Classic-Banjo

"Richard, does the FVE ms. have it right? Laurendeau sounds similar to Durandeau, but the former's first name was Louis-Philippe, while the published Ossman solo and piano acc. both cite as composer a Durandeau with first initials…"

"Laurendeau was a Canadian composer best known for his arrangement of 'The Entry of the Gladiators' , he died in 1916."

"Thanks Shawn!  I had suspected that it was in A notation and was surprised to see it in an English publication. The theory of the publisher not knowing better does make sense. I have thoroughly flogged the subject of A and C notations (as well…"

"Thanks Satoshi and Ian for posting these publications. Joel, below are the first couple of measures of the piano accompaniment to Ossman's "New Gaiety" arrangement. The piano score is in F, so it looks like the key of D banjo solo in…"

"I have not. I'm certain they wouldn't have the same tone and play ability as regular banjos with an extended fretboard. Another thing is the quality of the build. Most of the banjos are like our professional models. I can't find one…"

"Have you tried a long neck, such as a Christy?"

"Of course. That was my native right/left up/down dyslexia showing thru...again."

"Could one not just stop the 6th string at the second fret?"

"LOL. While it might be for a 6 or 7 string, the tunings I know of for those don't go below G. gCDGBD or gGCDGBD. Easy enough to tune the 7-string down to get that A but... It appears to have no other notes that drop below D. I can't…"

"Wow! Thank you for putting these up. So much to look through and sure to find a few gems along the way."

"This is very cool stuff!  Thank you so much for this.  It is especially interesting to see English publications with year of publication. I am a bit confused about some of this stuff though.  For example, in "Sheard's…"

"Ditto, what Carrie said. Thank you Samurai Banjo and Ian! I claim a little bit of Japan as I was born in the Army Hospital at Camp Zama (my parents were USN but it was the closest hospital in 1957). My birth certificate says Sagamihara. The artwork…"

"p.s. wow, those Sheard banjo album covers are amazing.  I have never seen them before.  "

"Hi Satoshi - firstly, I am sorry to hear of your loss.   Thank you and Ken so much for sharing these very rare banjo journals - and thank you to Ian for all the hard work in uploading them to the site.  This is such an amazing…"

"I guess I am fortunate in getting most of those things whilst being paid for my performances then .  no audience wishes to see you fail, they are on your side ! Yes, that is the key to it all, even though it's "only" 99% true.…"

"My goodness, that is a funny video. Thanks!"

"Hi Ian, A band member who died suddenly told me what I should do now. Thank you for posting Reuben Reubens' paper collection on the UK site. I hope somebody will find this material and find out more history of banjo. Thank you so much!"

"In the 1970's when I was first learning to play the banjo (I still am!) I bought many instruments that were advertised in the local newspapers. One of these was a Wilkes banjo that had a circular hole in the velum that was surrounded by a…"