"Thanks Marc, Pushing the boundaries of what is possible on banjo is something I always try to do, many of my arrangements in the library reflect this. I'm 76 at the end of this month and using my brain as much as possible will hopefully stop me…"
Classic-Banjo
A Site Dedicated to all enthusiasts of Classic Style Banjo
-
Steve Harrison
- Male
- Malvern, Worcestershire
- United Kingdom
- Blog Posts
- Discussions (1626)
- Events
- Photos (87)
- Photo Albums (1)
- Videos
Steve Harrison's Discussions
Barnyard Blues..1917..Dominic James La Rocca
2 Replies
Started this discussion. Last reply by Steve Harrison on Wednesday.
Down In Yukatan..1910..S.R.Henry
Started Nov 7
Lopez Rag..1918..J.R.Lopez
2 Replies
Started this discussion. Last reply by Steve Harrison Nov 4.
Gifts Received (4)
Steve Harrison's Page
Latest Activity
"Ages ago, I was in New Orleans and got to hear a street band play this. I think you've done a fine job capturing it for the 5-string."
Barnyard Blues..1917..Dominic James La Rocca
This may not strictly be classic banjo but another of my experimental arrangements to see what is possible on the banjo. It was recorded by The New Dixieland Jazz Band (MP3 attached). I took my arrangement from the piano score which took some picking apart to arrive at something that worked. . I'm pleased with the result and if you compare it with the MP3, it's a pretty good approximation (I haven't added the animal noises!). The original was written in Eb but I've arranged it in C for ease of…See More
Down In Yukatan..1910..S.R.Henry
This is a pleasant medium tempo rag and not too challenging to play. The piano score was in F/Bb but I've arranged it in G/C to better fit the banjo..Steve.See More
"Hi Marc, I'm glad you like it, I'll keep scouring the web on the look out for more rare rags, they're still out there. My previous posting, Flap Jacks Rag, is another well written one off composition...Steve."
"That is a cracker! Nice work, Steve."
Lopez Rag..1918..J.R.Lopez
This is another well written, self published one off rag by a composer about whom little is known other than he/she published it in 1918 in Memphis, Missouri. It really very good and I hope I've managed to rescue it from obscurity with my arrangement...Steve. See More
Flap Jacks Rag..(1916)..J. Bowie Googer.
Other than the information displayed on the attached title page, little is known about the composer. This is a gem of a rag and is extremely well written. I've extended it by adding to the end, a repeat of the intro and the first and second parts which I think finishes off the tune nicely. I've had my most recently posted arrangements on file having written them whilst recovering from a total left knee replacement which I had done on 19th August. My original knee was 76 years old so I suppose…See More
At The Ball (Schottische-Caprice)..1904..Thomas Henry Lodge.
This is a well written, catchy tune by Lodge,and with the use of dotted notes, is similar in style to the Sunflower Dance. It's the sort of tune that you could find in an early banjo tutor. It's one of my current favourites and isn't too much of a challenge to play. My suggested fingering contains elements of melodic style...Steve.See More
"Hi Joel, thanks for that...Steve."
"It might interest you to see how Walter Jacobs arranged this...
https://archive.org/details/jacobs-banjo-collection-vol-6/page/n15/mode/1up"
Dance Of the Lunatics (An Idiotic Rave)..1912..Thomas Stephen Allen
Here's another spooky tune for Halloween. The piano score was written in Dmin/F/Bb but I found that Am/C/F better suited the banjo.See More
Halloween Dance..1908..Hans Engelmann
With Halloween almost upon us, this is an appropriate tune. I've rewritten bars 25-26 (plus repeats) as what was on the piano score didn't work too well on the banjo. Engelmann was a German born composer with a prolific output of popular music writing at the end of the 19th and early 20th centuries...Steve.See More
The Ebony Funeral (1894)..Carl Lexhoist
To my ears, there's more than hint of the composer being influenced by minstrel/stroke style banjo which is more apparent if you listen to my arrangement. It's a very well written early descriptive piece which opens with the tolling of funeral bells. I've kept it in the original Key as per the piano score. It opens in Dmin/F/Bb with final section changing key to C/Amin. I've arranged it in its entirety but it could be shortened by omitting some of the repeated passages. Another of Lexhoist's…See More
"Many of my scores are copies of copies and have become difficult to read so for my own benefit, I've rewritten them including The Banshee...Steve. "
Happy Nights..1910..March & Two Step...Maurice Levi.
Levi was a bandleader and composer who wrote for musical theatre at the end of the 19th. and beginning of the 20th. centuries. Despite the uninspiring name, this a well written march which makes a good banjo solo. I've kept in the original key of C/F.See More
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.
Steve Harrison's Photos
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,
- 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
© 2024 Created by thereallyniceman.
Powered by
