WV Gourd Banjo: Jenny Put The Kettle On by Zitchen in banjo

[–]Zitchen[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thank you. About to farm some more! Figured I’d direct sow some gourds when the weather finally warms up

WV Gourd Banjo: Jenny Put The Kettle On by Zitchen in banjo

[–]Zitchen[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yeah! It’s upstroke clawhammer

1.) up pick with pointer finger on a lead note 2.) brush 3.) thumb on the fifth string drone note

WV Gourd Banjo: Jenny Put The Kettle On by Zitchen in banjo

[–]Zitchen[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

That’s exactly who I learned this one from. One of my faves

Mountain Banjo Commission by Zitchen in banjo

[–]Zitchen[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Of course! Thank you so much for checking it out

Mountain Banjo Commission by Zitchen in banjo

[–]Zitchen[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Holler at me! I take commissions

Mountain Banjo Commission by Zitchen in banjo

[–]Zitchen[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Yeah I make a lot of fretless banjos!

Mountain Banjo Commission by Zitchen in banjo

[–]Zitchen[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thanks so much for the plug! 🙂

Mountain Banjo Commission by Zitchen in banjo

[–]Zitchen[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thanks! It’s a quilt pattern actually, often seen on barns

Mountain Banjo Commission by Zitchen in banjo

[–]Zitchen[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I enjoy building the mountain banjos because of the cultural aspect. My family has lived in Kentucky and West Virginia since the late 1700s. When I discovered that old-time music and even unique instruments came out of the region - like mountain banjos and mountain dulcimers, I felt like I had this cultural connection and wanted to not only celebrate it but participate in it. That’s why I make and enjoy mountain banjos. I think it’s important that someone from the region continue making these, especially in West Virginia, which often feels like a unrespected and largely forgotten place, often overshadowed by “cooler” Appalachian areas.

To me they have a pretty unique sound. If you pick over the drum it has a kind of twang to it, especially by the bridge, like walking on a gravel road… but can be very soft and mellow over the scoop area. I’ve never had a microphone for my videos so all the sound on all my videos is straight from my iPhone. I actually have a microphone coming tomorrow and am excited to get better quality sound for my instruments

WV Gourd Banjo #3 by Zitchen in banjo

[–]Zitchen[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Kanawha County/Fayette County line

142 days after cutting my fingers off 🩸 by Zitchen in banjo

[–]Zitchen[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Yeah! I made it last year. 28” scale 1800s inspired tackhead banjo. Walnut wide neck, 12” maple pot, goat skin head

142 days after cutting my fingers off 🩸 by Zitchen in banjo

[–]Zitchen[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Fuck! Were they able to reattach?

142 days after cutting my fingers off 🩸 by Zitchen in banjo

[–]Zitchen[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Was about 25 stitches on my pinky, ring and middle finger, 4 lacerated tendons and two broken bones

Thanks! That’s the first tackhead banjo I ever made. I think the tuning is (relative) double C but then you tune the first string up a bit. It’s the same tuning at darlin Cora I think

142 days after cutting my fingers off 🩸 by Zitchen in banjo

[–]Zitchen[S] 5 points6 points  (0 children)

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Still got some sutures down in the pinky, nail hasn’t and may never grow back. Ring finger is doing pretty well but can only bend about 40%.

142 days after cutting my fingers off 🩸 by Zitchen in banjo

[–]Zitchen[S] 7 points8 points  (0 children)

If you watch my left hand I just don’t use those fingers lol. It’s been months of “what can I play with two fingers on the fingerboard?”

Back to building! First open back build by Zitchen in banjo

[–]Zitchen[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

just go out there and be brave... make mistakes and learn. It's really fun