Sandy Boys

Based loosely on the playing of Dwight Diller. This is a homemade gourd banjo built during the spring and summer of '07.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• old-time
• banjo
• charlie
• hunter
• fretless
• gourd
• clawhammer
• fiddle
• sandy
• boys
• old
• time

[ajrasmus]

How are you playing those harmonics? It looks like you're not really hitting any harmonics with your left hand. Is it just because of where you're hitting the strings with your right hand?

[scofield1702]

-Definitely not hitting any harmonics here. It's funny because you're not the first person to mention it! One thing I do (as I mentioned in another comment) is try to tune the banjo to a resonant hot spot. There are usually a few that are easy to find by humming with your mouth close to the head and the strings dampened. So for instance if you hear (and feel) the thing light up at E or F, tune the banjo down to that instead of standard G or A. But you've got to hit it right on the money!

[rrevved]

Man, that is *fine* playing. You have a good ear to get that kind of purity from a fretless.

I have a question. I have never heard any fretless in my 60+ years that had pinging/chiming harmonics just flying out of it like that one has. It is beautiful. What's the secret of that incredible sound?

Thanks

Ed

Nashville

[scofield1702]

Thanks Ed. A cool thing I discovered about gourds: Place the hole of a cut gourd up to your mouth and make a droning sound. If you start with a low frequency and then very gradually start sliding up, you will eventually find certain hot-spots along the way. You'll know because when you hit just the right frequencies, you'll hear and feel a drastic increase in resonance, with tons of overtones/harmonics. My banjo is in G tuning, brought down to just sharp of E, its particular resonant frequency.

[lonesomepickin]

what did you use to string it?

[scofield1702]

This one is strung with Nylgut, although the best sounding stuff I've ever heard is something called bay line.

[fralin1966]

This is the best sandy boys recording on you tube !!!

[sazji]

Love this tune and really like your playing!

[ackrok]

You're awesome

[federhoof]

I have a gourd banjo and I noticed it doing the harmonics the other day - I didn't know why until I read your explanation. I love the way you play this tune, and Twin Sisters. They are both rhythmic and smooth. Wish you would make a CD. Do you teach any workshops?

[fralin1966]

sounds great nice job

[EvilMammoth]

Nicely done.

[KingMilesTagoyet]

This is just too beautiful, utterly hypnotic. You are very skilled. Thanks for posting.

[waterswivel]

A joy to see and hear your play of Sandy Boys-- goodness, your fretless gourd banjo sounds so fine!

[dulcimerginny]

Very Nice. I am really impressed with the sound you're getting from your gourd banjo. I made one in 2007 at Elkins, WV Heritage Music Festival, and it's been stored ever since. Might have to get it out. Thanks. Ginny