Edinburgh Banjo Club
Fourth Meeting
30 October 2011
Our meeting this month took place at The Isobar, Bernard Street, Leith. The introduction time saw a plethora of unusual instruments – Bill Rennie with an old zither banjo, Vanessa with her gourd banjo (made by her good self) and Rob with a gourd banjo and Iain with a bass banjo
We welcome new members Ali Smith and Jack Stothard. Ali is a newcomer to the banjo however she really loves the sound and is keen to learn so give plenty of encouragement please folk. Jack is a bass player and he introduced us to Shirley (Shirley Bassy). Jack plays bass but loves the banjo. I think he plays a bit too. We also have a visiting member all the way from Holland and his name is Douwe Hoogland (pro: dow wheh). Some members were in attendance for the first time and I hope they enjoyed the experience and will return for more.
After the welcomes and introductions The Scottish Classic Banjo Quartet played two really good pieces, ’Calliope Rag‘ by James Scott and ‘Queen of the Burlesque‘ by Arthur Tilley (my favourite to date). The Quartet are obviously working hard on their repertoire and they are growing in confidence and technique. I am really looking forward to a full-blown recital in the hopefully, in the near future. Well-done SCBQ.
I introduced Vanessa Ferdinand to the meeting. Vanessa is in Edinburgh for the next wee while, from Cleveland – Ohio, whilst studying for her PhD. Vanessa was persuaded to sing and play a rendition of ‘Oh Death‘. Her gentle banjo technique and strong vocals was superb. At the end of the meeting she gave us another song. The song is called ‘The Magpie‘ and is one of her own compositions and very good it is too. Thanks Vanessa, I am sure I speak for all when saying we look forward to hearing more from you at future meetings.
Vanessa playing Rob’s Gourd Banjo
This month’s presentation came from Mark ‘Woody’ Woods.
Mark is the banjo player and co-lead singer in the band The Dapper MacDan’s. He plays bluegrass and Old Time music, preferring the Clawhammer style, which he finds more suitable to use for accompaniment when singing. His technique is fluid and seems effortless, which makes the Old Time tunes so enjoyable.
Mark ‘Woody’ Woods and his Chuck Lee Custom Banjo
Mark took up the banjo about thirteen years ago and got lessons from Rob Mairs. Rob (another one) is a Glaswegian who played with Old Hickory back in the early days of the Scottish Bluegrass scene and is a very fine player. After honing his skills with Rob, Mark started using video/audio resources from the USA. Mark started with Ken Perlman however he soon found and settled on the David Holt technique which he preferred and I quote “he is great for me”. (Couldn’t put it better myself Mark). He named his musical heroes as Johnny Cash and Earl Scruggs.
Joining Mark for the presentation was his friends and band members, Frank (guitar) and Ian (mandolin). Ian also plays tenor banjo and I hope he will give us his thoughts on that style of playing at a future presentation.
Tunes Mark played throughout the presentation to demonstrate the various points he made were,
Cluck Old Hen – a favorite among players who use the Pete Seeger Bump Diddy (Brush Thumbing) pattern. This gives a real foot tappin’ rhythm and hammer-on’s, pull-offs (more Pete Seeger terminology used widely today) and slides to add “Shading” to the tunes. Shading consists of adding various techniques, such as slides, pull-offs, hammer-on’s, triplets, double thumbing, and the “cluck” the “Galax” lick…around the basic melody line in order to make the tune sound more interesting.
Sandy Boys – this is more of a string band sound with mandolin taking the introduction and lead breaks. A sung ‘chorus’ helps to involve an audience. The right hand position uses either the index or the middle finger for the melody line. This is a personal choice. Use the back of the nail to hit the string note. This can be hell on the nail so Mark uses an acrylic stick on nail (from Boots – nailcare section fellas) or sometimes a reversed metal fingerpick. The latter give a great boost to the volume, which is sometimes needed at noisy, acoustic sessions.
In all cases the method used to develop a tune is;
1) Choose a key that suits your voice, if it’s a song.
2) Pick out and learn the basic melody in the chosen key e.g. G A C D E
3) Choose a suitable tuning. Maybe double C tuning or use the capo at 2nd for double D.
4) Add the aforementioned ‘Shading’ as mentioned above.
Try and give the tune or song your style and most of all enjoy what you do.
Frank and Ian giving backup to Mark
Nancy (3 versions)
Break down parts of a tune and as well as the basic notes try using triplets and/or double thumbing.
Angeline the Baker (Angelina Baker orig.)
