Bluesage - Posted - 10/27/2011:  10:26:51

The Banjo Hangout is THE place the banjo community calls home, but I feel there's also a need for more specialized banjo websites and discussion groups (Banjo-L, BlackBanjo, Classic-Banjo, Bopjo, etc).   Although I love old-time banjo in all it's forms, I also love the sound of clawhammer banjo in more modern genres of music and have always longed for a place where like minded banjoists could gather to share ideas, techniques, recordings, tabs, videos, and anything else that might relate to "new-time" banjo.  My wish finally became a reality when I put together a new band site with a special section set aside for "progressive" clawhammer banjo. 

The new Progressive Clawhammer section on my website includes:

Progressive Artists - Profile pages devoted to noted "progressives" including Ken Perlman, John Balch, and Mark Johnson (a page featuring Michael Miles is in progress).  Each artist page includes a link to the one feature I'm personally most excited about: an exhaustive questionnaire filled with all sorts of banjo related questions that each of these banjoists graciously took the time to answer.  These surveys weren't easy to fill out (I filled one out myself) and each contains information about influences, technique, banjo setup, and anything else I thought might be of interest. 

Banjo Blog -  A place for me to share anything "banjo" that strikes my fancy: artists, reviews, technique, builders, opinion...

Progressive Banjo Forum - I hope to attract those adventurous souls wanting to explore new territory on their instruments. This forum includes sections for general discussions, the sharing of tabs, music and video, and one section devoted to questions concerning my tab page; hints, help, fingerings, etc...

Mike's Tablature Page -  I've "embedded" my old tab page into the new site and have added over twenty new tabs this last week.  Each new tab will include two MP3 files (one slow and the other at tempo).

MP3 Backup Files - I'm reviewing the 'Band In A Box' software for a future blog article, and will be including unusual backup files for those who are curious see what it feels like to play Cripple Creek backed by a rock or jazz ensemble!  As a practice aid, I'll eventually post backup files for most of my tabs.

It's my hope that the new site will act as a companion to the Banjo Hangout forum and anticipate a lot of "cross pollination" between the two websites (if mine actually attracts participants).

Keep in mind that this is still a work in progress and that I'll be "working out the kinks" for awhile. Let me know if you have problems using the forum, tab page, calendar, or Q & A page; all of which are embedded pages from other sites I've created.  Please drop by sometime and check out the new site when you have a few minutes, here's the link: banjoutah.com

Thanks... Mike

Edited by - Bluesage on 10/27/2011 10:28:13

jazz-phil - Posted - 10/27/2011:  10:37:01

The site looks great Mike

I've just been over and registered.

I look forward to some interesting content.

Phil

BackDraft307 - Posted - 10/27/2011:  11:55:50

For a work in progress... It is very nicely done so far... can't wait to see what will come next... Good Job Mike.

RatLer - Posted - 10/27/2011:  11:57:22

Looks good Mike...I'm registered

Marc Nerenberg - Posted - 10/27/2011:  12:14:51

I'm glad to hear about the "progressive clawhammer" section of your site. I've long considered myself to be a progressive clawhammer player, and have felt somewhat out in the wilderness. I'd hope to find a place to participate in your site.

In my opinion, progressive clawhammer can go in various different directions. My playing is distinctly non-melodic, but often far from "old time". Here are a few examples of what I mean:

VIDEO: 'Simple Twist of Fate' on Fretless Banjo - Marc Nerenberg - Live (click to view)

VIDEO: CLAWHAMMER BACH - Marc Nerenberg (click to view)

VIDEO: Where Are You Now, Dr Who? - Live - Marc Nerenberg (click to view)

Tinfoot - Posted - 10/27/2011:  12:31:14

I particularly liked your Clawhammer Bach, Marc - and you incorporated the reverse strum with your thumb... very cool :D

Edited by - Tinfoot on 10/27/2011 12:32:59

oldwoodchuckb - Posted - 10/27/2011:  12:50:49

I just gave it the briefest of looks but I'll be back - and will get your new site up on RSB as soon as brad has the time

oldwoodchuckb - Posted - 10/27/2011:  13:21:41

I just failed to register - I'm that kind of klutz. Is there something I'm missing or is it really as straightforward as it appears

Screen Name

Password

Password redux

email address

I have tried about 6 passwords without luck - it always comes back with those fields blank again.

mworden - Posted - 10/27/2011:  13:38:38

Terrific.  Your site has been very helpful for me, especially when I was just getting started.  I'm looking forward to the backup files!

mworden - Posted - 10/27/2011:  13:38:38

Terrific.  Your site has been very helpful for me, especially when I was just getting started.  I'm looking forward to the backup files!

