This semester I had a unique opportunity to combine my research for my research paper with playing in two new ensembles. The object I am centering my paper around is the banjo, and I realized there was no better opportunity for me to understand the banjo on a personal level than to play alongside one. This opportunity presented itself when one night I was leaving the music building Sloan and outside were a fiddle player and a banjo player, both davidson students. They were about to go busking on the Main Street and I asked if I could tag along, which is what led to the first clip entitled “Busking with Appalachian Ensemble”. The experience was challenging as I was using a technique I am not used to, I had never head the songs before, and I am relatively new to the upright Bass. Despite the spontaneity of our performance, it went very well and I enjoyed the experience so much I decided to attend the Appalachian Ensemble rehearsal that next Tuesday. Through joining AE I got a gig at Summit Coffee from Dr. John Wertheimer in the history department. For this gig we did one rehearsal and a few days later we were playing live which is shown in the second clip entitled “Mountain Music Group”. Through box of these groups I got a lot of experience playing a blend of folk tunes, old-time music, bluegras, and mountain music, right alongside several banjo players. The anecdotal history I gained from these players about the banjo and these genres was invaluable, helping me center my focus on my paper.
