Mel James "Tenor Banjo" "Tiger Rag" 1994

Playing Tiger Rag 31 years after the original TV broadcast, this time using an English banjo, Cilfford Essex Paragon Tenor Banjo made in the period 1911 to 1915 still with pig skin velum

Category:

Music

Tags:

• tenor banjo
• tiger rag
• clifford essex paragon
• banjo player
• banjo tunes
• stephen foster
• eddie peabody
• vega
• paramount
• epiphone
• banjo medley
• tenor
• mike pingitore
• eugene pingitore
• paul whiteman band

[wheeljam0433]

The banjo is an instrument first developed by the slaves of the Southern States of America NOT Southern Ireland. You would do well to trace the history of the banjo from the turn of the twentieth century, listen to the music of Stephen Foster, and also look at the jazz bands of the 1920's. The tuning of GDAE is for an instrument called a banjo mandolin. I happen to like all music wherever it emanates from. As with all instruments there are few good players of any style.

[Dogface411]

Mel,

I dunno if you ever come back and read thes comments but I have a question. I play tenor also...(not like you, Lord knows) and have been trying to figure out just what you are doing the second time thru on the Ab/Eb chords in the last part. Wish you could tell me... I think I know on the Ab but not on the Eb7.

[wheeljam0433]

@Dogface411 apologies have been off the air for a while, what did you want know

[mintymoos]

Richard Sherwin. Wonderful, by heck. That's how to play Tiger Rag!

[Holm182]

@ballbreaker2x2

When I recorded the video that I've put up here on YouTube I had only played the tenor banjo for maybe one week, so I don't think it's fair to use it as a reference to my playing.. I guess I COULD put up some new videos of my up-to-date playing, but then again I play Irish trad in pub sessions - I'm not seeking for attention or confirmation from totally unknown people on YouTube.. This guy has really great TECHNICAL skills, it's just a pity the MUSIC doesn't impress me at all..

[ballbreaker2x2]

@Holm182 I couldn't agree with you more! I'm glad to find a fellow tenor banjo player! good luck with your music !

[Holm182]

@wheeljam0433

I'm perfectly aware of the HISTORY of the banjo. When I wrote "Irish banjo" I referred to GDAE tuning on a regular 19-fret "Jazz tenor", you should have understood that.. The ONLY difference between a tenor banjo used for Jazz and for Irish trad is the tuning and consequently the string gauges! And the banjolin has NOTHING to do with this?? Tenor player Barney McKenna started playing GDAE because it's an OCTAVE BELOW the FIDDLE, thus allowing regular fiddle fingering to be used..

[Holm182]

@ballbreaker2x2

Well I'm glad that they eventually were able to refine and sophisticate the use of the tenor banjo! After all it is a really great instrument for Irish trad, which I exclusively use it for. It's a pity that most banjos out in this world are 5-stringers though.. I hope the tenor banjo will gain more popularity! :-)

[Holm182]

@ballbreaker2x2

Are you telling me that what he is playing in this video is actually a *COMPOSITION*? :-D Haha that's really funny! To me it sounds more like he's just goofing around, so the fact that someone has "composed" what he plays, makes it even more ridiculous! :-D I guess I have never really understood the point of jazz "music".. ^^

[ballbreaker2x2]

@ballbreaker2x2 And finally, COME ON, tenor banjos where made EXACTLY in those years to play music like this THIS. Later on, this instrument has been used to play many other styles.

We all know that, unless your musical knowledge starts with Looney Tunes...

[ballbreaker2x2]

@Holm182 I'm sorry to say that more than arrogant, you seem to be an ignorant. You should learn about this music that you call "shit". Tiger rag was composed in 1917 (rag era), just when jazz was born. Rags where the step before jazz, and contributed highly to modern music because of their musical richness and new forms of syncopation. Louis Armstrong, Frank Sinatra or Charlie Parker have played Tiger Rag. If you're a musician too you shouldn't talk like that if you want to be respected...