Well, speaking as one of those other arrangements Hokikomori-san just dismissed as inferior to yours, I have to agree wholeheartedly. I was not aware of this one when I posted, and if I had been I would have probably thrown my banjo in the dumpster. Still, what a great tune and it really makes one suspect that JSB really was a banjo player because it is perfectly suited for the instrument. GREAT JOB!
Thank you very much. I'm pretty humbled by the very generous comments. I don't know enough about JSB as a person, but I've loved his music since I was a teenager. If this recording points people to him, that's wonderful. We've all benefited tremendously by his contributions contributions to the music world. Thanks again!!
I checked out several of the banjo versions of this piece, and yours is definitely the nicest. You give the banjo a beautifully light and airy tone which is perfect for the composition.
Thank you, I can't take all the credit though, it's a beautiful piece (thank JS Bach) and the instrument is very well suited for it (thank S.S. Stewart). And there is a shortfall for the arrangement -- I keyed it in D so it would fit more properly on a 5-string banjo neck tuned to open G. I believe the original was keyed in G. Oh well...
S.S. Stewart made banjos for the Sears Catalog in the late 1800s. The actual model of this one, the American Princess grade 2, built with the 10" rim and 17" neck,, might not be what the catalog is depicting though. Most of S.S. Stewart grade 2 instruments sported much the same inlay, the differences being primarily in the size of the rim and the length of the neck. Agreed, though, this is a fine sounding instrument.
This particular banjo sports a few period-available bolt-on parts that probably would not have been seen on the Sears Catalog depiction, including a ca. 1900 Elite tailpiece, a ca. 1900 spin-on hubcap resonator, a copy of a ca. 1900 Vega armrest, and a ca 1920s Gibson finger-rest.
Well, not this particular model, but it advertised a Stewart American Princess, I forget which model specifically.
However I may be mistaken, because I have another book floating around with various catalog advertisements for various banjos and parts.
As for the finger rest, I don't think I've ever seen one of those on a banjo before. It gives it a very unique look. I hope someday I can happen across an old banjo like that in a pawn or antique shop. I love instruments with history.
This is what I want to learn on the banjo. It is my reasoning for getting one. The sound is really nice, and I love your arrangement of the piece.
Rhonlynn 5 months ago
Thank you! Jesu Joy is really a great and fun piece to hear coming out of a banjo, I hope you enjoy learning it!
dh5string 1 year ago
very clean sound, beautiful,,, thank you for posting this video. I'm going to try to get it a little better on the piano than i have been.
f57mich 1 year ago
Well, speaking as one of those other arrangements Hokikomori-san just dismissed as inferior to yours, I have to agree wholeheartedly. I was not aware of this one when I posted, and if I had been I would have probably thrown my banjo in the dumpster. Still, what a great tune and it really makes one suspect that JSB really was a banjo player because it is perfectly suited for the instrument. GREAT JOB!
tuckytunes 2 years ago
Thank you very much. I'm pretty humbled by the very generous comments. I don't know enough about JSB as a person, but I've loved his music since I was a teenager. If this recording points people to him, that's wonderful. We've all benefited tremendously by his contributions contributions to the music world. Thanks again!!
dh5string 2 years ago
I checked out several of the banjo versions of this piece, and yours is definitely the nicest. You give the banjo a beautifully light and airy tone which is perfect for the composition.
Hikikomori013 2 years ago
Thank you, I can't take all the credit though, it's a beautiful piece (thank JS Bach) and the instrument is very well suited for it (thank S.S. Stewart). And there is a shortfall for the arrangement -- I keyed it in D so it would fit more properly on a 5-string banjo neck tuned to open G. I believe the original was keyed in G. Oh well...
dh5string 2 years ago
Huh, interestingly, I have a repro 1900 Sears catalog with that SAME banjo in it! A very beautiful instrument with a very beautiful sound.
Mandolinpossum 2 years ago
S.S. Stewart made banjos for the Sears Catalog in the late 1800s. The actual model of this one, the American Princess grade 2, built with the 10" rim and 17" neck,, might not be what the catalog is depicting though. Most of S.S. Stewart grade 2 instruments sported much the same inlay, the differences being primarily in the size of the rim and the length of the neck. Agreed, though, this is a fine sounding instrument.
dh5string 2 years ago
This particular banjo sports a few period-available bolt-on parts that probably would not have been seen on the Sears Catalog depiction, including a ca. 1900 Elite tailpiece, a ca. 1900 spin-on hubcap resonator, a copy of a ca. 1900 Vega armrest, and a ca 1920s Gibson finger-rest.
dh5string 2 years ago
Well, not this particular model, but it advertised a Stewart American Princess, I forget which model specifically.
However I may be mistaken, because I have another book floating around with various catalog advertisements for various banjos and parts.
As for the finger rest, I don't think I've ever seen one of those on a banjo before. It gives it a very unique look. I hope someday I can happen across an old banjo like that in a pawn or antique shop. I love instruments with history.
Mandolinpossum 2 years ago
Really nice! Thanks for that.
tkaschuba 2 years ago
Sounds great! I really need to find a teacher!
AcmeProfessional 3 years ago
Comment removed
luckymazuma 3 years ago
Very nicely done! I'm a bluegrass'r.....but this is cool!....5 stars!
Granada90 3 years ago
Great job!
picker38 3 years ago
WOW, that is just beautiful!
picker68 3 years ago
Loved it.
Stonewort 3 years ago
Astonishing! Beautiful! BRAVO!!
Craig (frailin)
frailinflix 4 years ago
NICE TONE ALSO, SWEET!
GREGDOBLER 4 years ago
Way to go dh5string. Very nice indeed!
BanjoBoog 4 years ago
Wow! What a great arrangement and rendition! Beautiful.
YoppyKyabetsu 4 years ago