"The Nashville was a gunboat, made famous during the Spanish-American war (1898). In one engagement, her crew and marines cut three underwater communication cables while under fire from the Cuban shore...earning some 50+ Medals of Honor in one…"
Classic-Banjo
A Site Dedicated to all enthusiasts of Classic Style Banjo
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Steve Harrison
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- Malvern, Worcestershire
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Steve Harrison's Discussions
The Nashville..1899..Mamie A.Gunn
1 Reply
Started this discussion. Last reply by Trapdoor2 on Thursday.
Noisy Notes Rag (1915)..Ralph Wray
Started Jul 25
Jaxon Rag..1908..Edward G.Byers & Lucien G.Dunn
1 Reply
Started this discussion. Last reply by Keith Stephen Jul 22.
Gifts Received (4)
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The Nashville..1899..Mamie A.Gunn
I haven't arranged a march recently so I hope you enjoy this offering. From the picture on the title page, I think we can assume that The Nashville is the name of the ship. I couldn't find out much about the composer other than she had at least two other compositions published, none of which I've located so far. I've given it the full 'banjofication' by rewriting most of it to suit the banjo whilst keeping the original melody. The piano score was in Bb/Eb, my arrangement is in G/C. I've also…See More
Noisy Notes Rag (1915)..Ralph Wray
This is a very good rare rag which I've hopefully rescued from obscurity. The composer lived in Olathe, Colorado. He initially tried to self publish his compositions but because of the remote location in which he lived, the main publishers took little interest in him. This tune was published by the Mellinger Music Publishing Co. in Saint Louis and apart from an operetta called "In the air" published in 1921, nothing more was heard from Wray. The original piano score was in C but my arrangement…See More
"There was a blues singer come female impersonator in the 1920's called Frankie "half pint" Jaxon......."
Jaxon Rag..1908..Edward G.Byers & Lucien G.Dunn
The composers of this rag both came from Mississippi so I presume the title is a bit of wordplay around the state capitol Jackson. I've kept it in the original piano key of C and have made good use of the 6ths intervals which work well on the banjo. It's a challenge in parts but worth the effort as my arrangement suits the banjo well. I've just noticed my spelling error with Dunn's first name but it would take too much work to edit the entire file so I'll leave as is...Steve.…See More
Down On The Old Plantation..1899..Bayard Wilson
This is a very tuneful early cake walk that could have been written for the banjo. I could find no info on the composer. It's one of my current favourites, it's not too challenging and is worth a try...Steve.See More
Dark Town Coon..1914..Benoit Fidele Poirier
Poirier was a Canadian born composer and organist who lived most of his life in Montreal. As far as I could find out, this is his only ragtime composition which is far removed from his usual repertoire of classically inspired music. It's a very good cakewalk. I've rewritten some parts and have combined the octave passages from the piano LH with the completed score. My suggested and preferred way to play the octaves is to use 2nd and 4th strings. It's challenging in parts but worth s…See More
Fidgety Feet aka War Cloud..1918..James La Rocca & Larry Shields..Original Dixieland Jazz Band
With the current discussion on what is Jazz, this is my offering on a tune made popular by the ODJB. I've taken a few liberties with the piano score to make it more suitable for banjo, in particular the 3rd part (bars 39-72). My suggested fingering is a mix of classic and melodic styles. Overall, I think it works well...Steve.See More
Freaks Of Blackville..1899..Charles W. Dalbey
This is a very well written early cake walk. I could find no info on the composer but as this was published in Canada I will presume he was a Canadian composer. The piano score was written in G, I've arranged it in C as it fits the banjo more easily. I've combined elements of the Piano RH and LH by making use of second voice and in the bass solos in the third section, I've moved around the octaves...Steve.…See More
"The list found on title sheets shows that it was published for two banjos as well as various combinations of BMGs.
If I have it, I don’t know it yet. Here is what I have scanned by Jennings so…"
"Very aptly subtitled, Steve! Neat little tune. Jennings was a guitar and banjo (maybe others) teacher in Rhode Island (IIRC). I have a small pile of his banjo sheets. It wouldn't surprise me to find it published for the banjo. I think he mostly…"
Dance Of The Owls..1902..J.H.Jennings
This tune was originally written for guitar and appears in a guitar folio published by W.C.Stahl. It's a pretty tune that works on banjo and isn't too challenging to play. I've padded it out by adding extra repeats. I've given it the alternative title of 'Son of Sun Flower Dance'!....Steve.See More
"Sometimes even the search engine in the Archive gets cranky. Same with the Ning SE.
