Hi all,

I just want to give a short report from my first banjo recital that I had today. Since the restrictions due to corona is easying up a bit here in Germany, an instruments museum, concert organizier and musical education institution close to where I live have started to organize semi concerts each sunday. They invite musicians connected to the place (I regulary play there with an early music orchestra, unfortunatly always on the double bass and not banjo... :-)) to present their instrument.. Last week played a fantastic violin player and next week will be playing an equally fantastic organ/harpsichord player. So, pretty high quality stuff, and me in between... :-)

The main focus in this institution have always been early music so it was a surprise, and a good opportunity, to be able to present the banjo in general, and classic banjo in particular, to a somewhat smaller extended audience. There are still quite some restrictions so only 10 people where officially aloud at the same time in the huge stone room. At some point during the afternoon session there were a bit more than ten people in the room, and I'm thankfull that the organizers let that happen. The physical distance between people where still easily kept.

I did a sort of fast forward history of the banjo, starting with the akonting, over gourd banjos, early banjos (minstrel banjos) and then modern banjos, including banjeaurin, zither banjo and tenor banjo. What I don't have is a modern bluegrass banjo. But that's ok. If people know anything about banjo, they do know that one! I did the thing twice. In the afternoon there was actually people coming because they wanted to hear banjos, which I find fantastic. They also stayed for the whole two hours. Other people came and went.

To my utter horror, I realized in the first session that I totaly freeze up playing classic banjo in public! Absolutely nothing worked! After all, I am an accompanist first and formost, having the solo part really freaks me out. So that is good to know. Playing banjo fine and dandy in my practise room has absolutely nothing to do with playing in public.

A good thing was the positive reactions I got when I did manage to make something remotely resemble music, specialy on the zither banjo. All the visitors where very happy and surprised to hear that kind of music. I wanted to play some more virtuoso stuff on the normal banjo but it was just not in my fingers. Since the room has fantastic accoustics, I restored to playing old-time music and singing as fast as possible, where I, at the moment, feel safer.

All in all it was a really good experience. The organizers were happy and there will be a follow up "real" concert when we are aloud, where I hopefully will reach a wider audience. Untill then: practise, practise, practise!!

Here is a picture from the set-up. The rope in the middle was to separate me from the audience. I wanted to put up a sign with; "do not feed" written on it but I was not allowed... :-)

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Excellent, despite the fumbling fingers, people love the banjo. It is a happy instrument. Most people would not recognise a banjo from a guitar so I am sure that they would learn a lot and enjoy their time.

I don't enjoy playing live in public, so I admire those who do. Good luck for the next time and my advice is don't try to play anything too complex as "the public" would prefer to hear a simple tune played well than a complicated tune played badly ;-)

You are hereby appointed as "Classic Banjo Ning" Ambassador for Germany!

Haha! "Classic banjo ning Ambassador for Germany"! My mother will be so proud! Does it come with benefits? :-)

Yes, well, what I gathered from this experience is, that it is really important that I have the tunes really secure in my head, fingers and memory. If I can play them backwards and forwards with ease I will be fine (hopefully!). But since I didn't play very well, I'm sure I wasn't prepared enough. Lesson learned. Or I'm just not cut out to play solo stuff like this. Time will tell...

But you are perfectly right: better a simple tune well excecuted than a complex one badly played.

Congrats to do : it 's the only way to go ahead  & progress

i started to play CB  all alone  , then with my son , 8 years old playing  a kind of washboard and 2nd banjo

next year  , he played 2nd banjo and 1st on some tunes

In the Summer ' festivals , Warning to :  weather , hot and humid ; more difficult to perform , fingers humid and sweat falling from your head on the fingerboard.....

noise all around the stage , people walking ' round or  talking in the audience or sound engineer

last  'minute changes  ,  so , up to that the CB is not the main interest of the festival  , " Hey guys , you play now ....... "

So , you are surprised and no time to warm up

 ( i used to live all these sequences .......!   )

YES , it 's right to write a list and begin with the easier tunes to play

Here 's a link to Cremona '  september festival ( Italy )

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m9pM8HEdb0Y

yes, it probably is the only way: to get used to the situation.  I guess no matter how much one practises at home, playing on stage will always be different.

here's a couple of more photos, from a semi professional photografer who was attending.

