Comment by German David Patarroyo on March 27, 2014 at 1:47

It´s really amazing listening these tunes with a bunch of banjos :)

Comment by Jason Smith on March 29, 2014 at 1:34

Wonderful rendition and ensemble!!

Comment by marc dalmasso on April 1, 2014 at 6:29

Thanks German et Jason

it was a sound ' exercice for students

Comment by Ginny Matheson on May 1, 2014 at 4:23

This was such an inspiration.  I love this tune.  Oldtime fiddlers enjoy it quite a lot.  I hope one day I can figure it out!

Comment by thereallyniceman on May 1, 2014 at 8:56

Hi Ginny,

Thanks for all your contributions and your kind comments on my Youtube videos. They make a pleasant change from the normal abuse I get ;-)

Whistling Rufus is a great standard and not TOO difficult to play, with practice. I made a tutorial video of the first section showing the score notes and where to play them.

WHISTLING RUFUS FIRST SECTION

It may help if you pause regularly to see what is going on and whereabouts on the fingerboard!

Good luck.

Comment by Ginny Matheson on May 1, 2014 at 17:07

It has been educational and fun to read what the site members have had on their minds since I joined.  I can see that you all are a wealth of information and friendly help.  I will, probably, not be able to offer much in the way of banjo knowledge, but will have a lot of questions for you.

Here is one.  I have to leave the Cammeyer banjo I just got back from the luthier behind, until I get back in October from Washington State. (Just when I was having fun with it).  ( I took some pictures of it and will post when I am confident I know how).  My question is that I have quite small hands, and might be interested in finding another banjo, besides the little old Kay I have.  If you, or anyone has a recommendation for a banjo that would enable me to get around the neck better and enable me to do pull-off's and hammers on well, please let me hear from you about your suggestions.  I am not young!! but still want to improve on the banjo as I am also improving on the fiddle. (It works pretty well, ergonomically, to switch between them.)

Here's another question.  There are some great banjo musicians in the Seattle area where I will be going.  I am still learning oldtime clawhammer fiddle tunes all the time, or at least, working on them.)  Does anyone know of anyone who has a particular interest in classic banjo playing in the Pacific Northwest USA?  I want to learn to play it and am taking my newbie books and cd's with me that I have ordered from Clifford Essex, and will lean on your on-line assistance to stick with it.  

Regarding Whistling Rufus, I'm so glad to hear that it the tune is NOT that difficult and that you have made a tutorial video of the first section.  (Wow, I'm so happy!) Thank you!  

One thing that I've noticed from studying "The Banjo and How to Play it" by Alan Middleton, is that as I've been working and playing through it, I've been learning a bunch more about what the heck I've been doing on the banjo, previously, without paying attention to what notes I have been playing or even why, to some extent.  Just following the instructions in a methodical manner has really helped me understand music theory better as well.  (I struggle with dominant, sub-dominant, yadda, yadda, yadda at this time) Yes, I know it is important and maybe some day, it will all make sense.  But, Middleton's book explains the notes well.  It is so helpful to have the notes over the tablature.  I've been trying to focus, more on the notes than the tab as I go as I can read music.

So, there you have what's on my mind.  Thanks, again, for doing all you do to keep classical banjo alive and going forward.  I really value your efforts. You have made it possible for those of us who might never have been introduced to a wonderful musical happening in the past.

Comment by Jody Stecher on May 1, 2014 at 17:35

Ginny, old  Farland banjos show up for sale fairly frequently pretty much always for under $1000. These have slim necks and are easy to play and they sound very good when properly set up. But you also might want to check out new Recording King banjos. These brand new open back banjos often go for less than $500. The open back version of the Madison model is very nice. for instance. And there is nothing to repair. They are perfect and new. The necks are not wide or thick. That said, "pulloffs" and" hammer-ons" (hammers-on?), known as snaps and slurs in classic banjo language, are not made easier by small banjo necks. What makes these ornaments work well is careful scrutiny of exactly what is impeding their clarity. Study your hands as you slur and snap and you will discover the problem and simultaneously you will discover the antidote.

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