Comment by thereallynicelady on September 22, 2015 at 17:27

Brilliant, Jocko, your first video done. I look forward to viewing many more. It's very quiet round here at the moment with Ian's arm out of action and who would have thought that I'd miss the sound of the banjo so much!!!    :)

I'd forgotten what peace was like.

Comment by Mike Moss on September 23, 2015 at 9:16

Brilliant tone Jocko, also goes to show that a resonator is as good as an openback for Classic Style!

Sorry to hear about Ian's arm, btw, I've been waiting for a cut in my finger to heal for over a month now and have been playing with (gasp) a pick :(

Comment by thereallyniceman on September 23, 2015 at 11:01

Great stuff Jocko. I like the Parke Hunter's Banjo Studies. The exercises are very good and really do show the correct way to play and finger for Classic Style.

You mentioned in your email that you were having a little trouble with your G string snapping (oooh mother).

I checked through the video, frame by frame and cannot see the tailpiece, but I would like to bet the problem is a sharp edge on it or on the octave peg.  5ths don't just break when at the correct tension. I don't think I have ever had one go except on an old nasty banjo that was fitted with a modern Presto style tailpiece and that ate strings for fun!... feel the metal edge where the string leave the tailpiece and get your file file out!

Good luck with the fix and keep them coming.

Comment by Jocko MacNelly on September 23, 2015 at 14:23

Thanks you guys! Yeah Lynn, my wife and I have a euphemism for my habit of starting to practice while she's still having her morning coffee. I'll say "um, is it OK if I begin my process?" 

Comment by Jocko MacNelly on September 23, 2015 at 14:34

Thanks Ian, I had thought of that, except it has broken both at the top and the bottom at different times, though it now occurs to me that it might be the tailpiece and the channel up by the machine.Yes, time to get out the tools and clear the dining room table... I need to get this figured out before Sunday's brunch job, though I may get a reprieve, as traffic is going to be utterly snarled this weekend - the Pope is coming to Philadelphia (or, as they say in these parts, "Thuh Pewp iz cummina Fluffieh."). 

Hoping for an injury-free autumn at the Holloway household! 

Add a Comment