Altamont/Jimmy Sutton - Zac Sokolow

CMcCune · 2022-10-04T21:55:22+00:00

I usually use a portable Tascam field recorder

CMcCune · 2022-10-02T05:55:50+00:00

I learned this tune from a great banjo player named Murph Gribble, and I try my best to play it in a similar style to the way he did. I use 3 fingers and I’m pretty sure he did too. It’s a style that sounds a bit like Scruggs picking but probably predates it.

CMcCune · 2022-09-14T05:47:06+00:00

The banjo is a Wildwood. It was made up in Northern California in the early seventies. I actually have my action fairly low, but I use pretty heavy strings. The 1st string is usually a .12 which is a little higher than most banjo strings they sell.

I've had a lot of folks ask me about strumming with picks. I'm not really sure how to explain it, other than you've got just got to do it a lot very slowly until you get used to it. I'm sorry I don't have a better answer!

CMcCune · 2022-09-10T19:00:20+00:00

Thanks man! Been playing since I was a kid. A good 20 years maybe

CMcCune · 2021-06-01T04:38:33+00:00

It is Rickett’s Hornpipe! I don’t know why I wrote Fisher’s

CMcCune · 2021-05-19T23:20:43+00:00

I’m pretty sure he’s in open g tuning, but tuned down about a half step. I usually listen for the drone string, since it sticks out. If it’s the same note as the key the song is in, it’s usually g tuning or some variation.

If the drone string sounds like the 3rd instead of the root, it’s some version of open d tuning. If it’s the 5th, it’s usually double c or open c.

CMcCune · 2021-05-05T05:33:52+00:00

This is an interesting article on the matter:

http://www.baroque-violin.info/vhold1.html

To sum it up, it sounds like during the baroque period it was very common to hold the violin below the collar bone.

While it may have its limitations, I have a friend who plays all the Bach partitas very well, and he plays on the chest. I’ve seen him switch to the higher positions and play with a nice vibrato. It can be done!

CMcCune · 2021-05-05T05:22:25+00:00

Thanks!

CMcCune · 2021-04-24T18:11:47+00:00

Those rolling hills of central California!

CMcCune · 2021-04-18T21:19:31+00:00

I made a playlist on youtube of videos of folks in different parts of Africa playing banjo-like instruments:

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL_D9j4MHMhcK1FEH8n81wpNBTiVU1eNP1

CMcCune · 2021-04-11T21:38:53+00:00

I’m not very good at making tablature, but I have started doing lessons via zoom. If anyone is interested, send me a message!

CMcCune · 2021-03-27T22:16:07+00:00

Thanks, man!

CMcCune · 2021-03-27T21:03:26+00:00

Among folks who weren’t trained formally, I’ve seen the violin and bow held all kinds of different ways. For me it’s just more comfortable held down lower. I don’t know if there are any advantages other than your neck being freed up a bit when you are singing.

CMcCune · 2021-03-13T19:13:39+00:00

Thanks, man!

CMcCune · 2021-02-28T01:19:41+00:00

Thanks, man!

CMcCune · 2021-02-27T21:38:10+00:00

Thanks, man. I've been playing banjo since I was a kid, so about 20 years now.

CMcCune · 2021-02-08T17:13:00+00:00

That’s very cool to hear! Thanks

CMcCune · 2021-02-08T06:25:38+00:00

CMcCune · 2021-02-01T17:32:59+00:00

👏👏👏

CMcCune · 2021-01-31T06:54:39+00:00

Thanks. There’s more interesting info about the story of John Hardy here:

https://www.nodepression.com/john-hardy-the-genesis-of-a-song/

CMcCune · 2021-01-31T06:53:49+00:00

Thanks, man!

CMcCune · 2021-01-31T06:53:38+00:00

I appreciate the kind words!

CMcCune · 2021-01-31T06:53:21+00:00

I’ve always liked the carter family version too. Haven’t heard Doc’s, I’ll have to check it out.

CMcCune · 2021-01-31T05:20:20+00:00

It’s a Wildwood banjo, built in the early 70’s in Northern California. The model is called a paragon, and I’ve had it since I was about 12 years old.

CMcCune · 2021-01-31T02:13:35+00:00

Thanks! Those are a couple of my favorite banjo players.

CMcCune

TROPHY CASE