I Wonder How The Old Folks Are at Home

[americandevo]

I love your shirt



[SirCoughsalot]

Maybe you could clear this up for me, may be a silly question.. Are you playing Scruggs style or some other, old timey, finger style?

[Wishuey]

@SirCoughsalot

Good question. The answer is a bit complicated but I`ll give it a go.

The first banjo player I heard, back in 1953 or so, was Don Reno playing "Dixie Breakdown". I`d never heard a 5-string banjo; didn`t have a clue what it was but loved it and ended up with one a few days later.

I ended up teaching myself but learned all wrong so my "style" is part Scruggs, part Charlie Poole.

I sometimes use my index finger on the 1st string instead of the 2nd; makes it sound "old time".

[waddleduckie1]

What a wonderful video! What a very lovely banjo you have! How old is your banjo and how long have you been playing the banjo? My dad also plays the banjo and has a guitar too! Also do you compose some banjo music as well?

[Wishuey]

Thanks Anne! The banjo is a George Washburn from about 1890. The others are a 1922 Vega and a 1931 Gibson. I`ve been at it since about age fifteen, some fifty five years; should be a whole lot better but it`s great fun nonetheless.

I`ve come up with a few of my own but the only one I`ve "YouTubed" is "Smoky Peat Whisky", three times, once trying it with two different banjos and another, which I`d forgotten I had done (old age...) in which I called it :Pass of the Cattle".

Cheers,

Pete Huey

[JDev82]

classic.

wow thats some real talent

[pbb8240]

when i hear this song ,my eyes cloud up .luv it.

[nissing15]

You are Great!!!

I love your way of picking and singing!!!

[Wishuey]

And I yours. I am constantly amazed at the interest, all over the world, in old-time American music.

We just had a nice visit from a fellow YouTuber from Scotland. ("Achnamara") who is learning banjo over the internet from a teacher here in Maryland! Small world.

[guitar87tommy]

what key are u in

[Wishuey]

D (Gut strings in "open G" position, tuned down. 5th and 3rd are D insted of G, etc.)

[sleaponit21]

pete, I worked for an an agent in the late 70,s early 8o,s that brought mac wiseman over here in england for a tour, I compared his first show, when I went into the back room he was lying on 3 chairs resting, he was no more than 10stone, he had lypo suction before coming on his british tour, his voice was as good as ever, I backed him on guitar when he sang mother put my little shoes away graham

[Wishuey]

Thanks. I`ve got the Carter Family recording on an old 78 I picked up in a junk shop years after I heard Mac Wiseman do it back in the 1950s.

[rasskuk]

Nice performance, man! The oldest version I've heard is by the Carter Family, from the early 30s I believe. They called it "Homestead On The Farm".

[coolmornings79]

Wis... You are an inspiration to me! I have learned this song, which happens to be a favorite of my dads! Thanks for posting it!

[nochum1]

Such a nice sound...We have the same bookshelf organizational scheme.