Do I Really Need To Wear A Strap?

Subject: RE: Do I Really Need To Wear A Strap?
From: Little Neophyte
Date: 23 Jan 01 - 07:31 AM

Seamus a back crossing strap seems like a great idea for heavy instruments. That is a design they use for infant carriers too. But I find a harness for my banjo would feel so unatural.

After reading these postings I do plan to take the price tag off the strap I bought, put it on and start getting us to playing standing up once in awhile. Seems like the wise thing to do.

Margo as for 'the screw things that hold the head on dig into my leg. (Sorry about not knowing the proper terminology - someone correct me'.......The right terminology is.....Those 'fricken' screw things 'kill' my leg.

Pat have you come across any of those magnetic undies designed in thong style? I guess I could reverse the panties above and wear them front to back, but those leg straps are so unattractive.

Bonnie

Subject: RE: Do I Really Need To Wear A Strap?
From: Jon W.
Date: 23 Jan 01 - 12:16 PM

Actually they're called bracket hooks or tension hooks, bracket shoes or lugs, if they are the hexagonal type.

Anyhoo, what about the issue with open back banjos of the sound being muffled by the player's body if the banjo pot is held right up against the body? Wouldn't a strap cause this? I've got to admit I don't use one. I do use a seatbelt though.

Subject: RE: Do I Really Need To Wear A Strap?
From: Rick Fielding
Date: 23 Jan 01 - 12:25 PM

NURD NEWS FLASH!!

Kirk McGee (of Sam and Kirk McGee...from Sunny Tennessee) used a (sort of) "Willie" or "Sax" strap for his banjo! He attached it with a hook to one of his brackets (on top).

Geez, I guess I still Love Mudcat. Where else would anyone care about Sax straps for banjos?

Rick

Subject: RE: Do I Really Need To Wear A Strap?
From: Joe Offer
Date: 23 Jan 01 - 03:41 PM

Well, so what about dulcimer straps, like I asked above? Is that the usual thing, that people put the strap under their legs to hold the dulcimer on their lap? I'd never noticed a strap on a dulcimer before, but it seemed like a good idea.

-Joe-

Subject: RE: Do I Really Need To Wear A Strap?
From: Rick Fielding
Date: 23 Jan 01 - 04:21 PM

Joe. I used to use an elastic strap under my legs for holding the dulcimer down, but it felt weird. It looked even weirder the one time I stood up and forgot I was "strapped". The dulcimer fell down my legs and crashed to the floor (sounds like a banjo joke). What I use now is a sheet of that weird rubbery material (the "sticky non-stic" stuff) under the instrument. Works fine.

Rick

Subject: RE: Do I Really Need To Wear A Strap?
From: Margo
Date: 24 Jan 01 - 12:45 PM

Bassoonists sit on a strap to "suspend" the bassoon...

Subject: RE: Do I Really Need To Wear A Strap?
From: catspaw49
Date: 24 Jan 01 - 01:08 PM

Actually Margo, even great concert bassoonists go both ways..............that'd be seat or neck strap. Sherman Walt, possibly the greatest of all time, often wore a neck strap and suggested that bassoonists should be able to accomodate either. As a soloist, he often stood.

Spaw--former bassoonist

Subject: RE: Do I Really Need To Wear A Strap?
From: Songster Bob
Date: 24 Jan 01 - 01:48 PM

If you want to be able to play sitting or standing, practice with a strap, and attach the two ends at brackets that allow the banjo to hang at the right angle for playing and at the right height so that, when sitting, the banjo rests on the lap but the strap takes some of the weight and keeps the instrument at that angle I just mentioned. Then sitting or standing it'll be the same.

I've often noticed rock guitarists who have the instrument really low and parallel to the ground. How they avoid CTS with all those barre chords and difficult wrist positions, I'll never know. The "Buddy Holly" position is the best for avoiding wrist problems, I'd say.

Use the strap to get the angle you want. On banjo, I've noticed that the weight of the neck makes it want to rotate downward, and the strap helps check that inclination (pun alert).

However, I have been known to play without the strap many a time, and to even remove strap if I'm sitting in a chair where I slump. When that happens, the now-loose strap falls down around my back and is in the way, so I must either take it off or find a better chair, and the circumstances often require taking it off.

But I recommend using them at most times.

Bob C.

Subject: RE: Do I Really Need To Wear A Strap?
From: annamill
Date: 24 Jan 01 - 04:29 PM

This is a really Mudcat type thread, filled with humor, music, knowledge, and 'spaw! (I'm amazed it took so long for him to get in here with this thread name)

I always use a guitar strap and I don't even play yet. You should see my strap!

Love, annamill

Subject: RE: Do I Really Need To Wear A Strap?
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 24 Jan 01 - 04:51 PM

I suppose you could hang it from the ceiling, with counterweights? The damn things are almost always so heavy... I have come across a few really nice light frailing type banjos which aren't, but most of them...It must be like carrying an anvil around with you. I can understand anyone being reluctant to hang one from their neck.

Subject: RE: Do I Really Need To Wear A Strap?
From: Clifton53
Date: 24 Jan 01 - 06:20 PM

Bassoonists go both ways????? Yikes!!!!

Subject: RE: Do I Really Need To Wear A Strap?
From: Margo
Date: 24 Jan 01 - 06:32 PM

-Sky Hook!

'Spaw, no way! You played bassoon? No way! ,br>
I guess you would have to hang it around your neck if you wanted to stand. Hey how about that? Instead of a millstone around your neck, a bassoon! "She was a bassoon to him..." Oh well. Not quite the same. :o) Margo

Subject: RE: Do I Really Need To Wear A Strap?
From: Nancy King
Date: 24 Jan 01 - 07:41 PM

My college roommate and still best friend, Lois Lyman, once tried a big wide elastic strap on her banjo. "This is gonna be great," she said, and it was, until she pushed down on the banjo a bit. It bounced back vigorously and painfully. Bracket burn!

--Nancy

Subject: RE: Do I Really Need To Wear A Strap?
From: catspaw49
Date: 24 Jan 01 - 07:52 PM

But geez Nancy, what an act she could have........Lois and her Bouncing Banjo Boobs"...........have to be the right venue though.............

Spaw

Subject: RE: Do I Really Need To Wear A Strap?
From: bill\sables
Date: 25 Jan 01 - 06:55 AM

Geoff the Duck was telling me last night about taking the nude photos for the Mudcat Calandar. He plays banjo and usually uses a strap but on this ocasion had to disregard the strap. It was either that or turn mudcat into a porn site.

Subject: RE: Do I Really Need To Wear A Strap?
From: GUEST
Date: 25 Jan 01 - 10:42 PM

Yes, and a scrum cap, if you're going to be a prop. . . PB

Subject: RE: Do I Really Need To Wear A Strap?
From: Little Neophyte
Date: 26 Jan 01 - 06:57 AM

Well guys I must thank you. I finally took the price tag off that strap I bought and attached it to my banjo last night. I'm glad I did. You have helped me be much more open to getting use to it and to start getting use to feeling more comfortable playing standing up. I have this feeling down the road I will be really, really thankful that I did.

Little Neo