OT: Any Banjo Players Out There?

[Wolfe]

I remember listening to an old Library of Congress field recording from the mid-late 1930's where Alan Lomax was interviewing an Appalachian banjo player and the banjo player indicated that he played "5 string" but that the newer players now played "tenor banjo." The player didn't go into much more detail. 5 string goes back a long ways.

Bluegrass players, however, seem to play 5 string to a man / woman.

[welshfield]

Except I believe a very old style called "frailing" or "old-timey" was played on a four-string tenor.
John

[fran604g]

I used frailing on my 5-string. And two finger and good ole Earl Scruggs three finger.

Best,
Fran

[welshfield]

Yeah Fran, you are correct. After my post (naturally I check my accuracy after posting) I now see that many "frailers" also use five string banjos. I played in a band years ago in upstate New York with a four-string "frailer" who gave me the impression that it was only a four-string tenor medium.
John

[fran604g]

Hey John, whereabouts in Upstate? I'm in WNY area.

Fran

[welshfield]

Ithaca, NY, late 1960s.

[fran604g]

Ithaca, NY, late 1960s.

Ohhhhh, never mind.

Fran

[emerson]

I have received bad news about my 1925 Vega Artist model banjo, I had lent it to a friend that had gotten one----3 years ago. He could not believe the excellent shape it was in---looking like it had hardly been played, where his was worn from being played a lot and a 1926 model. I had taken him to the Wayne show---due to the fact that he had brain surgery each year, the reason for him keeping my banjo for so long---always hoping to accomplish seeing what it would take to bring his back to a better condition----well his fourth surgery never let him leave the hospital. I got my banjo back in pieces and it doesn't appear right, when I talked to his wife, saying I needed his to check things out---not wanting to be a bother ---since she lost her husband, I waited a while. She had sold off most of his phonographs and I left messages on her answering machine---not getting a reply---until the other day when a relative of her's said all the banjos were sold. I am telling this because trying to help others, sometimes has negative effects. Get things in writing with pictures---I have pictures of mine from before this incident, but it will not change things. Enjoy your banjo---just be careful of who handles it.

[Wolfe]

I bet Nat Piccirilli would have done that. Take Nate's banjo away, he's going to kick your ass.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rNahWpmPL_A

[billybob62]

Ok guys,While we're talking Banjos,
I'm 78 and am toying with the idea of buying a banjo and learning to play "Clawhammer" style.
How hard is it to learn and can anyone do it? Also need advice on buying, new or used and brands that are good. I don't want to spend a fortune to find out I can't do it.
Thanks.