Banjo intro needed

Subject: Banjo intro needed
From: beachcomber
Date: 02 Nov 00 - 04:15 PM

I need to play an intro and possibly lead on the folk song "Raggle Taggle Gypsy". (The version as recorded by Planxty some years ago, who , wisely, did not employ a 5-string banjo for the job) I play a 5-string banjo, after a fashion and find this melody extremely difficult. Any suggestions and don't say get a tenor banjo, I don't have time to learn it. Thanks comrades ?

Subject: RE: Banjo intro needed
From: Bernard
Date: 02 Nov 00 - 04:23 PM

Don't know it, sorry - can you send me an MP3 or 8 bit mono 11kHz sample? Then we're cooking on gas!

I play both 5 string and tenor, so we're in with a chance!

email clicky

Subject: RE: Banjo intro needed
From: Gypsy
Date: 02 Nov 00 - 10:54 PM

I dunno...was thinking more along the lines of "Collings, meet Vega, Vega, meet Collings"!

Subject: RE: Banjo intro needed
From: Little Hawk
Date: 03 Nov 00 - 12:57 AM

There simply is no polite or reasonable way to introduce a banjo into a musical gathering... :-D

Subject: RE: Banjo intro needed
From: GUEST,Fretless
Date: 03 Nov 00 - 09:23 AM

Little Hawk's "There simply is no polite or reasonable way to introduce a banjo into a musical gathering..." may be overstated, but the best way to insert a 5-string into Planxty's Raggle Taggle Gypsy may be to ignore the strings and play the drum head like a tom-tom. ;-)

Subject: RE: Banjo intro needed
From: GUEST,Loco Lobo
Date: 03 Nov 00 - 05:12 PM

I seem to recall "wraggle-taggle" is in 6/8 time. There really isn't any good way to do 6/8 time on the 5-string. I've been picking for 35 years using 4 of the 5 styles on the five-string (seegering, frailing, scruggs and melodic, but not Reno single-string), been in 3 groups and recorded with it, and the best 6/8 time method of picking I've found yet is the one in Pete Seeger's book, "How to Play the 5-string Banjo", on page 27.

Subject: RE: Banjo intro needed
From: beachcomber
Date: 03 Nov 00 - 05:51 PM

Thanks Lobo Loco (and Bernard) You've just confirmed my worst fears. By the way, I did'nt want to "insert" anything into Planxty, just work out something of my own . Still I suppose it was a good line, I forgive you.

Subject: RE: Banjo intro needed
From: GUEST
Date: 03 Nov 00 - 06:46 PM

Sorry, beachcomber - you don't get off that easy! Raggle taggle gypsies is not in 6/8 its in straight 4/4, and you can clawhammer it - I've just tried it in mountain minor tuning (gDGCD) and it works OK. As a clue, the first few notes are:

(C2-C0),G3,G2,G0,(C2-C0),G3,G2,G0,(D-g),D5,(D5-g),D7,(D5-g),D3,(D0-g),D0

using a tab I think I've just invented. The notes not in brackets eg G3 are crotchets(1/4 notes?) - in this case, G string 3rd fret. The pairs of notes in brackets are quavers (1/8 notes?). The next bit involves a bit of drop thumbing and pulling off (I think) - I'll leave you to work it out for yourself.
Good luck
Ray

Subject: RE: Banjo intro needed
From: BanjoRay
Date: 03 Nov 00 - 06:52 PM

Sorry, I sent the tab but I've had to renew my name!
Cheers
Ray