A lot of the tunes we play in old time music are in fact really, really old – but not all of them. There have been many great tunes written over the past 50 years which have become standards for old time players. I met… Read More
All posts tagged “clawhammer banjo”
A tune named after a river
The river is the Scioto River in Ohio, but the source for the tune is apparently Burl Hammons from West Virginia. I’ve just learned from a banjo player in Ohio that the river is spelled Scioto and pronounced Sciota, but the tune is pronounced Scioty. … Read More
Banjo Practice: La Grande Chaine
I know this tune as a French Canadian reel, but I think it’s also played in Scotland as The Grand Chain. I don’t now who had it first. I learned it at Midwest Banjo Camp from Cathy Barton Para. It’s curious that a guy from… Read More
Banjo Practice – Gonna go Huntin’ for the Buffalo
I learned this tune at Midwest Banjo Camp at the beginning of June this year, from Cathy Barton Para. It was in a class about tunes played by Ramona Jones, but I think she got this one from Jimmy Driftwood. This tune is played in… Read More
Banjo Practice – Lady on the Green into Devilish Mary
This is me trying to play two ‘A’ tunes strung together: Lady (or is it Ladies) on the Green and Devilish Mary. I learned them both recently at Midwest Banjo Camp from Cathy Barton Para. One of the things that happens after banjo camp is… Read More
Newberry and Verch
Two of my fave players April Verch and Joe Newberry, performing together. This video includes April Verch playing fiddle and step-dancing together. Wonderful! I’ve had to opportunity to meet Joe Newberry at Midwest Banjo Camp, attend some of his classes and play music with him… Read More
Traveling this Lonesome Road
This is Bob Carlin… I attended some of Bob Carlin’s excellent workshops at the last Midwest Banjo Camp. He’ll be playing at the Dakota Tavern here in Toronto on Sunday May 14, and he’s also doing some workshops while he’s in town.
Some days I just need to hear the banjo
Here are Cathy Barton and Dave Para performing Shirley’s Reel into John Stenson’s #2. I was in the audience for this performance at the 2014 Midwest Banjo Camp. I’m looking forward to more of Cathy’s great workshops at the 2017 MBC at the beginning of… Read More
Banjo Practice – June Apple
Wish I was a June apple hanging on a tree. Every time my true love pass, take a bite of me. Take a bite of me, my love, take a bite of me, Every time my true love pass, take a little bite of me.… Read More
Banjo Practice: Buckin’ Dun
Here’s a tune that is called Buckin’ Dun in some places and Bob-tailed Mule in others. Take your pick. I learned it at the last Midwest Banjo Camp from Cathy Barton Para. Cathy knows an amazing variety of tunes and she’s a wonderful teacher. This… Read More