[Dixielandjazz] Re: Five String Banjo

[Bill Gunter]

Hi Russ - and all,

The 5-string banjo is not often used in dixieland, but there is no law 
against it and as for me, personally, I love the 5-string (being a picker 
myself) and I beam with joy whenever I encounter on in a band.

You know, the double bell euphonium is not often found in a jazz band 
either, but the Cell Block 7 sports three (3!) of them.

The main rule regarding banjos is "Who cares what the rules are!"

Respectfully submitted,

Bill "Pickin' and a grinnin'" Gunter
jazzboard at hotmail.com


>From: Russ Guarino <russg at redshift.com>
>To: "Robert S. Ringwald" <ringwald at calweb.com>
>CC: DJML <dixielandjazz at ml.islandnet.com>
>Subject: [Dixielandjazz] Re: Five String Banjo
>Date: Sun, 23 Nov 2003 15:23:11 -0800
>
>To those who have an interest:
>
>Our banjo player uses a 5 string banjo and alternates between strumming and
>picking. His background is in blue-grass. He uses the picking especially 
>during
>solos or sometimes when he is outlining a chord in slow time.  You might 
>call
>our approach "Dixieland, Lighthouse Style".  He does a great solo on 
>"Washington
>& Lee Swing" at fast tempo that is about 1/2 strumming and 1/2 picking.  It
>brings down the house.
>
>I've been very satisfied with the result.  Apparently we are the only Dixie 
>band
>that uses the approach.  If you want to hear the result, check out my web 
>site
>by using google and search using "Russ Monterey Music" and go to the 
>"listen to
>the music" button; scroll down to the Dixieland button. You'll notice that 
>at my
>request, he allows the chords to "ring" more than the usual banjo "chunk" 
>style.
>
>Russ Guarino
>
>"Robert S. Ringwald" wrote:
>
> > Regarding learning to play the banjo, see below.
> >
> > I have been very, very busy & have not looked @ DJML for quite a while.
> > Sorry to be so late with this answer.  Also, as I am leaving for NY in a
> > couple of hours, I do not have time to check to see if your question has
> > been answered.
> >
> > You are correct, a 5 string banjo, picking with finger picks is not what 
>is
> > used in Dixieland.
> >
> > You want to play a 4 string (either) tenor or plectrum.
> >
> > A plectrum is a little easier to play solos on & was generally used more 
>in
> > the old pizza parlor days.
> >
> > A tenor is often preferred for backing a Dixieland band, because of the
> > sound.  The chords generally span 2 octaves.  Whereas a plectrum is a 
>little
> > over one octave.
> >
> > However, both can be used in Dixieland.  Personally, I play a plectrum.
> >
> > Now, to the question regarding teachers.  I am not sure of the web site, 
>but
> > do a googol search for Don Van Palthe.  He is a great plectrum banjo 
>player
> > who lives in the CO area, unless he has moved.  He was the first, or 2nd
> > banjo player to ever work in a Shakeys.  It was the original Shakeys 
>Pizza
> > Parlor in Sacramento.
> >
> > Don teaches banjo by correspondence.  He has books & video tapes.  I
> > understand that his teaching methods work very well, if you are willing 
>to
> > practice (put in the time).
> >
> > If you can't find Don, let me know & we'll track him down for you.
> >
> > Sorry for the long e-mail & especially if your question has already been
> > answered.
> >
> > Bob
> > mr.wonderful at ringwald.com
> > Placerville, CA, USA, Earth, Sol's System, Milky Way
> > Amateur (ham) Radio Station K6YBV
> > Fulton Street Jazz Band
> > See: http://www.ringwald.com
> > Boondockers Jazz & Comedy Band
> > See: http://www.theboondockers.com
> >
> > ----- Original Message -----
> > From: <Skypilot98 at aol.com>
> > To: <dixielandjazz at ml.islandnet.com>
> > Sent: Saturday, November 15, 2003 3:20 PM
> > Subject: [Dixielandjazz] Apologies in advance....newby here
> > requiringeducation
> >
> > > Hello all. 57 year old here who has decided to learn to play the 
>banjo.
> > I'm
> > > in Belleville, Illinois, 25 miles SE of St. Louis, MO. To prepare for 
>this
> > new
> > > adventure I visited my local music shop and bought the only banjo they 
>had
> > in
> > > stock, a Dean 5 string BW-3. I finally found someone who knew a person 
>who
> > > teaches banjo in town. A young lady names Chris Talley-Armstrong. I
> > contacted
> > > Chris who agreed to take me on as a new student (Hell, I'm twice her
> > age!). The
> > > problem is this. She teaches bluegrass music. I want to learn 
>Dixieland.
> > When I
> > > told her this she replied with, "Hmmmm, not only do you have the wrong
> > > teacher, but you also have the wrong banjo." There apparently is no 
>one
> > for miles
> > > around who teaches Dixieland banjo; perhaps someone in St. Louis, but 
>no
> > leads
> > > right now as to whom. I sure would appreciate comments from anyone who
> > might
> > > read this as to what I might do. Do I really have the wrong banjo for
> > Dixieland?
> > > All the research I have done indicates a few different types of 
>banjos,
> > but,
> > > nothing really tells me which type is for what music. 5-string, tenor,
> > > plectrum.....duhhhhhhhhhh. Boy, do I feel like a real dork! And just 
>how
> > does one
> > > find a Dixieland teacher? Again, I apologize for my ignorance. This is 
>my
> > first
> > > posting on here. Please be gentle.......Rob
> > >
> > > _______________________________________________
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> > >
> >
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>
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