Heya guy - I'm Mel from nw Melbourne area. Just really wanted to say hi. I've owned a banjo for about ten years but have never really committed to learning it until now. I'm focussing on clawhammer and am at the total newbie stage where I can barely strum but am keen!
Is there anyone around my way for advice or a chat? I need some tips on setting up my banjo properly but am too scared to try myself. I saw there is an old time group in Seaford but unfortunately that is just too far for me :-( Shame because it sounds right up my alley.
Anyway - hope to meet some of you round the traps.
12 Comments |
 | eleshiacatherine says:
4/21/2014 2:49:09 AM
Hello Rossimelons
You might like to try Patrick Costello's free clawhammer "you tube" banjo lessons - they got me started four years ago - check out Donald Zepp too. There are lots of online vids and web pages on setting up up your banjo. Just read everything and experiment with different tweaks - according to the sound you are after. I've just replaced the tail piece and bridge on my White Swallow with amazing results ...and I'm a girl! Good luck with your journey.
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 | Desert Pea says:
4/21/2014 3:03:49 AM
Thanks for that Eleshia. I've been checking out both of those guys and enjoying both. I need that constant encouragement that Pat supplies and Zepp's page is great. What sort of bridge and tailpiece did you go for? I watched a Patrick Costello youtube where he used a staggered type bridge and a no-knot tailpiece and I'm thinking I'll give it a go.
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 | dpeters says:
4/21/2014 4:10:33 AM
Contact Peter Somerville, just search the BHO and his details will come up.. Pete's in Melbourne, great banjo picker and teacher, players bluegrass and clawhammer..
Dave
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| Desert Pea says:
4/21/2014 4:11:04 AM
Thanks for that Eleshia. I've been checking out both of those guys and enjoying both. I need that constant encouragement that Pat supplies and Zepp's page is great. What sort of bridge and tailpiece did you go for? I watched a Patrick Costello youtube where he used a staggered type bridge and a no-knot tailpiece and I'm thinking I'll give it a go.
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 | pluckyfingers says:
4/21/2014 1:14:31 PM
Pity you can't make it to our sessions in Seaford, we have more than a few banjos between us for you to compare. What banjo do you have now and why do you want to change things?
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| Desert Pea says:
4/21/2014 5:05:54 PM
I know Bill - that would have been great! But with 2 small kids it's hard enough to go anywhere let alone somewhere that far. I've been put onto a jam in Brunswick so I'll try and get there a few times and see how I go. I have a Deering Goodtime II that I bought when I was a teenager. I really didn't know much about the banjo except that I wanted to play one. I have barely touched it over the last ten years and it as never set-up properly and I just tinkered with it straight from the box.
I want to get the resonator off and at the very least put some new strings on her but even that is enough to have me sweating that I'm going to break my banjo. I have no experience with stringed instruments (or any others for that matter) so I'm still a little bit in awe of it and just need to chill out a little :-)
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 | manomusic says:
4/21/2014 6:53:58 PM
Hi Melinda,
purchase Steve Huber-killer tone via instant bluegrass acutab. It is a download.
This is money well spent as it will teach you how to tinker with and set up your own banjo to an expert level. Steve explains everything in detail including how to take off the resonator. There are many great youtube vids on how to change strings.
I am currently having lessons with Adam Hurt via skype and these work really well. Adam is a great player who also teaches brilliantly. I know how it is with a young family and time constraints. Hope this helps,
Neil
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| eleshiacatherine says:
4/21/2014 10:07:18 PM
Hi Rossimelons
In answer to your question ...What sort of bridge and tailpiece did you go for? I've swapped from a heavy Kershner type to a simple no knot because the banjo I have is incredibly loud and resonant and it picked up every "click" of my finger pick. Now all the extraneous noise has gone! I have different bridges on each of my banjos - selected according to the sound I'm after - compensated on one, Fielding on another and a Tim Purcell on my White Swallow.
This article by Mike Iverson is very helpful re set up:
banjoutah.com/styled-14/blog-2...29-2.html
Best Regards
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| pluckyfingers says:
4/21/2014 10:39:39 PM
Melinda you're intentions are normal, we tinker with our banjos cause we can. Changing strings is something you should learn first, watch a few videos, the above suggestions are all good if not see if you can get in touch with a luthier through a local music instrument shop. They will change the strings and show you how to do it if they are any good. I have a Goodtime without the resonator, but I initially went the whole hog and changed the head to a renaissance, the bridge to a moon and the tailpiece to a no knot. (ala Donald Zepp) Parts are cheap if your order them from Elderly Instruments in the states. I had my Goodtime in pieces after watching Patrick Costello's video and enjoyed putting it all back together. The Goodtimes are pretty reliable and well made. The funny thing, I now prefer it's sound with the original frosted head and tailpiece with only the moon bridge staying.
You learn as you go, good luck.
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 | fiveby3 says:
5/2/2014 2:27:27 PM
Hi to you Mel! Alot of good advice here. I guess my 10c worth is that you don't have to get too technical about what you do and you won't go too far wrong whatever you try! If you do Melbourne and Vic is crawling with banjo players who will help. Cheers, Jon.
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 | peter somerville says:
5/4/2014 2:46:49 PM
Hi Mel,
i teach in Thornbury. I reckon I've got a good method of teaching clawhammer so give us a call if you like, 0439490716 . sounds like you're making some good connections already. good luck with it. (Dave thanks for the plug! great alpine pick was fun)
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 | Treebs says:
5/5/2014 9:19:12 PM
G'day Rossimelons, interested in say a weekly jam in N to NE Melbourne somewhere? I am a neophyte claw hammer wannabe. Noise first, then music!
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