Playing in public gets easier the more you do it, you were brave to play solo, and have learned a valuable lesson. Stage fright affects most people at some time so you're in good company, I don't know whether or not I can still do it as it's along time since I've been asked, I feel as if I might be able to pull it off, but you never know until the moment arrives. It is better to have the support  of at least one other musician to help to cover up any sticky bits. You will do a better job next time.

I sure did learn a valuable lesson! I'm looking in to easier pieces now, to build up a better playing base and repertoar, instead of focusing on virtuoso stuff that I may or may not be able to play in a few years. I will still practise more difficult stuff though, since I find it is really good practise.

I do play around 50 or so concerts a year, so one would expect me to be able to cope with it better.. :-) Mind you, most of the time I play double bass or back up in some other way. Playing comlete solo is quite something else, which I just learned...

before this virus I regularly played at least 250 gigs every year solo ! make sure you are confident to play the tunes you have chosen, practice, practice and then, practice them again ! When you have done that you will feel confident walking onto the stage, have something to say about each tune (hopefully amusing !) even if you have a script of sorts to refer to , when you see a professional performing just remember, he is just a man like you, no different just well prepared, in time you will be able to make it all look effortless just like the pros do and, relax and enjoy yourself, no audience wishes to see you fail, they are on your side !

Pär Engstrand said:

I sure did learn a valuable lesson! I'm looking in to easier pieces now, to build up a better playing base and repertoar, instead of focusing on virtuoso stuff that I may or may not be able to play in a few years. I will still practise more difficult stuff though, since I find it is really good practise.

I do play around 50 or so concerts a year, so one would expect me to be able to cope with it better.. :-) Mind you, most of the time I play double bass or back up in some other way. Playing comlete solo is quite something else, which I just learned...



nick stephens said: no audience wishes to see you fail, they are on your side !


Yes, that is the key to it all, even though it's "only" 99% true.  It also explains the difference in atmosphere at contest compared to at a concert. At a contest most of the other contestants *do* wish to see you fail. 

Jody, I have never entered a contest for musicians, I do not actually understand their purpose, what are contestants trying to prove ? to whom ? it seems a bit like they are seeking approval from their fellows ??? in my world the proof of the pudding is in a full diary. 

Jody Stecher said:



nick stephens said: no audience wishes to see you fail, they are on your side !


Yes, that is the key to it all, even though it's "only" 99% true.  It also explains the difference in atmosphere at contest compared to at a concert. At a contest most of the other contestants *do* wish to see you fail. 

There are many purposes. One is to win prize money, often much needed. Sometimes the prize is an instrument, often of good quality. Another purpose is to meet with old and new musical friends and make informal music offstage. Another is to promote the type of music being judged. Another is to gather a large audience and put on a varied program of music at low cost to the attendees. Another purpose is to provide a framework for amateurs to hone their skills and have an audience. There are many other purposes. The competition itself is sometimes just an excuse to get together.  

nick stephens said:

Jody, I have never entered a contest for musicians, I do not actually understand their purpose, what are contestants trying to prove ? to whom ? it seems a bit like they are seeking approval from their fellows ??? in my world the proof of the pudding is in a full diary. 

Jody Stecher said:



nick stephens said: no audience wishes to see you fail, they are on your side !


Yes, that is the key to it all, even though it's "only" 99% true.  It also explains the difference in atmosphere at contest compared to at a concert. At a contest most of the other contestants *do* wish to see you fail. 

I guess I am fortunate in getting most of those things whilst being paid for my performances then .

Jody Stecher said:

There are many purposes. One is to win prize money, often much needed. Sometimes the prize is an instrument, often of good quality. Another purpose is to meet with old and new musical friends and make informal music offstage. Another is to promote the type of music being judged. Another is to gather a large audience and put on a varied program of music at low cost to the attendees. Another purpose is to provide a framework for amateurs to hone their skills and have an audience. There are many other purposes. The competition itself is sometimes just an excuse to get together.  

nick stephens said:

Jody, I have never entered a contest for musicians, I do not actually understand their purpose, what are contestants trying to prove ? to whom ? it seems a bit like they are seeking approval from their fellows ??? in my world the proof of the pudding is in a full diary. 

Jody Stecher said:



nick stephens said: no audience wishes to see you fail, they are on your side !


Yes, that is the key to it all, even though it's "only" 99% true.  It also explains the difference in atmosphere at contest compared to at a concert. At a contest most of the other contestants *do* wish to see you fail. 

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