11 comments on “Harry Reser for the Plectrum Banjo”
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Interesting! And I admire your dedication.
What’s your take on “Flapperette”— tenor or plectrum?
The single note parts sound like tenor, but the chord/melody section sure seems to be plectrum…?
Your new fan—
Will Wilson (plectrum)
Niagara On The Lake, ON
Glad you are enjoying it! Flapperette is tenor (I’m 99% sure); I worked on it for awhile on plectrum because I like it, but the sound is pure tenor, even the chord section. Ironically, some of those chords are easier to play on plectrum, but the voicings (the way the notes are stacked) gives it away. This should in no way prevent you from learning it on plectrum! I have a couple of friends who can play any of Resers tunes on either tuning.
Fascinating stuff. I heard years ago about Reser playing both tunings. The story was that Reser started on tenor and learned plectrum later, but your photos sure put that theory to rest. I’m listening to his later recording “Banjos Back to Back” and it sounds like tenor but I can’t be sure. He’s such a good musician that he makes anything sound good.
Actually the violin was his first instrument, then tenor, then plectrum. He was a tenor player at heart, so he played many passages on plectrum using tenor fingerings (skipping the B string). Most of his later recordings were on tenor; by that time he was world famous as a “tenor banjoist,” so that’s what people expected (at least in recordings). Eddie Peabody was very famous and popular at the time (playing plectrum), so this was probably also an attempt to not compete. However, there is a great live picture of Harry from the 50s, playing the plectrum. And yes, he could have made a toy guitar sound good!
Have you or Has anyone ever transcribed Frosted Chocolate for Plectrum banjo?
Tom; That is certainly one of the pieces he recorded on plectrum, and is actually the next in the pipeline. I’ve been extremely busy the last few months with family issues, and hope to get back to it soon. Thank you for your interest!
I did transcribe Frosted Chocolate. See me an email if you like a copy.
Interesting! And I admire your dedication.
What’s your take on “Flapperette”— tenor or plectrum?
The single note parts sound like tenor, but the chord/melody section sure seems to be plectrum…?
Your new fan—
Will Wilson (plectrum)
Niagara On The Lake, ON
Glad you are enjoying it! Flapperette is tenor (I’m 99% sure); I worked on it for awhile on plectrum because I like it, but the sound is pure tenor, even the chord section. Ironically, some of those chords are easier to play on plectrum, but the voicings (the way the notes are stacked) gives it away. This should in no way prevent you from learning it on plectrum! I have a couple of friends who can play any of Resers tunes on either tuning.
Fascinating stuff. I heard years ago about Reser playing both tunings. The story was that Reser started on tenor and learned plectrum later, but your photos sure put that theory to rest. I’m listening to his later recording “Banjos Back to Back” and it sounds like tenor but I can’t be sure. He’s such a good musician that he makes anything sound good.
Actually the violin was his first instrument, then tenor, then plectrum. He was a tenor player at heart, so he played many passages on plectrum using tenor fingerings (skipping the B string). Most of his later recordings were on tenor; by that time he was world famous as a “tenor banjoist,” so that’s what people expected (at least in recordings). Eddie Peabody was very famous and popular at the time (playing plectrum), so this was probably also an attempt to not compete. However, there is a great live picture of Harry from the 50s, playing the plectrum. And yes, he could have made a toy guitar sound good!
Have you or Has anyone ever transcribed Frosted Chocolate for Plectrum banjo?
Tom; That is certainly one of the pieces he recorded on plectrum, and is actually the next in the pipeline. I’ve been extremely busy the last few months with family issues, and hope to get back to it soon. Thank you for your interest!
I did transcribe Frosted Chocolate. See me an email if you like a copy.
I would love a copy! My email address is banjoplayer1@yahoo.com.
Ron, did you do a plectrum transcription of Cat and Dog?
I “learned” c&d 30 years ago, but with a lot of mistakes. I will do an improved transcription someday.
Robbert, I would love a copy of Frosted Chocolate! My email is: thosmarshall@gmail.com