This is a wonderful resource that I've just learned about. They have photos of 193 different banjos dating to before circa 1880 (these are considered "early" banjos).
http://www.banjodatabase.dreamhosters.com/items/browse?collection=17
"The Banjo Sightings Database was c...
2018-08-12 21:36:27 +0000 UTC View Post
Here's another version of the song I just performed sung unacompanied by Mary Lomax. I learned my version from a recording of North Carolinian Bobby McMillon--Lomax is from Georgia and he version is clearly different (and shorter) than McMillon's. Both were recorded by Art Rosenbaum:
"Film clip of Mary Lomax from the documentary, 'Sing My Troubles By.' Visit the official website at: 2018-08-12 13:56:37 +0000 UTC View Post
gCGCD "The Devil Song"/"The Farmer's Curst Wife"/Old Lady & the Devil" (Child 278).
I forgot a few really funny verses. Below are the complete lyrics as performed by Bobby McMillon of Yancey County, NC when he was recorded by Art Rosenbaum in 1989. To hear the original recording visit: 2018-08-12 03:15:49 +0000 UTC View Post
George Gibson talks a bit and plays a couple of exceedingly old banjo tunes on antique instruments.
2018-08-11 11:57:23 +0000 UTC View Post
Here's a recent Ted Talk presented by Thomas Maupin and his grandson, banjoist Daniel Rothwell. I actually saw these guys perform a few times during the time I lived in Watauga County, NC.
More on Thomas Maupin: https://www.arts.gov/audio/thomas-maupin
From the video description:
"Thomas Maupin is ...
2018-08-09 14:22:54 +0000 UTC View Post
Mr. Methe stopped by the house on his way home from the 2018 Appalachian String Band Festival aka "Clifftop" up in West Virginia. After days of drinking, picking and dancing he still wanted more so we went ahead and tied one on.
"Hook & Line" and "Cumberland Gap" are probably two of the oldest and most commonly played dance songs played in southern Appalachia.
Methe said he's bee...
2018-08-08 02:50:13 +0000 UTC View Post
fB♭FB♭C one step below gCGCD "Double C" or "Hook & Line" tuning.
https://patreon.com/cliftonhicks | http://cliftonhicks.bandcamp.com
2018-08-07 13:14:36 +0000 UTC View Post
I learned this song last month from George R. Gibson of Knott County, Kentucky who learned it from his neighbor Gran Hudson during the 1950s. This old railroad song was popularized by the Stanley Brothers under the title "I've Got a Mule to Ride."
My c. 1890 J.B. Schall "Edmund Valentine" banjo is tuned fB♭FB♭C one step below gCGCD ("Double C" aka "Hook & Line" tuning).
"Son, if you can't sing her don't pick her." - Gran Hudson
Keep an eye out for updates on this beautiful c. 1860 James Ashborn guitar. As soon as I get the original case restored this instrument will be FOR SALE--$860 shipping included (+extra if buyer lives in California, NY, NJ Europe or elsewhere).
PS Has anyone ever heard of Edmund Valentine? Any help identifying this unusual 1880s-189...
2018-08-04 12:59:19 +0000 UTC View Post
Here's a close look at all of my variations for "Hook and Line" one of the earliest banjo songs still played in the United States. At one time this was an extremely popular dance piece in southern Appalachia; today it mostly survives in the repertoire of eastern Kentucky banjoists. In West Virginia it is more commonly known as "Minnow on the Hook" and elsewhere in the mountains as "Shout Lulu." &n...
2018-08-02 21:11:38 +0000 UTC View Post
Here's a detailed look at my latest banjo build: an 18th or 17th century style gourd banjo. Historically these have been referred to as "banza," "banjer," "strum strum," "banshaw" &c. This instrument is entirely handmade (no power tools were used in its construction) and is surprisingly durable and playable. It's also light as a feather!
Here's my first serious attempt at an 18th-century style gourd banjo. I made this thing as quickly as possible using only hand tools, attempting to emulate a folk instrument made by someone living in harsh conditions (i.e. an enslaved person). The neck is poplar and the gourd was grown here in last year's garden. The head is Jamaican goat rawhide from Jeff Menzies.
2018-07-31 14:35:17 +0000 UTC
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See the link for travel and lodging information. This event has been held since 1998 and continued for some time as something of an exclusive banjo collectors' convention. In recent years, however, it has morphed into a more inclusive event attracting contemporary makers, musicians and researchers with an emphasis on banjo history and culture.
As long as they don't throw me out I will atte...
2018-07-31 02:17:00 +0000 UTC View Post
Recently I was asked to show some of my variations in the essential dance piece "Hook and Line." The banjo is tuned to relative gCGCD. Other titles this song is found under include "Minnow on the Hook" and "Shout Lulu."
