Classic-Banjo

Everything that you ever wanted to know about Classic Fingerstyle Banjo

Steve Harrison Male Malvern, Worcestershire United Kingdom: Share on Facebook MySpace

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Who's That Knockin'..1922..Roy Stapleton

Started on Sunday

The Weird Rag..1911..Phil Schwartz

Started Mar 27

Moaning Saxophone Rag recording by the 6 brown brothers.

Started Mar 25

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Gifts Received (4)

Frosty Mug of Beer From thereallyniceman Birthday Balloons From thereallyniceman Frosty Mug of Beer From thereallyniceman Red Ribbon From Alan Sims

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Steve Harrison posted a discussion

Who's That Knockin'..1922..Roy Stapleton

I couldn't find any info about the composer of this fun piece of music, described as a two step. The music was published in London so I presume Stapleton to be British. At various points on the piano score there are instructions to 'knock' (on the piano?), I've tried tapping the banjo velum but it didn't work very well so I've omitted them on my arrangement. It took some thinking about to get it to work on the banjo but I'm pleased with the result and it's well worth a listen/play...Steve.…See More

Sunday

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Steve Harrison posted a discussion

The Weird Rag..1911..Phil Schwartz

A good medium paced rag that suits the banjo. The piano score was written in C/F however I've arranged it in F/Bb as it fits the banjo more easily. I've been a bit inventive with the way I've annotated the intro but it works...Steve. See More

Mar 27

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Steve Harrison posted discussions

Mar 25

Steve Harrison posted a discussion

Cry baby..Jazz Fox Trot..1918..Tom Brown & Ernie Erdman

This is an early jazz tune and one of the composers, Tom Brown, was a Canadian saxophonist and leader of a six saxophone group called the Six Brown Brothers who used to perform regularly in Vaudeville and on Broadway. It's another arrangements of music not usually associated with Classic Banjo. Some of my suggested fingering leans towards the melodic style....Steve. See More

Mar 23

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Steve Harrison posted a discussion

Down In Old Arkansas (1911)..Percy Wenrich

This is another well written and tuneful two step from Wenrich. The piano score is written in G/C but my arrangement in C/F fits the banjo much better. In bars 23,25,31 and 33 I've added a second 'echo' triplet which works well. My suggested fingering has some elements of melodic style...Steve.See More

Mar 17

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Joel Hooks replied to Steve Harrison's discussion Montana Girl (1911)..Percy Wenrich.

"So was I."

Mar 17

Jody Stecher replied to Steve Harrison's discussion Montana Girl (1911)..Percy Wenrich.

"To be clear, I'm talking about Le Banjo, not Montana Girl."

Mar 17

Jody Stecher replied to Steve Harrison's discussion Montana Girl (1911)..Percy Wenrich.

"The composer called it a fantaisie grotesque. It's just a bunch of ripples set in the apparantly bizarre key of six sharps. That's F sharp. When tried on a piano it quickly becomes apparent that the mostly pentatonic score can be…"

Mar 17

Joel Hooks replied to Steve Harrison's discussion Montana Girl (1911)..Percy Wenrich.

"For some reason this seems to be the pièce de résistance idea… but it is not a great piano piece and even less interesting arranged for banjo (which many people have done already). Yeah, yeah, I know all the theories…"

Mar 16

Austin replied to Steve Harrison's discussion Montana Girl (1911)..Percy Wenrich.

"You should try to arrange Le Banjo by Gottschalk. I was going to attempt it and I kind of succeeded somewhat, but I have to figure out the variations because on Banjo they'd be very different from piano"

Mar 16

Steve Harrison posted a discussion

Montana Girl (1911)..Percy Wenrich.

This is a catchy Two Step/Cake Walk, it's not too challenging to play and has a nice bass solo in the trio. It's another of those tunes that could almost have been written for banjo. The sections which I've marked at 5B could be played out of first position as in bars 42 and 43..Steve.See More

Mar 16

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Steve Harrison replied to Austin 's discussion Is it possible I could start adding some arrangements?

"Hi Austin, yes, it may seem confusing at first but the addition of fret numbers on the notes and position makers on the score is my compromise to tab (which I've never liked). The scores not only notate the music but with my annotation show my…"

Mar 14

Steve Harrison replied to Austin 's discussion Is it possible I could start adding some arrangements?

"Hi Austin, arranging 'new' music for the banjo is a good start, over the years I've arranged over 800 pieces of music for classic banjo in a variety of genres but my favourite and most prolific is ragtime music. Many of my…"

Mar 13

Steve Harrison posted a discussion

The Colored Ragamuffins..1903..S.R.Henry.

This is a great cakewalk that ideally suits the banjo, it could almost have been written for it. The piano score is written in F/Bb but I've arranged it in G/C as it's an easier key in which to play the bass solos. Steve.See More

Mar 4

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Steve Harrison replied to Austin 's discussion How many people actually play this style?

"I must be one of the 20 UK classic banjo players mentioned by Richard. I didn't realize there were so few of us. I do teach banjo and at the moment I'm teaching Will Thomas who is making good progress, he is a classical guitarist and has…"

Mar 3

Steve Harrison replied to Steve Harrison's discussion Ole Virginny Barbeque..1899..Julius E. Andino

"Hi Ethan, many thanks for your comment, Andino's choice to call this a cakewalk was probably reflecting the popularity of cakewalks at the time in the same way that some of the other composers of popular music called their tunes rags when many…"

Mar 2

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 (15 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, Sylvia said…: 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, Alan Sims said…: 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, Alan Sims said…: 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…: Red Ribbon
Thanks Steve.It sounds great.
From the Gift Store

At 8:59am on September 19, 2012, thereallyniceman gave Steve Harrison a gift…: Frosty Mug of Beer
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.
From the Gift Store

At 4:23pm on November 30, 2012, thereallyniceman gave Steve Harrison a gift…: Birthday Balloons
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
From the Gift Store

Classic-Banjo

Steve Harrison's Friends

Steve Harrison's Discussions

Who's That Knockin'..1922..Roy Stapleton

The Weird Rag..1911..Phil Schwartz

Moaning Saxophone Rag recording by the 6 brown brothers.

Gifts Received (4)

Steve Harrison's Page

Latest Activity

Who's That Knockin'..1922..Roy Stapleton

The Weird Rag..1911..Phil Schwartz

Moaning Saxophone Rag recording by the 6 brown brothers.

That Moaning Saxophone Rag..1915..Tom brown and Harry Cook

Cry baby..Jazz Fox Trot..1918..Tom Brown & Ernie Erdman

Down In Old Arkansas (1911)..Percy Wenrich

Montana Girl (1911)..Percy Wenrich.

The Colored Ragamuffins..1903..S.R.Henry.

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Steve Harrison

Steve Harrison's Photos

Comment Wall (15 comments)

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