Just a quick question for you banjo players. When you're playing while sitting, do you play with the body of the banjo
A. In between your legs
B. Resting on one leg or the other
C. Off the lap, suspended by a strap?
I have seen all three of these styles of playing. I generally rest the banjo in the middle of my lap, but I sometimes have a habit of picking too close to the bridge in sessions, because I'm trying to get more punch or volume - especially when a session gets louder, and I need to hear the definition of my instrument a bit better. But I don't think that sounds very good - especially to everybody else... If I rest the banjo on my right leg, it keeps me from sliding my picking position toward the bridge, but it's not as stable or comfortable.
And I'm sure the phrase "playing the banjo between your legs" will set off a banjo joke or two...
i fluctuate between A and D.
D being crossing ones and the banjo on top.
sometimes having the banjo really high helps my right hand; it also lets me rest my head during slow airs.
this would probably help you hear your instrument better when you in loud company.
and your joke gets worse if you replace "banjo" with the make.
eg for me it wonder be "playing the Little Wonder between your legs"
Hmmmm...
does anyone have a favouriye position for twanging their Bacon?
A, but with the strap fixed behind the tailpiece on one side and the head between the tuning pegs on the other. fwiw, I used to have both ends of the strap tied to the rim. The new arrangement helps keep the neck in the right position without me having to use my left hand to keep it in position. Also keeps a lot of weight off the shoulder.
I'm still trying to figure out the most comfortable position - one that helps the sound, but doesn't cause my picking hand to fall asleep. Mostly, it rests on my lap. I have been experimenting lately with the way Angelina Carberry holds the banjo - sort of on one leg with the neck extending away from the body.
Yeah, actually, when I am playing at home (and occasionally at sessions), I will lean back and cross my legs, with the banjo resting further back. That actually makes my playing more relaxed, but I can't play full speed like that.
lol knucklehead. Does anybody stroke the Seniorita?
FWIW, JNE, I usually play with the banjo neck angled up about 30-45 degrees, and the neck pointed maybe 15-20 degrees away from my body. Part of that is that it makes me more "compact" in a crowded session, and part of it is that it helps me keep my arm and wrist straight.
Seriously - mY TB (Orpheum) is quite heavy. As I use it at gigs where we sometimes play standing up, a strap is essential. Although the strap isn't really needed when playing at sessions, it does help when you need angle the neck away from you in order to make more room to your left, i.e. when a session gets crowded.
Less seriously - if I were leaving a girl called Susanah and embarking on a journey to Alabama, I would definitely have it on my knee ...!
My Bacon & Day Silver Bell weighs 11 pounds, and I nearly always use the wide padded strap to keep it (and myself) in the correct position. If I occasionally play without the strap, the banjo will rest equally on both thighs - so between the legs, if you like. And spare me the jokes about rubbing the Bacon.
I use a strap, but make sure it has no metal parts like buckles etc. as sooner or later they will put a scratch on the finish.I'm perplexed as to how that banjo player in the song plays "the banjo on my knee".
Will CPT - assuming that it was a serious question - my instrument is vintage one - Orphuem No. 1, made in Chicago c1920. Tone ring is quite large - needs a 11" head - and it's short scale (17-fret). Heavily altered and customised by previous owners - has a resonator and an arm rest. Not exactly "light as a feather" though, even without those things.
Of course, I could get rid of the resonator, but the enclosure that it provides makes a handy receptacle in which to store emergency supplies of Guiness etc.
Between the legs , practically always, but I´m used to this from playing the 5string - and all the American players - especially the old time players - hold it like this.
But I ´ve developed another problem: although really working on my left and right hand/arm positions - taking advice from/looking at pictures of everybody from Mike Keyes to Gerry O´Connor, I began to feel muscle pains, first in my left arm, and after they had disappeared, in my right arm, to the point that I was not able to play anymore - I did not feel the pain while playing but afterwards. This had never happened to me when playing the 5string.
Anybody who had similar experiences ??
Between my legs. Once in a while, on top of my right leg, when folded over the left. I use a strap only when standing, which is not often. Occasionally I'll strap it on and walk around the house playing, if I've been sitting too long. Both of my banjos are open-backed, and not overly heavy. Here's a YouTube clip of a session I was in Wednesday - the position is fairly typical. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aAWA8GWsFsA
Note the atrocious right hand technique, and left fingers like untethered bananas.