Miguel MC Dowell - Posted - 10/27/2011:  13:51:05

Hi Mike I just registered on your new site and really like it. I wanted to give my support to your site as well as this one. I look forward to where you are taking it, it looks great already.

Sultans of Claw - Posted - 10/27/2011:  18:53:35

Thanks for giving me a new favorite bookmark!

johnv - Posted - 10/27/2011:  19:02:25

Yep, I registered and really looks good, Thanks Mike and Cheers jv

rendesvous1840 - Posted - 10/27/2011:  19:51:10

Mike, I looked all over your new site yesterday, and never found any mention of the new Blusage Band CD. You are working on one, aren't you? Especially with all the new/returned band members!
Paul

bublnsqueak - Posted - 10/28/2011:  00:11:23

Really interesting site.

by the way your •Mark Schatz link isn't working.

Thanks for this, and the other stuff I've gained from you over the past couple of years.

Paul

erikforgod - Posted - 10/28/2011:  05:47:16

Been checking it out Mike...its great and looking forward to more tabs as well!

Bluesage - Posted - 10/28/2011:  14:50:14

Thanks for all the support!  I'm looking forward to the focused discussion on modern clawhammer banjo, and even more excited to see what is posted in the "sharing" section of the forum (there's already a clawhammer duet in harmony).  

As to your questions: I checked the link to Mark Schatz's site and it's apparently "down" right now; I linked it to his Facebook page instead.  I haven't started on a new CD (they are expensive to produce), but when I do, it will feature the banjo as opposed to a band release.  I do have some recent band footage on my YouTube account if you're interested in what the band's been up to: Mike on YouTube

As always, thanks for the kind words; it's nice to know one's work is appreciated... Mike

Edited by - Bluesage on 10/28/2011 14:51:28

Alan Friend - Posted - 10/28/2011:  15:07:30

I suggest that you also look at the Banjo Newsletter in terms of seeing what progressive banjo playing is available out there.  BNL features articles and tab for clawhammer and bluegrass as well.

Bluesage - Posted - 10/28/2011:  22:31:10

I'd second that recommendation of the Banjo News Letter.  I find everything in BNL to be fascinating, including the non-clawhammer related stuff...

banjomanjeff - Posted - 11/01/2011:  05:21:05

Mike - really nice work on the new site! Your tab section was instrumental for me personally learning to clawhammer in an area without any teachers. 

Daniel Koulack is one of my favorite progressive players as well as well as Ivan Rosenberg (check out his CD - cdbaby.com/cd/ivanrosenberg4)

Thanks for all the hard work getting all this great info on your site!

Jeff

Jim_R - Posted - 11/01/2011:  05:33:33

Yep, thanks Mike. Your tabs are my first stop when learning a new song. Your hard work and dedication is deeply appreciated.

Calv - Posted - 11/01/2011:  05:51:23

Thanks for the info Mike, one thing though.....when i click on the forum section of the site i get a virus warning com up in my AntiVir, says "Contains a recognisable pattern of the JS/Agent.akt Java Script virus".

Has this been an issue for anyone else.

 

Calv.

Bluesage - Posted - 11/01/2011:  16:02:25

You are the first to bring this to my attention.  I'm using an online service for the forum, and am still new to it myself.  I'll check into this...

Mike

Edited by - Bluesage on 11/01/2011 16:03:46

Bluesage - Posted - 11/01/2011:  16:23:12

I inquired about the virus warning and got the following reply.  It appears that they are aware of this and are working on it.  If you don't mind, give it another try and see if they've got the problem fixed.

Thanks for the warning, let me know what you find...  Mike

P.S.  Also let me know if there are any "ads" associated with the forum.  I'm paying for an "ad free" board and would be unhappy if any are showing up.

Quartermaster James - Posted - 11/02/2011:  07:16:01

Nice work. Thanks! Registered!

Yes, I got an ad at registration. It took a while before I realized there was a code in the ad that I had to enter. Actually, I finally had to play the code as audio before I could register. It wasn't until I logged out and went back to reexamine  the registration page that I saw how this page had structured the code; it's a bit different than the more common Captcha code, mainly because it is embedded in an ad - which I obviously just tuned out. Maybe this is the same problem Mr. Woodchuck encountered?

Edited by - Quartermaster James on 11/02/2011 07:21:01

oldwoodchuckb - Posted - 11/02/2011:  08:52:46

Exactly - I failed to notice the Captcha the first time. And failed to mention that I spotted it the next. Sorry.

Deaf Lester Crawdad - Posted - 11/02/2011:  10:59:45

Question:   If you want to encourage participation in your clawhammer forum, why does your site make it so difficult to register?

Why not just make it as non-toxic as registration on BHO?

~Pete

oldwoodchuckb - Posted - 11/02/2011:  11:23:17

I think different forum server companies have different requirements. Once I "noticed" the captcha there was nothing to it.

