"I only asked because I am not in the old time world. While it could be age related changes to my hearing, I find the sound of the “fiddle” extremely unpleasant (and I really can’t remember a time that I liked it, and I even…"
Classic-Banjo
A Site Dedicated to all enthusiasts of Classic Style Banjo
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Shawn McSweeny
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Shawn McSweeny's Discussions
Alex Magee Plays `Canadian Capers`
19 Replies
To help celebrate Canada's 158th birthday today, Alex Magee plays his…Continue
Started this discussion. Last reply by Joel Hooks 15 minutes ago.
Sid Turner Plays 'Chansonade'
4 Replies
'Chansonade?' Well, not really. That's the title his old friend Tarant…Continue
Started this discussion. Last reply by thereallyniceman Jun 23.
Ossman`s 'Ragtime Medley' Transcribed
11 Replies
The Clifford Essex score for 'Ragtime Medley' doesn't represent Ossman's…Continue
Started this discussion. Last reply by Shawn McSweeny Jun 16.
Van Eps Plays "Hot Foot Sue"
6 Replies
Fred Van Eps never recorded "Hot Foot Sue" . . . . or did he?Late in…Continue
Started this discussion. Last reply by thereallyniceman Jun 7.
Shawn McSweeny's Page
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"An afterthought: I'm remembering the older generation of Cape Breton fiddlers and pianists I met long ago. They were obsessed with playing what they called the "correct" version of each tune. It was odd because they swore…"
"I don't agree that nobody cared, Marc.
The composers of these tunes, some of whom are still alive or recently passed away care(d) very much that their melodies be played as composed. Differences in expression and style are just…"
"The folk process at work. Learn the tune 5th or 6th hand and then make it yours. Nobody cared how close they could play to the original until pedants could look it up.
I've backed WBB on guitar so much, I could fall asleep and not lose a beat.…"
"That was illuminating- the recordings not only define the original melody but illustrate some of the stylistic differences between Canadian and US fiddling - and the melody is already a little different in the second players hands.
This helps…"
"Somehow Ning lost my attachment of Pete McMahon. Here is is again. Maybe,"
"I would say that the Andy DeJarlis version might be a contender for the official or real way this tune goes. He may have been the first to record it and Manitoba radio could be heard in the northern USA midwest which seems to be how the tune…"
"Hi Jody, is there an "official" fiddle version of WBB? I see a few, some in different octaves, some have the "habanera" or cakewalk rhythm in the first measure of B, where others don't. "
"If you have a copy of "Banjo Songbook" by Tony Trischka, Oak Publications, 1977, there is a banjo arrangement of W. B. B. (in tab, key of D) by a young Bela Fleck, on page 93. He sticks to the melody."
"That would be great!"
"Well...first of all thank you for noticing the special features of the tunes I've been posting. I do especially like Cape Breton fiddling, especially the older styles, and Cape Breton composers of all generations.
And yes, my favorite Canadian…"
"Jody, Your recent posts are of fiddle tunes from eastern Canada, esp. the Cape Breton area, the locale with the strongest fiddling tradition in the country. The fiddle tunes characteristic of my area might be "southern Ontario…"
"Great idea! Canada's got fabulous fiddle tunes. Don't forget the polkas...."
"Maybe next July 1, inspired by WKB, I'll post a few typically Canadian fiddle tunes arranged for banjo. "
"To facilitate his brisk tempo, Alex kept the arrangement fairly straightforward - so you should be OK. "
"Keeping with the Canada theme, here is "Maple Leaf For Ever" [sic] arranged for regular banjo by Walter Kaye Bauer.
https://archive.org/details/maple-leaf-for-ever-walter-kaye-bauer"
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Comment Wall (2 comments)
- At 2:50pm on February 19, 2014, thereallyniceman gave Shawn McSweeny a gift…
- At 4:39 on January 21, 2016,
Peter LaBau said…
Hi Shawn- sorry to be slow to respond, I only check in here once in a while, all the while knowing I need to do it more frequently! Thanks so much for your note, and it's so nice to know that something I did affected you in a such a positive way. In answer to your question- yes, I have the banjo Doug did for me all those years ago- in fact, he did the banjo twice for me. Th original inlay patterns he did on the fingerboard had to be thrown away- the fret scale was off, and it never played in tune. As beautiful as it was, I had to replace the fingerboard, and in so doing I went from a flat board to a radiused one, which is what I have on all my instruments now. The flat inlays couldn't be moved over, so for the longest time, I had just the pear bars that descended from the nut, and the rest of the board was just blank. Two years ago, I sent the banjo neck back to Doug to have him add bars up at the top of the board, and add in some position markers in between. Here's what it looks like now:
The pot is a 1910's Tubaphone- 11-1/2" diameter, and the neck is a 28" scale. I have another pot like this that I'm having Kevin Enoch make a new neck for- I'll use that one for raised "D" bass- I use two banjos when I perform- I find that retuning just one instrument never works out real well- the bass string keeps changing after changing pitches. You're Canandian, right? Toronto? It would be fun to meet up one day- I'll hope that might happen. All the best to you- Peter
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