Quick banjo player poll
Quick banjo player poll
Just a quick question for you banjo players. When you're playing while sitting, do you play with the body of the banjo
A. In between your legs
B. Resting on one leg or the other
C. Off the lap, suspended by a strap?
I have seen all three of these styles of playing. I generally rest the banjo in the middle of my lap, but I sometimes have a habit of picking too close to the bridge in sessions, because I'm trying to get more punch or volume - especially when a session gets louder, and I need to hear the definition of my instrument a bit better. But I don't think that sounds very good - especially to everybody else... If I rest the banjo on my right leg, it keeps me from sliding my picking position toward the bridge, but it's not as stable or comfortable.
And I'm sure the phrase "playing the banjo between your legs" will set off a banjo joke or two...
# Posted on August 29th 2008 by Reverend
Re: Quick banjo player poll
Hmmm? dare I answer...lol, I tend to slouch well back in a comfy chair with it resting on my lap the more relaxed the better i find it.
# Posted on August 29th 2008 by pencross
Re: Quick banjo player poll
A: 70% of the time
B: 30% of the time
C: Never - the oul' back wouldn't take it!
If you can't hear that Ome very well during a session, I think you need to spend wayyyyy much more money on a better one.
# Posted on August 29th 2008 by grego
Re: Quick banjo player poll
i fluctuate between A and D.
D being crossing ones and the banjo on top.
sometimes having the banjo really high helps my right hand; it also lets me rest my head during slow airs.
this would probably help you hear your instrument better when you in loud company.
and your joke gets worse if you replace "banjo" with the make.
eg for me it wonder be "playing the Little Wonder between your legs"
Hmmmm...
does anyone have a favouriye position for twanging their Bacon?
# Posted on August 29th 2008 by knucklehead
Re: Quick banjo player poll
a for me, tried b but naa, it didn't feel right.
# Posted on August 29th 2008 by molloy
Re: Quick banjo player poll
A, but with the strap fixed behind the tailpiece on one side and the head between the tuning pegs on the other. fwiw, I used to have both ends of the strap tied to the rim. The new arrangement helps keep the neck in the right position without me having to use my left hand to keep it in position. Also keeps a lot of weight off the shoulder.
# Posted on August 29th 2008 by octogreg
Re: Quick banjo player poll
Like knucklehead, I fluctuate between A and D.
# Posted on August 29th 2008 by rob zouk
Re: Quick banjo player poll
A and B (right thigh). Not that I play enough that it matters. I haven't fully sorted out my right hand placement yet.
I always wear a strap, on the left shoulder (over my neck) to help support the banjo and keep the neck weight off my left hand.
# Posted on August 29th 2008 by Will Harmon
Re: Quick banjo player poll
I'm still trying to figure out the most comfortable position - one that helps the sound, but doesn't cause my picking hand to fall asleep. Mostly, it rests on my lap. I have been experimenting lately with the way Angelina Carberry holds the banjo - sort of on one leg with the neck extending away from the body.
# Posted on August 29th 2008 by Jusa Nutter Eejit
Re: Quick banjo player poll
Yeah, actually, when I am playing at home (and occasionally at sessions), I will lean back and cross my legs, with the banjo resting further back. That actually makes my playing more relaxed, but I can't play full speed like that.
lol knucklehead. Does anybody stroke the Seniorita?
FWIW, JNE, I usually play with the banjo neck angled up about 30-45 degrees, and the neck pointed maybe 15-20 degrees away from my body. Part of that is that it makes me more "compact" in a crowded session, and part of it is that it helps me keep my arm and wrist straight.
# Posted on August 29th 2008 by Reverend
Re: Quick banjo player poll
"I'm still trying to figure out the most comfortable position - one that helps the sound, but doesn't cause my picking hand to fall asleep."
Have you tried this position:
http://www.mediarare.com/temp/banjopositionD.jpg
# Posted on August 29th 2008 by GDub
Re: Quick banjo player poll
between my legs.
however,I did agig tonight,and only played it twice, the rest of the time I played the concertina.
