The 4 string cello banjo, originally used in banjo orchestras of the early 20th Century, has been redefined in this decade by the playing style of Marcy Marxer and others. The revived cello banjo was pretty much invented by Gold Tone. Tuned in 5ths (like a mandolin, fiddle, cello, etc.) it allows accompaniment and lead arrangements for not only old time but most all genres of music. It is also being used in Irish music as well. That will be a separate post.
We are going to be selling these really cool instruments very soon. We hope to have one to show at the Hoppin' John Old-Time and Bluegrass Fiddlers' Convention (http://www.hoppinjohn.org/) next week.
Oh, by the way, these instruments are LOUD!
Check out the videos of Marcy Marxer and Cathy Fink playing some classic Old-Time tunes below.
Kithchen Girl ("Down-East" i.e. New England Old-Time)
Johnny Don't Get Drunk (Southern Mountain Old-Time)
In my posting I neglected to praise the musicianship of Marcy Marxer and Cathy Fink. I have not heard anyone better than Marcy on the newly (relatively) revived cello banjo and Cathy Fink was great when I saw here perform a number of years ago (I will keep the number of years to myself for my own sake as well as Cathy's) and now top 5 worldwide on Old-time 5-string in my opinion.
Posted by: Don Rickert, Ph.D., IDSA | 09/09/2009 at 12:52 PM