When I was first getting into clawhammer there was one resource that really inspired me to experiment with the banjo. Cathy Moore's blog, Banjo Meets World, provides a wealth of information about playing the banjo in old-time music, as well as other folk traditions. Sadly, the website has been dormant since November 2009.
Last I knew, Moore was based in Bloomington, Ind., which I hear has a decent old-time scene. I know that she didn't disappear into the Australian Outback because she has recent posts at her professional blog about e-learning tools.
Despite Moore's absence from the site in more than a year, Banjo Meets World is still worth a visit to review the already existent content. I keep a link to her blog on the "Fellow Fogies" list to the right in hopes that she might post something new.
Two series on Banjo Meets World have been particularly influential to my own playing: "Beyond bum-ditty" and "Getting drive with Liza Jane." Both posts concentrate on creating dynamics and breaking away from the monotonous cacophony of eighth notes that you sometimes hear from banjo players. Whether I have been successful in that pursuit is debatable.
Although I'm mostly interested in what Moore has to say about the banjo in old-time music, she also has posted several fascinating items about tunes from Sweden, France, Bulgaria, Egypt, Finland, and Turkey. She also has a lot to say about different rhythmic styles and getting to "odd-meter grooves."
What is perhaps most admirable about Moore's banjo playing is that she stays true to the traditions of old-time music without subscribing to what she calls "unquestioned orthodoxy" prevalent among some musicians.
Go check out Banjo Meets World. Maybe the spike in traffic will inspire Moore to update her site.
Last I knew, Moore was based in Bloomington, Ind., which I hear has a decent old-time scene. I know that she didn't disappear into the Australian Outback because she has recent posts at her professional blog about e-learning tools.
Despite Moore's absence from the site in more than a year, Banjo Meets World is still worth a visit to review the already existent content. I keep a link to her blog on the "Fellow Fogies" list to the right in hopes that she might post something new.
Two series on Banjo Meets World have been particularly influential to my own playing: "Beyond bum-ditty" and "Getting drive with Liza Jane." Both posts concentrate on creating dynamics and breaking away from the monotonous cacophony of eighth notes that you sometimes hear from banjo players. Whether I have been successful in that pursuit is debatable.
Although I'm mostly interested in what Moore has to say about the banjo in old-time music, she also has posted several fascinating items about tunes from Sweden, France, Bulgaria, Egypt, Finland, and Turkey. She also has a lot to say about different rhythmic styles and getting to "odd-meter grooves."
What is perhaps most admirable about Moore's banjo playing is that she stays true to the traditions of old-time music without subscribing to what she calls "unquestioned orthodoxy" prevalent among some musicians.
Go check out Banjo Meets World. Maybe the spike in traffic will inspire Moore to update her site.
Thanks for your kind words! I decided to focus on my business for awhile, and I've been traveling a lot. I hope to pick up the banjo again once I've settled down.
ReplyDeleteThanks for reading, Cathy. Looking forward to future posts by you. Cheers!
ReplyDeleteGetting drive with Liza Jane is amazing, I love that lesson
ReplyDeleteCathy, you'll have a drove of patrons lining up when you return!
ReplyDelete