Download 8.5" x 11" tablature 👇
2018-07-31 00:21:54 +0000 UTC View Post
These banjos are all SOLD--Thanks! If you are still interested in a banjo email me at clifhicks@gmail.com or message me here on Patreon with your price range and what kind of banjo you're looking for and the next time I pick up another load of banjos from George Gibson's collection I will guarantee one of them for you. Thanks again. - Clif Hicks
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2018-07-27 19:13:22 +0000 UTC View Post
Let's discuss George Gibson's "Little Gold Fiddle" an exceedingly rare cante-fable dating back to at least 1707. I will also explain why I've been selling so many banjos on Youtube lately and show three instruments in particular that I'd like to get into your hands.
2018-07-26 01:43:17 +0000 UTC View Post
Here is the version of "Little Gold Fiddle" collected by Halpert for a 1942 edition of the Journal of American Folklore (Vol. 55, No. 217; July-Sept. 1942). Halpert's version, called "The Irresistible Captain," is quite lewd. George Gibson says his father probably "cleaned it up" because he enjoyed playing it for family and guests at home. Can any of our members here work out the sheet music notat...
2018-07-21 16:10:15 +0000 UTC View Post
George R. Gibson of Knott County, Kentucky performs the exceedingly rare cante-fable "Little Gold Fiddle" which he learned from his father Mal Gibson. The only other reference to this piece that we can find comes to us from Herbert Halpert's article "The Cante Fable in New Jersey" in the Journal of American Folklore (Vol. 55, No. 217; July-Sept. 1942). Halpert called it "The Irresistible Captai...
2018-07-21 15:42:42 +0000 UTC View Post
UPDATE: I've added overhand style tableture and a sound file to this lesson (1 August 2020).
gDGAD relative (eBEF#B actual) aka "Moonshiner Tuning." This early folk ballad happens to be quite simple when played in the above tuning: it only requires one finger of your left hand and is entirely noted on the second fret of the banjo.
2018-07-16 18:31:28 +0000 UTC
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(gDGAD, relative, "Moonshiner Tuning)
In Scarlet Town where I was born
There was a fair maid dwelling,
She was the fairest of them all
And her name was Barbara Allen
All in the merry month of May
When sweet buds were a swelling,
Young William on his death bed lay
For the love of Barbara Allen
He sent hi...
2018-07-15 01:14:45 +0000 UTC View Post
I used my usual materials: red oak for the pot; black walnut for the neck, nut and bridge; submerged cherry for tuning pegs and tailpiece; unbleached goat hide from gourd banjo and fiddle maker Jeff Menzies. Finished with walnut dye and a hand-rubbed mixture of hemp oil and beeswax. Photos (and dye) by Robyn Latham.
2018-07-12 17:13:35 +0000 UTC
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"What do you think of or what is your experience with up picking overhand using drop thumb technique together? Thank you so much!" - Jonas
Recently I was visited by field recorder Dan Torigoe and photographer Ray Asaba. These two gentlemen from Japan are presently doing important work documenting contemporary folk music in the southern United States. Torigoe has recorded such notable folk artists as John Haywood, Jack Bunch and Lee Sexton of Kentucky, Shardé Thomas and David Kimbrough Jr. of Mississippi, Cedric Watson of Louisiana a...
2018-07-09 23:56:33 +0000 UTC View Post
Banjo is tuned fCFB♭C one step below gDGCD aka "Pretty Polly Tuning," "G Minor," or "Sawmill Tuning."
👇 Download 8.5" x 11" Tablature PDF file 👇
Banjo is tuned: fCFA#C (one step below gDGCD aka "G Modal" tuning). Click on the machine cog symbol in the bottom right corner of this video player and select "Speed" from the pop-up menu. From there you can slow down my playing even further to .75 or .5 speed.
I just visited Dr. Art Rosenbaum and his wife photographer Margo Newmark Rosenbaum (of well-deserved Art of Field Recording fame) at their home in Athens, GA and we discussed the subject of the current folk revival.
Both my mother and father were casual musicians during the period of my youth--my father's mostly a woodwind player and is quite good on a tin...
2018-07-03 16:04:10 +0000 UTC View Post
Latest banjo is roughed out and about halfway completed. In this video I briefly discuss the concept/inspiration behind this build and some of the materials and techniques used.
2018-07-01 21:15:40 +0000 UTC View Post
I learned this song from George R. Gibson of Knott County, Kentucky. Banjo is tuned to gDGCD, relative.
In response to questions and insights from Trish the other day.
https://patreon.com/cliftonhicks
http://cliftonhicks.bandcamp.com
2018-06-25 17:54:26 +0000 UTC View Post