Classic-Banjo
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Ryan's True Banjo Instructor
Just received this little tutor. Prob. early 1880's (though there's no date on it). My collection of tutors has been packed away but this seems to be yet another "version" of the standard "cheap tutor" for the period. I suspect that the printing plates for the main body of the book (elements of music, how to tune and hold the banjo, etc.) were licensed to various publishers who added their own covers and perhaps the tunes. It all looks very familiar...
It has a number of quirks, which I find charming. It speaks only of fingerstyle playing...yet the very few tunes which have R/H fingering indications at all are obviously using "stroke-style". In the instructions for fingering, it specifically mentions R/H fingering will conisist of "X-1-2" but having thumbed thru the tunes, I find no instance of a "2" being used. ;-)
It does contain the obligatory few operatic tunes (as "airs") and even one specifically noted to be played in the "Guitar Style". Weren't we supposed to be doing that anyway? ;-)
Ah well. Much like Sept. Winner and Elias Howe, I suspect Mr. Ryan had never even smelt a banjo. I'll put it in the que to be photographed and made into a .pdf for you all to pass judgement upon.
Now, move along. Nothing to see here!
It has a number of quirks, which I find charming. It speaks only of fingerstyle playing...yet the very few tunes which have R/H fingering indications at all are obviously using "stroke-style". In the instructions for fingering, it specifically mentions R/H fingering will conisist of "X-1-2" but having thumbed thru the tunes, I find no instance of a "2" being used. ;-)
It does contain the obligatory few operatic tunes (as "airs") and even one specifically noted to be played in the "Guitar Style". Weren't we supposed to be doing that anyway? ;-)
Ah well. Much like Sept. Winner and Elias Howe, I suspect Mr. Ryan had never even smelt a banjo. I'll put it in the que to be photographed and made into a .pdf for you all to pass judgement upon.
Now, move along. Nothing to see here!
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Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Joel Hooks on
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Cool.
In the 1894 Sears, Roebuck and Co, it lists Ryan's True Instructors for Mandolin, Zither, Double Bass, Ocarina, and Harmonica.
What do you want to bet they have the same tunes.
Thanks again for doing this kind of stuff. I always have my eyes out, someday I might get to contribute.
You know, we should all get together and decide who will bid on auctions to keep the prices down.
I would like to get my hands on the harmonica version.
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Permalink Reply by Trapdoor2 on
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Heh, heh. On the back, it lists "True Instruction Books" for the following instruments:
Accordion, Banjo, Bugle, Cornet, Concertina, Clarionet, Cabinet Organ, Drum,
Flageolet, Fife, Flute, Guitar, Melodian, Piano, Piccolo & Boehm Flute, Violin and
Violincello.
Ol' Ryan really knew some stuff!
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Septimus Winner was a songwriter and publisher. Most famous for three songs: "Listen To The Mockingbird", "Der Dietcher's Dog" (aka "Where Oh Where Has My Little Dog Gone") and "Ten Little Indians". I can't find a thing that says he was ever a banjo player, but he published instructional books for over 20 instruments...just like "Ryan", et al.
I'm trying to discover who "Ryan" was. Anybody know?
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Well...5 min of 'net search results: Sidney Ryan, composer and arranger. About 10 pieces collected in the American Library of Congress sheet music collection...all piano. From those ten examples, all I can gather is that he wrote a series of "Happy Birthday" tunes, one for each family member.
I did find that most other sites cite "Ryan's True XXXXX (name your favorite instrument) Instructor" as being published in 1872...and reprinted in 1905.
Mine has no copyright info at all, I'm forced to assume it is of 1872 vintage. ;-)
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