The world needs more classical banjo. I'm learning Bach: Cantata BWV 147 flat picking style. There are elements that remind me so much of the joy in Irish jigs. I'm approaching the piece just from the pure lead melody and not worried about the banjosims.
Hi John! Just found your channel today! I knew Fred Boyce when he lived for a while in Patrick County, VA close to Stuart. We'd talk banjo playing every time he came in the store where I worked. I doubt he remembers me, but I love his banjo playing. I wonder how he's doing now. Great finding your channel and I look forward to more of your videos. I think it would be cool to learn some classical music and incorporate it into my playing. Cheers!
I played classical guitar for many year until arthritis made it exceedingly difficult to continue. I picked up the banjo a few years back and discovered that the mechanics of the instrument made it less stressful on the finger joints. I picked up a couple of books including your "Bach for the Banjo" collection. Thank you for your transcriptions!
Thank you so much. You answered many of the questions I've had about your aproach since i found out about you several years ago. You are an inspiration to many, and I wish you many more years of success and influence.
Great video. Before I even pressed play the thing that jumped into my head as well was that timbre-wise the banjo is basically a cross between a harpsichord and a lute/oud.
Thank you for posting this. While I have not had any formal training, I have been finding that I find fulfillment in playing solo pieces… as opposed to playing in a bluegrass jam. I thought I was alone in this until I rewatched this video… I find that writing and playing a complete solo work is similar to writing a short story. There is an intricate web which attaches the intro to the body and closures. I have even had the pleasure of composing my own pieces (Check me out on UA-cam) which are complete solo works. As I progress technically, I hope to further expand these types of pieces. Thank you for what you present to the world.
I use your Bach book on a regular basis to augment my bluegrass playing. It's great for getting out of the "same old" routine of a particular style. It also allows one to imagine that they are a deep thinker, a great talent as they navigate the complexities of Bach. I jest. Hopefully another book of Bach for the banjo is coming in the future.
Have you heard Bela Fleck's rendition of Dans Macabre? It's amazing. Tchaikovsky is also great on Banjo, but I think anything from Bach's Well Tempered Clavier are going to be perfect.
Nice Q&A John, would love to watch more of these from you. Your music continues to inspire me (considering trying my hands at Couperin’s Mysterious Barricades next) and I listen to your classical albums regularly still. Best, Dan Declan
Wonderful playing! I can listen to you for hours. I especially love the way your volume goes up and down at various points it adds such an atmosphere to the music.
@@videoboxstudios there isn't really a place that has a bunch of classical tabs but I have this book www.melbay.com/Products/22121/bach-for-the-banjo.aspx and you can go to classic-banjo.ning.com/ to find lots of rag time and some classical pieces in standard notation.
Do you play any tenor banjo as well. I find it lends itself so beautifully to the Bach Cello Suites which I love to play in 4ths and 5ths tuning on double bass, bass guitar and tenor banjo. After majoring on clarinet in university I switch many years later to string instruments and a long career playing jazz and classical, but I try to end my day with Bach to take to a place where no other composer takes me. Thanks for your work here.
Thanks John, I did the same with mandolin - I love the idea of a truly solo (self contained) instrument. Thanks for sharing 👏👏👏👏👏🙏🏿
Thanks for watching : )
The world needs more classical banjo. I'm learning Bach: Cantata BWV 147 flat picking style. There are elements that remind me so much of the joy in Irish jigs. I'm approaching the piece just from the pure lead melody and not worried about the banjosims.
sounds cool!
This is better than any Ted talk ever.
wow - thanks!
Hi John! Just found your channel today! I knew Fred Boyce when he lived for a while in Patrick County, VA close to Stuart. We'd talk banjo playing every time he came in the store where I worked. I doubt he remembers me, but I love his banjo playing. I wonder how he's doing now. Great finding your channel and I look forward to more of your videos. I think it would be cool to learn some classical music and incorporate it into my playing. Cheers!
Fred's playing and artistry was inspirational for me
I played classical guitar for many year until arthritis made it exceedingly difficult to continue. I picked up the banjo a few years back and discovered that the mechanics of the instrument made it less stressful on the finger joints. I picked up a couple of books including your "Bach for the Banjo" collection. Thank you for your transcriptions!
glad that you are enjoying them!
Neat. I might have to give that a try too.
Thank you so much. You answered many of the questions I've had about your aproach since i found out about you several years ago. You are an inspiration to many, and I wish you many more years of success and influence.
Thank you Keith!
Great video. Before I even pressed play the thing that jumped into my head as well was that timbre-wise the banjo is basically a cross between a harpsichord and a lute/oud.
that's how I hear it too!
Thank you for posting this. While I have not had any formal training, I have been finding that I find fulfillment in playing solo pieces… as opposed to playing in a bluegrass jam. I thought I was alone in this until I rewatched this video… I find that writing and playing a complete solo work is similar to writing a short story. There is an intricate web which attaches the intro to the body and closures. I have even had the pleasure of composing my own pieces (Check me out on UA-cam) which are complete solo works. As I progress technically, I hope to further expand these types of pieces. Thank you for what you present to the world.
I use your Bach book on a regular basis to augment my bluegrass playing. It's great for getting out of the "same old" routine of a particular style. It also allows one to imagine that they are a deep thinker, a great talent as they navigate the complexities of Bach. I jest. Hopefully another book of Bach for the banjo is coming in the future.
Thanks and there will be another Bach Book in the future
Have you heard Bela Fleck's rendition of Dans Macabre? It's amazing. Tchaikovsky is also great on Banjo, but I think anything from Bach's Well Tempered Clavier are going to be perfect.
yes, I head that on line somewhere - very cool piece!
Nice Q&A John, would love to watch more of these from you. Your music continues to inspire me (considering trying my hands at Couperin’s Mysterious Barricades next) and I listen to your classical albums regularly still.
Best,
Dan Declan
Wonderful playing! I can listen to you for hours. I especially love the way your volume goes up and down at various points it adds such an atmosphere to the music.
Thanks Bruce!
Thanks John. I hope to see more videos from you in the future
you will : )
Great video... where can we find resources for classical banjo tabs?
@@videoboxstudios there isn't really a place that has a bunch of classical tabs but I have this book www.melbay.com/Products/22121/bach-for-the-banjo.aspx and you can go to classic-banjo.ning.com/ to find lots of rag time and some classical pieces in standard notation.
@@1959banjo Thank you for that - will check it out.
Do you play any tenor banjo as well. I find it lends itself so beautifully to the Bach Cello Suites which I love to play in 4ths and 5ths tuning on double bass, bass guitar and tenor banjo. After majoring on clarinet in university I switch many years later to string instruments and a long career playing jazz and classical, but I try to end my day with Bach to take to a place where no other composer takes me. Thanks for your work here.
No, at least not yet. I am envious of the 4ths and 5ths tuning though : )
I love Bach and the way it sounds on banjo, would love more books, tutorials, etc!
thanks - will be working on that : )
Beautiful!