The Living Tradition of Old-Time Music

[@TonyfromBham]

Wow, what a warm tone and sweet, warm approach to playing.

[@TomCollinsBanjo]

Thank you kindly, Tony! Best, Tom

[@user-dg6iw5qb6p]

I’ve watched so many wonderful videos on here and Patreon. At this stage, this one as well as the limited brush stroke one for this same tune have been extremely helpful to me. Putting my stamp on tunes and playing through cleanly is what I strive for, and this helps so much.

[@user-dg6iw5qb6p]

I don’t recall being this passionate about anything not related to my loved ones. Thank you, Tom!!!!

[@TomCollinsBanjo]

Thank you, NK!

[@benestes9477]

THIS! THIS RIGHT HERE is why I'm learning to play this instrument. Absolutely gorgeous stuff Tom. I'm planning to work up a full-band version of your arrangement. Looking forward to sharing it with you at some point. Keep the Sunday drops coming!

[@TomCollinsBanjo]

Thank you so much for this comment, Ben! Can't wait to see what you guys do with the arrangement. Love your sound!

[@cedarshakes7955]

Did you ever do it??

[@craig693]

Excellent work on this bridge for Cumberland. Beautiful.

[@TomCollinsBanjo]

Thanks, Craig!

[@rodp7803]

Sounds awesome!

[@TomCollinsBanjo]

Thanks, Roderick!

[@guywolff]

Great stuff Tom .Free flying from the dance ..

[@TomCollinsBanjo]

Thank you, Guy!

[@jharsch3453]

Excellent use of triplets in the beginning! I was playing with some older folks yesterday. Never played Bonaparte's Retreat, but I picked it up quick. I also introduced to them Hail Against The Barndoor, albeit I played that Watson style - flatpicked guitar. I wish this tradition was stronger

[@TomCollinsBanjo]

Thank you, J!

[@donrice8440]

Very nice Tom. Please can you tell me your banjo tuning. Regards Germany.

[@TomCollinsBanjo]

Hey Don, The tuning is aDGCF. Thanks for the comment!

[@kathrynswords2400]

you mean adgcf and then add capo? hmmmm..... without a capo, what did you tune to & then did you capo@@TomCollinsBanjo

[@TomCollinsBanjo]

@@kathrynswords2400 I should have been more clear in my reply, so thanks so much for the question! The tuning is aDGCF, and you can achieve this with or without a capo. For some reason, I chose to capo in this video ... and I can't remember my reasoning. Either way, your strings should read aDGCF on a tuner! Hope this helps.

[@HurtMachineCyclery]

Ah...a capo. I was just having an internal dialogue with myself. For some reason I feel that tuning up to A is somehow "harmful" to the banjo. Am I wrong, right, or it depends? I have a maple banjo that I would like to dedicate to A tunes, but capo use has really worn my frets. Any advice on setting a capo properly or simply tuning up to A? Keep the banjo things coming. Each week is a joy.

[@TomCollinsBanjo]

Hey James...great question! On a well made banjo built for steel strings, you can tune right up to A no problem. My semi-fretless Enoch lives in A and D year round. Using a capo is a huge compromise: the only advantage is that you can change keys quickly. Otherwise, capos lower your action and negatively effect tone. Normally, if I were recording this for "real", I'd tune up versus use a capo. In fact, on the album I tuned up and avoided capo use altogether.

[@billfoley2626]

That metronome looks awesome, i'm sick of using digital ones but don't want a huge traditional one. Where can i find one?