In this journey (obsession) of historic banjo playing, I have turned to reading all of the period literature on the subject that I could find. An observation I made is that it seems most banjoists had a version of "Home, Sweet Home with Tremolo." I had read the instructions for how to play it, listened to Ossman and Eps, but really did not give it much mind.

Then, from Trapdoor's recommendation, I bought Douglas Back's The Banjo Goes Highbrow (if you don't have this get it now). It is incredible, I was riveted. When I got to "Variations on Massa's In The Cold Cold Ground," the hair stood up on the back of my neck (Mr. Back, I would love a copy of your arrangement, though I don't think I could do it justice). My skin crawled. I must have listened to it a hundred times.

I had to learn tremolo. I read Stewart's and Converse's instructions again. I watched classical guitarists play with multiple fingers, it was not the same sound.

My biggest concern was repetitive movement injuries. I did some research on this. It seems that CTS may not even be caused by movement. I also found a correlation between the injuries and sedimentary lifestyles. I just added more forearm exercises and stretches to my workout regiment (this all may be my youthful ignorance).

Other then that, I added Converse's tremolo exercises to my practice sessions, and I am slowly getting there. I am not rushing anything.

Sorry it this sounds a little crazy. I do feel that way when it comes to our instrument.

Views: 269

Comment by Jody Stecher on April 14, 2009 at 3:06
oh, duh. Do you start toward the sky or toward the earth? (up or down first)?
Comment by David Wade on April 15, 2009 at 11:59
sos.pdfHi, here is the first bit of the Sheldon Green book, my scanner was on "go slow" this morning so I only managed to do the first 7 pages. I will complete the job tonight but here is something to be going on with.
Comment by Trapdoor2 on April 15, 2009 at 13:22
Dammit, Dave, now I'll be wiggling my finger on my week's holiday...when I should be working on a new tune. So much to learn...
Comment by Jody Stecher on April 15, 2009 at 14:54
"Wiggling" is fine but mind you don't "twiddle" or Sheldon will be upset. Note that he finds third finger contact with the vellum "absurd" but considers fourth finger contact to be normal, as if all human hands had finger lengths in the same proportion as his and as if banjoists who play without finger contact with the vellum are aberrant. The exercises themselves however seem to be the product of sound thinking. I think I'll try them. Thanks for posting this, Dave.
Comment by Trapdoor2 on April 15, 2009 at 20:12
Yeah, don't you love the language of the period? Perhaps it is because Mr. Green (Author of technical studies in banjo plectring, etc.) was from Oz...
Comment by David Wade on April 20, 2009 at 11:57
At last I've had time to finish the book off - this is the full version.

Sostenuto B Sheldon Green.pdf

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