Practical Hints On Modern Banjo Playing

[Byron Thomas]

I was reading through this book on the archive and found it quite interesting! I was curious if modern techniques for the banjo in 1897 were still useful today. My conclusion: yes, they are. There is some great information in here but something that caught my attention was the chapter on stroke and thimble playing. Partee states that in thimble playing "all of the strings are struck with the thimble (which is worn upon the first finger) except the fifth, which is struck with the thumb". I had never realized this when thinking about trying to render a thimble piece and am now thinking about rapid note execution practice with the thimble.

Another thing that caught my attention what the section on care of the banjo. It mentions using Putz Pomade in order to clean the metal parts of the banjo. But this book came out in 1897. How likely is it that this product still exists? A quick search showed me that it was indeed still in production. However, it is now advertised and sold as a print roller cleaner. I decided to take the plunge (it costs way more than Dapper Dan) and buy a jar. It's basically a lifetime supply unless you are a metal cleaning hound. Following the instructions (both from the manual and jar) I attempted to clean a brass tailpiece and tension hoop. Using vinyl gloves and a 2-cloth system, I was able to bring life back into the pieces. I did work on these at separate times, so I know the before and after may be hard to see. I started the tailpiece before doing a "before" picture, so the bottom is shinier that the tarnished top.

All this to say that it is quite fulfilling to be able to bring this information forward if others haven't seen or didn't already know.

On a side note, I was sent a jar of "Putz Pomad" but the lack of a vowel had no detrimental effect to the product.

[Byron Thomas]

The other pictures

[Joel Hooks]

Do not use Putz or any polish on your banjo, it will cut right through the nickel plating.  It is abrasive and will take nickel off.

[Joel Hooks]

Regarding Partee and stroke style.  The definitive work covering stroke style is Converse’s Analytical Banjo Method.  This is it.  The exercises, combinations, hammer and overhand movements he spells out will cover any movement one will ever encounter.  The pieces are fantastic examples, many are dressed up arrangements of pieces published earlier.

The longer pieces such as Narraganset Jig, Far South Reel Medley, and The Lion and John Wilde follow the theme and variation pattern but are perfectly arranged to lay on the fingerboard and under the thimble and thumb. Use Converse’s right hand fingering.

Partee (Stewart did this too) seems to be leaning more towards using the thimble like a plectrum with only down strokes.

BTW, there are two versions of Partee’s book, the original and one edited for the British market. I’ve not scanned and put up the American version yet, they are the same except one speaks A notation. 

Converse teaches the real deal.  Work through the Converse method, page by page, do all the movement exercises, and you will have mastered stroke style.