Adventures of an Imperfect Man In Search of a Handmade Life
On a Cello Banjo no less! I gotta say, I'm not sure I've ever seen a Cello-size Banjo before but I like it! Robby Faverey has some amazing talent and I hope you check out more of his work on YouTube. https://youtu.be/CSUUajaRdzM ENJOY! If you are still interested at this point, check out more about … Continue reading Bach Cello Suite, Prelude
https://youtu.be/a4Xlyi8Is98 "I'm On My Way" from Rhiannon Giddens' album 'There is no Other' with Francesco Turrisi.
https://youtu.be/MGxjIBEZvx0 I was born the year after the release of the above film (yes film) for the album Bringing it All Back Home. And yes, I'm giving away my age for free. Somehow, this song has always hung in my memory and one of the albums I would listen to regularly through the 1980s was … Continue reading Music – Subterranean Homesick Blues
Here is a painting by the Scottish artist John Burr (1831-1893) of an itinerant fiddler playing for a family in a Scottish lane probably trying to make enough money to eat or maybe even receive some food for his entertainment. I can't help but think the father looking out has a skeptical look; possibly wondering … Continue reading Wandering Minstral
Wintergatan - Music, Machines and Homemade Music Instruments from Sweden! I have a fondness for Rube Goldberg machines and clever design. If it is something that actually makes music as well, then I'm all for it. After watching this video I felt a need to find out more so exploring I went. It was a … Continue reading Wintergatan – ex Machina
A little cowboy movie music isn't a bad thing. Hollywood has produced some good music with the vast resources it has at its disposal. Here is a link to My Rifle, My Pony, and Me / June Apple from the film Rio Bravo (the hot links will take you to lyrics). https://youtu.be/v2ssbgThljU If you know … Continue reading Monday Morning Music
I should say it's Classic Banjo Time. The modern banjo has ancient roots and shares much with it's African antecedents. Its connection to the lute family along with the whole array of drum-headed cousins crossed many lost cultural boundaries in ancient times. This makes it the perfect candidate for bridging musical genres and styles, from … Continue reading Classical Time – for the Banjo-ista
By Léon François Comerre, French Academic School. I think this familiar looking instrument comes from Africa via the Arabic world and is generally called a tanbūr. A sort of distant uncle to the modern banjo, America's African instrument. The only thing missing is the drone string.
My friend Bob sent me a link to an excellent video documenting the construction of a Spanish (i.e. Classical) Guitar. The man is obviously a real craftsman with a purpose-built shop and this is definitely not a one-off project. If you are like me and like to see how things are made, this half hour … Continue reading Making a Spanish Guitar in the 21st Century
Enjoy a little fiddle music to start the weekend off right. I'm stuck with snow and ice and little outdoor work is appealing today. https://youtu.be/KWMZ2dP0Eas
To start the week off right, Clifton Hicks - Hills of Mexico https://youtu.be/h7AB415L4Y4
As if traditional bagpiping weren't enough, here are the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards going all Pachelbel for your listening enjoyment. https://youtu.be/xod2ZDzUR8U A view of the amazing Scottish country of Scotland. All these photo's were taken by friends on the Isle Of Skye. Accompanied by the music Canon by The Royal Scots Dragoon Guards. Music Available … Continue reading Bagpipes Gone Baroque
As if I didn't have enough irons in the fire... I decided to make (and learn) a new instrument this summer; a three-string cigar box guitar. It took a few weekends to get it right; figure out the design, apply a finish, and re-work a few details in the setup before I was pleased with … Continue reading Distracted and Sidetracked More Than Usual
A beautiful and sentimental song by Dougie MacLean, a Scottish artist. If you've never heard of him you probably know at least one of his tunes. MacLean's most famous piece is probably "The Gael", from his 1990 album The Search, which was adapted by Trevor Jones as the main theme to The Last of the … Continue reading Sunday Music
As an undaunted woodworker I have made most of my musical instruments over the years. I could never justify purchasing a high-end, high-quality instrument but I could make a reasonable proxy. My interest has been rekindled in the last couple years, making my third banjo for myself and reviving one of the mountain dulcimers as … Continue reading Home Grown Music
A bit of beauty for starting the weekend. Wendy Songe plays the King of the Fairies on the mountain dulcimer. Enjoy! https://youtu.be/oskYL3VlIq4
For the love of home-made music. Click the link below the image for the story. The CBG Procrastination: A Tale in Open G.
A little historical banjo for a musical Monday. Nothing comes from nothing. The banjo is truly American with roots in Africa, the mother of us all.
"An itinerant fiddler is playing for a humble country family. David Wilkie focuses on the listeners’ different expressions. Only two people seem to respond to the music: the baby and the boy on the right, who is imitating the fiddler by playing the bellows.When this picture was exhibited at the Royal Academy some critics thought … Continue reading The Blind Fiddler
Preindustrial Craftsmanship 