Nebraska

Had a practice with the guys today and felt inspired to have a solo go at Nebraska.
I've capoed the banjo at the 5th fret, and apart from the shrieking, i like the higher pitch.

Melvut Keskin on the Cumbus!

cedric's been finding some mad stuff on Youtube - and this guy is my new hero. On the Turkish 'Cumbus' it's Melvut Keskin!

Duke Davis Banjo Band or...

Oooh what a whopper!

Cedric over at Aussie Frailers posted a brilliant bit of bass banjo from you tube. Here's a period piece featuring a banjo with 'kangaroo gut' strings! for Cedric.

Shady Grove pt1

 I've been having a look at Shady Grove recently in G Modal tuning, often called sawmill tuning - gDGCD.

There are several versions on David's Clawhammer Banjo site but this is just a simple repeat of the basic melody.

Look me in the Eye

Got my mojo back this week - well my mp3 recorder anyway! So here's a little tune i've been working on.

Make Your Own Banjo part 3

Cometh the banjo cometh the MAN! Uncle harry dropped over again today to update me and do some work on the new instrument, and boy its starting to feel mighty real. Today we fitted the neck and body together, fixed the tail piece screws and the neck brace. Harry completed the fretting last week, and now we need to drill and fit the tuners, fit the nut and bridge, string her up, and give it a go!

I cannot wait - but as the man (Uncle Harry) said 'if its worth doing, its worth doing slowly.' Amen.

 

Here's a couple of piccies as my videoing went a bit wonky.



Shady Grove

I've been without my recorder for a week or so, which is why I've not posted any audio recently. I've been working on a simple tab for Shady Grove , but instead of my version here's one I like from You tube.

Ends Today - Chris Knott

I've been a bit remiss lately in posting stuff by other people. Chris Knott posted this on Strikes a Chord and I really like it. It's good to hear folks being creative, writing their own stuff and being brave enough to share - good man. Chris is also the founder and driving force behind the Strikes a Chord forum, so if you've got some music you want to share - don't be shy, come and join us.

"Instrument of Peace"

I've been a tad busy recently with work, building new banjos and, most time consuming of all, trying to build my own website. Not for NBB but for my prints and paintings. It's proving a bit of a testing proposition and i've spent far to many hours staring in disbelief at my laptop shouting things like 'but i've already done that you ***** **ing **** infuriating geek centred beast from the pit.'
But while this has been happening I feel i've neglected this site and the submissions I've been sent. So to put that right I'll be posting those songs over the next few days. This first one is from PB Guttenburg and a collaborator know only as Lauren.

Instrument Of Peace by Lauren And Peebee Listen on Posterous

PB says:
'My pal Lauren called round to the Crag and we worked on a few songs.
This is the first- "Instrument of Peace" based on the famous prayer by St Francis.

"Lord, make me an instrument of your peace.

Where there is hatred, let me sow love.

Where there is injury, pardon.

Where there is doubt, faith.

Where there is despair, hope.

Where there is darkness, light.

Where there is sadness, joy.

O Divine Master,

grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled, as to console;

to be understood, as to understand;

to be loved, as to love.

For it is in giving that we receive.

It is in pardoning that we are pardoned,

and it is in dying that we are born to Eternal Life.

Amen."

Wagon Wheel - Old Crow Medicine Show