Q&A | Banjo Trance?
Added 2018-10-17 22:10:10 +0000 UTC"Clifton, you mentioned that some songs will put you in a 'trance' when played. You mentioned this happened to you while playing ‘German War’ recently… and other songs like ‘Pretty Polly,' and ‘East Virginia’ also have this affect. I notice that while listening to you play these songs 2-finger style, with that repetitive drone sound, it creates a much different (trance-like) mood than if played overhand style (where it seems more up-beat and rhythmic). Can you comment on this?"--Justin
I'll discuss this phenomenon to the best of my ability and mention the work of some other artists/researchers:
Chuck Levy http://www.banjourneys.com/
George Gibson http://www.banjohistory.com
Ulf Jägfors https://www.youtube.com/user/UlfJagfors
Comments
Hey Adam! I didn't know you were a Patron of Clifton's too. Sweet! After the next few weeks, my weekend schedule will hopefully open up to get together sometime again. hope all is well!
Mike Rebitzke
2018-10-19 19:24:05 +0000 UTCInteresting subject indeed. I've been playing and making didgeridoos for around 10 years now, wich as you may know is an ancient aboriginal wind instrument from Australia. The sound is made by buzzing your lips in the didge , creating what is called the Drone. Once the circular breathing part is mastered, and playing becomes second nature, you can drift off into a trance like state for very long periods of time. It's that repedative pattern, whether it's chanting, drumming, didging, or hitting that drone string, when your brain ceases to think about it, the drifting begins. It's as old as time. And fun as hell Lol.
Kurosh Ghodshowghi
2018-10-19 15:48:01 +0000 UTCClifton, thank you for this video... You discussed what I surmised might be going on in your mind while playing. I think the ability of the 2-finger rhythm to be perceived as slower to the listener also affects the mood of the song.
Justin Hoffmann
2018-10-18 15:53:52 +0000 UTCZen banjo. Good bourbon and droning banjos go good together.
Micheál Mac Labhrás
2018-10-18 11:28:11 +0000 UTCThere's a sect of Zen Buddhism called Nichirin who practice chanting "Namu Myōhō Renge Kyō" in groups repetitively. I did a couple of half hour sessions and near the end of the second one a vision came into my mind of sunshine over a grassy hill and when the session ended I felt euphoric... Funnily enough the vision made me think of the Teletubbies in their weird hobbit-like world. The mind's a funny thing.
Bobby Banks
2018-10-18 05:53:40 +0000 UTCYou mentioned another guy named Willie taking his girl off into the woods to kill her. Why is it in old time or bluegrass music if the guys name is Willie or Willy, its not going to end well for the girl? You think word would get around and the girls would avoid those guys. Lol
Mark D Van Dyke
2018-10-17 22:57:12 +0000 UTCHi Clifton. Thanks for the great video. On a side note, have you listened to Bob Dylan’s version of this song (Hollis Brown)? He plays a very interesting guitar part that to me sounds very similar to 2 finger style. He puts some skips or rests in it but to me it also has that hypnotic quality you discuss above. Not sure what album it is on but it’s one of his very early ones. Thanks again for your excellent channel!!
Steve Hahn
2018-10-17 22:44:41 +0000 UTCMy wife would say I've discovered this trance type of state ever since picking up the banjo and getting that bum-ditty going (not even 2 finger picking). She says I'll be looking right through her not hearing anything she says, lol. Something about this rhythmical, magical instrument just does it. I'll have to give 2 finger a try sometime.
Adam Hinkel
2018-10-17 22:29:57 +0000 UTC
