TerryMcK Posted June 30, 2014 Report Share Posted June 30, 2014 I was doing a google to buy a banjo mute for my 5 string and came across this. It made me laugh. I've just ordered a real one. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtnhighlander Posted June 30, 2014 Report Share Posted June 30, 2014 The J. Henry model looks very effective! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wdwerker Posted June 30, 2014 Report Share Posted June 30, 2014 Every time I see the word " banjo " my brain goes to the song from Deliverance...... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TerryMcK Posted June 30, 2014 Author Report Share Posted June 30, 2014 Every time I see the word " banjo " my brain goes to the song from Deliverance...... Duelling Banjos Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bobby Slack Posted June 30, 2014 Report Share Posted June 30, 2014 As an Argentinean hillbilly ... I LOVE LOOOOOOVE Bluegrass. This started when I saw the movie O Brother where art though? , then I started listening at a newer version of jamb bands like The String Cheese Incident, Punch Brothers, Railroad Earth, etc. and I fell in love with the whole movement. Originally I am a huge jazz fan, jazz like Miles Davis, not the easy listening style, then of course Tango. Bluegrass allows for huge musical inspiration and I named it the "jazz of country music". I love it so much that my second dog is called Banjo. First dog is Gaucho ... Keeping America the melting pot ... Gaucho and Banjo. Just a short rant. Ah ... I own a Collins A style mandolin and I never play it ... one of these days I will get back into guitar and mando. Adios Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jasahan Posted June 30, 2014 Report Share Posted June 30, 2014 One of the reasons I believe my wife is the best woman ever is that she was able to sit three feet from me while I practiced banjo (repetitively, with a dvd). Incidentally, saw a guy playing a "banjitar" with a "mute" (a piece of black foam tucked under the strings next to the bridge). Sounded great. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtnhighlander Posted June 30, 2014 Report Share Posted June 30, 2014 I have the utmost respect for bluegrass musicians, as they have to work very hard to develop their skill. But I can't listen for more than 5 minutes at a time. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RichardA Posted June 30, 2014 Report Share Posted June 30, 2014 Can't keep my feet still when bluegrass pops up! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jasahan Posted June 30, 2014 Report Share Posted June 30, 2014 I have the utmost respect for bluegrass musicians, as they have to work very hard to develop their skill. But I can't listen for more than 5 minutes at a time. So, if you at all like the sound of any of the typical instruments, but can't stand bluegrass because of the intense pace and less-than-pleasant vocals, you should check out Appalachian Picking Society. All instrumental, and most of it is slower and focuses more on artistry instead of absurd chops. Actually has a lot of star players, but was initially released completely anonymously (i had the physical cd, and not a credit given in the whole booklet, and specifically mentioned they wanted to be anonymous; don't know what changed).https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/appalachian-picking-society/id253127169 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beechwood Chip Posted June 30, 2014 Report Share Posted June 30, 2014 What do you guys think of "Old and In the Way"? Love me some Vassar Clements! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barron Posted June 30, 2014 Report Share Posted June 30, 2014 Instead of a mute, try a Banjola-plays like a banjo, but much quieter and more sustain. Also, a lot lighter. And if Bluegrass isn't your thing, there is always Bell Fleck or Pat Cloud for classical, jazz and who knows what. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wdwerker Posted June 30, 2014 Report Share Posted June 30, 2014 My brain still goes back to " squeal like a pig" 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtnhighlander Posted July 1, 2014 Report Share Posted July 1, 2014 So, if you at all like the sound of any of the typical instruments, but can't stand bluegrass because of the intense pace and less-than-pleasant vocals, you should check out Appalachian Picking Society. All instrumental, and most of it is slower and focuses more on artistry instead of absurd chops. Actually has a lot of star players, but was initially released completely anonymously (i had the physical cd, and not a credit given in the whole booklet, and specifically mentioned they wanted to be anonymous; don't know what changed).https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/appalachian-picking-society/id253127169 Unfortunately, it isn't the quite impressive pace of the music, or even the extreme 'twang' of the vocals ( I am a native Tennesseean, after all ). Due to partial hearing loss, I am overly sensitive to sounds in the upper mid-range tones. Banjos tend to fall in this range. Many voices, especially female voices, swing into this range as well. Grates on my ears like fingernails on a chalkboard. Handheld power tools are in the same category, so I wear earmuffs a lot. I hate it, because banjo pickers are some of the most skilled instrumentalists I have ever seen. Used to love me some Roy Clark on the old HeeHaw show. Stuff with trumpets drives me nuts, too. My favorite musician now is Mark Knopfler, of Dire Straits fame. Awsome guitarist, songwriter and producer, wide range of styles, and a low, slightly gruff voice that is much more soothing to my ears. