Banjorette Schottische

[Trapdoor2]

Hi Gang,

Stewart published this little ditty back in 1880...and there is a single sample page of the original dots here in the library. The full original piano version has been out on the Library of Congress site for some time but I've never taken the time to mess with it...until today.

First, let's talk about the "banjorette" (aka, "Giraffe Banjorette"). Stewart built a rare few of these...probably with good reason. It was a 'novelty' instrument. The description goes something like this: a 5" diameter head with a full-size neck.

I've never seen one in person...but have seen pix. Very cool instrument.

So. One would think this piece should use the full compass of the 'banjorette' and let us make use of the 'sharp and brilliant' tone, etc.

Not.

This is actually not a bad little schottische. It scales the heights of the neck just barely touching the stratospheric 7th fret. Pretty easy, actually.

I would like to get my hands on the 'banjo' version, the piano dots are OK but in F/Bb and better suited to the banjeaurine, really. It appears that the banjo version is in E/A. If anyone has it (Joel? Are you dere?), I would be happy to clean it up and shift it to C notation (and tab, of course).

See attached for MIDI (which is in F/Bb and 1st is Banjeaurine, 2nd is Banjo).

[Joel Hooks]

Sorry, looks like I've only got the first page if the banjo part.  I'd like to see the rest too.

[Trapdoor2]

Looks like the single page version here in the library is the same tune, but simplified. Has an 1879 copyright and is inscribed to a different person (To Charles N. Gorton, Esq.) The piano version is marked "To Master Bertie Shepherd" and is copyrighted 1880 byt T.A. Bacher.

I'll get the banjo version together tonight and post a comparison. Interesting that the 1879 version is written in C notation. The Banjorett had around a 23" scale length, I wonder if it was meant to be tuned three steps up from A (to gCGBD...or gDGBD for this piece) and ol' SSS simply gave up on A notation for it.

[Joel Hooks]

The copy I have is in A.

[Joel Hooks]

Oh, the one here has been transposed.

[Joel Hooks]

Okay, the version here is was published in the 5-Stringer (what-- some of us are still not members?).  Attached is the unmolested copy (I think that the add was attached to it for the issue).

[Joel Hooks]

BTW-- it is #4 in the SSS catalog... "Very pretty and not difficult. E... .10"  So it is all there on one page.

It is a cute little schottische.  I've gotten wrapped up in all the later Van Eps era stuff that I've been neglecting my A notation numbers.

[Trapdoor2]

Cool detective work, Joel. Well done. I should have sussed out the ABF connection from the ad.

I'll have the "original" (A notation) done tomorrow. It will be interesting to see the difference between it and the Piano arrangement.