Classic Banjo syllabus

[Mike Moss]

I just got the Classic Banjo syllabus from the VCM... I just might try my luck with the examinations! I think it's a great idea to breathe new life into CB and it's surprising this hasn't been done in 100 years.

I've been looking through the exam pieces and it's nice to see there is more modern stuff in there. I've got both of Alan Middleton's books but I can't find some of his pieces listed so I assume they will eventually be published by CE? Also, does anyone know if more grades will eventually be added?

[Richard William Ineson]

Bringing a banjo with you is optional, but if we (you) run out of money, a nice banjo can always be left with Messrs. Ramsdens  (pawnbrokers to the Crowned Heads of Europe) as surety for a 'pay day' loan which will keep us going for a couple of days. 

thereallyniceman said:

ABRSM is the exam board of the Royal Schools of Music, delivering over 650,000 exams and assessments every year in 93 countries. ABRSM is committed to supporting high-quality music-making, learning and development throughout the world, and to producing the best possible resources for music teachers and students.

And what finer banjo diploma could you get than the DipABRSM  

   (Dipsomaniac, Alcoholic Beverages, of the Richard’s School of Music)

 

Sign me up Richard.

p.s. Do I need to bring my banjo, or just some money?

[David Wade]

Book me in for March Richard, but can we try the Railway or is it the Station or both?

 

[Richard William Ineson]

Why restrict one's sphere of activity? We can pull them all in and spread our support for  local commerce in all directions.

David Wade said:

Book me in for March Richard, but can we try the Railway or is it the Station or both?

 

[Richard William Ineson]

I've got the rules/requirements for the old B.M.G. Diplomas, Grades A,B and C, somewhere in the archives, I'll dig them out when I have a moment and we'll see what used to be required. 

[Richard William Ineson]

[Joel Hooks]

I Applied to the DipABRSM but was rejected on account that I read in American notation, and that I am American.  They also rejected my proposal to include compositions by the finest composer from that side of the pond-- Bolsover Gibbs.

So I have decided to establish my own University-- U-ASS  the University of American Simplemethod Systems.

At U-ASS we will teach you how to be an expert banjo player without notes.  Our Professors have developed a patented system of learning the banjo that is so easy, the world will forever see notion as a waste of time.

Our system is simple and uses open and filled in circles placed on lines.  At various times there are numbers over the filled in circles-- it is that easy.

Here is a sample...

As part of the graduation we hold a contest to see who is the Champion of U-ASS.  First Prize is a gold metal.  The other top contestants receive banjos valued at $10,000 that are made from the most precious aluminum found in the Orient.

To date, I have won every contest ... here is a photo of me from last years contest after playing "The Anvil Chorus."

Please send payment to receive a valuable instruction book.  Send no stamps.

[Mike Moss]

If the members U-ASS, this most illustrious promoter of the form of notation that will undoubtedly be used by the Paganinis and Ole Bulls of the future -- the Open&Shut Method -- are interested in contacting their long-departed god-hero, Bolsover Gibbs, via a spiritual séance, they would do well to contact the the New Inter-National Council of Organised Mediums for the Preservation of Our Obnoxious Patrimony (N.I.N.C.O.M.P.O.O.P). The Council has years of experience in this field and has recently managed to make contact with the spirit of George Formby.

[Francky Algoedt]

In Flanders Fields we are interested in the grading system for the classical banjo , but at the VCM there have  only four grades and they offer only sheet music for preparatory and gade one , for  the other grades they don't offer sheet music (? )

Can we find somewhere  the sheet music from the other grades ? 

Is there any body in the U.K . responsible for the grading system in classical banjo ? How about associate , licentiate and fellowship in banjo performance ? With the purpose of securing recognition of this qualifications ? 

Greetings from Flanders Fields , 

Francky Algoedt , 

vc

[Joel Hooks]

I recently ordered the first two books of the syllabus.  They are pretty bad. First, they include unplayable scales with notes lower than middle C.  Second, there is no attempt to follow any sort of logical alternate fingering in those scale studies.  

I'm not impressed. 

Francky Algoedt said:

In Flanders Fields we are interested in the grading system for the classical banjo , but at the VCM there have  only four grades and they offer only sheet music for preparatory and gade one , for  the other grades they don't offer sheet music (? )

Can we find somewhere  the sheet music from the other grades ? 

Is there any body in the U.K . responsible for the grading system in classical banjo ? How about associate , licentiate and fellowship in banjo performance ? With the purpose of securing recognition of this qualifications ? 

Greetings from Flanders Fields , 

Francky Algoedt , 

vc