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jasahan Posted July 1, 2014 Report Share Posted July 1, 2014 Unfortunately, it isn't the quite impressive pace of the music, or even the extreme 'twang' of the vocals ( I am a native Tennesseean, after all ). Due to partial hearing loss, I am overly sensitive to sounds in the upper mid-range tones. Banjos tend to fall in this range. Many voices, especially female voices, swing into this range as well. Grates on my ears like fingernails on a chalkboard. Handheld power tools are in the same category, so I wear earmuffs a lot. I hate it, because banjo pickers are some of the most skilled instrumentalists I have ever seen. Used to love me some Roy Clark on the old HeeHaw show. Stuff with trumpets drives me nuts, too. My favorite musician now is Mark Knopfler, of Dire Straits fame. Awsome guitarist, songwriter and producer, wide range of styles, and a low, slightly gruff voice that is much more soothing to my ears. Ooooohhhhh. Well then. Looks like you could use one of those mutes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtnhighlander Posted July 1, 2014 Report Share Posted July 1, 2014 I still would like to try building a banjo (and a guitar) sometime, even if I can't stand to listen to it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beechwood Chip Posted July 1, 2014 Report Share Posted July 1, 2014 Due to partial hearing loss, I am overly sensitive to sounds in the upper mid-range tones. Man that sucks. You might want to check out Morphine (the band, not the pain killer). One of the weirdest bands on my playlist. Drum kit, bass and baritone saxes, two string slide electric bass guitar, and baritone singer. The highest notes they produce are the snare and the cymbals in the drum kit, and an occasional overtone. Might not be your thing. Reminds me a little of The Doors. There are times when I feel like I'll scream if I hear another soprano, and Morphine provides a nice refuge. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jHop Posted July 1, 2014 Report Share Posted July 1, 2014 I've got to be in the mood for banjo music. Sometimes, it will start with a YouTube search for "dueling banjoes," sometimes a search for Steve Martin, sometimes a cross-over from songs like "I will wait" from Mumford and Sons. But the good news for pickers is that folk music, and banjo music in general, is increasing in popularity. The good news for the rest of us is that we can still change the station if we don't like what it's playing. (Since I go through phases, I've only got three or so stations in presets on the radio... the rest are in my memory.) the only two things I swerve from and immediately change are rap and the telemundo radio musica novellas that are growing in my neck of the woods.) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bobby Slack Posted July 2, 2014 Report Share Posted July 2, 2014 This is what I like so much about bluegrass. This style has a huge range and it takes a lot of digging to realize it. Since is not mainstream is not easy to do but there are couple of podcasts ... Mountain Stage is one and the other .... forgot. I have a few playlists in my grooveshark page ... check out Gauchobanjo and listen to different bands. I just play these in the background. I listen to bluegrass when the shop is busy and noisy. If I have quite time of course ... WTO all the way. Can't keep my feet still when bluegrass pops up! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jasahan Posted July 2, 2014 Report Share Posted July 2, 2014 It is my custom to listen to folk and bluegrass while staining or varnishing. Nice quiet shop. Makes me feel extra craftsmany. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TerryMcK Posted July 2, 2014 Author Report Share Posted July 2, 2014 It is my custom to listen to folk and bluegrass while staining or varnishing. Nice quiet shop. Makes me feel extra craftsmany. I think I'll give it a go as I normally listen to jazz when sanding, rock or blues music when machining and classical when finishing. With the TuneIn Radio app on the iPad you can listen to just about any genre on the planet. I'm off to the shop to listen to some Bluegrass 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bobby Slack Posted July 2, 2014 Report Share Posted July 2, 2014 There is a genre called "americana" that is sort of a mix of folk, bluegrass & Blues. Check out bands like The String Cheese Incident, Railroad Head, Punch Brothers, Greensky Bluegrass, The Motet, The Wood Brothers, Asleep at the Wheel, Great American Taxi, The Greencards, The Flatlanders. There are so many more ... these are all new guys. I think I'll give it a go as I normally listen to jazz when sanding, rock or blues music when machining and classical when finishing. With the TuneIn Radio app on the iPad you can listen to just about any genre on the planet. I'm off to the shop to listen to some Bluegrass 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beechwood Chip Posted July 2, 2014 Report Share Posted July 2, 2014 I've only heard one song by "Asleep at the Wheel", "You're from Texas". It was a great western swing number. I'll have to check them out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.