to Joel Hooks's discussion Zarh Bickford's Unplayable Chords?
"Zarh was living in NYC when this correspondence course was published.  The rest of it is very good, I think the engraver just goofed up on this one, perhaps it was Saturday evening the week of payday and he was ready to get out of there? He…"
18 hours ago

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Joel Hooks's Blog

New Additions to my family.

I answered an add on craigslist listing "four old banjos- $150 each."



I called very early to leave a message and get my name in the mix. Well it's true that the early bird catches the worm, and he called me a couple of minutes later.



I met with him and this is what I got...



Stewart and Bauer "Monogram" Grade 2. At first sight it looked in remarkably good condition. A couple of days later when I had a chance to mess with it I noticed one issue.



I… Continue

Posted on December 25, 2009 at 1:45 — 2 Comments

My first real banjo lesson.

I finally had a formal music lesson, the first in my life (that I can recall). The best part is that it was with none other than Clarke Buehling.



We had exchanged info at the opening of the America Banjo Museum. He was in Ft Worth for Thanksgiving. So we got together, had lunch, then went to our "old west" town.



He is a true gentlemen.



Scales and accompaniment, along with discussion of historically informed performance was the agenda. He listened to where I was… Continue

Posted on December 6, 2009 at 20:45 — 1 Comment

Thoughts on Tremolo.

In this journey (obsession) of historic banjo playing, I have turned to reading all of the period literature on the subject that I could find. An observation I made is that it seems most banjoists had a version of "Home, Sweet Home with Tremolo." I had read the instructions for how to play it, listened to Ossman and Eps, but really did not give it much mind.



Then, from Trapdoor's recommendation, I bought Douglas Back's The Banjo Goes Highbrow (if you don't have this get it… Continue

Posted on April 12, 2009 at 17:36 — 16 Comments

Comment Wall (18 comments)

At 5:01 on January 2, 2009, Carl Anderton said…
Glad you joined, Joel. Great profile picture.
At 20:22 on February 14, 2009, Ray Jones said…
Many thanks for the info. I shall have a serious look at them, and give it some thought. The Patents were most helpful. We are never too old to learn a new trick or two. I wonder if there is a special design for a zither banjo.
At 22:05 on July 2, 2009, Ray Jones said…
At 22:29 on July 3, 2009, Ray Jones said…
Did you manage to print out the notation for Gay Gossoon that I sent yesterday? Ray
At 2:29 on July 4, 2009, Ray Jones said…
If you want the other banjo parts later, I have them. Ray
At 6:54 on August 20, 2009, Ray Jones said…
What is interesting is that the Appalachian Area was originally settled by migrants from, England, Ireland and Scotland! Did they bring the banjo over with them? So much for the Hillbillies.
At 7:36am on January 03, 2010, Clarke Buehling gave Joel Hooks a gift
Gift
And a toast for a happy new year to you, sir. Clarke
At 12:42 on April 13, 2010, Peter LaBau said…
HI- thanks for the interest in the CD- I'm heading out of town for a family crisis, but will be back next week and will check back with you then about getting you the disc. Thanks again!- Peter
At 15:51 on April 21, 2010, Peter LaBau said…
Hey Marc- back again. Can't remember if I gave you an address to send the check for $15, that includes shipping.

Peter LaBau
2079 Hawkshill Lane
Charlottesville, VA 22911

Thanks so much- hope all's well. - Peter
At 15:53 on April 21, 2010, Peter LaBau said…
Hey- Peter here again. So sorry, I'm mixing names up here- sorry for the gaff... Peter

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