"Found it:
https://tedgreene.com/images/pdf/TedGreene_GeorgeVanEps_Interview.pdf"
Classic-Banjo
A Site Dedicated to all enthusiasts of Classic Style Banjo
Byron Thomas's Discussions
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 on Friday.
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.
Orpheum Cello Banjo
6 Replies
I was perusing the archive and ran across this photo. Has anyone ever seen this banjo in person? I'm just curious as to how the Orpheum cello banjo would hold up against its counterparts (Stewart…Continue
Started this discussion. Last reply by Joel Hooks Nov 26, 2025.
Classic style composing and arranging
88 Replies
I listened to the Gordon Dando's Classic Banjo documentary a while back on Chris Sand's youtube…Continue
Started this discussion. Last reply by Austin Nov 5, 2025.
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"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…"
"Y'know, FVE's son, George, dropped the banjo as a kid (after hearing Eddie Lang on guitar) and went straight to Jazz. He is considered one of the greats of Jazz guitar. I suspect he simply recognized the guitar as a new and different sound…"
"My brain is telling me that I have heard Van Eps Orchestra recordings (or recording) that did not have banjo at all. But it was a rather forgettable novelty record. "
"FVE's trio/quartet recorded lots of fox-trots and pop songs advertised as "for dancing" in the late teens. There are some records were he takes something of a secondary role to the saxophone and xylophone, probably one of the…"
"Re: FVE and TBJ, it should be considered that fingerstyle banjo and the BMG club scene retained some relevance for longer in England than in the US. It likewise took time for American jazz to become more mainstream in British society (we see the…"
"Thanks for all of these quick responses!
When it comes to classic fingerstyle banjo having run its course, I'm trying to understand from the standpoint of the banjo's adaptability. At one point ragtime was the hot new dance music and had…"
"A (very) quick look at transitional (fingers to pick) methods (late teens+) has fingerstyle sticking to music we consider "classic banjo" and the plectrum pieces basically the same but arranged to be struck with a pick (or lots of pick…"
"There is a reference in one of the BMG's (sorry, don't have time to find it - might be in the commentary for Hot Frets) where Frank Lawes talks about the demand for "hot tunes" which I presume does imply that folks did want jazz…"
"To add to the points already made...
While fingerstyle banjo didn't fully embrace jazz, it was also the case that jazz (which was much bigger than arranged charts for orchestra) didn't embrace fingerstyle banjo. It went both directions.…"
"I was going to reply but Joel has made most of the points I would have made.
One more point: soft strings played with bare fingers were not loud enough to be heard in a band with horns. It could be made to work in recording, but not in live…"
"I'll bite and take a guess.
Theory 1) "classic banjo" had run its course. The music was "old fashioned" and the kids wanted to play the hot new dance music. There was a new form of banjo (well, two new forms) with no…"
Classic Banjo and Jazz
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 video on the side bar. It's a video of the Van Eps Trio playing The Love Nest, Japenese Sandman, Whispering, and Swanee. It's nice to hear the banjo alongside the saxophone. Then there were recent…See More
Bach Gavotte from BWV 1006, arr. Sheaff
"Joel also posted this treatise on tremolo a while back. It is a very concise instruction on a variety of tremolo styles. I highly recommend the study of this book.
Sostenuto (Tremolo for Banjo) Method : B. Sheldon Green : Free Download, Borrow, and…"
"After going over the chords in the first section and the rhythms, I can feel the idea. As Trapdoor2 said, it swings similar to the earlier recorded jazz pieces. Especially measures 17 - 20. The dotted eighth notes followed by the sixteenth notes…"
"It seems like the "piccolo" instruments are tuned and octave higher. Can't help with the banjola though. The only version of which I know is the August Pollman version but that doesn't seem like Bernard meant that instrument. I…"
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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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