Re: Classical Banjo

Date: 05 Apr 2003 21:10:22 GMT
Newsgroups: alt.banjo
Size: 1,625 bytes

<< "Shawn" email-address-deleted >>
asked:
<< Does anyone play classical banjo?>>
Hi Shawn-
Do you mean:
"Does anyone play music by classical composers such as Bach, Beethoven, Brahms,
etc. on the banjo in a style similar to classical guitar?
Or do you mean:
"Does anyone play "classic-style" banjo - the finger-style playing of the
5-string banjo, most popular in the US, from about 1870 to 1930?"
There is no true "classical banjo" - with a typical repertoire, in the same
sense as "classical guitar".
But late-19th and early-20th century "classic banjo" players, such as
A.A.Farland (in particular), Fred VanEps, and Fred Bacon, did play various
pieces by "serious" composers - along with their more typical repertoire of
ragtime, and "popular" music of the period.
There ARE still players of the "classic" banjo. Try the American Banjo
Fraternity - their website is:
www.abfbanjo.org
A number of people are also currently trying to "re-inventing the wheel" - by
attempting to play "classical" music, in 3-finger (bluegrass) style on the
5-string.
John Bullard is the best known (and most succesful at it, Mike Miles does some
(also in clawhammer), and Bela Fleck is the most recent (even though he has
classical music training.)
Most who attempt it are unaware that written notation, for some of the pieces
they are trying to master, has existed for almost 100 years - for the
"classic-style banjo".
If your question also implies: Does anyone here on THIS newsgroup play either
"classic" or "classical"? I'm not really positive...
Best-
Ed Britt
Please Remove *UNSPAM* from my address, to e-mail me.