The Orphan Girl

The nineteenth century tear-jerker made famous by Buell Kazee. If anyone out there has mastered Kazee's mesmeric technique let me know as I've only managed to approximated it here.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• banjo
• the
• orphan
• girl
• buell
• kazee
• drop
• thumb
• frailing
• clawhammer
• folk
• old
• time

[SirCoughsalot]

Good playing. Do you catch the strings on the backstroke with your thumb? Buell did that. I haven't been able to get the hang of it yet.

[lonesomepaul]

@SirCoughsalot - Did he really? Where did you hear that? It sounds pretty much impossible to me... I thought he was just doing what I'm doing here which is to pull off on the first string between the "bum" and the "titty" in the standard "bum titty" rythmn...

[WilliamsGail1]

Am really enjoying listening to your music. If you live in London, how come we haven't seen you at any sessions or clubs? We live in N.E london and play old time. Be nice to get together sometime and have a sing 'n' play.

Regards

[lonesomepaul]

@WilliamsGail1 - Thanks for that - As you seem to know a bit more about "the scene" than me you wouldn't happen to know anywhere where they might be interested in having my band play would you? We do old timey/country/blues/ gospel - do a search for "dry bone on the barge" to see us in action...

[guywolff]

Paul this is great .. Are your using double C at the Fith fret ??? Great sound at any rate . Ive spent so much time looking at Clarence Ashley that I havent listened much at Beull . You have a great voice for what your doing .. I hope you have played this out at some of the folk clubs around London .If I ever get across the water Ill try to look you up .. All the best , Guy

[lonesomepaul]

Thanks guy - tuning is gCGBD capoed at the fourth...

[SirCoughsalot]

@lonesomepaul He did, as you can evidence from those videos I sent your way. It is difficult, but not impossible.

[cyingho]

Nice playing and nice singing! Love this tune! :)

[cyingho]

Nice playing and nice singing! Love this tune! :)

[lordticklish]

Very Nice. I could hear a Tuvan throat singer appreciating this rendition. Excellent.

[kirktorf]

Very nice.

[kentuckuh]

the key to Buell's style, I think, is constant left hand plucks, no matter what else your left hand is doing.