Red Rocking Chair

Modal tune with improvised variation played on an 1881 HC Dobson Silver Bell (with 'donut' tone ring), skin head and nylgut strings. Unfortunately I don't have a red rocking chair - the best I could do was a green plastic garden chair.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• sparkyfiddle
• red
• rocking
• chair
• dobson
• silver
• bell
• banjo
• old
• time
• appalachian

[QRS666]

This is the best version of this tune I have ever heard. Must have listened to it hundreds of times the last 2 years :) I'm only familiar with frailing/clawhammer style and some picking. Are using the "Seeger" style? (Same as clawhammer but picking instead of using the nail) or is it two finger style? In any case, it sounds fantastic and the sound is so clean and fine!

[sparkyfiddle]

@QRS666 Thanks for that massive compliment! I use a hybrid picking style reminiscent of Pete Seeger with up-picks on most of the melodic notes but down-strokes too to keep it rhythmic. Also a bit of 3rd finger and drop thumb where necessary. Cheers, John

[bahnum]

did you find a number on your banjo -back of dowel ,under the scratch plate,on the rim?i did and another date on the tone ring .just interested if you ve come across any

[sparkyfiddle]

Not serial numbers as such, just patent dates.

On all 4 sides of the dowel stick it reads:

'DOBSON'S PAT

MAY 14TH 1879

& NOV 8TH 1881'

Then there's a stamp twice on the inside of the 'donut' ring and on either side of the scratch plate which reads:

H.C.DOBSON'S

PAT

NOV.8.1881

Is this consistent with yours? I've noticed different peg head shapes on these instruments, from squared-off to elegant curves (which is what mine is). I even remember seeing one with a slotted guitar style peghead.

[locustvalleystring]

Very Cool. Very distincive sound. Have fun with that. You can never have too many banjos. And nice playing!

[sparkyfiddle]

'You can never have too many banjos' - now wouldn't that make a great slogan for a T shirt?! Cheers Larry

[fralin1966]

awesome sound



[kokezillo]

nice but... low down bpm, in my opinion you play too fast

[rpeek]

Mighty fine..

[TheJimi2]

Hey, a note from Houston,Tex That was awsome. Thanks for the tune You Rock that baby. sandyd

[bigjed1971]

I have a Dobson Silver Bell Patent - I only wish I could play it like that!

[gyromudd]

very cool, thanks.

[banjoape]

Nice version.

[bahnum]

thanks for that.i have the same stamps on the scratch plate,with a 35 stamp on the underside..a 35 stamp on the back of the dowel,and on the rim ..the donut has two feint markings.one says dobsons patent 1878&1881,the other says henry c dobson maker n.y usa 1885.these are very finely hand engraved like with a pin