The Lady Gay on the 1910 Lyon & Healy

I love this tune. Look up the lyrics some time, it's pretty haunting. Wicked old song, no one knows who originally wrote it. Buell Kazee sang it in the way back, Anyway, just wanted to play it on the Van Eps 4 string conversion I've been making love to lately..

Category:

Music

Tags:

• The Lady Gay
• Van Eps banjo
• 5-string
• banjo
• clawhammer
• open back
• drop thumb

[mrgabest]

In case anybody's curious, this is an Appalachian version of one of the Child Ballads - the Wife of Usher's Well, I believe. There's a version of Hedy West performing this same piece here on Youtube...but under the name of the Child ballad, oddly enough.

[rpeek]

@mrgabest Thanks for the history. I'd heard that before but didn't kow it exactly. I'll look that up. Thanks again.

[brummeister1]

Should I stick to learning clawhammer with my middle finger or is it alright to try it with my index?? It's abit louder with my index...but I cant keep my "claw" very stiff unless I use my middle...but I cant get much volume with my middle...'spose that means I need to go downstairs and start a fire for a few more months eh? :)

[rpeek]

@brummeister1 It doesn't matter which finger you use. Use the one you're most comfortable with.. As far as volume goes, it'll come with practice.. Yea, start a few fires.. hahahah..

[brummeister1]

Do u have a cookie tin banjo?

[rpeek]

@brummeister1 Not yet!  Got a couple cookie tins, and thinking about makin' one, but haven't gotten around to it yet..

[rpeek]

Thank you!

[rpeek]

Thank you!

[tarmenmin]

Excellent!

[drewbanjowebster]

Superb, Lovely sound and pace.

All the best Drew