Try the technique of ‘double thumbing’. Hit the first string then thumb on the second string. This is better to use when starting to learn however move on to use the third and fourth strings as well. A bit harder to master but worth the effort.
Soldiers Joy – requested by Hugh
Great tune for interaction from band members. Demonstration of the ‘Cluck Lick’ (origin unknown) mostly used for backup. A great sound. Best used with a light gauge 1st string. Hit the string with the index/middle as above the hit against next finger and dampen. Phew!
Old time banjos have a much higher string action and usually a scoop after the 12th fret to allow easier clawhammer/frailling style of playing. Mark uses a Chuck Lee custom made banjo (his third) with a metal tubaphone. He likes the volume from this instrument, which gives more punch to the overall sound. Mark showed the contrast using my Chuck Lee ‘Lone Star’ which has a wooden tone ring. This instrument has a warm mellow sound and with a 12″ pot gives a great ‘Old Timey’ feel.
Bluegrass requires a different instrument with lots of metal, a resonator and low string action. The music has a set line-up and is quite specific in choice. Old Time – anything goes. Mark always has a vision of an Ol’ Timer on a porch just pickin’ for enjoyment.
Mark finished with a couple of his favourite tunes just for playing.
‘Elk River Blues‘ and ‘Booth Shot Lincoln‘. Thanks a million Mark. We all enjoyed your playing and thanks once again to the Boys – Frank for great rhythm guitar, Ian with his superb mandolin licks and tasty leads and Jack for being Jack and bringing Shirley. Y’all come back now ye hear.
Member Profile
This month’s member profile is of John Duffy.
John with his Gold Tone Banjos
John is the proud owner of two Gold Tone Banjos. One an ‘A’ and the other a ‘G’. Both have a great tone and look great.
John, an Edinburgh man, took up the banjo in March this year. He had tried to play an old banjo a while back however it was very difficult to play. He signed up with a teacher (our own Rob) who advised him to dispose of the offending banjo. A good piece of advice says John. He replaced it with his present instruments.
The G and A Banjos
Q: Why an ‘A’ and a ‘G’?
A: I like to play clawhammer on the ‘A’ and Bluegrass on the ‘G’.
Q: What tunes are you working on at the moment?
A” I like to play Shay Grove and Cripple Creek.
Q: Any ambitions for the near future?
A: Yes, I would like to be able to take a lead break at a session.
I can see that goal being reached very soon John, thanks for the profile.
Points of interest agreed: -
- a donation of £1 per member at each meeting. Any monies gathered will go towards agreed future projects. Carol and Jay will act as ‘finance folk’.
- Classified adverts can be included in the newsletter. Give details to Gordy.
- A decision to have a membership fee will be taken at a future meeting.
- There will be eight meetings per year. December, January, July, August will be left out for holiday periods.
- There should be an annual concert with members performing material of their choice.
- Some further thought and discussion by interested volunteers to create an EBC Pickin’ Festival. Volunteers to take part, please give your name to Jay, Carol or Gordy.
- Any coming events that you think would interest fellow members, please let Gordy know for inclusion at meeting and/or newsletters
Competition
Remember to have your ideas for a logo with Gordy by the November meeting. The prize to the winner of the chosen logo will be, Pride in a job well done and a set of D’addario banjo strings. (Wow, all expense spared).
Our meeting, the biggest turnout to date, ended with the song from Vanessa and a jam with the October choice of tune Shady Grove.
November workshop will include the gospel song/tune I’ll Fly Away, so bring along your choice(s) of version and lyrics. Yup singing will be on the agenda again so get with the vocal chords.
November Presentation
The presentation for the November meeting will be a Player’s Choice. Bring along your choice of tune/song and give us an insight into your choice or any story/anecdote being it. I’m sure everyone will want to jiney inny. This will be our last meeting for 2011 and we will back in February 2011 so come along and make it a good un.
November member profile will be Cat Campbell and her Banjo ‘Cello.
Hope to see you at the November meeting.
Keep pickin’ an’ a grinnin’
Next Meeting
Sunday 27 November 2011
14:30 – 16:30 hours
Isobar,7 Bernard Street
Leith, EH6 6PW
MEMBERS ONLY CLASSISFIED ADS.
A new book by Rob macKillop:
http://www.melbay.com/product.asp?productid=22172BCD#
Have you an item for the classified ads? Please contact Gordy with info and any photies.
(hootsmonmusic@blueyonder.co.uk)
Jake playing – Wildwood Flower 
