"Well, that was a great set of information to peruse through! Something that I don't understand. How did Farland remain popular if he wasn't playing what people wanted? Or was it that just enough people were interested to keep him relevant?…"
Classic-Banjo
A Site Dedicated to all enthusiasts of Classic Style Banjo
Byron Thomas's Discussions
Banjo Pot Construction
2 Replies
After doing some reading, I am finding that throughout the general manufacturing of banjo's, from the early days to now, the consensus on constructing the banjo pot remains quite varied. Finding out…Continue
Started this discussion. Last reply by Byron Thomas Jul 6.
Banjo Recording Careers
10 Replies
I've been perusing a lot of the Farland material that Joel has been posting and I'm now trying to understand something. During the heyday of the 5-string banjo, what was the criteria for getting…Continue
Started this discussion. Last reply by Steven Watson Jul 3.
Classic Banjo and Jazz
12 Replies
I've been sitting on this question for a while but now feels like a good time to ask. The Youtube algorithm saw that I like banjos so naturally it put a Fred Vans Eps…Continue
Started this discussion. Last reply by Joel Hooks Jun 26.
Practical Hints On Modern Banjo Playing
4 Replies
I was reading through this book on the archive and found it quite interesting! I was curious if modern techniques for the banjo in 1897 were still useful today. My conclusion: yes, they are. There is…Continue
Started this discussion. Last reply by Byron Thomas Mar 30.
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"About three years ago I picked up a Windsor Whirle Gem Junior from across the pond. Initially I felt that I made a worse choice of the two banjos being considered. But over the years it has grown on me. I love that it's a lightweight resonator…"
"Thanks. Not sure why that didn't come up when I searched."
"I’m not sure what I can do to make this more accessible. I post on various forms and try to use appropriate tags when I upload stuff.
Here is a post that includes the…"
"Joel, do you have a copy of the Sep. 21, 1947 Cammeyer letter you can share, or can you tell me where I might find it? I'm doing some research on Farland's appearances in England. Was just going through the relevant 1903 issues of The…"
"My answer is: Yes, I like banjo rims for classic and stroke style. Wood, wood with rings, silver rims (aka "spun"), closed back, open banjo, I particularly like all of them.
Now, I have a tendency to like silver rims a little…"
"Also worth noting that Farland was 14 years older than FVE, and became a professional banjoist before the recording industry took off. FVE's earliest work as banjoist was making wax cylinders."
" Farland was devoted to playing his own arrangements of classical music on the banjo, using lots of tremolo. His career took off in 1893 when SS Stewart decided to promote him heavily in both concerts and the pages of the Stewart Journal, as…"
"Claiming that he "lost out" presumes that Farland had aspirations to make production records. It is just as likely that he had no interest. We do not have that info.
What we do know is that Farland was heavily promoted in…"
"On one of these promotion things, or perhaps it was the back of a piece of sheet music, there was a list of recordings you could buy from Farland, but these were self recorded, likely one at a time. I know of none extant."
"So basically, he lost out because he couldn't bring himself to play music for then common person and only played European classics?"
"It is very easy to get caught up in Farland's self promotion. Let's unpack reality.
Farland claimed to have taught FVE.
FVE "I once paid Farland for a course of instruction and when he wanted me to play Hauser's…"
"Most of the early banjo recordings were sponsored by tin pan alley music publishers as promotion for their sheet music. Played with force and an even touch, the banjo recorded well under the primitive recording tech of the day. Ossman had the…"
"Nick Lucas and Eddie Lang are pretty much the reason guitars are played with plectrums today (esp Lucas). As a side note, there is a pretty cringy myth that has entered into the internet echo chamber that D'andrea accidentally invented…"
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Byron Thomas's Blog
Lonesome Mama Blues - Fred van eps
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0SJvohQlpTk
This is just one of my favorites of Fred Van Eps. Something about this song just speaks to me. Is there a score of his playing from this recording?
Posted on December 21, 2020 at 18:00 — 6 Comments
7 String banjo sheet music
I've been playing around with a 7 string banjo for about 6 months now and I'm am now looking for some 7 string sheet music. I'm currently working through what is available for the scan of Ellis' Thorough School for the 6 or 7 String Banjo which is missing pages but is still a pretty solid Tutor. I already found posting with The Devil Still Pursues Her and Horace Weston's Grand March which are both great pieces if anyone ever wants to tackle them on the 7. Grand March is looking to be a…
ContinuePosted on December 14, 2020 at 16:08 — 22 Comments
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