"Not many people in the UK know what a banjo actually is. They usually do a George Formby impression if I say I play the banjo. I don't mind. If I was to attempt to explain different banjos and playing approaches, I will see…"
Classic-Banjo
A Site Dedicated to all enthusiasts of Classic Style Banjo
carrie horgan's Discussions
Little survivor
29 Replies
Not interested in the actual banjo but isn't it cool that there is a handwritten book of music - someone's banjo playing repertoire - that has survived all these decades. I think the seller is…Continue
Started this discussion. Last reply by Mike Bostock Nov 30.
Martin Wheatley plays classic banjo
7 Replies
Thought fellow CB members may enjoy this performance by UK multi-instrumentalist, Martin Wheatley: …Continue
Started this discussion. Last reply by Steve Harrison Nov 26.
Louisa Dewhurst's Banjo School
13 Replies
Just came across a banjo method book by Louisa Dewhurst - it looks rare (judging by the price!!). Do we know anything about her? I think a Francine Dewhurst played with the Clifford Essex Pierrot's…Continue
Started this discussion. Last reply by Mike Bostock Nov 16.
Calfskin heads UK
4 Replies
Does anyone know of a source for calf-skin banjo heads in the UK (it is to fit an 11 inch head). The Banjo Works and Clifford Essex are no longer trading. Thanks.Continue
Started this discussion. Last reply by carrie horgan Sep 29.
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"Hello Carrie,
Thanks once again for your comment.
Yes, The Buddy Bolden 'cylinder' was my masterpiece. I cobbled together the sound of a blank wax cylinder at 80 rpm added to Humph playing Make Me A Pallet On The Floor…"
"We should also bear in mind that the advent of an audience culture didn't occur in a flash of stage a Victorian stage magician's smoke. It took place to a large extent in a piecemeal fashion shaped and influenced by factors that were both…"
"When social change introduces an audience culture and advertisements offer an expanding what's-on of nightly performances, people naturally shift their expectation to the 'who' or 'what'. That is a significant change from a…"
"On the other hand, a paying audience is often not actually passive and participates in ways that are felt but not always directly seen. Many musical performers describe an energy exchange or energy loop with the audience. The audience may not…"
"OK, I understand the first sentence. But what do you mean by a focus on genre? Certainly the participating dancers in earlier times knew whether they were dancing a waltz or a jig. So do you mean "folk music" vs "highbrow music? Pop…"
"Jody, I was referring to the social change in 19th century Victorian England involving music's increasing relationship with a non-participating, paying audience. Expectation and predictability does not disappear, but there is a focus shift…"
"A "patrol" is a descriptive march (most of the time). It is played ppp to fff and back to ppp which is supposed to simulate an approaching group marching, the march past, then marching away.
They don't always follow this…"
"I follow you and agree completely up to the last two sentences. I don't disagree with them, I just don't know what you mean! "
"Yes, these classifications are older than the published dance tune books. Yes Roche's collection was published after the first of O Neil's books but he seems to have begun his collecting earlier. Anyway, jig and reel are like waltz…"
"There's an aspect to' blurriness' that is itself indicative of context and purpose. I'm going to be very careful not to overstate this, but when musicians are an adjunct to vernacular participation i.e. dancing, there is…"
"I've now had a look at some (reprints of) 19th century English and American tune books. I don't have repros of 19th century English pipers, all are of personal notebooks of fiddle players. It is as Mike says: 9/8 jigs are in the repertoire…"
"Interesting discussion. I think Mike may be right about the blurriness between jigs, breakdowns and galops. May be a breakdown just means 'a fast-paced banjo tune'. I've never really understood what a…"
"We also need to keep in perspective that the polkas, galops, gavottes, schottisches and mazurkas that became common in a banjo context at the end of the 19th century were themselves an addition to the core of reels, hornpipes and jigs. These tune…"
"Jody, I've just had a quick look through some of the examples I have. There really isn't any consistent distinguishing feature between 2/4 straight jigs and breakdowns. We could include gallops in that 'blurry' 2/4 category too.…"
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Fred and George Van Eps: profiles in jazz
Fred and George Van Eps are featured in September issue of The Syncopated Times - it's well worth subscribing to The Syncopated Times if you are interested in early jazz and ragtime: https://syncopatedtimes.com/fred-and-george-van-eps-profiles-in-jazz/
Posted on September 1, 2021 at 17:19 — 5 Comments
Olly Oakley plays Gallopade
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jvs_pEnVevQ
Amazing skills - haven't heard this one before, I think this a Cammeyer tune.
