"Thank you both for the suggestions! I appreciate the help. I'm going to give Hot Corn a try. As far as stroke style studies, I've been doing pretty decently. I haven't been through the F.B.C. Analytical yet as I need to better myself…"
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Byron Thomas's Discussions
Jaunty/Festive Classic banjo music
4 Replies
Hi all! I'm going to be in a stage show this winter and I've been asked to pick a song for a scene that…Continue
Started this discussion. Last reply by Byron Thomas Sep 2.
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.
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"There is lots of great tunes prior to 1879, more than you could shake a banjo thimble at, but I can't think of any that are specifically "holiday themed" (I am presuming Christmas is the holiday).
Since British publications are, for…"
"I think you are chronologically safe with Hot Corn. ("Pop Corn" in Bradbury). See my conversation with Joel Hooks about this by entering "corn" in the search box. Joel posted a number of versions. You can take your pick, or…"
"Pre 1870 is pretty limited. The "explosion" of published music starts to pick up velocity with the first sheet music for banjo published about 1878/79.
This link should populate my archive listing for dated publications before…"
Jaunty/Festive Classic banjo music
Hi all! I'm going to be in a stage show this winter and I've been asked to pick a song for a scene that is, as the title suggests, jaunty/festive. Has anyone run across anything printed during the 19th century that fits these criteria, particularly anything that is holiday themed? The scene is set during the 1870's so I want to provide a period correct sound. Any assistance is much appreciated.See More
"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?…"
"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."
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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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