Questions from Milwaukee & Tim
Added 2018-02-21 20:15:42 +0000 UTCMilwaukee asks about head tension and "tap tuning" and Tim wants to know about what to look for in an antique banjo. We will definitely have to discuss antique banjo shopping in more detail and hopefully some of our more knowledgeable members will contribute their own advice on this subject.
Comments
On the subject of tuning the banjo head, that was a very interesting tip about tuning it to G. Makes perfect sense. In the world of rock and roll, a lot of drummers aren't very good about tuning their drum heads either. There is a device called a DrumDial that can measure the pressure on the drum head, which can aid in tightening it to an even tension (or measuring the tension once you get it in the ballpark of where you want it). Basically, you lay the banjo flat, put this device about 3/4" from the edge, and you get a reading of the tension at that spot. When the numbers all match, you have even tension. It might be overkill for old time music, but it can be useful in certain circumstances.
Nathan Rosenquist
2018-03-06 05:31:12 +0000 UTCI recently dislocated my right pinky and cracked a bone or two in the hand and finger. It took a couple of months to heal up back to "normal." This was nearly a year ago now and that knuckle still feels odd. One thin is that the finger didn't fuse back to the knuckle in its original position--so you all are watching these videos as I grapple with my own personal "trials & tribulations." Hand injuries, or just general joint health decline etc., are a big threat to we string musicians. It sounds like I need to post a quick video outlining some easy finger and wrist stretches and maybe even an herbal remedy or two.
Clifton Hicks
2018-02-23 12:01:39 +0000 UTCI really like the Hall 3-way Banjo Wrench: <a href="https://www.amazon.com/3-way-Bracket-Tuning-Wrench-my-banjo/dp/B00TWPV5L2" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">https://www.amazon.com/3-way-Bracket-Tuning-Wrench-my-banjo/dp/B00TWPV5L2</a>
Milwaukee Matzen
2018-02-23 01:41:26 +0000 UTCThanks Clifton! I've owned a few banjos in the past, but I never got around to playing them much. I recently received another banjo and I am excited to try and pick up some of the songs you are teaching here. I came across your music years ago via an episode of the Down Home Radio Show and have been a fan ever since. I am currently recovering from a hand injury, but I hope to get to actually playing a banjo real soon. Until then, your videos are keeping me motivated and excited!
Milwaukee Matzen
2018-02-23 01:40:07 +0000 UTCGood grief! Thank you for that story, Tony. I am honored to have you with us.
Clifton Hicks
2018-02-22 21:07:52 +0000 UTCYou would be surprised how many banjoists, especially old time revivalists don't have any notion of head tightening. About once a year and more I run into people who ask me what to do when a bracket falls off. I have been handed a banjo with a bracket falling off by a major music historian for a performance at a state university library. This is a big problem here in Florida where humidity is a problem, and where a lot of places I jam are by the ocean or inlets or whatever.
Tony Thomas
2018-02-22 19:28:44 +0000 UTCAn 11 in 1 (or similar) screwdriver works perfect for tightening banjo heads. Milwaukee and Klein are 2 of many brands that have various size sockets that hold the screwdriver bits in place. Just remove the bits and you have the perfect deep nut driver.
Jeff Jackson
2018-02-22 04:27:42 +0000 UTCThanks so much for answering my question in your other video! I'll be selfish and ask one more if that's alright. I really enjoyed your version of Reuben's Train, but I noticed that the lyrics are not the same as the ones I know (which happens a lot in folk music). From my perspective, it seemed like there were parts from 900 Miles and Long Steel Rail in there with it, which made it tell a story more consistent with the tone you were going for. I was wondering what you take into consideration when deciding which lyrics you're going to use to these old tunes and which to omit? Do you prefer to make them your own or do you usually stick to versions you've heard somewhere before? Do you ever hear old tunes played in new ways that you think fall flat?
Ian
2018-02-21 23:29:43 +0000 UTC
