Mike Seeger on Gourd Banjo

Mike Seeger plays "Rousatbout" on a gourd banjo, clawhammer-style. Filmed at the Center for Documentary Studies, Durham NC, March 2009. Followed by credits and a performance of "Down in North Carolina."

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Mike Seeger
• Seeger
• gourd banjo
• clawhammer
• Roustabout Old-Time
• Music

[xSNOWYJOEx]

Is that paul brown at the end?

[xanther97]

@xSNOWYJOEx Mike and Paul playing together.-X

[Feist9]

Rest in peace Mike. We will miss you and your music.

[xanther97]

I am completing a full-length DVD documentary based on Mike's performance and the Memorial Service friends had for him a few months later. I'll try to let people know when it's available.

[jtallen12345]

@xanther97 I'd like to hear about that. PM me

[xanther97]

@jtallen12345 I;m not sure how to "PM" you--is this getting through? The DVD is finished and is $25 US with free shipping. More to send overseas. It is over 80 minutes long. Not a commercial project. Also it is in the NTSC format--if your DVD player or computter only shows PAL format--as British Tv's and computers often do, then it might not be viewable on your equipment.. I may get it together to put this on eBay soon.

[FlatfootJohnny]

@massacuruman1 ahh good point. btw i just finished my first gourd banjo, and your right, its smaller but loud. check it out on my profile. thanks.

[massacuruman1]

@FlatfootJohnny The visual archives show us that early African Americans played much smaller gourds. I'm sure they may have played all sizes but the smaller the size the more the instrument can cut through (drums, and other percussive instruments). Remember, it's African and Africans don't do much without having some other kinds of percussion going on. Peace.

[banjrmn]

jtallen12345 - You can buy one like it from Bob Thornburg in Bishop, CA. That's where Mike got the one he's playing here. Just google "Thornburg gourd banjo" or "Sierra View gourd". Disclaimer: I have no financial interest, just very happy to have owned one of Bob's gourds for many years, loaning it to Mike whenever he was in the area to perform. I've played several, and they were all good. I don't think Mike would mind my giving Bob a plug here.

[FlatfootJohnny]

unfortunately they dont dry hard like a gourd.

[xanther97]

There are workshops in the US that show you how to build gourd banjos. Also, here in NC "Dr. Oakroot" makes gourd banjos and cigar-box guitars. Find him on youtube or google, or on the Black Banjo Player list-serve.