Top 5 Glory-Beaming Banjo Posts of 2018

This has been quite the year at The Glory-Beaming Banjo. Although things may have slowed down a bit in the last three months, 2018 marks a new high in terms of the number of posts published in a year. That last time we had more than 30 posts was our first year, in 2011. This one puts us at 40!

Aside from the quantity of posts here, I'd like to think there was some quality too. Judging by the views, it seems at least a few items caught your attention this year.

That said, here are the Top 5 posts for 2018:

1. Getting Blitzed with Tom Collins: Not just a top post for 2018, but this interview now ranks among our top posts of all time. Collins had just completed his Banjo Blitz series on YouTube. This year he launched Banjo Quest, an even more ambitious instructional video project that is well worth your attention. Check out his YouTube page.

2. Clawhammer Picks and You: A review of five different options for those in need of a pick for downstroke banjo playing. Whether you're looking for more punch or you can't grow a strong nail on your own, these picks may offer you a solution.

3. The Ongoing Search for Ohio's Old-Time Fiddle Repertoire: My ever evolving quest to better understand my region's place in old-time music. My research uncovered a dozen tunes that were common among Ohio's fiddlers, based on field recordings and other documentation. My next goal is to add these tunes to my own repertoire and keep them alive in my local circles.

4. Ken Perlman, Frails & Frolics: A review of Perlman's latest album, filled with tunes from Prince Edward Island, Cape Breton and elsewhere. Perlman's virtuosity is on full display as he plays intricate melodies on the banjo. One of my big goals this year was to include more reviews on this site, and this was the first album review I did in 2018.

5. The Ultimate Banjo Joke Compendium: They say laughter is the best medicine. Here's a list to cure what ails you or if you need to kill time while tuning in front of an audience. These are some of the best jokes that disparage our favorite instrument. Why'd the banjo cross the road? Click the link to find out.

There you have it. There were your favorite posts of the year. Thank you all for your dedicated readership. You've helped make this my most successful blogging year yet. Next up: My list of favorites.

Comments

The Ultimate Banjo Joke Compendium

This post is dedicated to my friend Joel Specht. Ever since the Olitsky & Moskovitz concert last month, my son has been obsessed with banjo jokes. During one of the MANY tuning breaks, they asked the crowd to fill the time by telling their favorite quips about the old five-string. Joel told many that night. I've been trying to remember them, along with best ones I've heard over the years for when my son asks again, so I thought I'd make this list. Question: What's the difference between a banjo and an onion? Answer: Nobody cries when you cut up a banjo. Question: How do you know if the floor is level? Answer: The banjo player is drooling out of both sides of his mouth. Question: What's the difference between a banjo and trampoline? Answer: You take your shoes off to jump on a trampoline. Question: What's the definition of perfect pitch? Answer: When you can throw a banjo into a dumpster without hitting the sides. Question: How do yo

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Clawhammer Picks and You: A Review

Clawhammer picks are a useful tool for increasing volume or to overcome fingernail challenges, such as broken, too short or weak nails. There are all sorts of commercial and homemade solutions available for banjo players, but it can be difficult to decide which options to choose. Thankfully, I've already done some of the work for you. Just to be clear, I prefer my natural fingernail for frailing. However, there was a time when I experimented with regularly using a pick, and there are instances now where I find that a pick is necessary. Today, I'll take you through the five options I've tried. These are all available online at prices ranging from about $1 to $13. Reversed/Reshaped Dunlop Pick ($0.75) This was the most common suggestion before other companies started addressing the gap in the clawhammer pick market. Take a bluegrass pick, flatten it out and wear it backwards. The problem is that it's hard to get the fit right. While Dunlop picks are cheap and r

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Summer Blockbusters: Top 10 Banjo Movies

We’re nearing the end of the summer movie season, which this year has included blockbusters like Avengers: Infinity War , Solo: A Star Wars Story , Incredibles 2 and other movies, including some that weren’t produced by Disney. However, none of these films showcases a banjo in any way. It's not like the banjo hasn't been featured on the silver screen throughout film history. The five-string has starred in numerous movies, sometimes in its proper context as a musical instrument and other times as a comedic prop. Whether making a cameo or starring in the hands of the main character, it's well past time to present my Top 10 Banjo Blockbusters: O Brother Where Art Thou? (2000) Written and directed by Joel and Ethan Coen, this movie sucked me into the realm of old-time , bluegrass and country music in general. The banjo is featured in a number of songs on the soundtrack and shows up on screen a few times throughout the movie. Top Banjo Moment: Delmar picks the banjo b

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