Give Me The Banjo

If you are interested...a great documentary by PBS...

http://video.pbs.org/video/2164506461/

Two things I love.
Steve Martin and banjos. When I have time I'll finish watching that excellent PBS documentary. I skipped forward a bit to listen to Pete Seeger though.
Thanks, Rion.

PBS is so wonderful! I recently watched a good show called History Detectives. The show I watched was about a slave songbook of the United States. I mention this because the slave music was deeply rooted in African traditions. The banjo is an American adaption of many similar African string instruments.

The more I listen to music the more I want to know 'where did that come from?'

Rion, do you play banjo or any other instruments?

History Detectives, I have never seen the program but it does sound interesting.

I started playing the banjo about a month ago and I decided to buy one a couple weeks ago. I have never played an instrument before. A friend handed his banjo to me and I started fiddling around with the strings and became instantly addicted. I am learning the bluegrass way with the rolls. Eventually, I want to play some blues on the banjo.

What about you? Do you play an instrument?

I am interested in music. I love listening and 'collecting' new styles of music. Had you asked me 20 yrs. ago did I thnk I'd enjoy early American Blues, for example, I probably woud have said 'hell no!'

I have a didgeridoo. I was inspired to learn by Australian musician Xavier Rudd.
I play many sounds, effects but haven't perfected the whole circular breathing technique. You need strong cheek muscles for that.

I have a couple drum circles under my belt too. Yup, I know how to bang a mean tune.

Quote from a Bjork song: "One plays a harp, one beats a rock with a stick..."

Sadly, I'm more in the 'beats a rock with a stick' talent pool.

I wish I had picked up an instrument and started farming 20 years ago but you travel the path and it is what it is.

I suppose I can join a Zydeco group. I'm confident I could learn how to play the spoons.

Have you ever tried to play the banjo? I am only a beginner but it doesn't seem that hard. Only tons of practice to play the bluegrass method because of the rolls.

No. I've never had success with any stringed instruments. I suck actually.

Give me something to shakey shakey or bang!

Well, Drummers are cool and always have the most fun!

Bela Fleck - Throw Down Your Heart (YouTube)

Bela Fleck's movie and album, Throw Down Your Heart shows him bringing the banjo back to Africa and records with local artists. Good stuff! I'm a guitar player, mainly nylon. I'd love to get a banjo one day.

Welcome, Travis! We love musicians around here. Hey, I am the official banjo cheerleader so I say, "Buy it now!" Lol. I think the banjo is magical. In another thread, it sounded like you may be moving to the Great Lakes area. It sure sounded like this region. There is an awesome music scene here. You and your wife will really like that. I will check out the movie and look forward to your posts. Cheers!

Rion, thanks for the warm welcome! Yes, moving to the Great Lakes. Originally from Michigan, and moving back to northern Michigan in a few years, but come back to visit and check out land periodically. Music scenes are always the best! Nothing makes a town quite like a music scene, in my opinion.

I won't lie, I looked through your message posts to find out where in the Great Lakes you may be from when you where posting in that other thread.

I struggle to find time for guitar, let alone banjo! Maybe once life slows down a bit for me, I'll venture into that. Keep on pickin' and strummin', my friend!

I'm in NWPA. All you had to say was Lake Effect. Lol. It is the same story for those of us in the identical weather influenced spots around the Lakes. You can see some of the land in my Allegheny National Forest thread. As rough as it is to live with the lake effect patterns and the rust belt, the region makes up for it in other ways.

I didn't know there were ski resorts in Michigan. There is one here and a couple close by in Western NY. All relatively close to Lake Erie.

When do I find time to practice? Late at night. Lol.

I should give some credit to the guy I am dating. He is a musician and really encourages me with the music. He will even sit and listen to me practice. That is some patience!