I went to Google and searched for this tune title. Nothing. Added "dorian" and the Dorian Henry
link appeared. Searched the archive...nothing.…"
"When a google search fails for something I know exists on the internet and was previously easily found I close the tab and open a new one and type in what I'm looking for once again. That usually works, When it doesn't work I…"
"Yes, it did not show up in a search for me either. I don’t know if Google is blocking the Archive, or selective indexing or something else.
With the introduction of “AI” google search results have become extremely poor,…"
"Hi Joel, Google didn't find any sheet music for this. I did it the hard way with pencil and paper and copied the score as displayed on the Dorian Henry video. Whoever wrote the piano arrangement obviously took the A notation banjo score and…"
Profile Information
Steve Harrison
Hi all, Just a bit about myself. I live in the beautiful town of Malvern in Worcestershire, England. I have been playing classic and melodic style banjo for more years than I care to recall. I play an Alfred Weaver banjo made around 1903 and a Windsor popular made 1914ish. As well as banjo, my other instrument is piano accordion, not very fashionable these days but great for playing tradtional music, my main passion. I play occasionally for local Morris Dance sides arround Malvern. Having reached the grand old age of 60, I am semi retired which leaves me more time for my music and my other love, my two grandchildren. I'm about to start teaching my 7 year old grandson the Uke as an entry into greater things. If there are any other players in or near my location, please make contact...Steve.
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Comment Wall (16 comments)
- At 6:35 on December 29, 2010,
Sylvia said…
- Hi Steve, I'm a bit nearer to you than Rob, but still a longish way away , I'm on the Isle of Wight. Was interested to read that you played for Morris. I am a member of the local Oyster Girls Ladies Morris team. Might just bump into you at one of the Folk Festivals , don't yet know which ones we are doing this year though. All the Best. Sylvia.
- At 8:57 on December 30, 2010,
- Hi Steve,the oyster girls were at Upton last year. I am only a beginner at Banjo and have found this site very helpful. I have also had a few lessons with Rob over the internet, great stuff this new technology. Will look out for you at any Festivals I go to. I have heard Rochester mentioned for this coming year. All the best. Sylvia
- At 17:49 on February 8, 2012,
Alan Sims said…
hi Steve ,ive just had my clifford essex frets redressed and set up .it sounds lovely and so much easier to play .ive got medium gauge strings .ive been playing about a year .would i be ready for a heavier set ,and would this change the action .how often sould change them i practice every day' regards Alan
- At 17:56 on February 8, 2012,
how often should i change strings i practice every day regards Alan
- At 20:13 on March 4, 2012,
Tim Walsh said…
Hi Steve,
I've only recently been made aware of Classic Banjo through meeting another member David Greenwood.
I've only been playing a relatively short while and have been learning bluegrass.
I'm looking to broaden my playing skills in to claw hammer and Classic styles and from what I've seen of the tutorials on this site so far I think I'm in the right place.
- At 7:31 on May 21, 2012,
Mike Redman said…
Hi Steve, have you thought about transposing/arranging A Ragtime Dance (Scott Joplin) for the banjo, I was listening to it the other day, now can't get the tune off of my mind!
- At 10:35 on June 20, 2012,
thanks for the tip Steve, that makes sence.three lines above .E. cheers.
- At 11:13am on August 28, 2012, Alan Sims gave Steve Harrison a gift…
- At 8:59am on September 19, 2012, thereallyniceman gave Steve Harrison a gift…
- I would personally like to thank Steve for all the work he has done on producing new arrangements for Classic Banjo and making them available for us all. Check out all his scores in the MUSIC LIBRARY.
- At 4:23pm on November 30, 2012, thereallyniceman gave Steve Harrison a gift…
- Thank you to Steve for all the arrangements and contributions. I can't say how old he is as I can't count that high :-) HAPPY BIRTHDAY
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