Mike Moss's Videos (Classic-Banjo) - Classic-Banjo

Galop de Concert - Nassau Kennedy

2013-07-14T15:39:00.763Z

The galop (not gallop) was a lively society dance in 2/4 time which was particularly popular during the second half of the 19th century; the Post Horn Galop, by Herman Koenig, is probably the most famous example of this dance.

This one lacks a title; the "de concert" part was often added to dance forms (polkas, waltzes, etc.) meaning that the compositions were not actually meant to be danced to. It was written by a prolific composer and teacher for the banjo, A.H. Nassau Kennedy, born in Peterborough, Ontario, who came to England in 1894 and returned to his native Canada in 1924. He is probably best known nowadays for his "Colorado Buck Dance" which is featured as an introductory piece for the Classic Banjo style in "Banjo for Dummies" by Bill Evans.

Shuffle Along - Joe Morley - New Weaver Banjo

2013-05-12T14:19:05.776Z

One of the most fascinating things about Joe Morley is that, due to the fact that his carreer as a famous banjoist spanned about 50 years, he went through a number of musical fashions and styles, and his music adapted to suit them. His distinct style of Classic Banjo playing proved equally suited to ragtime, oriental foxtrot and jazz, as it was to the earlier forms of music he played. This runs contrary to the stereotypical view of Classic banjo peddled by many contemporary documentaries, which would divide banjo history into cut-and-dried "periods".

Shuffle Along was one of the great musical hits of the 1920s. The first all-black musical show, written and performed by African Americans, Shuffle Along embodied all things jazz and it was a smash hit when it premiered on May 23rd 1921. Even though there is no date on the Morley composition, it is very likely that he was inspired by the show to write this jazzy swing number in the 1920's. Everything points to the fact that this became one of his most popular numbers -- young William J. Ball recalled hearing him play it at the 1931 banjo rally, and the minutes of the London Banjo Club record it as one of the last pieces he performed in September, 1937, shortly before his death.

This solo is another example of Joe Morley's remarkable versatility as a banjoist and a composer, as well as the extreme adaptability of Classic Banjo as a playing style.

The success of this composition endures to this day, as it was also recently adapted for guitar by Richard Yates.

The Sunflower Dance (Backup)

2013-05-10T18:57:41.476Z

I have recorded this backup track at the tempo I usually play the piece. Feel free to use it for your practice sessions, recordings or live performances -- and if you have found this useful, please let me know!

This recording can be used as a companion for Thereallyniceman's tutorial: http://youtu.be/oJGrhQ4ZxPM

Here's a mediafire link to download the mp3: http://www.mediafire.com/download.php?tzda79w8qhd9wny

El Certámen de Jaén - an authentic Spanish march by L. Suárez, arranged for three banjos by M. Moss

2013-05-09T15:41:50.660Z

So I was researching on early fretted instrument ensemble traditions in the late 19th century and I stumbled upon this little gem. This obscure piece of music, written as a piano reduction to be arranged for ensembles (presumably marching bands) is a delightful march in the Spanish style written by a music teacher and businessman who worked in Jaén, Spain, in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The title seems to indicate that he organised some sort of musical pageant or contest in his hometown, though I have not found any further information on this subject. He was apparently a representative of Heinrich Zimmermann of Leipzig, one of the foremost German musical instrument makers at the time.

When I saw the score I felt it would make a great ensemble piece for banjos, so I arranged it for one first banjo, one second banjo and one cello banjo. The piece is surprisingly effective, with a nice exotic sound, and my arrangement only requires knowledge of a few easy chords in the keys of G and C.

I would like to dedicate this performance and arrangement to the under-appreciated banjo legend, Alan V. Middleton, and to his Spanish alter-ego "Alonso Medio", the pen name under which he published a number of books and music for the guitar.

On the Road to Mandalay - Arr Moss

2013-04-24T15:42:02.652Z

The banjo is featured in several of Rudyard Kipling's poems, including this one from the Barrack-Room Ballads: Mandalay. This one was famously made into a song by Oley Speaks which only included three verses. My "sing-along" arrangement only includes the first and last, but as you can see in the attached sheet music, it is quite possible to sing the entire poem simply by repeating the entire song with the first ending before finishing with the final flourish.

Rudyard Kipling wrote this poem after returning from Rangoon to England; on the way, his steamer made a stop at Moulmein (nowadays called Mawlamyine), where he was struck by the beauty of the Burmese women. The poem is a tale of longing of a soldier who wishes to return to a simpler, healthier life and to the girl he left behind in Burma. Note that, in the poem, the girl plays the banjo -- what more can a man ask for?

You can download the sheet music for my arrangement here: http://www.mediafire.com/view/?6ie362q72kbdevs

This style of playing is known as Classic fingerstyle banjo. For more information visit: http://classic-banjo.ning.com/