Posted on July 14, 2021 at 7:22 — 2 Comments
SS Stewart on Ebay
Nice SS Stewart Universal Favourite on Ebay Uk - scale length is just over 27 inches according to seller
Posted on August 20, 2020 at 18:40 — 3 Comments
Ragging the Scale - Van Eps Banjo Orchestra
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sZYaoR-h6F8
A different version of Ragging the Scale than the one in the Original Recordings library marked as Van Eps Banjo Orchestra. I wonder who the other musicians were - sounds like plectrum or tenor banjo.
Posted on July 13, 2020 at 16:00 — 2 Comments
Comment Wall (9 comments)
- At 19:03 on February 5, 2014,
Alan Sims said…
hI Carrie , I realized after I asked you ,but that would be great . my email is jazzman3@btinternet.com
- At 11:33 on February 6, 2014,
Thank you Carrie. I have put it in my learning folder.Have you tried zither banjo schottische .The tab is in library under David Wade nice tune and not to hard to play .
- At 19:56 on March 10, 2015,
Keith Wilson said…
- Hello Carrie, Just watched your video, playing "The Jubillee".
Your playing sounds very tasteful on my old Stewart Banjeurine,
I recently sold it to Kevin @ Findajo !
Regards-Keith
- At 18:45 on November 8, 2017,
Hi Carrie,
I have really enjoyed playing stroke style from the Briggs' book on my tackhead but I'm finding the classic style much more satisfying, even at this very early stage. I'm taking it very slowly, working from 'Ellis's Thorough School' and as I'm retired, I have plenty of time to practice. I really do appreciate your offer of help.
If you, or any fellow players live near me and might fancy meeting up occasionally, please message me. I live near Eastbourne, East Sussex. I also travel to Oxfordshire every couple of weeks for a camping weekend so I could make a brief detour.
Best wishes, Ian.
- At 16:48 on January 27, 2019,
Clarke Buehling said…
Hi Carrie.
I started a msg to you, but my finger hit a button somewhere...away it went. You mentioned you liked City Point Jig. If you would like a copy I can send it or post it on this site somewhere. It's in "A" notation. Clarke
- At 16:13 on April 24, 2019,
Grace van't Hof said…
Thanks for the kind words, Carrie! I'm really enjoying getting to know this music so far!
- At 14:10 on February 2, 2020,
- Hi carrie..just to say I contacted John alvey Turners and they do supply and fit calfskin vellums......just wanted to say thank you..Regards Jim
- At 9:23 on May 9, 2022,
nick stephens said…
Howdy Carrie, nice to meet you on Saturday, you should have done a couple of tunes for us, I cant stop myself from playing, I guess I am an old ham ! cheers, Nick.
- At 20:00 on December 4, 2022,
Hello Carrie,
Thanks once again for your comment.
Yes, The Buddy Bolden 'cylinder' was my masterpiece. I cobbled together the sound of a blank wax cylinder at 80 rpm added to Humph playing Make Me A Pallet On The Floor from a BBC Radio programme called Buddy Bolden's Blues recorded many years ago. Humph and his band were trying to re-create the Buddy Bolden sound, and to my mind they did a very good job. Of course I had to tell jazzers I'd faked it in the end!
Me too re Rob MacKillop. It was only when I saw an early Youtube clip of his that I realised it was Classic banjo I'd been trying to play all these years. I must emphasise that despite the time-span I remain a pretty rubbish player. My nickname of 'Black Jake Two Fingers' goes back about 50 years to a concert at what is now Norwich Puppet Theatre, and they were trying to think what name to give me. One of the members of Cosmetheka (I think) who were the main attraction, suggested that because of my limited two finger style of banjo playing that's what I should be called.
Yes, I agree most of my English banjo-playing friends like to emulate American Old Time, but thankfully there are people like you around! Not that I have anything against American Old Time.
I did go to one of the banjo meets in Derbyshire but my health deteriorated and I was unable to travel to any further ones.
I've just ordered a couple of Olly Oakley 78's. In the meantime I've got a lovely old Clifford Essex ZB to restore. Hope I don't make a hash of it!
Look forward to your next Youtube clip.
Kindest Regards,
Black Jake.
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