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Can anyone tell me when the classic banjo style was defined and what event, book, or musician marks that event.   Did the 6 and 7 string banjo predate the style, was it ever an accepted part of the style or was it part of the minstrel style?

The seven string does not seem to have been a big part of American banjo history although Dobson  was making 7 string banjo by 1877 (Rob Mackillop) and I have a Dobson 7 string flush fret which has a seven string tailpiece patented 1881 imported…

Some days ago I watched on youtube the trailer of a documentary called "The girls in the band" (http://www.thegirlsintheband.com/home/). It is about the experiences of several female musicians in the major jazz period (30-60´s). Of course, they suffered a lot of discrimination despite their talent and skills.

Therefore I would like to know if you have an idea of similar situations in the golden era of banjo. Because the time…

Oh, sorry, I can't because I just play the piano and not a banjo. Tell you what I'll show you Ian's instead. You've all seen it before but here it is in all its glory without the distraction of the bow tie! It's a Clifford Essex Wood Hoop Special.…

The practice for the ‘new’ piece is now underway and OH is in the study working out fingering and playing short phrases over and over again. It takes only a short while for him to choose what to play and then it’s all systems go to master the music. I was wondering how  members here go about choosing their ‘next’ piece. Do you flick through the music you have already, do you arrange your own, do you adapt a piece you’ve heard or do you raid the music here on Classic Banjo Ning? How do you…