# Posted on August 29th 2008 by Dick Miles
Re: Quick banjo player poll
I like a variety of positions when plucking
# Posted on August 29th 2008 by Bren
Re: Quick banjo player poll
i will try that gw, he looks worrying like my grandad
rev, dont know much abut the Seniorita, but i heard there are nut problems witth the g string
# Posted on August 30th 2008 by knucklehead
Re: Quick banjo player poll
Seriously - mY TB (Orpheum) is quite heavy. As I use it at gigs where we sometimes play standing up, a strap is essential. Although the strap isn't really needed when playing at sessions, it does help when you need angle the neck away from you in order to make more room to your left, i.e. when a session gets crowded.
Less seriously - if I were leaving a girl called Susanah and embarking on a journey to Alabama, I would definitely have it on my knee ...!
# Posted on August 30th 2008 by Mix O'Lydian
Re: Quick banjo player poll
Mix, my Orpheum (no resonator, short scale neck) feels light as a feather compared to my 5 string banjo. Wot's yours got inside it that's so heavy?
# Posted on August 30th 2008 by Will Harmon
Re: Quick banjo player poll
My Bacon & Day Silver Bell weighs 11 pounds, and I nearly always use the wide padded strap to keep it (and myself) in the correct position. If I occasionally play without the strap, the banjo will rest equally on both thighs - so between the legs, if you like. And spare me the jokes about rubbing the Bacon.
# Posted on August 30th 2008 by oldstrings
Re: Quick banjo player poll
I use a strap, but make sure it has no metal parts like buckles etc. as sooner or later they will put a scratch on the finish.I'm perplexed as to how that banjo player in the song plays "the banjo on my knee".
# Posted on August 30th 2008 by Tony O'Rourke
Re: Quick banjo player poll
Will CPT - assuming that it was a serious question - my instrument is vintage one - Orphuem No. 1, made in Chicago c1920. Tone ring is quite large - needs a 11" head - and it's short scale (17-fret). Heavily altered and customised by previous owners - has a resonator and an arm rest. Not exactly "light as a feather" though, even without those things.
Of course, I could get rid of the resonator, but the enclosure that it provides makes a handy receptacle in which to store emergency supplies of Guiness etc.
# Posted on August 30th 2008 by Mix O'Lydian
Re: Quick banjo player poll
Between the legs with the weight held by the strap
# Posted on August 30th 2008 by bodatcha
Re: Quick banjo player poll
It depends on the scale length for me. My17 fret I tend to have on my right thigh and 18 and 19 fret in between.
# Posted on August 30th 2008 by Steve L
Re: Quick banjo player poll
Between the legs , practically always, but I´m used to this from playing the 5string - and all the American players - especially the old time players - hold it like this.
But I ´ve developed another problem: although really working on my left and right hand/arm positions - taking advice from/looking at pictures of everybody from Mike Keyes to Gerry O´Connor, I began to feel muscle pains, first in my left arm, and after they had disappeared, in my right arm, to the point that I was not able to play anymore - I did not feel the pain while playing but afterwards. This had never happened to me when playing the 5string.
Anybody who had similar experiences ??
# Posted on August 30th 2008 by alexweger
Re: Quick banjo player poll
C
# Posted on August 30th 2008 by Michael Eskin
Re: Quick banjo player poll
on the right leg just like old barney that way you kep your left foot for keeping in time
# Posted on August 30th 2008 by myparasgon
Re: Quick banjo player poll
Between my legs. Once in a while, on top of my right leg, when folded over the left. I use a strap only when standing, which is not often. Occasionally I'll strap it on and walk around the house playing, if I've been sitting too long. Both of my banjos are open-backed, and not overly heavy. Here's a YouTube clip of a session I was in Wednesday - the position is fairly typical.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aAWA8GWsFsA
Note the atrocious right hand technique, and left fingers like untethered bananas.
Will Morgan
# Posted on August 31st 2008 by will morgan
Re: Quick banjo player poll
Hey Will, good to see you there... And Rick...
# Posted on August 31st 2008 by Reverend
Re: Quick banjo player poll
Hi Pete - I enjoy your posts. See you next year in Santa Fe. Give me a shout if you are ever in the Seattle area.
# Posted on August 31st 2008 by will morgan
Re: Quick banjo player poll
'Tween the legs and also with a strap, if one is attached.
# Posted on September 2nd 2008 by Bob himself
Re: Quick banjo player poll
Such a difficult question to ask a banjo player...
I honestly had to think about this one; I have certainly used a mixture of A, B & D (not at the same time!) to get as relaxed as possible.
Heaven forbid that this list of banjo players should fall into the wrong hands
# Posted on September 8th 2008 by Rick Payman