Gregory's Practical Fingering for Banjo

[thereallyniceman]

Joel has kindly sent me an updated version on the Gregory's Tutor. 

This is VERY interesting and shows the advancements made as to HOW the banjo was held and played for the "Classic Style" during the late 1800s.

The techniques described here fit almost exactly to how the style was being taught in the UK when I learned. I hope that those coming from other stringed instruments and banjo styles will read this short tutor as it illustrates and explains methods, hand shapes etc. and even how to hold the banjo the correct way for Classic style playing.

I have added Gregory's Tutor for FREE download from our TUTOR BOOK page.

Thank you Joel this is very good indeed!

[Paul Draper]

Thank you for the download!

[Richard William Ineson]

I've never seen this before, what lovely illustrations, thanks Joel.

[Jody Stecher]

I think the advice on how to hold the banjo is sound. I think the contrast to how it supposedly used to be done is racist claptrap. Look at the physical features of the person doing it wrong. If it were really true that early black players held the banjo between the legs with the back blocked how can it be that so many drawings and paintings indicate otherwise? And how can it be that Stephen Foster wrote "with a banjo on my knee"?  rather than "with a banjo 'tween my knees" or "with a banjo over my belly"?

About half of the banjo players I know, both students and professionals, hold the banjo on the right knee and in such a way that the sound is not trapped. The other half hold it in the center of their body, between the knees. They also leave an opening. The reason for one or the other is the shape and proportion of shoulders and arms. People chose the way that does not hurt.

[thereallyniceman]

Racist? I don't see it.. that is a very white looking black man to my eyes!

Banjo on knee? isn't that so it will rhyme with "see"

"I come from Alabama with my banjo on my knee, I'm going to Louisiana, my true love for to see"

In one of the first lesson videos I produced I explained how I was taught to hold the banjo:

(See 1min 43 seconds in.)

[Joel Hooks]

I thought using an African American for the "incorrect" position was an odd choice too.  If that were illustrated today, say, in a modern guitar instruction book we might not give it a second thought.

I suppose we can't conclude 100% if the choice was done out of hate or just because that was the photo the woodcut artist had to use (the "correct" image is of Gregory).  Given the history (and our modern sensibilities) we can't help but view the woodcut as having alternate motives.

That said, I gave it some thought when I first saw the cut.

As far as "correct"-- this is correct in the opinion of George Gregory.  I do like his RH hand position, but if I were to start over again I would not anchor my little finger as I feel "floating" has some advantage.

BTW, Gregory developed focal dystonia and in the SSS Journal that the first of this serial was published it shows before and after photos of his right hand and the results of a surgery to free up his finger.

He took his own life in 1902.

[Jody Stecher]

I wouldn't say it was done out of hate, just out of habitual arrogance. Until the 1940s it was pretty standard to use African American models for the wrong way to do things. For instance I remember in school seeing a film about how a team should work with all members co-operating. 2 volleyball games were shown. The white team showed each player sticking to his own position. The black team all abandoned their posts with each player chasing the ball, resulting in tripping over each others' ankles and the ball going out of bounds. 

Floating absolutely does have advantages. I play both anchored and free according to circumstances.

Joel Hooks said:

I thought using an African American for the "incorrect" position was an odd choice too.  If that were illustrated today, say, in a modern guitar instruction book we might not give it a second thought.

I suppose we can't conclude 100% if the choice was done out of hate or just because that was the photo the woodcut artist had to use (the "correct" image is of Gregory).  Given the history (and our modern sensibilities) we can't help but view the woodcut as having alternate motives.

That said, I gave it some thought when I first saw the cut.

As far as "correct"-- this is correct in the opinion of George Gregory.  I do like his RH hand position, but if I were to start over again I would not anchor my little finger as I feel "floating" has some advantage.

BTW, Gregory developed focal dystonia and in the SSS Journal that the first of this serial was published it shows before and after photos of his right hand and the results of a surgery to free up his finger.

He took his own life in 1902.