@creepsneedtodie Yup. You need to develop calluses on your right hand fingertips which act as "natural fingerpicks" and good right hand strength to get that characteristic Classic-style sound -- short, sharp and bright.
Very interesting! I'm still looking for the right term to use for my dad's playing style. Some have called it "classical", some clawhammer. I think it's somewhere in between.
I've just finished writing the tab for the Van Eps version, which is what Bill is using in this version. If anyone who can't read sheet music would like a copy then contact me.
Your five-string work is most enjoyable. I came from a classic banjo family, I`m 75 years old now and had a fairly good twenty years of success as a capable tenor banjoist, specializing in classical ragtime. My dad was a five-string classic banjo artist and I still have his Van Eps flush fret banjo, which he bought from Fred for $185.00 with a fine case in 1949. It`s in new condition. How times change. I still have my original "Ode" style "F" tenor banjo, which I had Chuck build me in the 60`s.
Hi Bill, Mike here again, can you let me know where i might get hold of a copy of this music ? I just love it and must learn to play it ......... Hope you can help, all the best , Mike.......
I tried nylon strings once on my Washburn B16. Had an awful time with keeping it in tune. Once you get past the 9th fret, you intonation is shot. But for raggy tunes like this, it sounds pretty good.
@joshuacash The nylon strings tend to stretch over a day or two, but once they set in the tuning will be stable. I used to play on steel strings, now I've got Chris Sands brand heavy-gauge nylons on all my banjos (including my bluegrass cannon). The trick is using a thin maple bridge with no ebony top, and fingerpicks for the bluegrass sound. Works great!
@james34565 There's plenty of ragtime music for the classical banjo, like Calliope Rag, Russian Rag, Onion Rag, Pandemonium Rag... I think you'd like those songs. You can find sheet music online
Hi Bill, great playing I really enjoyed hearing someone else playing classical style. Now a question , is the body of your banjo made by Cole or is it just the neck ? thats it I guess , except to say lets have more of your superb classical playing on You Tube . all the best and be well ... Mike....
Hey Bill, just wanted to say that I thought that this was the most creative thing that you have done to date. I have come to Camp Bluegrass several times and have enjoyed our time together, and I was rally impressed by the true classical nature of this one. Please post more of this wonderful SS Stewart banjo!!
The tuning is "Standard C" tuning (CGBDg). By dropping the bass string from D to C you can play equally well in C major or C minor. E-flat also becomes easy.
This is great. Thanks, Bill, for learning this and playing it so well. In my MANY hours watching banjo videos I haven't come across any old banjo stuff this good. Where did you get the sheet music for this? I want it!
Great job. I was wondering if the clawhammer type banjos could be used for this kind of music? And is it possible to wear plastic fingerpicks, like guitarists sometimes wear, on these banjos or is there too much pick noise?
Hey there! Sorry to take so long to respond! The "real" classic players mostly all use open back banjos - the same kind of banjos usually used for clawhammer style. However, you can play any kind of music on any kind of banjo - don't let the instrument you have stop you from playing what you want to play. The real classic players never use fingerpicks of any kind - many of them use fingernails, like classical guitarists. I play with my fingers, using no picks.
do you have to pluck harder without finger picks to get that brilliant sound?
creepsneedtodie 3 weeks ago
@creepsneedtodie Yup. You need to develop calluses on your right hand fingertips which act as "natural fingerpicks" and good right hand strength to get that characteristic Classic-style sound -- short, sharp and bright.
KnownastheMoss 1 week ago
Very interesting! I'm still looking for the right term to use for my dad's playing style. Some have called it "classical", some clawhammer. I think it's somewhere in between.
Whiskers1949 4 months ago
I've just finished writing the tab for the Van Eps version, which is what Bill is using in this version. If anyone who can't read sheet music would like a copy then contact me.
blindboybutler 6 months ago
@blindboybutler
i can read sheet but i feel lazy haha so i would love a copy
14SLR 4 months ago
I have the Eps arrangement as well.
blindboybutler 6 months ago
I have a sheet of this, arranged by Joe Earle. Not sure which version Bill is working from. If anyone wants a copy message me.
blindboybutler 6 months ago
Your five-string work is most enjoyable. I came from a classic banjo family, I`m 75 years old now and had a fairly good twenty years of success as a capable tenor banjoist, specializing in classical ragtime. My dad was a five-string classic banjo artist and I still have his Van Eps flush fret banjo, which he bought from Fred for $185.00 with a fine case in 1949. It`s in new condition. How times change. I still have my original "Ode" style "F" tenor banjo, which I had Chuck build me in the 60`s.
A1BanjoMan 9 months ago
Hi Bill, Mike here again, can you let me know where i might get hold of a copy of this music ? I just love it and must learn to play it ......... Hope you can help, all the best , Mike.......
