"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…"
Classic-Banjo
A Site Dedicated to all enthusiasts of Classic Style Banjo
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Steve Harrison
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- Malvern, Worcestershire
- United Kingdom
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Steve Harrison's Discussions
Nancy Tooley's Cake Walk..1899..J.H.Jennings
4 Replies
Started this discussion. Last reply by Jody Stecher 9 hours ago.
1913 Medley Blues..1913..Alexander Mark Valentine Jnr.
Started on Thursday
Good Gravy rag.(A Musical Relish)..1913..Harry Belding.
Started May 11
Gifts Received (4)
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"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…"
"I'm not sure how to make this stuff any easier to find when I scan it. Perhaps google is not indexing the Archive for some reason?
https://archive.org/details/nancy-tooleys-cake-walk-j.-h.-jennings"
Nancy Tooley's Cake Walk..1899..J.H.Jennings
J.H.Jennings wrote and published music for banjo and guitar and this tune is without doubt written for banjo. I couldn't find a score so I transcribed it from one of Dorian Henry's videos which was written in E/Amaj. G was the obvious key in which to transcribe it. I'm sure the original banjo arrangement is somewhere in Banjo Land .The tune has a definite Irish influence and its not too challenging to play. I would rate this as highly recommended and worth a try...Steve…See More
1913 Medley Blues..1913..Alexander Mark Valentine Jnr.
This is a bit different from my usual offerings. It's a well written slow blues that took me some time to work out how it could be played on the banjo. The piano score was written in Bb but I settled on G as it fits the banjo better. I've played around with the octaves and have combined elements of both piano RH and LH. I've added some non standard fingering combined with some melodic style fingering but it does work albeit a bit challenging in parts...Steve.…See More
Good Gravy rag.(A Musical Relish)..1913..Harry Belding.
I could find no info about the composer of this tune other than Apple Sass Rag which he also composed. He must have been an accomplished musician as this is a very well composed piece of music. My suggested fingering is a combination of melodic and classic style. The piano score is in C but my arrangement in G better suits the banjo...Steve.See More
The Ragtime King.(A symphony in Ragtime).1899..Mike Bernard..aka..Michael Barnet Brown.
Bernard was one of the early composers and promoters of ragtime music. He styled himself as,"The Ragtime King of the world" This tune was, I think, a bit of self promotion.It's a well written composition and worth a try. I've a number of other scores by Bernard which I'll arrange in due course...SteveSee More
Alabama Hoe Down..1899..R.J.Hamilton
This is a tune that does what it says on the tin (or the title page!)..It's a lively, early composition that could have been written for the banjo. My suggested fingering is a mix of classic and melodic style although I play most of it melodic style...Steve.See More
"Oddly enough, the Dallas publication has a conflict in the TRIO repeats (voltas) between the 1st and 2nd banjo parts. One would only notice when playing as a duo (of course) and correcting it was pretty easy. If anyone wants a corrected copy (or Tab…"
The Darkies' Spring Song..1901..Egbert Van Alstyne
There's a recording of this tune in Original recordings played by Charles Mansell and I've included a recording by the Arthur Pryor band with this post. I took my arrangement from the piano score and I've had to rewrite/amend parts of it to make it more suitable for banjo. In the section from bar 85 to 92 I've replaced the grace note triplets in the piano score with full triplets. It's challenging to play in parts but it makes for a great banjo tune none the less. I'm sure that someone in Banjo…See More
Red Mouse Rag..(The melody of this will creep into anything)..1910..Wilbur Piper
This is a lively one off rag about which I could find no info regarding the composer. I've made one or two alterations and changed the octave in parts to make it more banjo friendly...Steve.See More
"What a fine rag and an equally fine arrangement, it's a new one to me..Steve."
April Foll Rag..1911..Jean Schwartz
This is an excellent example of ragtime music and one of the best I've seen/heard for some time. It's tricky to play in parts but if you follow my suggested fingering which is a mix of classic and melodic styles, it should all make sense (at least it does to me!). The final part demonstrates that there is life above the 12 the fret!.....SteveSee More
"Ack. Steve does have an arrangement of "Cubanola Glide" in the Library. I don't know how I missed it."
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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