Bluesage - Posted - 11/02/2011:  11:47:08

I pay for an ad-free service for "guests" but when someone posts a YouTube video, a "Google AdSense" video appears beside it. Since I've embedded the new site into a frame, the ad actually sometimes covers up the posted video!

I'm frustrated with the Hyperboards service and was wondering if anyone knew of another online forum hosting service that they would recommend?

SidBarone - Posted - 11/02/2011:  12:13:30

quote:Great Mike!.. good news about the banjo featured new release... i'm lookin' forward to it with excitement!.. 

---

Originally posted by Bluesage

Thanks for all the support!  I'm looking forward to the focused discussion on modern clawhammer banjo, and even more excited to see what is posted in the "sharing" section of the forum (there's already a clawhammer duet in harmony).  

As to your questions: I checked the link to Mark Schatz's site and it's apparently "down" right now; I linked it to his Facebook page instead.  I haven't started on a new CD (they are expensive to produce), but when I do, it will feature the banjo as opposed to a band release.  I do have some recent band footage on my YouTube account if you're interested in what the band's been up to: Mike on YouTube

As always, thanks for the kind words; it's nice to know one's work is appreciated... Mike

---

Calv - Posted - 11/02/2011:  15:00:58

Thanks for the explanation, much appreciated.

Calv.

quote:

---

Originally posted by Bluesage



 

I inquired about the virus warning and got the following reply.  It appears that they are aware of this and are working on it.  If you don't mind, give it another try and see if they've got the problem fixed.

Thanks for the warning, let me know what you find...  Mike

P.S.  Also let me know if there are any "ads" associated with the forum.  I'm paying for an "ad free" board and would be unhappy if any are showing up.

 

I've received a PM from a Hyperboards user who I believe has pinpointed the problem. I am taking the necessary steps to remove the threat and to remove the possibility of future attacks.  I believe the issue was not from a bad ad, but rather a file on the Hyperboards server that had incorrect permissions and allowed for its contents to be changed and malicious JavaScript inserted. It looks like it hasn't been able to do any real harm yet so we have caught it in time.  The file has been cleaned and the permissions have been updated. I am going through all our files to make sure their permissions are set correctly, and I am going to check up on HB security as a whole.  If you can, please do some tests to see if your anti-virus software is still reporting a problem. Thank you!

 

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Deaf Lester Crawdad - Posted - 11/02/2011:  17:07:23

quote:

---

Originally posted by oldwoodchuckb

I think different forum server companies have different requirements. Once I "noticed" the captcha there was nothing to it.

---

I filled the thing out completely five times  -including the captcha bit-  and it just keeps asking me to fill out the same blanks that I'd already filled out before.

Sheesh!

~Pete

Bluesage - Posted - 11/02/2011:  20:13:27

After you've filled out the "captcha" fields, you should receive an email from Hyperboards.  Hit the confirmation link and then go back to the board.  If you still show up as "guest", try logging out and then logging back in.



As I mentioned, this has been somewhat frustrating for me.  I may end up trying a different forum solution at which point we can start the whole process all over again!

Thanks for your patience... Mike

Deaf Lester Crawdad - Posted - 11/02/2011:  22:28:08

quote:

---

Originally posted by Bluesage

 

After you've filled out the "captcha" fields, you should receive an email from Hyperboards.  Hit the confirmation link and then go back to the board.  If you still show up as "guest", try logging out and then logging back in.

Thanks for your patience... Mike

---

 Nope.  Sorry, but it simply won't let me register for some reason.

Possibly it knows that I play a Clawhammer Jazz version of "Old Man River", and is rejecting the whole concept in advance...

~Pete

Bluesage - Posted - 11/03/2011:  01:01:54

I've got to hear this!  Please record and share it on the Progressive Clawhammer group blog found here on the Hangout...

Mike

stigandr5 - Posted - 11/03/2011:  08:28:02

This is exciting! Thanks, Mike!

Deaf Lester Crawdad - Posted - 11/03/2011:  10:50:14

quote:

---

Originally posted by Bluesage

 

it knows that I play a Clawhammer Jazz version of "Old Man River"

 

I've got to hear this!  Please record and share it on the Progressive Clawhammer group blog found here on the Hangout...

Mike

 

---

 If I could figure out how to record an MP3 file -or even convert an existing tape recording to that format- I'd be happy to.

But my computer skills don't extent a long ways past turning it on.

~Pete

Bluesage - Posted - 11/04/2011:  12:23:28

Pete, I can relate.

I was dragged kicking and screaming into the computer age and still get that sick feeling in the pit of my stomach whenever I have to deal with computer issues.  Speaking of which, I'm working through a major problem with the new forum on my website and will start a new thread asking for suggestions.  Watch for it...

Mike