MrWildbanjo 10 months ago
I tried nylon strings once on my Washburn B16. Had an awful time with keeping it in tune. Once you get past the 9th fret, you intonation is shot. But for raggy tunes like this, it sounds pretty good.
joshuacash 11 months ago
@joshuacash The nylon strings tend to stretch over a day or two, but once they set in the tuning will be stable. I used to play on steel strings, now I've got Chris Sands brand heavy-gauge nylons on all my banjos (including my bluegrass cannon). The trick is using a thin maple bridge with no ebony top, and fingerpicks for the bluegrass sound. Works great!
ComradeMorshu 10 months ago
sounds like something from the little rascals lol.when its like quiet and everything is fine and a chase starts lol.i loe silent movies
legomaster335 1 year ago
Splendide !
elfigraphe 1 year ago
@james34565 There's plenty of ragtime music for the classical banjo, like Calliope Rag, Russian Rag, Onion Rag, Pandemonium Rag... I think you'd like those songs. You can find sheet music online
ComradeMorshu 1 year ago
Where can I find more tunes like this for banjo and also sheet music?
Sharybary 1 year ago
Greetings from England, awesome picking! :D
gtfonewfag 1 year ago
Comment removed
ComradeMorshu 1 year ago
Wow , he is really an expert. MrWildbanjo said it right, "Superb!"
f57mich 1 year ago
That was amazing!
bridlingtonengland75 1 year ago
man, all of your instruments look so awesome! good thing you're so good.
ilovemutemath 2 years ago
fucking awesome!
xxxguitargodxxx1989 2 years ago
Fred Van Epps smiles!! Can you do Dixie Medley?
keriddle1958 2 years ago
It was great, thank You for this,
regards from Poland ;)
Stupidnick 2 years ago
Hi Bill, great playing I really enjoyed hearing someone else playing classical style. Now a question , is the body of your banjo made by Cole or is it just the neck ? thats it I guess , except to say lets have more of your superb classical playing on You Tube . all the best and be well ... Mike....
MrWildbanjo 2 years ago
It's all Cole - dating from around 1907. I purchased it from Jim Bollman. Thanks for your interest!
BillEvansBanjo 2 years ago
Thanks Bill ,
MrWildbanjo 2 years ago
Hi! ...nice to see a fellow ABF member on here. ;) Nice playing! :D
magslazerblast 2 years ago
What a great sound!
billyshake 2 years ago
Great tune, great tone.
lcsgze 2 years ago
Good luck Dynamo!
BillEvansBanjo 2 years ago
Hey Bill, just wanted to say that I thought that this was the most creative thing that you have done to date. I have come to Camp Bluegrass several times and have enjoyed our time together, and I was rally impressed by the true classical nature of this one. Please post more of this wonderful SS Stewart banjo!!
teakbridge101 2 years ago
just got a banjo for my birthday. wish me luck im 40.
dynamo400 2 years ago
Amazing! I imagine this is in an open minor tuning? Are there tabs for this anywhere?
Check out my banjo videos, by the way!
squigglesy 3 years ago
The tuning is "Standard C" tuning (CGBDg). By dropping the bass string from D to C you can play equally well in C major or C minor. E-flat also becomes easy.
Bill
34parrow 2 years ago
banjo tabs!!! need banjo tabs!
mumumumusikman2 3 years ago
Very Nice, Amazing Talent, See you at Banjo Camp Bill!
GoldstarBanjo53 3 years ago
Can someone pick my jaw off the floor?
Bill that butterfly on the 5th is well the whole banjo is one amazing instrument-
in which you play with such ease!
I so appreciate you posting this.
JonEricMusic 3 years ago
très bien joué ; bravo
cramasdamols 3 years ago
Love this. Somewhat similar to Kansas Jig, which I learned from one of your recordings. Thanks for making great music!
rottenhubert 3 years ago
great rithm
nacidoenel83 3 years ago
This is great. Thanks, Bill, for learning this and playing it so well. In my MANY hours watching banjo videos I haven't come across any old banjo stuff this good. Where did you get the sheet music for this? I want it!
MoGiMaL 3 years ago
Bill Evans is fast becoming a major player amongst the Banjo elite.
If you don't own his Bill Evans plays Banjo CD, you should ! It is a fantastic showcase of his writing and playing skills.
The best CD I have brought in years.
5picking 3 years ago
Great job. I was wondering if the clawhammer type banjos could be used for this kind of music? And is it possible to wear plastic fingerpicks, like guitarists sometimes wear, on these banjos or is there too much pick noise?
krushnoi 4 years ago
Hey there! Sorry to take so long to respond! The "real" classic players mostly all use open back banjos - the same kind of banjos usually used for clawhammer style. However, you can play any kind of music on any kind of banjo - don't let the instrument you have stop you from playing what you want to play. The real classic players never use fingerpicks of any kind - many of them use fingernails, like classical guitarists. I play with my fingers, using no picks.
BillEvansBanjo 3 years ago
Very nice!
banjobilly32 4 years ago